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To Love a Stray

By: Mygypsy



The town is like many other small towns I have passed through - nothing more than half a dozen houses, a general store, pub and a small post office branch. The pub is similar to many others I have walked into during the last few months, noisy and smelling of stale smoke and alcohol. The people that fill it are in various stages of drunkenness. There are a couple of businessmen at a table against the far sidewall eating their supper as they talk. I tune out their conversation of real estate prices as I pass them by. There seems to be the usual drunk standing by the bar swaying as he raises his glass in a shaking hand to drink his beer. Several groups of people enjoying a drink make up the scant clientele and I walk up to the bar to order a meal and a beer. I smile at the barkeeper as he runs his gaze over me appreciatively.

"What can I get you?" His name is Darren according to the name embroidered on his shirt.

"I'd like to order a counter meal please, a large steak medium rare with roast vegies. And a schooner of beer thanks," I say with a smile. I watch as he turns around and calls my food order through a window to someone working in what smells like a kitchen.

"What brand of beer would you like?" Darren asks as he picks up a clean glass and looks at me. I put my forearms on the bar and lean forward as I glance at the taps that deliver beer to the bar.

"Whatever you have on tap will be fine thanks," I grin at him. He expertly pours my drink and I hand him the twenty-dollar note from my pocket. I take the change he hands me along with my glass and head to a small table in one dim corner. The amber liquid is cold and bitter on my tongue as I swallow.

Unease tingles up my spine making me glance around nervously. Some instinct warns me of danger and I turn my head to watch as four men enter the bar room. I look away quickly before they notice me looking their way. The smell hits me, sending me into a fear-filled hunch over my drink. Werecats! The intricate levels of their scents tell me they are clan cats: born to this life, not some roving strays that have been turned by fate's cruel hand. I glance their way without lifting my head, a sly movement of my eyes. They seem unaware of my presence as they make their way to the far end of the bar and order their choice of drinks as the barman greets them familiarly. All four of them are large, six foot tall or more and three of them have the solid muscular build of mature clan cats. Roving strays are often thin and scrawny but clan cats that are secure in their clan never are. They have well defined muscular bodies moulded by plenty of physical exercise.

"A large steak medium rare with roast vegies," a female voice says at my elbow.

I smile and nod at the woman from the kitchen as she places my plate of food on the table in front of me. I control the urge to grab the plate and growl possessively as she puts the cutlery down beside it. I sneak a quick glance at the four men as the woman walks away and before I reach for the knife and fork, they seem oblivious to the fact that I am a werecat, a stray, and I am trespassing on their lands. My mouth begins watering as I begin to cut the steak into chunks pausing only to put a large piece into my mouth and chew as I continue to hurriedly cut the entire piece of meat into chewable pieces.

My instincts are screaming at me to leave but my body demands the food in front of me. It has been too long since my last proper meal in human form, and I have only been hunting small game when I shape-shifted so I don't attract human attention to my presence. I am halfway through my meal when the inevitable happens; one of the four toms walk past where I had lent both arms on the bar as I had ordered my food and drink. He stops in mid-stride. My acute hearing lets me hear him draw in a sharp breath as he catches my scent on the bar, and I hear the sudden stop of conversation from his companions as they too hear him. Tension quickly fills the bar room as suddenly hostile eyes look around the room. I can almost feel the tremors of fear that threaten me as sharp eyes skip over me dismissively.

The piece of meat in my mouth almost refuses to go down as I swallow it before reaching for the next bite; I figure I have a few moments more before the men start walking around the room trying to catch a whiff of any scent. I watch unobtrusively as two of the men make their way out towards the restrooms thinking the roving stray werecat would be there. I hear the distinctive low range popping sound that tells me one of the men who went out the back of the building has shape-shifted. An acrid smell wafts in through the side door warning me that the tom in cat form is marking clan territory. It's time to leave, I tell myself as I put my knife and fork down. In human terms he is saying he will grind the trespasser to dirt beneath his heel.

I get up from my table leisurely and head towards the kitchen with a regretful last glance back at my unfinished meal. I give the two men a wide berth as I leave the room unnoticed; they are looking for me but are unaware of exactly why they can't find me. I slip into the women's restroom to avoid the tom walking towards me and I hurry into a cubicle as I hear his footsteps slow. I realise I am sweating and grit my teeth in annoyance; my scent will be faintly detectible if a werecat was to get near me. I had accidentally found a way to mask my scent from animals and other werecats but unfortunately sweating, especially with fear, will render it ineffective. The footsteps continue on their way and I hold my breath as I listen to the steps fade away. I creep to the door and listen with my ear pressed against it for a few moments before opening it warily and glancing both ways before slipping out into the corridor and heading towards the rear exit.

I instantly rule out escaping in my rental car, as the other werecats are sure to have vehicles at hand. Vehicles bigger and faster than mine, making using my car futile. I have no wish to be forced off the road in a dark isolated place to find myself at the mercy of four large toms. Toms have no mercy for females.

At the edge of the parking lot I stop and listen, I am rewarded when I hear the faint sounds as velvety paws circle beyond the parking lot lights. I give my rental car one last look before taking a deep breath and stepping into the glow of the lights and heading along the street as if I regularly did this. I have long since learnt that the easiest place to hide is in plain sight. I am almost to the end of the block when I become aware of a silent form shadowing me. I stop and glance around uneasily as if I am a human. 

"Who's there?" I call nervously as I act like a normal human. I take a cautious step backwards before turning and hurrying towards the main street with several uneasy glances over my shoulder. The sensation of being followed fades.

I look for somewhere I can hide as fear sends waves of fire burning up my spine; tremors shake my body as terror speeds my steps. I reach a park and melt into the shadows as I step out of my sneakers and begin unfastening my jeans. A quick wriggle has them pooling around my ankles and I kick my feet free of them while pulling my sweater and top over my head. Even though I am unable to control it I know what is coming as I feel the first shafts of pain shoot through my very bones. I shape-shift into cat form almost instantaneously even as I let my clothes fall from my hands. Angrily I turn on my clothes and all that remains of them after a few seconds is tattered rags. I raise my head to listen as I glance back the way I had come; my ears prick forward and then back as I test the night air for any scent.

The breeze is blowing into my face lightly as I pick up the scent of several werecats; angrily I bare my teeth and arch my whiskers forward before giving a screech of pure rage. I head across the park at a slow lope as I head away from the town. If there had been anyone to see me as I burst out of the trees to cross a highway, they would have seen a black leopard like cat bounding across the road in three leaps. The sounds of pursuit reach me telling me I have foolishly revealed my whereabouts with my screech. I bare my teeth in an almost grin like expression as I pause to look back the way I had come. Fear floods my system and I fight to maintain control of my mind.

Run boys run, I think as I turn and begin running at full speed across an open field. Run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the ginger bread ... cat.

The parody of an old nursery rhyme runs through my mind as I speed across the ground and reach the thick belt of trees on the far side. The fresh crisp night air is sweet with the smells of nature as it blows in my face as I weave through the trees at high speed before slowing slightly as the practical side of my mind takes over.

Circle. Don't leave the breeze taking your scent straight to them. Don't stop-keep moving. 

Four long exhausting hours later I stop below a ridge top just outside of town. I am motionless as I listen for any sounds of pursuit. I crouch low and crawl to the crest of the ridge with my belly almost touching the ground as I slink over the edge without showing a clear silhouette. I stop as I cross the trail of my pursuers and lower my head to take a deep sniff so I will know their scents if I ever come across them again. Seven toms, three of the group from the pub, then shortly after a group of four followed. I glance around uneasily as I realise I must be close to the clan home range. I must leave quickly. A roving stray won't be tolerated so close to home. Even as I realise this I feel a strange longing that goes against every cat instinct I possess. 

I have spent my entire werecat life alone avoiding other werecats; I survived a werecat attack as a twelve-year-old child. I later came to learn the attack was unusual in the fact the werecat had come across me while he was in cat form pounced, shape-shifted and then raped me. My father had scared him off when he and a workmate had appeared unexpectedly, we had been on the way to hospital when the cat had attacked the second time. 

I have little memory of the first year after my turning and had learnt later that I had disappeared from the human community for nearly a year. At first it was believed that I had been killed in the motor vehicle accident that was believed to have killed my father as he had rushed me to hospital but my body had never been found in the burnt out wreck.

When I had turned up eleven months later malnourished, unkept and disorientated it had been assumed I had suffered a severe head injury. This had never been confirmed as I had a well-developed fear of strangers and physical contact. I had evaded the authorities and managed to survive on my own until my father's uncle had taken me under his care as best as I allowed. This had amounted to free food when I needed to eat and the knowledge that there was always a bed available if I should need it. 

I am mainly self-educated in survival, although a roving stray had befriended me in the first few months after I had been turned. He had taught me how to hunt while in cat form and when he had learnt I had an uncle in human society he had urged me to return and learn how to blend in now I was a werecat. For a few years I had lived uncomfortably between the two worlds unable to find a place I felt I belonged. Werecat? Human? I belonged to neither world until the day I had been stealing apples from an orchid and while up in a tree I had witnessed a clan werecat as he had shape-shifted back to his human form. My now- neighbour Pete Willoughby was unaware I knew his secret and we had become friends soon after I had stumbled across my scent masking secret. From him I had observed over several years how to live in the human world and retreat to the wildness of the bushland when my inner cat no longer can be controlled. Now at twenty years of age I am on the run from clan cats yet again.

Twenty minutes later I slink into the parking lot of the pub and make my way to my rental car. It sits deserted on a car trailer and I nearly scream my rage as I see its torn condition. I had shape-shifted back to my human form involuntarily and this fresh burst of fear and rage threatens to make me shape-shift once again. Numerous dents mar the formerly smooth panels, one door hangs half off its hinges and the interior is ripped to ribbons. The strong odour of urine and dung come from inside the vehicle as I quickly squat to reach under the destroyed front seats to retrieve a metal box. Inside is a complete set of clothes sealed in plastic along with a pair of sneakers in my favourite brand; deep in one of the jeans pockets will be a large sum of cash. I crouch in the shadows beside the vehicle as I awkwardly pull on the clothes before crawling on hands and feet to a connecting shadow that travels along one side of the parking lot. The clothes are unisex and well worn already so I blend in with any other human out at this time of night. I adjust the collar of the heavy coat and tuck my long blonde hair down inside.

When I am well away from the abandoned car I straighten up and glance around quickly before lengthening my stride to hurry my escape. When I reach the highway leading from town I hesitate for a moment before heading for a nearby service station. My need for food overcoming my instincts to flee the town, I had expended a lot of energy changing forms and now I am in more desperate need of food then when I had stopped to eat. The lights inside are bright and I blink rapidly to adjust my eyes before walking slowly along the aisles towards the counter, on my way I collect an array of packaged food. Placing the pile on the counter I hesitate a moment before adding a plain black baseball cap to the items and stand back as the young guy behind the counter begins running it through the till.

"We've had a run on the jerky tonight. You're lucky there was any left," he tells me.

"Yeah?" I answer flashing him a grin as I pull the baseball cap onto my head.

"Yeah, the Williamson family must be going camping. Four of the sons and seven of their ranch hands were in buying up on their favourite camping snacks," he says with an answering grin.

Eleven of them, I tell myself as I idly reach for a bottle of coke.

"You don't say. How many workers does the family employ?" I ask casually.

"Up to a dozen at different times," he informs me as he scans the last item.

Shit!

"Do you want plastic bags for these?" His question brings my mind back to the job at hand.

"Can I get two of those backpacks over there?" I ask pointing to a shelf behind the counter.

"Sure thing," he smiles, "Any particular colour?"

"The dark green army style. My brother will love it," the lie comes easily to my lips, I have no sibling.

"What ever pleases the pretty lady," he flirts with me and I laugh softly while he begins packing my purchases into one of the bags.

I loose track of his conversation as the door opens and two large men hurry in and I recognise them as two of the toms from the pub earlier. I tense as their scent reaches me quickly in the heated space. I hurriedly push several large bills towards the guy across from me and grab the nearly filled bag.

"Keep the change," I say quickly and head for the side door as I hear the very low hiss of anger.

"You forgot some of your things!" A deep gravely voice calls dangerously close and I glance back over my shoulder to see one of the men too close for my comfort. His eyes widen with surprise as he sees my face clearly and realises I am female.

"Back off!" I hiss so low only he and his companion can hear me as I back pedal fast towards the door as my terror escalates. I dare not chance loosing control and changing shape inside the shop in front of a human or near either of the clan werecats moving towards me with purpose.

"The Boss wants a word with you before you clear out," the closest one says in a firm tone.

"Tell Mr Williamson maybe another time!" I hiss in a whisper soft tone before I spin on my toes and race for small side door. Surprise that I know their clan Alpha's name gives me the vital instant to reach the door ahead of my pursuer and then I am outside in the night air and running for my life. The shop is quickly left behind as I use all my speed available in human form. I know I am fast but I have never put my pace to the test as I do now. I refuse to drop the pack of food as I sprint into the surrounding darkness and head for the trees. Behind me I can only hear one pursuer and over the sound of my laboured breathing I think I detect the sounds of someone using a phone.

The soft give beneath my sneakered feet tells me I have reached bare ground and I strain to increase my pace. The sounds of my pursuer suddenly stop and I slow to chance a quick look over my shoulder. I can't make out any sign of pursuit and I drag in a sharp breath as I hear the faintest sounds of bone and tissue popping. Terror races through me as I realise the tom behind me is changing form to that of a cat, and fiery pain shoots up my spine even as I struggle to keep running. I toss the bag towards a tall pine and take a deep breath as I plunge forward as if to do a somersault or cartwheel. As I shape-shift on the fly there is a brief but fierce flash of pain as if my body has exploded before my front paws hit the ground and I run several more paces before executing a sharp turn sending leaves flying as I end up facing the way I came.

I lay my ears back as I slow to a trot and glare at the darkness ahead of me. I bare my teeth in a vicious snarl as I spot the inky black form gliding between the trees. He slows and enters the tiny clearing at a fast walk. I wait until he is in the open then launch myself at him, teeth bared and claws unsheathed. My fear has turned to savage aggression and I attack with the experience I have gained protecting myself from tomcats for the last eight years. I am in good condition weight wise and my hundred and fifty pounds stagger him as he tries to twist away from me. It's no use as I whirl after him delivering several hard bites to his shoulder and a savage swipe of my claws along his ribs. Before he can recover his balance I am off and running once again. This time I hear no pursuit but maintain my pace knowing his backup would not be too far away.

The night is long and I am tired as I alternate between running full speed and loping comfortably. When dawn comes I am walking steadily in the dark shadows of a gully and pause to lap several mouthfuls of water before trotting in the narrow stream. I find a small shallow undercut several miles up the stream and I leap from the stream to the small shelter without leaving any marks in the damp clay of the stream. I settle my tired body on the cool earth in my feline form and stretch out making myself comfortable. Rest is my first priority as I lower my head until my chin rests on my front legs. I yawn widely and lick my lips before closing my eyes contentedly. Sleep comes fitfully and I wake at the slightest noises, even mice scurrying in the undergrowth brings my eyes open. 

It is nearing sundown when I come fully awake and creep out of my hiding place. I stand for several long moments in the last of the day's sun enjoying the warmth on my silky fur. I am entranced as I watch the fur on my side gleaming in the sunlight. I twitch my skin and I am startled to notice my fur has an almost coppery sheen to it with inky midnight black rosettes showing underneath. I yawn with satisfaction before walking down to the stream for a drink. Having quenched my thirst I leap the stream and begin padding along the opposite bank alert for any game. I am hungry and need to eat. Since I have not shape-shifted back to human form, not to mention the fact if I had that I have no clothes or money, that leaves me with the only option to hunt. 


To Love a Stray Ch. 02



Many thanks to my new editor Wulfgrleditor. 

*

Bile rises in the back of my throat and I swallow hard, my head is throbbing and I can feel a hard cold surface beneath my cheek as I try to work out where I am. I open my eyes slightly and the light makes my head hurt so I close them again with a moan. I hear footsteps somewhere close and cringe, pain shoots through my body bringing memories back with it. The strong pungent odour of strays seems to surround me and I know I am in deep trouble. 

"About time you woke up Miss She-kitty catty." I open my eyes and try to lift my head but the world spins on its axis and I find myself falling once again as my stomach rolls and bile fills my mouth. I cough and spit it out as I try to concentrate on my breathing, anything as long as I don't think about what hurts and why.

I hear a metallic click and then footsteps approach me. Terror scorches its path up my spine and I scream in pain as it swells in my head as I shape-shift. Suddenly I am crouching on four furred legs and I turn to face whoever has dared approach me. My surroundings seem to whirl and tilt but I manage to stay on my feet even as I stumble to the side. There is that metallic sound again and I raise my head as I try to focus my blurred gaze on something, anything.

With growing horror I realise I am in a cage not unlike the ones used in the circus to contain lions and tigers and as I take a deep breath I smell the faint traces left behind by one of them in the distant past. There are two dark blurry forms outside the cage and I realise one of the strays is on all fours and changing his shape to a cat as I watch. 

I shriek my fury, my anger turning to pain as my head pounds mercilessly from the effort. Terror grows as I realise how weak and defenceless I am. My legs tremble but my anger and indignation are not dimmed as I brace myself to fight when the cat comes into my cage. He is bigger and heavier than me and I am sent flying against the bars of the cage. I mewl in pain and struggle to my feet. He is on me before I can fight back, knocking me against the bars a second time. My cry of pain is louder as his claws rake along my back and I try to twist away from him as he bites my right shoulder.

I lower my head in submission until my chin touches the floor as he stands over me. His muzzle almost touches my ear as he lowers his head and growls menacingly near my ear before nipping it.

"He said shift back," the werecat outside the cage tells me. I glance imploringly at him, I don't know what he's talking about so I creep back several small steps. This is clearly not what is wanted and punishment is swift and harsh as sharp claws rip down my back again ripping through hair and hide. My scream of pain is almost human and he unleashes a flurry of cruel swipes that land on my head and shoulders making me scream in pain again.

I collapse on the floor of the cage and he moves over top of me making me cry out in pain as he moves eagerly. When he finally leaves the cage I crawl to the corner of the cage where I stretch out on my side my flanks heaving as I pant in pain. Thirst burns my throat and hunger gnaws at my stomach but I am too weak to look for the water bowl. I hear the metallic click as my tormentor leaves my prison but I am unable to lift my head to look at him. I close my eyes and let my consciousness drift into the black nothingness that hovers near. I am dimly aware that time is passing as I drift in and out of consciousness but my only time marker is the frequent visits by my torturers as they come and demand I obey their orders.

Noise different to normal brings me awake and I stumble to the corner and turn to face where I know he'll come from. I see blurry shapes moving outside the cage, fighting by the sounds of the noise, and I snarl in fear and anger as I back securely into the darkest corner. Soon the fighting ceases and shapes lay on the floor motionless as I lift my head and sniff fearfully. The intense scent of clan cats reaches me and I cover into the corner terrified. 

"Holy shit! I don't believe it! It's a she-kitt! A stranger, I don't know her scent!" The words make little sense to me and I growl as I lower my head and I struggle for balance. I hear the strange metallic click and press back into the corner with a whimper of fear. I've learnt quickly that the sound means someone is coming into my cage. I lower my head and hiss at the blurry tall shape that slowly comes closer.

"Hey there. What's your name? We're here to get you out of here," The voice is soft and soothing. Clan! His scent warns me I am now faced with clan cats, my greatest fear. I didn't buy his reassurances and growl threateningly as he gets closer. I tilt my head slightly as he stops moving but all this achieves is me overbalancing and falling on my side. I brace myself for his attack but it doesn't come as he crouches where he stopped.

"You're sick aren't you and you don't know what's happening. All you know is you hurt real bad," his voice remains soft and soothing. I hiss and attempt to get to my feet. Pain lances along my back and I cry out sharply as darkness dances at the edges of my vision as unconsciousness threatens.

" ...Not going to hurt you, not going to hurt you, not going to hurt you," he croons in that soft voice. Strangely I find the sound of his voice and his presence comforting; maybe it is the lack of aggression and savagery in his scent. I allow myself to sink to the floor when I am unable to hold myself up any longer. My hiss of warning is half hearted and I try to press myself into the floor as his hand hovers above my head or neck. I wait for him to touch me, to hurt me but there is no contact just that soft soothing tone.

"Infected bite, scratches, possible concussion, I think she needs food and water bad ... she's been beaten pretty badly..." his voice drones in that soft tone, "She seems to be suffering from a fever. She doesn't smell as if she's in heat so they must have come across her some other way."

I close my eyes, the light hurts my head and I strain my ears for any sounds of movement. That soft and soothing voice is speaking again but I don't try to follow what he's saying. I just let it wash over me soothing my battered body like a balm. The door of the cage gives its metallic click startling me from a half unconscious state. I try to spring to my feet but over balance and end up on my side. There is movement near me and I screech in fear as I try to get to my feet. I lash out at the blurry figure near me in my panic.

"Get back! Back off!" The soothing voice is gone, replaced by a different voice strong with authority. I whine lowering my head as my whole body trembles, the loudness hurts my head and the light dazes my blurry eyes.

"It's okay, no-one's going to hurt you. Just relax, calm down. That's it just calm down ..." It's not the voice I want and I hiss menacingly. I swish my tail as something stings my thigh but I pay no attention to it; insects are the least of my worries. I lift my head and turn it to one side trying to focus on the figure in front of me. I whine again wanting that soft voice back.

"Yeah, we're here to help you. Just put your head down and take it easy ..." The voice fades away into the distance and I lift my head uneasily. I feel my body sway but it's a weird detached feeling as if my mind is floating free from my battered and bruised body. My sight blurs and I moan as I struggle to work out what is happening to me. My head feels heavy and I am unable to keep it up.

"Yeah that's it just relax. Close your eyes and go to sleep," that soothing voice returns to coax.

I realise with horror that I must have been drugged and I struggle to get to my feet. My injured shoulder hits the cage bars hard and I know it must hurt but even that pain is distant. Everything is lying on its side and I move my front legs but it's me who is lying on my side.

"Don't fight it just go with it," the voice sounds oddly disjointed now. I lay still not even swishing my tail. After a few moments there is a slight scraping sound as someone moves closer. I open my eyes and I can see a man bending over me, my nose tells me he is a clan werecat but I am too weak to worry anymore. A hand touches my injured shoulder but the touch is gentle as around the bite is probed.

"She's not out," a different voice says from far off.

"I only loaded enough to half knock her out. It's okay. No one is going to hurt you. We're here to help you," The strong authoritive voice says.

I drift in and out of consciousness. I am faintly aware of being lifted and being placed on something firm but soft. My mouth and throat are no longer dry from thirst but I can't remember drinking. Soon I become aware of movement around me and my body no longer feels detached from my mind so I open my eyes warily to find I am no longer in the confines of the cage. I flex my claws and find I am on a mattress and I even have a blanket of some kind thrown over me.

I lift my head slowly and look around cautiously. There are four men in the room and I can smell the clan cats in each of them. One glances my way and stops what he is doing to walk towards me slowly. I flatten my ears back against my skull and growl a warning for him not to get to close to me. He seems to understand and stops to pick up a bottle of water.

"Are you thirsty again? Remember I gave you water before?" It's the owner of the gentle voice. He crouches so that he is nearly on eye level with me and I hiss as I look away.

"Do you want to try changing back to human form?" He asks softly. Memories of what has been done to me in human form have me hissing and spitting furiously as I edge backwards.

"You're safe. No one is going to hurt you," he promises. "If you change back I've got some clothes you can wear. You can have something to eat and drink, we can talk and you can tell me your name ..."

"Mitchell come here a minute," one of the men on the far side of the room calls. Mitchell turns away from me and walks over to where two of the others are standing together.

"Why don't you try meeting her on her own level?" One of them asks very quietly, "change and see how she takes it."

"No, I don't think that's a good idea," Mitchell denies and glances back at me with a worried frown. "I'll leave her as long as we can before I decide how to handle the situation if necessary."

I watch the men but they resume picking up things around the room. Even Mitchell busies himself with other work. I settle myself to watch them as they go about their tasks. I find my mind clearing and my strength returning the longer I am awake and I realise my captors must have been drugging me. My head and injuries are still painful but I ignore this as I stretch and flex my legs one at a time. My right front leg is very stiff and the shoulder extremely painful when I move and I am barely able to move it.

A spasm of heat flows down my back ending at the base of my tail then another spasm follows it. I whine and lift my head to look around as I realise I am about to shape-shift back into human form. There is no place to hide so I wriggle backwards attempting to get beneath the blanket that lies across my hips. The flashes of heat are starting to increase in intensity and I settle myself uneasily. I long for the shape-shift to be over so I can hide beneath the blanket and a brief but fierce flash of agony rolls over me.

My hands grip my head, and I can feel the short uneven stubble of my hair beneath my fingers on one side of my head as I try to steady my breathing. I long to reach for the blanket and pull it up over my shoulders but changing has left me too weak to do this for the moment.

"Mitchell," there is warning in the tone and I hear footsteps head my way. I turn my head so I can see whoever is approaching me. It's Mitchell and he has some clothing held in one hand while behind him I notice the others moving towards a doorway.

"Do you understand me? Do you understand English?" Mitchell asks in a gentle tone. I watch as he stops out of reach and squats so that he is not so tall. I can see the muscles tensed in his thighs and realise he is not as at ease as he seems. Just his very presence fills me with fear, as I know what toms like to do with me when I'm human.

"How about if you understand me you nod for yes and shake your head for no. I can understand that you might not want to talk to a strange man at the moment," his tone tells me he truly understands and there is compassion in his eyes. I am silent as he watches me for nearly a minute before he extends the hand holding the clothing.

"Here are some of my things. I know they'll smell like me but I thought you might like something to cover yourself up," he offers a tentative smile. I move slowly and roll to my right just enough to be able to move my left arm and I grimace as my right shoulder pulls painfully then I tense as Mitchell moves. He has tossed the clothing and it lands within reach of my left hand. I look from the clothing to his face and give the smallest of nods before reaching for the clothing.

"I'll move back over near the door and let you put those on," Mitchell tells me gently. I wait until he has moved away before I force myself into a sitting position, I glance his way to find he has turned his back but is clearly listening to my movements. I manage to put the t-shirt on by pulling it up my right arm before I pull it over my head but I am unable to manage the sweatpants one handed and over balance to fall on my injured shoulder. A cry of pain escapes me and my vision turns black with bright sparks shooting through it as bile rises in the back of my throat. I squeeze my eyes shut tight as I pant with the pain. I flinch as I imagine something touching my shoulder and I kick out blindly in my fear-induced panic.

"It's alright! It's all right! I'm not going to hurt you ... I'm just going to help you," Mitchell's voice comes from alarmingly close to me and I try to growl in warning but it comes out as a hiss of pain. I feel the sweat pants slip from between my fingers and my eyes fly open in desperation. Mitchell is kneeling beside me and his touch is gentle as he eases the sweatpants onto my other foot. A look of horror and compassion is on his face as he tries to avoid looking at the dried evidence of rape that clings to my inner thighs. He slips one hand beneath the curve of my hip and lifts me so he can pull the pants up properly. I don't look away as his gaze meets mine and he gives me a tentative smile; I respond with a slight nod. His scent does not stink of lust only horror and compassion. Instinct tells me he is not like the strays that had captured me when Jasper left me after my heat had ended.

"Do you understand me?" He pronounces each word carefully and slowly. I hesitate a few seconds then respond with another slight nod.

"Are you hungry? There's some food if you are," Mitchell offers as he tries to study my head without being too obvious. I give another slight nod and then turn my head so he can see the injury above my right ear where my hair has been hacked short. I can remember feeling stitches being put in behind that ear at some time during the time I've been kept as a prisoner.

"I'll get you that food," Mitchell says softly and stands up. I stare nervously but watch him walk away with hopeful anticipation. My stomach rumbles at the thought of food and my mouth tries to water. Suddenly I hope he remembers a drink as I realise how dehydrated I am.

I don't have to wait long and the aroma of fried chicken precedes Mitchell into the room. I eye the three men who follow him into the room and try to sit up more securely at the same time. Mitchell walks towards me and slows as he nears me clearly he is watching to see if I object to his presence. I glance past him relieved to see that the others have stopped and are well back from me. 

"You like chicken?" Mitchell asks with a slight smile and I nod as I eye the plastic bags he carries.

"The others would like to meet you. No one will hurt you I promise," Mitchell tells me quietly when my alarmed gaze meets his. He reaches into one of the bags and pulls out a sports drink and hands it to me. I reach for it with my left hand and hesitate when I realise I won't be able to open it. Mitchell must have realised the same thing and smiles ruefully before unscrewing the lid and handing me the bottle.

"How about you meet the others while you have some of that?" He asks as I raise the bottle to my lips almost frantically. I don't respond as I gulp the drink down thirstily and tense when one of the others approaches to stand beside Mitchell.

"This is my brother Samuel but everyone calls him Sam," Mitchell tells me.

"Hi," Sam says with a wide smile. He seems a bit disappointed when I don't respond but gives a slight nod before turning and walking away. The next guy catches my attention immediately as he walks towards us and I watch him for a few moments before I realise I was mistaken. It's not Micah. 

"This is Dwayne," Mitchell says evenly. Dwayne smiles at me with assured calm and squats so he is on the same level with me. 

"Hi, do you have a name?" he asks. The very sound of his voice reminds me of Micah and I growl in a sudden burst of fear. Dwayne backs away with a hurt look on his face and stands off to one side as the last guy comes forward for his introduction.

"And lastly Alex," Mitchell motions towards a darker and slimmer version of Dwayne.

"Hi Mystery Lady," Alex says lightly. I glance at Mitchell then back at Alex. 

"It's alright, Alex don't mean no harm." Mitchell says reassuringly. I glance back at Mitchell and give the slightest of nods.

"You hungry?" Mitchell asks reaching into the other bag to produce a take-away container. He moves a couple of steps closer and squats to put the container down in front of me. I put my drink down as I watch Mitchell move away before turning my attention to the food. I open the container awkwardly and study the food carefully. Deciding it doesn't appear to have been tampered with I grab a deep-fried wing and sink my teeth into it eagerly. I am full before I eat all the chicken and I try to sit up straighter as I suck the flavour off my fingers. I catch Mitchell watching me with a thoughtful look on his face. Catching me watching him he smiles at me and produces several wet wipes from a container on the floor. When he approaches me I watch him calmly and make no protest when he squats facing me and reaches for my greasy hand. I hesitate for a moment then hold it out to him and watch as he carefully and gently cleans the grease from my skin.

"It looks like you enjoyed that food," Mitchell says softly and I nod.

"Can you remember how you got here?" Mitchell asks gently. I jerk my hand away from him and lean away from him as I avoid his gaze and after a short while he gets to his feet and moves away from me. I watch as the other three move over to him and they begin talking quietly.

"She needs her injuries treated," Someone says, I think its Dwayne.

"I'm still trying to get her to trust me. She clearly blames all males for what those strays did to her," Mitchell replies in little more than a whisper.

"Tranquillise her," Sam chimes in. 

"And lose all the progress I've made?" There is anger in Mitchell's voice and he glances towards me as if sensing I was listening but I am closing the take away container one handed and he turns his attention back to the others.

"We're fast running out of time. We've cleaned up here and leave in about an hour," Sam argues in a whisper.

"You think I don't know that? You think I'm not trying to win her trust as fast as I can?" Mitchell demands angrily his voice rising slightly and I look his way nervously. I am openly watching them when he glances my way this time. He turns away from the other three and collects a can of coke from one of the plastic bags the food had been in and carries it towards me.




To Love a Stray Ch. 02



"You want more to drink?" Mitchell asks softly. I nod and give a slight smile as Mitchell opens the can and hands it to me. I take it and drink deeply before giving a soft sigh of pleasure.

"Good is it?" Mitchell says and glances towards the others where they are gathered drinking from cans of soda as well. "I guess your back is pretty sore not to mention that shoulder."

I am watching him closely when he looks back at me and after a few moments I nod cautiously.

"I can put some ointment on it, make it feel better. Or we could go to a motel and you can have a shower before I treat your back and shoulder," Mitchell offers quietly. I couldn't stop myself glancing fearfully towards the others and I see they were trying to be discreet about listening to Mitchell talking to me. When I glance back at Mitchell he is watching me intently. 

"We know those others that were here ... we know they hurt you and none of us want to hurt you. You have to believe me; we only want to help you." Mitchell tells me earnestly. I watch Mitchell uneasily for a few moments before glancing towards the others. Sam is watching us and I shift uneasily. I realise in that instant that Sam is in charge; I should have realised earlier. Sam is the biggest and strongest tom here so he is in charge. I look at Mitchell and see with a start that he has moved close enough to grab me if I let my guard down.

"We want to help you," Mitchell says softly in an almost hypnotic tone and holds one hand out towards me. I eye his hand for a moment before glancing quickly towards Sam. I sense Mitchell moving slightly closer and I turn my attention back to him hurriedly.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Mitchell uses the same tone again as he lifts his hand towards my face. I can't help myself and a warning growl rumbles deep in my throat but I manage to force myself to hold still as the back of his fingers trail lightly down my cheek. I narrow my eyes as I glare at him and Mitchell lowers his hand careful to make no sudden moves.

"I guess that means no touching unless I'm treating your injuries," Mitchell says in his soothing tone. I give a curt nod and Mitchell smiles at me.

"You ready to tell me your name yet?" He asks quietly. I am struck by the sudden lack of noise and realise all four men are holding their breaths. I shrug and grimace as the motion pulls at my sore shoulder.

"Come on, we've told you ours," Mitchell coaxes with a friendly smile. I give a slight nod in acknowledgement but look away from his face in avoidance of his question.

"I guess what's happened is pretty scary and confusing," Sam says as he walks over and lowers himself to sit some distance behind his brother. I glance his way and notice Alex and Dwayne moving closer as well and tense as fear begins to build. Are they planning something?

"Do you understand what's happened to you?" Sam asks quietly. I don't respond in any way as I dart nervous glances between the four men. It's with a feeling of horror that I recognise the fiery sensation scorching its way up my spine. I begin to shake my head negatively and use both arms as I scoot backwards despite the pain this causes in my shoulder.

"It's alright we're not going to hurt you..." Mitchell begins in his soothing tone as he reaches out towards me.

"No!" I scream, "Keep away from me! Keep away..." my scream is cut off as my shape-shift hits with savage intensity. Pain lances through me culminating in my head and I launch myself at Mitchell as my cat form takes over. I feel his arm between my teeth and I struggle not to bite down as I stand over his prone form. He is staring up at me with shock and fear.

"Mitchell!" Sam yells almost frantically and I release my hold to turn my head and glare at him. I can smell his fear and realise amazingly it is not for himself but for Mitchell who is lying prone beneath me motionless for the moment. I press my ears back against my head as I snarl at Sam then turn my attention back to Mitchell as I sense movement from him. I lower my head and sniff at his face wrinkling my nose as the unpleasant odour of panic reaches my brain and I snort angrily making Mitchell flinch from my breath. Carefully I step away from him with my head lowered and a rippling snarl that warns everyone to keep away from me. I retreat to the corner hopping in a circle with my head low as I struggle maintain my balance on three legs as well as contain my fear and anger.

"Mitchell?" I hear the worry in Sam's voice and turn to hiss at him in fear.

"I'm alright. She bit me but it's not as bad as it could have been. I didn't know she was about to change. Hell did you see how fast it hit her?" Mitchell sounds awed.

"Alex get the trank gun," Sam orders softly before taking several steps towards me.

"Calm down. I know you can understand me, try to concentrate on what I'm telling you. We need you to change back to human form. Now I know you didn't mean to hurt Mitchell but you have and you're too dangerous like you are at the moment. Try to calm down." Sam orders firmly and I growl at him and shake my head.

"There's no arguing about it, change back!" Sam orders firmly once again. I become still as I try to work out a way to make him understand that I can't shape-shift or 'change' as they called it at will. After a few tense minutes I lay down on my stomach and rest my chin on my forelegs. I watch all four men seeing how they wait hoping I will do as asked.

"Alex," Sam says quietly as he watches me closely. I look Alex's way and realise he is holding something out of my sight, knowing it must be the tranquilliser gun I get to my feet and begin to hop back and forth anxiously. I feel the sting in my thigh and snarl as I swing my head around to look, a small dart is sticking out of my thigh. I walk slowly towards the mattress and sit on it as I try to remove the dart with my teeth.

* * * * *

I wake to a steady beat beneath my ear. I am half sitting and half leaning against something warm and I open my eyes slowly trying to make sense of where I am. It's dark and I'm in a vehicle that's being driven along a highway, I realise as my eyes focus on the passing dark scenery. I tense as I realise that the steady beat beneath my ear is a heartbeat and the warmth against my side is one of the four toms. I lift my feet from where they rest on a folded seat in front of me and place them on the floor as smoothly as I can. I ease up straight and look at the person beside me cautiously. A soft snore comes from him and I realise its Mitchell. I look around the inside of the vehicle and find Alex asleep on the seat turned to face us while Dwayne is in the passenger seat beside Sam who is driving.

The shocks continue as I realise I am in human form and warmly dressed in another t-shirt and sweatpants. I have clearly been placed in the vehicle with a view to my comfort. I watch the passing countryside for a time and find with surprise that I am becoming quite comfortable around the four toms that I am starting to regard as mine. I put my feet back up on the seat in front of me and lean against Mitchell once again as I make myself comfortable.

"We're awake back here," Alex says quietly and the vehicle begins to slow.

"How is everything?" Sam asks and I catch on he is asking about me.

"We all seem to be fine. Anyone got any complaints?" Mitchell asks.

"Can I have a drink please?" My question is whisper soft.

"What do you want? Coke, lemonade, Gatorade, or water?" Sam asks quietly.

"Water," My voice is little more than a whisper and I press against Mitchell's side fearfully as Alex moves. He fishes a bottle of water from a plastic bag and I reach for it without hesitation when he offers it to me.

"Hungry?" Sam asks. 

"Yeah always," I say without hesitation and this brings soft chuckles from the four toms.

"The hunger, the high metabolic rate comes from being a werecat," Mitchell tells me evenly.

"If we stop for food you promise to behave and not do anything to attract attention?" Sam asks with a firm tone to his voice.

"Ok," I say agreeably.

"So what's your name," Sam says in that same firm tone.

"Rosy, I get called Rosy," I say and avoid his quick glance in the rear view mirror. I hear the faint whistle from Alex and know that they have picked up on my half-truth.

"That's an interesting summer name," Alex comments.

"So where are we headed?" I ask.

"Home," Sam tells me.

"You know where I live but not my name?" I ask surprised.

"Not your home, our home." Sam uses that firm tone.

"No!" I declare as I sit upright and scoot away from Mitchell. "Stop, turn around and take me back to where you found me now!" I demand angrily as my sudden burst of fear turns to rage.

"That's not happening," Alex says shaking his head.

"No what's not happening is you lot taking me anywhere! Stop and let me out!" I shout angrily as I lift my feet up and crouch on the seat with my back to the side of the van. 

Sam slows the vehicle and glances in the rear view mirror, "Are you going to calm down and accept what's happening or do you need to be sedated again?"

"Stop and let me out! You have no right to do this!" I order franticly as my fear builds.

"We're doing this for your own good. Every stray tom that comes across you will hunt you down and you've found out for yourself what they want with you," Alex snaps in a hard tone of voice.

"As if what you plan to do is any different!" I declare as I glance around looking for some possible way of escaping.

"No-one's going to ... you won't be forced," Mitchell cuts into the argument quietly.

"You going to calm down?" Sam's tone is more reasonable but I shake my head as tears of hopelessness come to my eyes.

"We'll get you something to eat and then we'll see if you can be more reasonable," Sam tells me gently.

"I hate you! I hate the lot of you! I'll make sure you pay for this!" I threaten before settling down into a sitting position hunched against the side of the vehicle with my face turned away from them. I kick out at the seat beside Alex in my misery and am gratified when the kick lifts it a few inches before it settles again, I aim a second more powerful kick at it and grimace with satisfaction as I hear something crack. "Hey! Enough of that! Our boss will have our hides if this vehicle is damaged!" Dwayne exclaims worriedly as he looks over his shoulder at me. I glare back at him angrily. His likeness to Micah strikes me and I narrow my eyes thoughtfully.

"You remind me of someone," I say softly, my tone hinting it may not be a good thing.

"Considering there's six of us brothers that's not surprising," Alex tells me. "Four of us travel around a lot."

"And look a lot alike," Dwayne adds. I glare at Alex and make out his answering grin in the dimness, I snarl and turn my head away but it isn't long before I glance towards him again. Living in seclusion has been hard with only Pete and my Uncle to really talk to and along with my natural curiosity I am starved for conversation and contact.

"Your not liking being touched is part of being a werecat. If you don't know someone or don't trust them then you won't let them touch you," Alex tells me as if making normal conversation. I growl not wanting to hear him talk. Of the four toms he is the one who scares me most and who I trust the least.

"That's another thing. Growling, hissing ... that's your inner cat," Alex just can't shut up.

"Well tell me, what do I have to do or say to not have to listen to you!" I yell at him.

"Awww, you don't mean that," Alex almost purrs at me. I hate being told what I already suspected, especially coming from Alex so I growl at him again, a deep rumbling sound that should warn him I have had enough.

"And we keep our existence a secret from humans. They'd take it real bad if they knew we aren't just monsters..." Alex starts again.

Something clicks inside me and I fly at him, no warning and no sound. My fist connects square with his mouth and his voice becomes a hiss of pain as I cower back in my seat scared and shocked by what I've done. The vehicle slows suddenly and I whimper in panic as I glance around for a way of escape as Sam quickly pulls to the side of the road.

"Fuck! She knocked my canine loose!" Alex exclaims with one hand to his mouth, blood running down his chin.

"Dwayne you drive! Alex, get in the front before I knock your head loose!" Sam snaps as he undoes his seatbelt and opens his door. Alex waits with his hand on the doorhandle and Mitchell leans against me in one swift movement one arm in front of me with his hand braced securely against the side of the vehicle. I cower into the corner of the seat and watch scared as Sam stalks around to the sliding door into the back of the van. I figure this is when I am going to be severely disciplined for striking Alex.

"She was warning you to leave her alone!" Sam snaps angrily as he jerks the door open and grabs Alex by the upper arm hauling him out of the vehicle nearly throwing him out of the way. I cower in my corner with my heart beating wildly, my breath coming in pants as I watch Sam climb into the seat where Alex was. He slams the door shut, puts his seatbelt on and slowly raises both hands into full view. Mitchell quickly moves back to his own space and they both watch me silently until Dwayne guides the vehicle back onto the road. I cower against the cold glass of the window and shudder as a fiery spasm races up my back. I whimper and close my eyes tight as a second spasm follows the first.

"No," I whimper as my body shudders.

"What's the matter?" Mitchell asks in his low soothing voice. I send him a quick terrified glance before pressing my forehead against the cold glass again. Another fiery spasm races up my spine and I feel my body shudder forcefully as I pant. The very thought of changing in the small confines of the moving vehicle with the four others terrifies me.

"I'm gonna change I can feel it. It's gonna happen!" My whisper is hoarse with fear. Suddenly there's warmth against my back and a hand grasps my clenched fist and warm breathe brushes against the back of my neck.

"Slow down your breathing. Try to calm down a little. Slow your breathing. That's it slow your breathing down. Calm down and you can control your change ... err shape-shift. Slow deep breaths now. Open your eyes and try to count those little posts at the side of the road ...slow deep breaths ...nice and calm..." Mitchell's voice is soft and strangely calming.

As I get my breathing under control and start to calm down I become aware of the fiery spasms lessening in intensity and heat. I take a deep breath and a sigh of relief escapes me. I slowly lift my head from against the window where I had pressed my face I become aware that the vehicle has been pulled to the side of the road and I can smell fresh air coming in through partly opened doors.

"Slow, deep breaths ... that's it ... nice and calm. Feeling any better?" Mitchell asks gently. I give a jerky nod and glance towards Sam uneasily. He is watching us closely and gives a slight nod when he realises I am in control of myself. 

"Nicely done. It's not easy to learn to control your shape- shift," Sam compliments me.

"Ok if I let you go now?" Mitchell asks lightly.

"Yes," I say even though I miss the contact even before it's gone. I feel Mitchell ease away and I turn my head to glance at him miserably.

"Mitchell outside now," Sam orders and they both get out of the van. The radio in front is turned up and I turn my head to look out my window. I'm smart enough to know the conversation outside is being covered up so I don't hear it. I concentrate and I can hear Sam's angry tone but I can't understand exactly what he is saying. When Sam and Mitchell get back in the vehicle it is Sam who sits beside me and I edge closer to the window while I send Mitchell an imploring look.

"You still want something to eat?" Sam asks. I glance his way quickly before looking out my window again. 

"Yeah," I say after a long moment.

"We're going to stop at a motel. You try to escape, attract attention or do anything except what you're told and I will sedate you and tie you up and gag you." Sam tells me in a no-nonsense tone. I glance his way but don't respond in anyway to his ultimatum. 

The dark landscape passes quickly and within half an hour we are turning into a motel alongside the highway. Dwayne parks the vehicle in a dark corner then gets out and heads towards the office. I look around with interest but when I see both Sam and Mitchell are watching me closely I go back to staring out the window. I watch as Dwayne leaves the office and makes his way to a detached cabin near the vehicle. He uses a key to open the door and disappears inside for a minute or two. When he reappears he walks over to the vehicle and Sam opens the sliding door. He gets out and stretches before Mitchell joins him.

"Out you come," Sam says in a friendly tone. I take my time easing out of the vehicle and slowly turn when I am outside. I now have a mental map of the surrounding area in my head. Sam takes hold of my left arm just above my elbow and my first instinct is to jerk free but I refuse to give in to it waiting for a better chance of escape. He escorts me into the cabin and I look around quickly as he releases my arm and I take several steps away from him.

"Bathroom is the door on the right, toilet the other side of it. Soap, shampoo and towels are provided," Dwayne announces. I glance his way uncertainly for a moment then I take a step towards the bathroom. I glance back at Sam waiting for him to stop me.

"There are security bars on the window and anyone of us can break the lock on the door if we think you're trying to escape," Dwayne tells me. I dart a quick glance at the three toms in the room and hurry into the bathroom locking the door behind me. I pause at the door listening to the movements in the other room but no one comes near the door so I move to the shower. One glance confirms Dwayne's comment about the bars on the window so I turn the shower on adjusting the water temperature. I move to the door silently and listen with my ear against the door. No one is near the door so I go back to the shower. I hesitate a few moments before pulling the t-shirt off with some difficulty and grin when the sweatpants prove easier.

I sigh in pleasure as the warmth of the water soothes my battered body as I stand beneath the spray letting the water cascade over my head and down my back. I make good use of the ordinary smelling soap before reaching for the shampoo. I am careful as I wash the area over my right ear where the hair has been hacked short then I turn my attention to washing my hair one handed as best I can. It takes three washes before the rinsing water runs clear and I reach for the small bottle of conditioner. With my shower complete I feel exhausted as I turn the water off and reach for a towel. I take my time drying myself before reaching for the clothes I had been wearing. At least they are fairly clean and I put them on before giving my hair a final drying. Reluctantly I unlock the door and open it, Mitchell and Sam turn to look my way at the sound and both smile as I walk into the room nervously.

"Dwayne should be back with food anytime now. Alex is waiting out in the van so he doesn't bother you," Sam tells me.

"If you'll lay on your stomach on this bed I'll treat your back and shoulder for you," Mitchell says motioning towards the bed he was sitting on while he had been watching TV. I hesitate a moment before walking between the two beds avoiding going near Sam then I carefully crawl onto the bed and stretch out on my stomach.

"I'm just going to move your hair out of the way and push the t-shirt up so I can see your back to treat it," Mitchell is using his soothing voice once again. His touch is gentle and I close my eyes as his hands drift over my back. My shoulder is painful as he works on it and I turn my face into the pillow to hide as the burning sting of peroxide causes pain. The sound of the door opening and someone walking into the room makes me tense but other than that I don't move.




To Love a Stray Ch. 02



"Don't tell me you had to sedate her to treat her back! It could have waited until after she ate, I was as fast as I could!" Dwayne complains, he sounds truly upset.

"She's not sedated," Sam tells him and I lift my face from the pillow and turn it towards the doorway. Dwayne is standing in the open door watching and grins when he sees I'm fully aware. He kicks the door closed without looking and holds up the box of takeaway bags he holds. 

"I didn't know what you prefer so I got a variety."

"Finished, you can sit up." Mitchell announces. I sit up careful not to jostle my aching shoulder and watch as Dwayne brings the food over to sit the box on the bed in front of me.

"There's McDonalds, KFC and I even got a pizza. Go on, pick what you want," Dwayne offers. I search through the McDonalds until I find a double quarter pounder. I glance around the three expectant toms but seeing no denial I remove the meal from the bag.

"You can have one of the large drinks," Dwayne offers with a friendly smile. 

I glance up from un-wrapping my food and take note of his expression. 

"Not trying to get on my good side are you?" I ask suspiciously. 

Dwayne blinks and the smile fades from his face. "I just thought you might like to choose what you ate," his tone is carefully neutral and I realise I have offended him. 

Unsure how to take the insult back I pull my burger apart and pick the pickle slices off it. I lift them up and eat them one at a time relishing the taste. I suck my fingers before picking the lettuce and tomato off the burger; they go the same way as the pickle slices and I begin reassembling the meat patties and bun.

"You got any desert in those bags?" I ask as I eye the reconstructed burger critically.

"You haven't finished your burger yet," Sam points out to me. I look at him from the corner of my eyes with pursed lips and shake my head before turning my attention back to my food. I grab a fry and nibble on it as I study the burger. I finish the fry before picking the burger up and taking a big bite out of it. I make sounds of enjoyment as I eat the burger quickly and lick my lips before looking at Dwayne.

"You got another burger for me?" I ask brightly then frown. "What about Alex? Did you get him something to eat?"

"Yeah, I dropped his food off with him before coming inside," Dwayne answers in a reserved tone. Obviously he hasn't forgiven me for my remark about trying to get on my good side. I glance at the takeaway bags seeing they aren't empty but when no answer comes from Dwayne I shrug and turn my attention to my fries. They're too salty and I stop eating them after a few. I feel some irritation when both Mitchell and Sam retrieve a second burger each out of the bags. Deciding I can take off if necessary, I reach for the KFC bag and look in it while keeping a cautious eye on the other three. It's full of deep fried chicken and I quickly grab two pieces before placing the box back in the bag. I eat the chicken quickly. I've grabbed two breast fillets and I barely chew the tender meat before swallowing. 

"Go and wash your hands," Mitchell orders as I begin licking the grease from the palm of one hand. I blatantly lick my hand several times as I stare at Mitchell before easing off the bed and heading for the bathroom. The taps are fairly quiet as I wash my hands and I can hear Sam talking to Dwayne telling him to give me time that I've been through a lot and that I'm not to know when some stranger is being nice because that's their nature. I linger in the bathroom taking time to wash any grease off my face before returning to the other room. I climb back onto the bed beside Mitchell and stretch out on my stomach. I ignore the cold fries and look at the drinks for a few moments studying the condensation on the outside of the cups. I put the fries in the box and pick up one of the large drinks and pop the straw in my mouth taking several swallows before drawing patterns in the condensation on the outside of the cup.

"Do you always play with your food?" Mitchell asks. I remember how I had cut my steak into tiny pieces before eating it the night with Pete, Steven and Micah.

"How bad is your arm where I bit it?" I ask suddenly, "I really didn't mean to bite you."

"Not too bad. By the time I've changed ... shifted form once or twice it will have healed," Mitchell explains.

"Changed ...changing, that's what you call it," I remark.

"Yeah, we change from one form to another," Sam explains. I nod as I think about it and how it makes sense. I look at Sam then glance at the other two before settling my gaze on him again.

"Can you tell me more about being a cat?" I ask quietly, "But just stop if I ask?"

"Don't go trying to knock any of my teeth loose," Sam says in a mock fearful tone and lifts both arms as if to ward of an attack.

I groan and bury my face in the bed for a few moments before lifting my head once again. "Alex was freaking me out," I mutter.

"Yeah I realised that but he needed to find out from you how far he could go before he got himself into hot water," Sam explains patiently.

"Can we change the subject?" I almost beg.

"Yeah. We're toms, tomcats. We work as warriors; we deal with troublemakers and trespassers. Act as security for our Alpha, the dominant tom and queen. A queen is a female cat that has had at least one baby. Until she is married and has her first child she is called a she-kitt. We think you're a she-kitt," Sam tells me.

"No I'm a Rosy cause I got rosettes," I shoot back. The three toms glance at one another in shock before Sam looks back at me. 

"Rosettes? Female strays are coloured like a jaguar, tawny gold with rosettes. Stray male were cats are all black with generally white patches or markings on chins, chests or stomaches. But clan were cats we're all black with no colours and very rarely markings of any kind. All clan cats are," Sam explains to me.

"I have rosettes. When I go out in the sun they can be seen beneath my fur which is black and has an almost coppery sheen to it," I explain patiently.

"You can't have," Sam says unbelievingly.

"Don't tell me what I can and can't have! I've seen them enough when I am out in the sun or on the full moon!" I snap angrily.

"Exactly how long have you been a werecat?" Sam asks tersely. I glance at him to find him watching me intently and I realise this information session has turned into something like an interrogation.

"A bit," I say in a noncommittal tone.

"Here's how this works. I ask the questions and you answer them truthfully ... or ..." Sam lets the idea trail away and I frowned as I watched him through narrowed eyes.

"I can remember a few reports of a sighting of a stray with a strange coat," Dwayne offers with a thread of excitement, "It has always taken off running when warriors went to move it out of their territory. The first one I can remember the timing of is about six months ago."

Sam is watching me closely.

"Oh I have been round long enough to have learnt the difference between clan cats and strays. Clan cats attack and chase off strays or kill them. Soon as I worked that out I knew I have to keep away from both," I say levelly.

"We got no intention of killing you or chasing you off ..." Sam begins and I sit up alertly and growl a low deep warning as I edge backwards away from the three toms. "There aren't a lot of female werecats born and you're not the first female stray I have heard of. Most of them have been discovered dead or are crazy from what strays have done to them. All the surviving female werecats strays have ... Clan cats look after she-kitts. They're our future ..."

I snarl at this and I am on my feet backing away from them.

"No one will force you or rape you. You get to find a tom you like or feel comfortable with," Mitchell says as he turns around slowly to face me. I pause in the toilet doorway and watch them closely as I search their faces. Every sense I possess is telling me they are speaking the truth and they have no intentions of hurting me but I am afraid to trust them.

"Most families have five or six sons before they have a daughter. For some reason boys tend to be born first," Dwayne offers. "And any of us, all of us have had ample chance to ... well if that's what was intended." 

This sounds about right and even though I am no longer growling I know there is no escape from the cabin. It was probably chosen because it would contain me.

"Come on," Mitchell pats the bed beside him trying to coax me back.

"What would happen if I knew about another werecat?" I ask.

"A stray she-kitt?" Sam asks in surprise.

"No, a clan tom," I answer.

"Did he show you what he is?" Sam demands instantly.

"No. I was up an apple tree picking apples and I saw something move on the other side of the pond. It was a big black cat and you could say I was ... shocked when he changed and became the man," I recount as I remember that day.

"Does he know that you know?" Sam asks suspiciously.

"And get myself attacked! I'm not stupid!" I snap and begin pacing in front of the toilet and bathroom doors nervously.

"Hey Rosy you need to stay calm," Mitchell murmurs soothingly. I glance at him and see the concern on his face and realise that I am becoming anxious. I take a deep breath and stop pacing as I try to calm down.

"Was this before or after you started changing into a cat?" Sam probes gently. I'm scared to believe they want to talk about this. After all the times the need to talk to someone to anyone about being a werecat and the challenges I faced as a stray had sent me running through the forest on four feet in turmoil and misery.

"Rosy ... Rosy ..." I look towards Mitchell and realise I am pacing again. I give in to the need for comfort and rush towards him. I see the caution flare in his eyes and force myself to slow as I climb onto the bed to stretch out beside him on my stomach as I bury my face in the covers. I whimper and wriggle closer miserably. I press my side against his thigh and I am rewarded when he strokes the back of my head gently.

"You've been alone too long without any friends haven't you," Mitchell commiserates gently.

"How have you avoided other werecats? Have you been lucky enough to smell them first?" Dwayne asks. I climb to my knees and glance at Mitchell. He is watching me with a compassionate look and I move to press my face against his chest. The feel of his arms coming around me is comforting and I hesitate a moment before gripping the sides of his shirt as I snuggle closer.

"You alright Rosy?" Sam asks and I nod as I turn my head to look at him.

"Pretty scary huh?" Mitchell asks and I nod as I ease back to sit on my thighs even while keeping hold on his shirt. I look down as I blink to control the tears that want to flow then I swallow hard. 

"I saw that cat ...change a while after ... after I started changing but I never said anything to him. Never let him or anyone know," I murmur.

"Good girl, that was smart thinking," Sam praises and I lift my head for a moment to smile tremulously at him.

"You not so scared of us anymore?" Dwayne asks and I catch the slight tone of yearning in his voice. I glance his way and give a small shake of my head before looking down at my hands. My knuckles are white from the tight grip I have on Mitchell's shirt and I force myself to loosen my hold.

"You want to try to have a bit of a sleep before we hit the road again?" Sam asks softly and I give a faint shrug.

"You'll need to use one of the other beds because your drink got spilt on this one," Mitchell cuts in and I look down at the bed to find what he had said was true.

"Oh," I say faintly. I allow Mitchell to coax me onto one of the other three twin beds where he pulls the covers over me tucking them around me as if I am a child. I snuggle down into the bed pulling the covers up over my head to cut out the light, the covers are lifted and I recognise Sam's silhouette.

"You okay in there?"

"The light's bothering me," I explain.

"Ok," He arranges the covers so a gap lets in fresh air before he moves away. I close my eyes and quickly drift off into a warm and hazy kind of limbo. I can hear what the others are saying and I can hear them moving about now and then but it doesn't worry me as I lay in a haze of pain and fever.

* * * * *

I wake with the sense that something has changed. I moved slightly and become aware of a warm pressure against my left side that is moving slightly. I tense but a quick sniff tells me it is Mitchell stretched out on top of the blankets and lying against my uninjured side.

"I'd appreciate it if you could change over with Alex. Rosy doesn't seem to like him and at the moment we're just trying to keep her calm and get her back where we can get her medical treatment," Sam is explaining.

"No problem. So we have finally come across a live female stray."

I attempt to sit up as the new voice reaches my ears but Mitchell moves beside me with a mumble and I am pulled up against his body by his arm as he rolls onto his side.

"Trouble over there?" Sam asks quietly.

"She jumped again," Mitchell murmurs in soothing tones from behind my head.

"She restless?" There's that voice again and I tense beneath the blankets.

"I think she's woken up," Mitchell says as he sits up and eases the blankets away from my face. I am motionless as I take a deep breath checking for the scent of this new presence in the room. I am aware of Mitchell murmuring to me as I tense even further as I identify the scent. Micah!

"She hurt badly?" Micah asks.

"She has an infected bite on her shoulder that seems to be very deep and she's pretty unstable with her changes," Sam clarifies. "Alternates between aggressive and submissive."

"Not good," Micah says quietly.

"Rosy you ready to meet someone new?" Mitchell asks gently as he brushes stray hairs back off the side of my face. The light is turned on and I jerk my face into the pillow as the light hurts my eyes.

"I hear you smacked my brother in the mouth and I can't say I blame you. There's been a time or two I've wanted to do worse," Micah says in a friendly tone as he begins walking toward the bed from the front door. I clutch at the pillow and a hand covers mine lightly.

"If you're getting too scared remember deep even breaths, okay," Mitchell murmurs near my ear. I nod and ease back from the pillow and begin to ease myself into a sitting position, I flick a quick glance Micah's way and tremble with a mixture of fear and excitement as I chance a look at his face. I duck my head and turn my face toward Mitchell as Micah nears the bed. I can hear Micah's heart begin beating faster and the deepening of his breathing as he inhales my undisguised scent.

"Rosy?" There is a hint of question in his tone and I am not sure if it is because he wants my attention or because he has recognised me. I glance his way nervously and see the growing recognition in his eyes. I hold his gaze for a few moments as he studies my face.

"See how easy it is to meet someone new Rosy," Mitchell soothes softly.

"I'm not someone new, am I Rosy? We've met before haven't we when you used a different name," Micah murmurs evenly. I flinch back against Mitchell but nod affirmation to Micah's statement.

"And you were a cat back then too weren't you," Micah's tone has changed slightly. I cower against Mitchell and grab hold of his hand as I watch Micah terrified. I am aware of Sam moving closer where he can get a better view of my face and Dwayne moving to where he can see me as well.

"How do you manage it? I can smell you now but I couldn't smell you then, not even when I ..." Micah's musing breaks off as he watches me closely.

"You know her?" Sam asks in surprise.

"She was living next door to Pete Willoughby," Micah informs them.

"Pete had to have known what she was!" Dwayne exclaims.

"Oh Pete had a few questions when I was there like how come she just happened to drop the theory that the cattle kills were done by exotic cats, the photos she let him ... you were keeping strays away from your home territory! You already new what they..." Micah's voice trails off as he stares at me with dawning understanding, "You had already learnt what they do to you if they catch you. Damn!" 

I flinch and turn to Mitchell to burrow against his chest desperately.

"What the hell are you going on about?" Mitchell demands angrily.

"How many times have strays caught you Rosy? How many times have you suffered through what they do to you?" Micah's voice has taken on a timber of pain as he asks me the question. "Rosy?"

"I don't want to talk about it, I just want to forget," I whimper against Mitchell's chest.

A growl starts rumbling low in Micah's chest and the rage and intensity in it send so much fear shooting through me my body loses the ability to change. As the warm wetness begins to soak my sweatpants I realise with humiliation that I've voided my bowels and bladder in terror. My heart is pounding so rapidly and hard my chest hurts and I gasp for breath. I can hear Mitchell growling something in a low tense voice but I can't understand it past the buzzing in my ears.

My sight has gone black and fuzzy. My hearing is lost beneath the roar of my blood in my ears but I am aware of the warmth of a body against me and the soothing feel of arms around me. I drift in and out of sleep or consciousness several times before I return to full awareness. A finger brushes hair back off my face and I grimace as I turn my face into the pillow beneath me. The finger returns to trace circles on my upper arm and I whimper as I shudder in fear helplessly.

"Rosy, Rosy look at me. Look at me Rosy," Micah's voice has taken on a slightly teasing tone and I chance a quick glance his way before hiding my face again.

"Come on Rosy. You're real clever at hiding to survive by yourself. How did he find you?" Micah asks after several minutes when he realises I'm not about to co-operate.

"Can't you leave her alone?" Mitchell demands aggressively.

"How about you and I step outside?" Micah asks and a strong pungent musky odour reaches me. I hear Mitchell and at least one of the others coughing as Micah gives a short growl.

"What? I thought not," Micah murmurs in a hard voice. There is silence for a minute or two before he starts talking again. "How did he find you Rosy?" 

I feel his breath brush my ear and flinch, "He smelt me. He must have tracked me, he smelt me," I sob miserably.

"Help her get cleaned up if she'll let you. We need to get moving." Micah orders quietly. 

I find myself carried to the bathroom and placed on my feet with care before Mitchell urges me to have a quick shower. When I get out of the shower I feel more normal and hurry to dress in another lot of clean clothes. I leave the bathroom and hesitate in the doorway looking around feeling scared. The room is empty with the door standing open and I move towards it cautiously suspecting a trap of some kind. Dwayne heads towards me from the vehicle and I watch him warily. He motions me forward with a smile.  

"Come on Rosy," he encourages me. Too physically and emotionally exhausted to argue I follow him without complaint. I climb into the back of the vehicle and settle myself in my previous seat. Dwayne is gentle as he tucks a blanket around my shoulders to keep me warm and I pull my feet up under it.

"Thanks," I mumble uncertainly.

Dwayne smiles at me, "It's okay," He looks as if he wants to say more but moves away. He returns after a few moments and looks in the vehicle at me watching me for several minutes before moving away again. He repeats this process several times until Sam appears around the side of the cabin with a grim look on his face. 

Sam climbs into the back of the vehicle and studies me where I am seated, "Comfortable?"




To Love a Stray Ch. 03



I hold the game controller and wriggle with excitement as I play against Sam but the car I am in control of hits the sidewall and erupts into flames. I groan in disappointment as game over flashes for me and Sam goes on to cross the finish line first.

"Winner!" Sam yells as he waves his controller in the air.

"My turn!" Dwayne yells and looks at me in surprise as I hand over the controller without complaint.

"It's making my shoulder hurt," I explain.

"You want something for it?" Sam asks as he looks at me from where he is seated on the floor at the other end of the lounge I am stretched out on.

"It only really hurts when I move my arm about," I explain.

"I can get you some of the pain tablets Doc left here for you," Dwayne offers from the floor near my good shoulder.

"I'll give you a foot rub," Alex offers from where he sits on the lounge with my legs across his knees.

"Rosy said no touching remember?" Mitchell reminds Alex from the armchair beside him.

"Yeah, yeah," Alex groans but doesn't argue. He might not be allowed to touch me but my feet and ankles are touching him.

"We're out of chips," Sam announces holding up a large bowl that had held corn chips.

"You guys got any fruit?" I ask as Mitchell gets to his feet, takes the bowl and heads for the kitchen.

"Healthy food is bared from the quarters," Mitchell yells back to me.

"You got any ice-cream then?" I inquire.

"Ice-cream we have. Hope you like either triple choc or vanilla," Mitchell yells again.

"Vanilla will do," I decide.

When Mitchell returns with more chips he has a large bowl of ice cream for me and I balance it on my stomach as I eat it. I place the empty bowl on the floor out of Dwayne's way and settle down to watch Dwayne and Sam racing their cars. I yawn several times and turn onto my left side. My eyes begin to drift closed after a short while so I settle myself more comfortably and close them.

"Must you boys have that game so loud? You didn't answer me when I called from the back door!" The scolding female voice wakes me abruptly and I open my eyes in alarm, Dwayne's head is right in front of me and he is turning his face towards me quickly.

"Ah Mum," There is a note of caution in his voice as he stares into my eyes.

"Where do you lot have that poor girl? I've bought her lunch out here for her," the female voice continues on.

"Rosy is on the lounge and you just woke her up," Sam says very softly.

"Oh dear! I'm so sorry!" The sound of her voice and footsteps move around above my head and I tense as I hear movement within inches of me.

"Hallo Deary, my name is Marissa. My sons and their friends tell me your name is Rosy. That's a beautiful name." She exclaims brightly.

I turn my head slowly to look her way and she immediately picks up on my stress. Her sudden caution triggers my hunting instinct inside me and I narrow my eyes as I look at her assessingly.

"Oh did I surprise you? I didn't mean to. I just thought you'd like some nice freshly caught fish with your salad for lunch. I know these boys don't keep anything but frozen junk food here," Marissa explains brightly even as she takes several slow steps to the side further away from me. I blink several times breaking my stare, I realise my sudden aggression is unwarranted but still it is hard not to glide off the lounge in a stalk. Slowly I look around at the silent toms to find they are all tensely watching me aware of my simmering aggression and I blink several more times.

"Did you say fish?" I ask faintly turning my gaze back to Marissa.

"Some nice steamed rainbow trout," Marissa confirms.

"Hmmm," I murmur.

"I'll just leave it on the kitchen table and one of the boys can bring the plate back to the house later," Marissa decides and heads towards the kitchen. I follow her movement with my eyes until she is out of sight and then I listen as the plate is placed on a wooden surface.

"I'll leave you youngsters to your game then," Marissa calls brightly and I can hear the strain in her voice. When the door shuts behind her I hear the toms around me give sighs of relief and I take a deep breath as I realise I had stopped breathing.

"She doesn't mind me being here?" I ask uncertainly.

"Mum is happy to have you here," Dwayne reassures me. "I didn't mean to stare at you."

A direct stare is generally a sign of aggression or dominance. I shrug lightly and roll onto my back before easing into a sitting position once again.

"Do you have a toilet here?" I ask.

"Yeah sure," Sam answers getting to his feet. He frowns at me when I would swing my legs off the lounge and scoops me up in his arms. When Sam carries me back from the bathroom Mitchell and Alex are microwaving some kind of frozen food containing cheese and Dwayne brings my plate of food from the kitchen. I settle myself on the lounge and begin eating my meal. The fish is cooked to perfection and breaks into flakes as I pull it apart with my fingers. The guys are still eating when I finish my food and I swing my feet down to the floor.

"Stand up and I will tell Doc you haven't been doing as you're told," Sam tells me sternly without looking my way. I am about to argue but close my mouth and look away as I lift my feet back onto the lounge. As annoying as I find their hovering I am aware that the toms are only trying to do their best to look after me. I don't protest as Dwayne takes the plate from me and places it with the ice-cream bowl. I look around the various cases full of different games noticing that they do indeed seem to have every action game available. The satisfaction of a full meal settles on me and I stretch lazily then yawn, I blink several times as I realise that my eyelids are getting heavy and I give a soft sigh.

"You ok? Anything you want?" Mitchell asks.

"I think I might have a sleep."

"We'll keep the noise down for you," Sam informs me.

"Hmmm," I murmur and lay my left arm across my eyes. Already my mind is getting sleep blurred and I yawn again. 

Movement, quiet voices and something else I can't be sure of wake me and I open my eyes groggily. I see a silhouette beside me as I realise someone is grasping my wrist. I jerk my wrist free with a defensive growl as I scramble to move from my prone position. A strangled cry comes from somewhere close and I recognise Alex's voice as I recognise he is in pain and fury rushes through me blotting out my pain as my body shifts. I land on my four feet between Alex and who ever had been touching me. My tail is lashing from side to side in my fury and I snarl a warning as I feel my fur stands on end.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," It's Doc's voice and I recognise his scent as my cat brain registers his words. Multiple scents of fear, panic and alarm register and I shake my head and snort through my nose. The strongest smell comes from behind me and I look over my shoulder to find Alex on his side on the lounge clutching his groin region.

"I think one of your feet ground into something tender," Doc tells me. I mewl at Alex apologetically and turn to nudge his shoulder with my nose. He groans and gives me a weak smile showing he understands my intent but I know this doesn't lessen his pain. I take a deep breath and freeze as my brain registers new scents. I lay my ears back against my head and growl a low warning as I slowly swing my head to take in the three forms behind the lounge. I instantly recognise Micah's large physique and I am quick to identify Steven by his scent but it is the first time I have seen Pete while I am in my cat body and it takes me a few seconds. Clearly Pete is just as stunned by my appearance as it takes him several seconds to speak when he opens his mouth.

"Tawny! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself!" Pete exclaims. I roar at his use of my name and whirl away from him. I spy the large window beside the TV that is open to the evening breeze and race for it. Insect screen shreds beneath my front claws and I am leaping out the window forgetting I am on the second floor of the building.

I try to brace myself for my landing but when my front feet hit the ground pain blazes through my injured shoulder and I shriek in pain as I hit the ground on my chest. I force myself to my feet and run.

Pain is my friend as I flee - it fuels my flight keeping me going when I would have stopped. I am panting and limping heavily when I slow to a walk deep within a small forest. I find a thick bush near the roots of an upturned tree and study it carefully before slinking into its shelter. I turn my head and begin to clean the fresh blood from my shoulder wound, the damage seems to be slight and the bleeding has already stopped. I pause in what I am doing and rotate my ears slowly. Distant sounds reach me and I become aware that clan cats are hunting me once again.

My first instinct is to flee but the slight pain in my shoulder reminds me of my injury and I crouch in my hiding spot tensely. I listen to the search alertly but no one comes near where I hide as I watch the shadows slowly change position. I become aware of the stirrings of hunger and sniff the air intently. I haven't heard any sounds of pursuit for quite some time but I know that doesn't mean no one lurks out in the night searching for me.

I creep out of the hiding place and stop to sniff the air cautiously before moving off slowly. Half an hour, two rabbits and nearly a dozen mice later I come across a small creek I am sure I leapt not long before hiding. I lap water thirstily and raise my head with interest as I notice a sleek body moving lazily in the water. I gather myself carefully and remain motionless as I watch the fish swim slowly, a pause in its movements and I pounce with a large splash. I lift my head high and snort water out my nose as I clamp my jaws around the wriggling body. I leave the creek with high steps and bound onto a grassy bank where I stand on my fish with both front feet prior to ripping a large bite of flesh out of it.

With my meal finished I look around carefully before cleaning my face and whiskers thoroughly. I study the sandy bottom of the creek critically for a few moments before bounding into the water and splashing up a riot, I roll in the water wriggling on my back and sides to use the sand to clean my fur. A deeper area allows a brief swim before I climb from the water and shake myself vigorously.

With thoughts of home and my familiar bedroom come memories of Pete, Micah, Mitchell, Sam, Dwayne and even Alex. I growl in annoyance and turn back towards the way I have fled. I feel uncomfortable as I make my way almost reluctantly towards the buildings I only glimpsed vaguely in my terror-induced flight. I am still within the trees when I catch the first faint sounds of activity ahead. I slink forward cautiously and pause before leaping up into the branches of a sturdy tree where I lay down on a solid branch and watch the activity.

Two forms are packing things into a van while a third form is on hands and knees naked in the moonlight. I watch with interest as he shifts into a cat before loping off into the trees about half a mile from where I am. Somewhere in the surrounding woodland a cat calls and I prick my ears as I turn my head and look in that direction. I check where the breeze is coming from before dismissing the incident and dropping to the ground on silent paws. As I get closer to the tree line I realise that might not be the wisest idea to come out of the trees unexpectedly in cat form. I pause slightly back from the end of the shadowed under growth and lift my muzzle. It is the first time I have actually called to my kind and the mewling roar is strange to my ears. I hiss uncomfortable then tense as I swivel my ears around listening for any reactions.

A deep coughing roar comes from the depths of the trees as well as several rough growls and shouts from the clearing in front of me. I walk boldly out into the edge of the clear ground around the dwellings and stop as one of the people at the van begins rapidly throwing their clothes off before dropping onto their hands and knees. I stand up slightly on my hind legs as I raise my head and shoulders higher the better to see what is going on. Suddenly I am undecided wether to race forward and attack, turn and flee for my life or simply stand my ground.

The sound of someone or something crashing through the undergrowth towards me at high speed decides the matter for me as I turn to face the rapidly approaching cat with flattened ears and bared teeth. He bursts out of the trees several yards from where I walked out and stops in a spray of fallen leaves as he snarls a warning then begins to advance in a slow stalk. 

I back away from his advance with a scared hiss as I keep glancing from one eye to the other trying to read his intent. The sensitive hairs on my neck warn of the silent approach of a cat from the clearing and I turn towards the trees and with three long leaps reach the base of the tree I was in and leap up into the branches once again. This time I don't stop on the sturdy lower and mid branches but climb high into the thinner branches until they start to bow and creak with my weight.

I cling to two different branches as I look down at the two below me. I recognise Steven by his scent but am unsure of the identity of the other. He smells remarkably similar to Micah, Dwayne and Alex so I guess he must be another one of the six brothers. They both are back out of range of my dropping down on them and Steven is even sitting on his haunches cleaning his whiskers as if nothing is bothering him. I watch them both for a few seconds before lifting my head to look out across the trees.

A few minutes and two more cats join Steven and his companion. I identify Alex and Dwayne by their scents and I watch as Dwayne circles out of range trying to get a good look at me. There are slight sounds of another approach and I watch as a huge cat comes out of the shadows. He walks to the base of my tree and looks up at me. I recognise Micah from his sheer size and he lifts his muzzle skywards before roaring. It's a long series of coughs that run into each other and I hiss as I leap into the branches of the neighbouring tree where I climb into its heights until the branches threaten to break. I'm starting to get really worried and scared that returning was a foolish idea and the sounds of more approaching cats only seem to confirm this as I find a reliable perch in the tree.

Two cats join those around the base of the tree and I look down worriedly. The slightly smaller cat moves to the base of the tree, and stretches up on his back legs reaching out with his front paws as if he is about to climb the tree. Micah growls at him but he ignores Micah and calls to me with a soft cry. I answer immediately as I recognise Mitchell instinctively. He calls again and I cry softly as I shift my position and move down into firmer branches. His next call has me climbing down to stop in the lower branches where I try clinging to a branch and leaning down to try and sniff his nose. I can't reach and give a soft cry. 

Mitchell calls again and I answer but he backs up several steps and I watch him for a moment before circling the trunk of the tree awkwardly on the branches.Finally deciding on a space I drop to the ground and flatten my body to the loose-leaf litter and hiss defensively. Mitchell calls softly and I wriggle forward slightly. He walks forward and sniffs at my nose and I stand to sniff along his jaw to his neck and shoulders. His shoulder brushes mine as he turns and his tail sweeps across my back. I try to follow him and Sam is there sniffing my shoulder and giving it a quick lick. Micah gives an almost purr as he sniffs near my nose before boldly rubbing his shoulder along my side. I shy away from the contact but turn so I can sniff at him as he moves along my other side.

Suddenly there are so many cats around me I can't tell one from another and I hiss in fear as I cower against the ground. Instantly Micah is standing between the toms and me growling a warning at them that has them backing off even as they sniff in my direction. Micah nudges my shoulder and makes a motion with his head but I am new to all of this and don't know what to make of his actions. He nudges me again and takes several steps towards the clearing. I slink after him several steps with my belly close to the ground and he mewls at me encouragingly, waiting until I get closer before he moves further. 

Realising he wants me to follow I stand up and begin to follow him but when the others fall in behind me memories of all the times I've been chased surface and I bolt ahead to a thicket to circle and keep it between us. Micah turns his head and with a growl he has the others moving ahead until there is only he and I left.

I move out to follow him with any order from him and once clear of the trees he picks up his pace to a trot. I speed up to keep pace with him and the others break into a run in front of us bring the instinct to chase them raging to the front of my mind. I pick up speed as I fix my sights on the smallest amongst them and then Micah is at my side; his shoulder pressing against mine firmly as he turns me in a tight circle. I stop and stand alertly as he stands regarding me silently. 

With the others nearly at the house Micah motions with his head and starts after them. I follow him and break into a trot like he does and I follow him to a door in the main house. He jerks his head at two of the toms that are changing and I watch them a moment before turning my attention back to him. He jerks his head at them again and I understand but I can't shift at will.

I sniff at his nose and tilt my head to the side but there is no way I can speak to let him know my problem. I watch as the two toms finish shifting and look away when I realise it is Sam and Steven. They both head into the house and I glance at Micah wondering what to do now. Shortly Steven returns followed by Wade and I cower against the ground in fear as the Alpha comes outside.

"Hallo Rosy. Just wait a minute or two and you can go inside." He tells me in a friendly tone.

"You remember the way to the bedroom you're in Rosy?" Steven asks and I give a small bob of my head. It seems like forever while I wait under the watchful eyes of Micah and Wade until Sam appears on the other side of the door and opens it.

"Go straight to the bedroom. Thank you Rosy," Wade orders firmly. I creep past him on my stomach and once in the door I bolt at almost top speed through the rooms. My feet slide on the tiles as I go around corners and I hear my claws scratching for traction as I run. I can hear someone behind me but I don't look back as I leap up the stairs. My back feet slide out from beneath me as I turn the last corner into the bedroom and I hit the floor hard.

I hesitate a moment before leaping onto the bed and at the last moment I duck beneath the side of the bed and crawl underneath into the false security of the dark. I hear heavy paws slow down for the corner into the bedroom and the owner comes to a halt inside the room. A low growl reaches my ears and I press myself down against the floor as I hear Micah take several steps forward. He sniffs loudly at the edge of the bed and a large paw reaches underneath the covers that hang down the side to scratch faintly at the floor.

"Rosy? Is she in here? I'm sure I saw her go in," Doc's voice is easily recognisable. Micah snorts loudly under the edge of the bed and I cower back against the wall.

"Rosy, you can come out. No one is going to hurt you," Doc coaxes. I watch as the large black paws move back to the doorway and after a few moments I crawl to the edge and look out cautiously. Doc is standing by the bedside unit and he smiles holding an empty hand out towards me when I stick my head out. I sniff at his hand before creeping out from beneath the bed. Micah comes forward and when he goes to rub his cheek against my shoulder I shy away from him.




To Love a Stray Ch. 03



"Micah is trying to say hallo. We greet each other by rubbing against each other when we're cats." Doc explains. "Now how about you shift so I can check how your shoulder has fared."

I turn my head towards the doorway and watch expectantly, my sensitive ears have detected footsteps on the stairs. Micah rotates his ears and flicks his whiskers before turning his full attention back to me.

"Hey Rosy! You sure do have rosettes! I didn't believe it until I saw it for myself!" Mitchell is talking to me even before he turns into the bedroom. "Oh you haven't shifted yet. Do you want us to leave and give you some privacy?" Mitchell asks glancing at Doc and Micah. He glances at me and enlightenment dawns on his face, "You don't know how to shift when you want to do you. It just happens?"

I nod my head and take a couple of steps towards him.

"I'll try to talk you through it. Stand or lay so you're comfortable. Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply. Imagine your body changing back to human form ..." Mitchell's voice drones on softly, almost hypnotically and I try to follow his instructions but nothing changes and everything stays the same. I snort in annoyance and leap up onto the bed where I lay down and curl my tail around my haunches as I look at Micah watching me. I growl in annoyance and Mitchell stops talking.

"Don't give up Rosy. You'll soon learn how to control how to shift. Relax and breathe deeply and slowly. A big deep breathe in ... and slowly out ..." Mitchell's voice drops to that almost hypnotic tone and I close my eyes and try to do as he says.

Try as hard as I can I can't imagine myself back to human form. The desperate need to be human again swells and suddenly bursts like lightening along my nerve endings. I gasp and open my eyes in alarm. I see my paws shimmer and then melt into human hands, pink and hairless. I collapse on the bed and gasp as I feel the cold night air against my naked skin. Someone places a blanket over me but I only have the strength to shiver and close my eyes.

"You've done it Rosy! You shifted!" Mitchell exclaims excitedly but I am only embarrassingly aware of the fact that I am naked beneath the blanket and in the same room as two men, tomcats, whatever! Two I hadn't met until very recently. No make that three, Micah as well even if he is a cat!

"Mitchell can you go get Rosy some fresh water," Doc asks. I hear breathing close to me and turn my head to look at who has invaded my personal space. It's Micah and he has a t-shirt in his mouth. He drops it on the bed near my elbow and walks from the room. Mitchell is leaving the room and Doc pauses in the doorway. 

"I'll give you a few minutes to yourself," He tells me and shuts the door behind him. I close my eyes and rest my forehead against the bedcovers for a few moments before I open my eyes, lift my head and reach for the t-shirt. I pull it on careful not to upset my shoulder and look around for other clothing, there is a range of different items on the chair against the wall and I get up and sort through them settling on a pair of sweatpants with a tie-string waist. I can't help but notice how thin I've become, my hipbones push against my skin and my ribs show as well as the bones in my wrists. I sit on the edge of the bed tiredly and wait for Doc to return. Several minutes later there is a knock on the door.

"Alright to come in now?" Doc asks.

"Yeah," I answer tiredly. The door opens and Doc comes in followed by Micah who is fastening the waistband of his jeans and Pete who is wearing only his denim jeans.

"Let me take a look at your shoulder. Does it hurt much?" Doc asks as I lay on my stomach on the bed. He pushes my t-shirt up until he can examine my injury pushing and probing with his fingers for a few moments.

"I'll just wipe it over with disinfectant to kill any germs, put a dressing on it and that's it," Doc announces. "All the scratches on your back have healed," His touch is gentle as he tends my shoulder and then turns his attention to the injury above my right ear.

"These stitches can come out. Whoever put them in done a rough job but the wound has healed cleanly although you'll always have a scar," Doc tells me, "I'll just go get a few things."

I listen to Doc leave the room and wait nervously for Micah or Pete to start talking and I don't have to wait long.

"Hey there T ... Rosy. When your vehicle was found wrecked near Mac Toovey's place I didn't think I'd see you alive again," Pete tells me tightly. My vehicle wrecked near Mac's place? That wasn't where I left it.

"I guess you don't remember much about what happened," Pete says gently. "Well not to stress, you're one of us now." 

I hear him move closer but still it shocks me when he touches my back. I flinch and hiss in fear before I can stop myself. I feel terrible as I hear him take several steps back from the bed.

"I'm sorry," his voice is thick and remorse filled. 

Tears fill my eyes and I squeeze them tightly closed, I silently curse my momentary weakness because I have never been one to give in to tears. I grit my teeth as I realise my sudden over sensitivity is most likely a side effect of my pregnancy and just remembering my condition brings forth more tears. I have the sudden yearning for the comforting presence of Mitchell and my tears turn into a painful lump in my throat as I remember Micah hates Mitchell and me for some reason.

"What have I ever done to you Micah? Why do you hate me so much?" I ask tearfully as I lift my head and glance his way.

"Hate you? I don't hate you," Micah says slightly confused but with a gentle smile.

"Then why are you punishing me?" I demand unhappily.

"I'm not punishing you!" Micah denies surprised.

"You are! You're being mean to me, and punishing me! It's not my fault I ended up turned into a cat! You just blame me for it and want me to be miserable! You know Mitchell makes me feel better and not so scared but you don't want that so you're making him stay away! It's not fair! It's not my fault!" I finish hoarsely with a sob and bury my face in my pillow as I give in to the tears that had thickened my voice and choked my throat.

I cry great wracking sobs that shake my entire body and I realise that it is the first time I have cried for what has happened to me in all the time I have been a werecat. But most of all I cry because my life is filled with one thing after another I don't know how to handle. My sobs die down to hiccuping gasps and I lift my face from my pillow to turn my face away from the doorway. I can hear someone breathing in the room but have no wish to look their way or even know who it is.

"I'll be ready to take those stitches out in a few moments," Doc warns me.I lay still with my face averted and my eyes closed. I don't react as he removes the coarse stitches and swabs the area with disinfectant before declaring his work finished for now. He admonishes me to rest and then leaves me alone in the bedroom. It is probably only half an hour later that I hear someone walk into the room and settle in the chair but I am too upset to bother to look who it is. I only know that someone has been sent to watch over me probably so they know if I shift again.

"Just letting you know I'm here even though you're asleep," His whisper was almost inaudible and I open my eyes instantly, afraid to believe my own ears.

"Mitchell?" My voice is hoarse and trembling.

"Yes Spotty One it's me," Mitchell keeps his voice low.

"You'll get in trouble!" I worry and Mitchell laughs softly, slightly uncomfortably.

"No I won't. I'm allowed to be here. Ordered to be actually. Micah is sorry he hurt you," Mitchell tells me gently.

"You can stay?" I ask almost pathetically.

"If you want I'll stretch out on the other bed and sleep in here tonight," he offers.

"Please," I murmur. Already his presence is soothing me and I close my eyes once more aware of how very tired I am and how safe Mitchell makes me feel.

* * * * *

"Good morning," I look up at the sound of Sam's voice and smile. He is standing in my doorway holding a tray with food on it.

"Good morning," I answer happy to see him.

"Marissa sent this up. She thought she heard you moving around." Sam tells me as he carries the tray into the room. I am sitting cross-legged on top of the bed and I hurry to straighten my legs so that he can place the tray over my lap. I look at the food eagerly happy to see the generous amount of food I have been given.

"How do you feel today?" Sam inquires as he sits on the chair beside the bed. "Good," I tell him and take a mouthful of fragrant omelette. "Hungry," I add before I take the next mouthful.

"Want to come over to the quarters today?" Sam asks and I pause with a forkful of food halfway to my mouth.

"Will I be allowed to?" I want to know.

"I can't see why not but it's up to Doc and Wade," Sam tells me. I shrug and resume eating making short work of my breakfast and drink the glass of milk I have been given. Sam picks up the tray and heads for the door, he pauses in the doorway to stop and look back over his shoulder at me.

"Coming?" The one word has me hurrying to get off the bed and follow him. I am feeling good and I look around with interest as I follow Sam through the house to the kitchen. The smell of freshly cooked food greets me as we walk through the door and I freeze as I see Wade and Marissa.

"Good morning Rosy," Wade says as he gets to his feet.

"'Morning," I mumble as I lower my head submissively and take several steps to the side away from him. Unlike the first times I met Wade and Marissa I am not laying on my back defencelessly. If nothing else I will be able to flee at the first signs of aggression.

"Is it alright if Rosy spends some time over at the quarters with us today Wade? Marissa?" Sam asks respectfully as he places the tray on the bench near the sink.

"Yes I can't see why not. I'll tell Doc where she is when he gets back," Wade tells Sam with a friendly smile for me.

"I'll make a nice lunch and bring it over like I did yesterday," Marissa offers with a motherly smile. "Maybe some chicken?"

"Yes thank you," I say with a small smile, "The fish yesterday was lovely."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I know how difficult it can be to know what you want to eat when you're ...unwell," Marissa tells me with the slightest hesitation over her choice of word. I have to force my smile this time after the unspoken mention of my pregnancy because the idea isn't growing on me despite the fact it is growing inside me.

"Come on Rosy," Sam says as he heads for the door. Outside the morning is fresh and crisp making me feel like skipping as I walk across the grass towards the quarters.

"Micah, Dwayne and Mitchell have gone out for a few hours. They'll be back not long after lunch," Sam tells me as we reach the door of the quarters.

"Ok," I'm not worried over Mitchell's absence although I'm not happy he is with Micah, I'm starting think that maybe Micah really doesn't like Mitchell or me. Sam opens the door and I follow him inside, I can't help noticing that the place is covered in a thin layer of dust around the edges of the floor as if no one cleans beyond removing rubbish.

"Hey Sam! Someone is going to have to do a food run real soon or we're going to have to start having all our meals up at the main house!" Steven calls from a room close by and I look around as we go so I know where everyone is.

"We can raid the walk in freezer for a supply of meat," a voice I don't recognise says.

"That's Donovan," Sam tells me. I take a deep breath and halt as I come up with several unknown scents. 

"You alright?" Sam asks quietly.

"Of course I'm alright. What are you on about?" Donovan asks with a laugh as he walks out of the adjoining room. He stops as he spots me and looks at me with interest. I am silent as I stare at him. He is clearly younger than me only somewhere around the fifteen or sixteen year age mark. I inhale deeply taking in his scent adding it to my memory as I watch him with intense interest. Donovan shifts his weight from one foot to the other uncomfortably and I take a step forward.

"Rosy stop that!" Sam orders sharply. Donovan takes several hurried steps backwards and as I smell his fear it sparks my hunting instinct making me flex my hands that I have unconsciously clenched into fists at my sides. Abruptly I force myself to turn away from Donovan. I take several wobbly steps towards Sam as I hear Donovan hurry away, and I have to force myself not to give chase. Sam grabs me by the upper arms, his fingers biting into my flesh as he gives me a rough shake.

"Are you in control of yourself?" he demands harshly.

"I ...I ...I think so," I manage.

"What the hell is going on?" a gruff voice demands angrily and I feel Sam tense.

"She nearly started stalking Donny," Sam admits.

I turn my head to look towards the owner of the strange voice and I eye him nervously.

"What do you mean nearly?" The burly stranger demands.

"Just that! Nearly," Sam tells him firmly. An angry snarl comes from the stranger and he stalks over to me. 

"You start that shit again and I will personally hunt you down and teach you a lesson you will never forget!" He snarls in my face. "And just so you know who to be scared of, my name is Edwin,"

I can't help but get a good smell of his scent and recognise it instantly. This tom has chased me several times and each time he has narrowly missed catching me. I start shaking in remembered fear as I suddenly wonder why he doesn't recognise my scent but then remember that different notes in my personal scent take longer than others to return when I use my scent-disguising secret.

"Stop being an arse Edwin," Alex orders as he stands in the doorway.

"I hate strays," Edwin declares savagely, "all strays." I don't flinch as I meet his glare. I know I can outrun and out think him. I have proven that to myself three or four times.

"That's okay because I don't care for the male of either the cat or the human species," I tell him and curl my top lip up at him. I hear both Sam and Alex snicker at my statement as I continue to hold Edwin's glare.

"Bitch," Edwin sneers and turns away. I growl a growl that promises a fast and painful retaliation if I get the chance.

"Edwin you can go do a food run, and I don't want to see your face before Micah, Dwayne and Mitchell gets back," Sam orders coldly.

"I'll take Donovan and Justin with me," Edwin tells Sam as he goes to walk away. "They can go if they want but I think they'd prefer to stay here," Sam disputes. I know enough to recognise the power struggle and glance between the two with interest. Edwin has stopped to turn and stare at Sam who in turn is staring at Edwin challengingly.

"Hey T... Rosy. When Micah knew who you were we packed up all your things and moved them here," Pete announces as he comes into sight in the doorway. 

"You got my stuff here?" I ask with a wide grin.

"Yes!" I say and pull away from Sam, "Real clothes not smelly male clothes!"

"I hope you got some short shorts and bikini tops," Steven tells me with a smile. It seems like the small entry hall is packed with big burly male bodies and I edge closer to a wall to give myself more room. 

"No, I don't have any," I am slightly confused by his comment.

"Damn! Looks like I miss out," Steven says pretending to be disappointed. Enlightenment suddenly dawns on me and I open my mouth lost for words for a few seconds. Steven had been teasing me about wearing skimpy clothes.

"Well where are my things?" I ask Pete expectantly.

"Micah had them put in his room," Pete tells me, his ultra even tone making me wonder as I look at him expectantly. "Oh! You need me to show you where his room is!"

I follow him along a sunny room with one side all windows while the other side has doors along the wall at regular intervals. Near the far end Pete turns to the only closed door and opens it before stepping aside. When I stop at the doorway a wave of Micah's scent hits me and I look inside nervously. I glance at Pete but he is standing there silently as he watches me.

"Aren't you going to go and get what you want?" Pete asks after nearly half a minute.

"You sure he won't mind?" I ask uneasily.

"No he won't. And if he does he can take it up with me," Pete tells me evenly. I give him an unhappy glance before walking into the room and to the far side where boxes are stacked along the wall in one corner. It is easy to tell which boxes hold my household wares and which ones hold my clothing. I am delighted to find the contents of my bathroom cabinet and shower caddy packed in a plastic basket and the contents of my kitchen spice cupboard packed in a small box with the kitchenware. I dig through my clothes lifting several to my face to smell them to find out who had touched them. I can't detect any scent on them other than mine and frown in confusion.

"We pulled the draws out and tipped them into boxes or lifted things by the coat hangers. I figured you wouldn't like our smell on your clothes," Pete tells me quietly from the doorway.

"Thanks," I say with a glance towards him. I quickly find clothes I want to wear, slim legged jeans and a top that buttons on top of the shoulders along with some underwear I grab and roll up in the top. "Where can I get changed?" I ask Pete.

"Here," Pete says and walks out of the room. He shuts the door behind him and I stare at it for a moment before hurrying to strip off out of my borrowed clothes and pull mine on. My jeans are a bit loose and ride low on my hips while I find I can't wear a bra as it presses against my healing injury. The top doesn't need a bra under it and I can't help noticing the fact that my breasts are tender and much more sensitive then usual. Feeling like myself again I find my brush and run it through my hair and pull it into a ponytail before going over and opening the door to look out at Pete. He is standing back near the last door we passed and he grins when he sees me clearly.

"Now you look like yourself. You've lost a lot of weight," His frown tells me he doesn't like it and I shrug.

"Being locked in a cage and starved can do that to you," I say attempting to keep my voice light.

"Let's head back to the lounge room. The guys have a new game they got yesterday," Pete tells me. I follow him back to the lounge room where everyone is sprawled out watching an action movie except for Edwin who is busily writing a shopping list as the others call out their selection for the food.

"What about you Rosy, what do you want to munch on?" Sam asks. 

"Caramel popcorn. The kind with peanuts in it, or peanut brittle." I say without hesitation.

"Wow!" Alex exclaims loudly. I look at him and he grins lazily at me.

"Anyone ever tell you that you really know how to fill out a pair of jeans?" Alex asks and gives a wolf whistle. The others stop what they are doing to look at me and heat rushes into my face at the outburst of whistles and hoots.

"Told yous she was a real dish," Steven chuckles.

"Can someone hit him? He deserves to be hit every time he says that," I mutter.

"I got a question for you," Pete says sounding strained. I glance his way and he seems angry. I frown. I can't think what has pissed him off because I'm sure he's pissed off not just angry.

"What?" I ask.

"Exactly how long?" Pete asks in a hard tone.

Instantly I realise my mistake and look away before looking back at him, "How long what?"

"Don't try to bullshit me Tawny I know you too well for that," Pete growls.

"Rosy, my name is Rosy," I growl back at him.

"Your name is Tawny and has been since I first met you when you were what, ten years old?" Pete demanded angrily.

"Tawny was Human!" I yell at him, "Rosy is the freak I have become!" I am off and racing for the front door, I hear chairs scrape and rugs slip on the floor beneath feet but I am fast and I know I can outrun them, all of them. Outside I turn and head for the trees that border the clearing. I am aware of the cool grass beneath my feet and the roar of my pulse in my ears. Dimly my mind registers the screech of tyres and the roar of an engine. I suck in a deep breath and dig my toes in as I ask my body for more speed.




To Love a Stray Ch. 03



I reach the trees ahead of my pursuers and slow slightly to manoeuvre through the thick growth. I dodge trees and bushes and jump low shrubs. Steadily I begin to slow, my rage and pain expelled through the hard run but still I keep moving. The sound of my pursuit falls further and further behind until I can barely hear it and I slow to a walk. I concentrate on my breathing as I work on getting my breath back. I have learnt that the secret to escaping pursuers often lies in being able to keep running long after they can. I alternate between walking and jogging enabling me to cover quite a distance before I slowed and stopped.

Where was I going? More importantly where was I so that I would know which way to head? 

I look around the trees and bushes before looking up at the sky. I note where the sun is and which way the shadows lay before I walk to a fallen log and sit down. It's nearing midday, which means my flight lasted most of the morning so it is no wonder I am tired. But deep inside me I know that my bone deep tiredness is more than the strenuous run. It is a body not recovered from the last ordeal coupled with the demands of a pregnancy.

I lift my head as I catch intermittent sounds in the distant and get to my feet reluctantly. I take my time as I move away from the fallen log taking as long steps as able. A quarter of an hour or more later I find a tree I like and begin to climb it moving up into the branches until I come to the secure looking 'V' where the trunk splits in two. I settle into this spot and give a sigh of relief. I know I will be able to nap here while I make up my mind as to where I go from here. I doze on and off through the afternoon. Hunger wakes me intermittently and as it is not the first time I have skipped a meal; hunger is no stranger. It is dusk when I finally decide to come down from my perch. I have heard several lots of people walk through the area searching for me but now the forest is quiet except for the night creatures that are beginning to stir.

I begin to retrace my steps from earlier. It's slow going as I have to stop and sniff for my own scent every now and then when I lose it. Cats don't track with their noses the way some dogs do, hounds for instance. We hunt and track by sight but I had a human father who loved to photograph wildlife and as a child he often took me along on his jaunts. I hear the soft babble of a stream and detour for a drink. It is while I am wiping my damp mouth with the back of my hand that my ears catch faint sounds in the absence of the previous night noises. I am in the low branches of a tree before I have time to think and I stretch out along a sturdy branch as I wait and watch.

Soon I am able to make out a voice and frown angrily as I recognise Edwin's rough tone. I bare my teeth silently as I position myself for a better view.

"We're wasting time we should head back," Edwin states firmly.

"What if she got thirsty? The best tasting stream water is just up here," I am surprised when I hear Donovan's voice.

"She wouldn't know that," Edwin says flatly.

"Rosy has probably run miles by now. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if she is still running, she is a stray after all." I recognise Alex's voice.

"I hope not. She's not well enough to try to get back to where she came from on her own." I nearly shout for joy as I hear Sam's voice. They walk directly beneath my branch as they walk to the stream edge and I narrow my eyes as I watch them.

"Rosy's not here," I hear the disappointment in Donovan's voice as he looks around.

I watch as they take turns scooping handfuls of sweet water from the stream before they move around the tiny clearing for a few minutes. As I watch Donovan throw a pebble into the brush disheartened I realise what it is about him that has me watching him closely. He is still little more than a kid and I am very curious about werecat children.

"What are you doing?" Edwin demands in annoyed curiosity. I look at Donovan and see he has put an orange, some muesli bars and a chocolate bar in a small pile beside a bush.

"If Rosy comes here she'll be hungry. I just want her to know someone cares if she is hungry," Donovan says, "I wouldn't want her to think we don't care just because she ran away from us."

"She didn't run away from us kiddo, she ran away from herself," Sam tells Donovan gently and I realise with shock what he said is true.

"How can she run away from herself?" Donovan asks confused.

"She can't." Edwin says as he walks over to give his young brother a comforting hug. "Rosy is a stray and when they start to change most find it very hard to come to terms with their new identity. Most don't and they either die or become a problem we have to take care of. A few manage to adjust. Female strays are generally killed by stray toms or driven insane by the toms using them as sex toys."

"Rosy is trying to run away from being a werecat?" Donovan asks as if for confirmation.

"Come on, we'd better get back before Micah and Dad send out a search party," Alex says.

"You think Rosy wants to attack me don't you," Donovan states.

"If she does she probably can't help it. You're smaller than her, weaker, perfect prey choice if she feels scared and cornered." Sam tells him gently.

"Oh," Donovan mutters. I watch as they head back the way they've come, now I will have an easy trail to follow but I remain in my tree as I think on what I over heard. 

When I finally give in to the temptation of the small food pile I slip down from the tree and grab a muesli bar and tear the wrapper open. It's the kind that is packed full of nuts and dried fruit and I moan with enjoyment as I eat it, my mouth watering hungrily. I devour the three muesli bars and the orange before stopping for a drink of water. I take my time eating the chocolate before heading along the trail the others left behind. I travel slowly weighted down with fatigue and worry about the reception I will get.

The position of the stars tells me it is into the early hours of the morning when I reach the edge of the clearing where the houses are. I hesitate as I toss up which building I will go to but end up deciding on the quarters. The main house has probably been locked up in protection of Donovan and Justin. I sneak through the door I have used several times and make my way to the lounge room. It is empty and in semi darkness with only faint light coming from the DVD player. I stretch out on the lounge snuggling up against a jacket that smells faintly of Sam. I yawn silently and close my eyes. I'm not even on the lounge for two minutes when I hear the slightest sound of movement.

"I tell you I heard someone moving around," I smile as I recognise the petulant voice.

"Look Donny, I have to get up in a few hours, you start waking me up every time you think you hear something and I'm taking you over to the main house," Micah warns sternly.

"Are you going to go looking for Rosy?" Donovan asks excitedly.

"No, chasing after Rosy will only scare her. I'll let Pete know she's probably heading back home, but that's it," Micah tells him firmly. Donovan makes an unhappy sound in his throat as if he's about to cry and I pull the jacket over my head.

"Rosy is probably trying to get some sleep like any sane being!" I snap.

"Rosy! You came back!" Donovan yells excitedly and I hear him rush to the lounge. He touches me lightly, his hands patting my covered head and then my shoulders as if reassuring himself I am there. I lay motionless as he strokes my side from my shoulder down over my ribs to the curve of my hip before repeating the motion several times. 

I uncover my head and glance at him before closing my eyes once again. I can hear more movement and flinch when I hear doors open and footsteps hurry our way. Donovan stops touching me and I open my eyes, Micah is standing between us and I realise he is ready to protect Donovan if necessary.

"Did I hear Donny right?" Mitchell demands, as he hurries into the room.

"The stray came back?" Edwin is right on Mitchell's heels and I try to burrow deeper into the lounge at the sound of his voice.

"I'll take Rosy into our room for the night," Mitchell says and I turn to him as he lifts me in his arms. I bury my face against his chest as he carries me a short distance and goes through a door. I can smell Sam nearby as I am put on a bed gently and covered with a blanket.

"She okay?" Sam asks quietly.

"Tired," I answer softly.

"I'm real glad you came back," Sam tells me gently. I make a sound of disbelief in my throat that belies the warm feeling that is growing inside me at his words. I feel the mattress dip and then Mitchell is settling himself on top of the covers and against my back, I give a tired sigh and slip into the welcome depths of sleep. It is not long after dawn according to the light filtering through the window when I open my eyes. Something has woken me but I'm not sure what.

"What do you think you're doing in there? Edwin, Micah or Mitchell will have your hide!" Alex hisses at a nearly inaudible level.

"I'm waiting for her to wake up!" Donovan whispers back.

"Out now!" Alex orders and I groan as I lift my head to turn it towards them and look at them through bleary eyes. Alex glances at me and moves forward to pull his younger brother off the other bed.

"But Rosy is awake," Donovan protests just above a whisper.

"That doesn't mean she wants to be," Alex scolds his brother as he drags him out the door. I can hear them arguing as they go to the other end of the house. I press my forehead against the pillow in annoyance as my body begins to wake up. My bladder tells me I need to get up and I throw the covers off in annoyance. My body is still mostly asleep as I stumble along the hallway to the toilet and attend to my needs. When I come out of the bathroom my stomach grumbles and I follow the smell of cooking food as I rub at my eyes sleepily. I halt in the kitchen doorway as I take in all the toms scattered around the room unaware of me as they eat. Donovan waves at me happily from the table and goes to get to his feet but Edwin pushes him back into his chair easily.

"Eat," he orders his little brother.

"I was going to get Rosy some food!" Donovan protests. Heads swivel in my direction and I shuffle uneasily as they look at me. Mitchell grins and pulls a plastic plate from a cupboard and begins to dish up grilled sausages and fried eggs.

"You'd better come in and eat before we eat all the food," Dwayne tells me with a grin.

"You must be starving. You missed two meals yesterday." Mitchell says as I slink over to take the plate from him. I nod silently and take the fork Sam passes me. I stab a sausage and lift it to my lips without bothering to cut it up. I bite into the sausage and feel the fat dribble down over my chin. I pull the sausage away leaving a chunk between my teeth and use the back of my other hand to wipe the worst of the grease from my chin.

"Mum would kill any of us that ate like that!" Donovan says in wide-eyed admiration. "Does your Mum let you do that?"

I shake my head negatively as I chew the food in my mouth before swallowing it, "My mum was killed by a hit and run driver when I was about a week old," I tell him.

"Oh I'm sorry," Donovan says and his tone tells me he can't imagine a world without his mother in it. "Who looked after you?"

"Harry, my dad," I answer between mouthfuls of egg.

"Will he wonder where you are now?" Donovan asks.

"He was killed in a car crash a while back," I feel sad at the memory and pause in my eating for a few moments.

"You got any older brothers?" Donovan asks.

"Nope, just me," I answer before attacking another sausage.

"I got five older brothers and an older sister but Jasmine is away at Uncle Stephan's and Aunty Abigail's at the moment becau..." His voice trails off uncomfortably and I glanced at him from beneath my lashes.

"Jasmine is on holidays," Edwin supplies.

"You go out to nightclubs much before you became a stray? I hear human girls love to party," Donovan asks and I hear a hastily smothered snicker.

I raise my head and look at Donovan who is watching me with interest. 

"No nightclubs close to where I live," I tell him.

"Do you like hunting? I love to hunt. Next time we go hunting I get to go in for the kill if we go after goats." Donovan says proudly. I glance up at him from my plate but don't speak as I chew a piece of sausage slowly.

"Fishing's good too. It's a bit hard if you haven't done it much though," Donovan offers.

"I don't think Rosy has had the chance to try hunting," Sam tells Donovan.

"Did you live in a city or something?" Donovan asks eagerly.

"No, I moved in next door to Pete three years ago. Before that I spent a lot of time at my uncle's place a few kilometres away." I say.

"Oh. If you had been a werecat Pete would have taken you hunting," Donovan tells me sounding slightly let down.

"Does shopping in the supermarket for the ingredients to make cookies count?" I ask.

"You can make cookies! Cool! What kind? Chocolate chip?" He asks hopefully.

"Caramel," I say and at the look in his eyes quickly add, "but only when I really really feel like it. Like on rainy days."

"Oh. So that wouldn't be much," Donovan says sounding disappointed. I shake my head and reach for the last sausage on my plate and stab it with my fork. Donovan whines and I glance at him startled.

"That's the last one and I was hoping I could have it cause I'm still hungry," he says giving me a winning smile. But his smile dies on his lips and he glances at Edwin and Micah with a fearful look. I realise I am glaring at him, sparks nearly flying from my eyes as I pull my food closer. My inner cat is screeching in fury. I've never shared my food with anyone! My instinct is to tear into my food and bolt it down. Donovan moves uneasily under my glare. I tense and slowly lift my hand to drop the sausage and fork on his plate. I am startled by an almost purring sound and I glance towards Mitchell. He leans close pushing his shoulder against me and putting his forehead against mine. 

"Eat it Donny, Rosy gave it to you and strays don't like to share their food." Edwin tells his brother very softly. I can hear Donovan eating but don't look his way not wanting to anger my inner cat.

"Who's for coffee?" Steven asks and I can hear the strain in his voice.

"I'm going back to bed to sleep," I say and get to my feet. I turn away from the table without looking at anyone.

I burrow under all the covers on Mitchell's bed burying myself in sheets that smell like both him and I. I have trained myself to sleep when I have the chance so I have little trouble drifting off to sleep quickly.

* * * * *

"Well your shoulder is nearly healed. And there's no pain when you run as a cat?" Doc asks.

"It hurts but it's like it's badly bruised and nowhere near as bad as it used to hurt," I tell him.

"How are you feeling other wise?" Doc asks quietly.

"Still the same," I say knowing he means in regards to my pregnancy.

"I hear you've been sleeping a lot. That's good it'll give your body a chance to heal plus the first trimester is very tiring," He tells me. "After the first trimester you'll begin to find it harder to shift and by about the fifth month most mothers-to-be stop shifting,"

"What, stop shifting for good? Does all the other stuff stop as well?" I ask hopefully.

"No once the baby is delivered there are no problems shifting. The changing process can't be reversed," Doc tells me almost apologetically. I don't doubt he has been told about my outburst the previous day, my feelings on what has happened to me. 

"If you'll listen the others can teach you how to cope, how to survive being a werecat. Being a mother will come naturally after the baby." Doc tells me gently.

"Survive? What makes you think I consider there will even be a before for there to be an afterwards? I'm not having this baby! There's no way I can look after it when I hunt and what if some stray tom finds us? I can't protect myself let alone a baby!" I growl angrily as I get to my feet. I stalk to the door and push it open. I pause in the doorway for a moment, "Did they tell you I was ready to tear Donovan apart this morning? Over a damned sausage! The kid joked about wanting it and I saw red! I was going to hurt him! Vets put down animals that are vicious! Someone should put me down!"

I stride down the hallway and head for the door needing to get outside - out of the close confines of the house. I don't know want to be around anyone at the moment as I find it hard enough with just myself when I loathe myself.

"Rosy! Shit! Where the hell is everyone! Someone get here now!" Doc yells from the doorway. I glance back uneasily and see he is pulling his shirt off and in that instant I realise he is about to shift and chase me. Fear hits me and I take off running towards the trees. If I can make the tree line before him then maybe I stand a chance of getting somewhere he can't get to me.

"I need some help here!" Doc yells behind me. "Stop her! For goodness sake stop her! She's going to harm herself!"

His yells tell me others are on their way and I wish desperately for my four legs. I wish for the speed and safety they can give me. I think how much I need them and I feel my shift roar through me with savage intensity. I scream in pain as my body feels like it is blown apart and then my front paws hit the ground and I am running effortlessly.

Time can lose all meaning when you're being chased so that it becomes no more than a measure of how far the body can be pushed. The amount of time you can run at full speed before you need to slow down or stop and get your breath and strength back, how long the body can go before you need to hunt. Human habitations to be skirted in the dark, places to slink in the shadows to find out where in the country you are. I begin sleeping in hidden places during the day while in human form and running through the shadows of a night, hunting as the chances present themselves. It takes me close to a month before I weave my way through different districts to make my way back to my home territory.

I am tired but strong and healthy when I sneak close to my house. Lights are on and I can hear the sounds of people inside as I hide in the shadows watching. I am disheartened as I turn away. My refugee is gone and I am adrift in a world I no longer fit into. The yearning for the familiar sends me moving towards my uncle's business premises and it is the early hours of the morning when I shift to human form and use the hidden key I know of to sneak inside. I move around in the dark well used to the layout of the place. I use a small torch that is stored by the door to read the labels on the bottles in the locked storage I have unlocked. I sneak into the office and turn on the computer waiting nervously for it to load. A quick search through supply files gives me the information I want and I shut down the computer before returning to the surgery room and packing two bottles of medication into a linen bag along with several syringes.

I search the office cupboard and find an old change of clothing I have left here at some stage in the past. I pull the clothes on and inhale the once familiar smell of my body wash and skin lotion. The jeans refuse to be zipped up and I frown at my belly, could my time on four paws have affected the gestational time? I search through a cupboard until I find the machine we used to ultra sound animal patients and wonder if it will work for me. I wait impatiently for the machine to warm up and once it is working I squirt gel onto the probe before holding it to the skin low on my stomach. I move it around slightly and bite my lip as a small spot on the screen shows a beat, tears fill my eyes and as my hand trembles I accidentally move the probe. The small spot disappears off the screen and I move the probe around desperate for one final look, one last memory.




To Love a Stray Ch. 04



I sit cross-legged on the bed ignoring Doc, Edwin, Sam and Mitchell as they watch me eating the two hamburgers Mitchell made. I pick the salad off first and eat it before hungrily biting into the bun, meat and egg. I lick sauce off the edge of the palm of my hand before picking at the crumbs left on the plate.

"You want a soda? I can get you one," Mitchell offers eagerly. I don't respond to his question just like I haven't responded to any of their questions since telling Doc to go to hell. My statement about being hungry had merely been a statement of fact meant to get me food.

I put the plate aside and turn my attention to the four toms, I am careful to keep my face completely devoid of all expression as I look them over. I move off the bed in a sinuous move that is very catlike and glance down at the hobbles and short chain connecting my handcuffs. I head towards the doorway aiming for the side closest to the toilet, I am allowed to pass and I head silently towards the little room. Afterwards in the bathroom I wash my hands then lean over the basin as I drink water straight from the spout. I am aware of being watched but ignore them as I look around the bathroom before heading back to the bedroom.

"You ready to talk to me yet Rosy?" Doc asks quietly.

"You ready to get the fuck out of my face and stop holding me prisoner?" I demand savagely as I glare at him.

"Not until I am sure you are not about to do anything that might endanger your life," Doc tells me levelly. I growl low in my throat as I turn away and begin pacing the room as best as my restraints allow. I tug at my wrists but there is no give in the metal and I growl angrily once again as I know that if I change while wearing them the metal will crush my wrists and the rope will cut into my ankles painfully, a very effective way of restraining a werecat.

"Want to come out to the lounge room and play x-box games?" Sam invites. I ignore him as I continue to pace the room, the healed injury on my shoulder itches and I reach up automatically to scratch it.

"How is your shoulder? Has it healed completely?" Mitchell asks. I can hear the genuine concern in his voice but ignore him as I continue pacing.

"We could always drag her out to the lounge room, chuck her in a chair and one of us can sit on her so we can play the game we started last night." Edwin suggests. I stop pacing to turn and glare at him and as soon as I see his face I realise it was a remark calculated to get a response, it looks like Edwin knows how to push my buttons. Edwin smiles at me and advances towards me but I stand my ground and lower my head slightly as I study his movements.

"You can't do that she's pregnant!" Mitchell protests horrified.

"Why not? She had some medicines on her that would end the pregnancy. Why should I worry about doing something that might harm the baby if she's not worried about killing it," Edwin hisses in a low nasty tone. I back up involuntarily at the threat in his words and he grins widely at me. "You want your answers Doc? Rosy, tell Doc. Did you use any of that injection on yourself?" Edwin asks coldly. I take another step backwards but it still isn't enough with the restrains on, he catches me before I can dodge him. I struggle as he slips one arm around my waist and lifts my feet from the floor. I can feel the heat from his body all down my back and no matter how hard I struggle I can't get free as his hands begin to roam my body.

"I haven't done anything!" I finally cry out in terror. Edwin changes his hold and he is gentle as he holds me until I stop struggling, he lifts me easily and sits me on the edge of the bed before taking several steps back.

"I'm sorry Rosy but I needed to know," Doc tells me quietly. "You curious at all about the baby?"

"Babies," I say, "There's two."

"Yeah, twins. There were two hearts beating," Doc confirms.

"Twins?" Sam demands suddenly.

"Twins don't happen Doc!" Mitchell says alarmed, "Not successfully!"

"We know more now," Doc says in a calm tone. I watch them distrustfully as I settle myself comfortably. 

"Shall we all go out to the lounge room? Or do you want a shower and clean clothes Rosy? I'll even take the handcuffs off but the anklets stay," Edwin offers, he's friendly now Doc has gotten the information he wanted. I think about it for a moment before giving a curt nod, I'm not ready to trust any of them yet. I get off the bed and I am relieved when Edwin leads the way to the bathroom, I hesitate in the doorway when I see how small the room looks with him in it.

"I'll take you in Micah's room to get yourself some of your own clothes. I think he kept them figuring you knew where they were if you wanted them," Edwin tells me. I follow him into Micah's room and I am soon digging through the boxes containing my belongings, I soon have clothes picked out as well as my trusty bathroom favourites in my arms. I allow Edwin to carry the plastic tub containing my shower gel and shampoo but refuse to let him touch my clothes and put his smell on them. He hesitates in the bathroom and eyes the shower cubical for a long moment making me move uncomfortably suddenly wary of his intentions.

"I'll have to undo your ankle restraints and fasten one end to the shower frame so you can undress," he tells me and motions me towards the cubicle. I move nervously as he undoes one ankle cuff and fastens it to a corner of the shower stall before he straightens and looks down at me.

"Now for your wrists,"

I am relieved when he leaves the bathroom shutting the door after himself leaving me to take my shower. I arrange my shower gel and shampoo within reach before quickly stripping my clothes off and turning the shower on. I have to keep pushing the old trousers into the corner but I happily lather up with my shower gel taking time to wash each finger and toe individually before rinsing the suds from my body. My shampoo washes the dirt and grime from my hair and when I am finally finished I am almost reluctant to turn off the water and reach for a towel. It is hard to remember the restraining anklet and I nearly trip myself over several times as I get dressed. My jeans pose the problem of how to get them on over my shackled leg and I am forced to bang on the wall and yell for someone to come and release the shackle.

"Mmm, sure smells nice in here," Edwin grins at me when he opens the door and I end up nearly tripping over as I back away from him warily.

"I'm not going to touch you, just untie the anklet from the shower," Edwin says softly and moves slowly as he does as he says. He moves back to the door and shuts it behind himself giving me privacy to put my jeans on.

"Finished," I call when I am happy with my clothes. Edwin opens the door and I am surprised to find both Sam and Mitchell waiting outside with him, Mitchell gives me a broad smile but I look away without responding.

"Come on," Edwin says as he catches hold of the chain between my wrists. I brace myself and pull against him ignoring the pain it causes as the cuffs dig into my wrists; he turns his head to look at me and frowns with annoyance.

"Either you walk or I toss you over my shoulder and carry you," Edwin states firmly. I decide it would be more dignified for me to walk and head to the lounge room without waiting for them; they soon troop in behind me laughing and joking as they find seats for themselves before immersing themselves in the games. I curl up in a chair well away from the other chairs but Mitchell spoils it by grabbing hold of the chair and pulling it over to sit beside the lounge, I glare at him but he just smiles and I turn away angrily.

"You want to play as well rosy?" Mitchell asks trying to include me. I ignore him and curl up on my side with my back to them, I jerk my foot away in surprise as someone touches it and when that doesn't work I kick out viciously with both feet.

"You need lotion or something rubbed into your feet, the heels are hard and dry with cracks starting in them," Edwin informs me. I growl low in my throat in warning.

"Hey Sam, pass me the lotion we use on dry feet would you," Edwin says and takes a firm hold of my foot. I kick and jerk at my leg but he keeps his grip even when he begins slathering lotion on my foot.

"You got a choice," Edwin informs me. "You can accept the help or you can fight it every inch of the way. We're helping you either way," Even though I kick and hiss through the entire process Edwin applies the lotion and rubs it in well before letting go of my feet and I am left growling angrily in my throat every time I glance their way.

"Just leave her alone. She doesn't like being touched," Mitchell tells him annoyed.

"No, she just wants her own way." Edwin tells him.

"The more you annoy her, the longer it'll take for her to come around," Mitchell points out.

"That was temper not fear." Edwin says dryly, "Now either shut up or we can go outside,"

"Back off Ed," Sam cuts in. I dart glances their way from beneath my lashes, I don't like their fighting but I don't want to be touched either. I gradually begin to relax and the tension slowly drains from my body and I lay sprawled out on the chair. The monotony of the game sounds lulls me into a half sleep.

"Hey Rosy," Mitchell's voice is quiet and I open sleepy eyes to look at him. He is leaning close and he smiles when he sees I am looking at him. "We're just about to go grab some lunch, you hungry?" I nod, yawn and prop myself up before pushing into a sitting position.

"Come on," Mitchell invites me and I get to my feet groggily. I follow him to the kitchen where Sam, Edwin, Pete and Doc are making themselves sandwiches. I hang back as I watch them making their lunches; there is a lot of good-natured shoving and pushing as they snatch choice morsels off each other's plates or out of containers.

"Come on before all the good stuff is gone," Mitchell coaxes me. The others glance my way and I take a step backwards nervously, I am not about to get between the toms and their food. Sam grabs another plate from the cupboard and puts it on the bench among the others and grins as he heads towards me, I turn to run forgetting about the restraints. His arm catches me around the waist before I hit the floor and he pulls me securely against his chest.

"You'll be safe; no-one will hurt you." Sam promises beside my ear before gently easing me into the press of bodies. I find myself sandwiched between the big bodies of Sam and Mitchell with both of them slipping an arm around my waist to keep me in place. 

"Sandwich or a plate full of food?" Mitchell asks.

"Sandwich," I whisper and watch in horror as Sam and Mitchell promptly steal pieces of buttered bread off plates belonging to other toms. I whimper as thick slices of ham, tomato and cheese are systematically stolen from other plates to make a thick sandwich. 

I begin to see a pattern as Sam or Mitchell sneak choice pieces only to have those stolen and replaced with the choices of the others. Finally a thick sandwich sits on my plate with several slices of gherkin along side it and a large glass of milk by the plate. I find myself herded back to the lounge room while Pete carries my plate along with his food and Sam carries my drink. I curl up in my chair with my food and eat hungrily as I keep darting nervous glances around at the others. I finish my food before them and sit back with a happy little sigh to sip the milk and watch as they finish the last of their food.

"Bit different than eating with strays huh?" Edwin asks with a grin and I look away as I remember being locked in a cage and having to fight with my captor for enough food to keep myself alive.

"So have you got any names picked out? " Doc asks. I glance his way then look away quickly as I don't like the topic he has picked and I tend to avoid any mention of the baby I carry. Make that babies as in plural.

"I wonder how much longer before the horde returns," Sam remarks and I look his way with interest.

"He means Micah, Alex, Dwayne and Steven. They're been out chasing some strays who have been roaming over our territory," Doc tells me. "Not feeling nauseous any more?" he asks. I give my head a slight shake and look away trying to avoid eye contact.

"When is the baby due?" Pete asks with obvious interest.

"I haven't done any measurements by ultrasound to work it out and I haven't had the chance to sit down and work out dates with Rosy if she can remember anything," Doc tells him. Pete turns his gaze on me and I move uncomfortably in my chair.

"Can you remember leaving for that uni lecture?" Pete asks me, "You rang me up saying you had to catch a lecture and could I keep an eye on your house until you got back. It was a day or two after you done that call out to Mac Toovey's place,"

"A call out?" Doc asks curiously.

"Yeah Rosy worked as a vet nurse," Pete tells him stressing my name. I look away as I remember the state of the cattle I had attended causing me to swallow hard as my stomach turns over uneasily and the nausea begins to return.

"That's right there was a couple of strays over your way killing livestock weren't there?" Edwin cuts in; he glances at me with a thoughtful expression on his face before looking at Sam. "When did you say you first found Rosy?"

"It was not quite four weeks after Micah and Steven went to check the report from Pete out. They called Dwayne, Alex, Mitchell and me in for backup," Sam tells him. "Took us a week to clear all the strays up, Micah and Steven stayed with Pete for another week while we were sent down south to chase Kendal Darnel. The bastard lost us in the end," 

I glance at Sam at the angry tone to his voice and look away nervously, it isn't the first time I have heard that name but I sure hope it is the last time.

"What do you remember? What is the last thing you remember?" Pete asks, "Do you remember the kiss?" I look at him startled, how does he know about ... had Micah told them?

"You've kissed Rosy have you?" Edwin demands with sudden interest.

"No it wasn't me," Pete says with a laugh.

"Who Mitchell?" There is a note of disbelief in Edwin's tone.

"No," Mitchell denies sounding slightly annoyed.

"Well who then?" Edwin demands.

Pete laughs softly before speaking, "Micah. Rosy had supper with us when Steven and Micah were there and she was a hit with Micah." Edwin hoots and begins laughing.

"So the mighty Big Man was sniffing around after a human female!" Edwin hoots clearly enjoying the information.

"Yeah, she came over for supper after she'd been doing some baking. She smelt like honey and cinnamon, sweet as. Steven was ready to ask her out if she didn't return Micah's interest," Pete laughs as he remembers.

"What did Micah say to that?" Sam asks with a laugh.

"He was growling and snarling. You know how he gets about his possessions," Pete laughs, "He ended up disappearing for a few hours early the next morning, came back savage as all hell."

I glance at Pete wishing he'd shut up. He's grinning obviously it's all a great joke to him and even Sam and Mitchell are amused. My gaze touches on Edwin and Doc who are staring at me intently and I force myself not to show any reaction as I try to smoother the fear stirring in my stomach at their look.

"Do you remember anything about checking out the injured cattle?" Edwin asks, "How many strays were there?"

"I don't know what ..." I shake my head as I glance at him. Nerves cut off my voice and I look away as I shake my head a second time. Edwin moves and I jump nervously as I look his way but he smiles at me encouragingly, lifts his hand and shows me the key to my restraints, he kneels and unfastens the anklets so my legs are free. I hurriedly pull my feet up under my thighs as I eye him uneasily,

"What ..." I stammer and look away hurriedly.

"I'm not going to free your wrists unless you change. If you think it's going to happen let me know and I'll try to get them off as quick as I can," Edwin tells me very quietly. I look at him with a fearful glance before glancing around the others. They are all watching me intently and I begin to tremble, they will be able to tell if I am telling them the truth.

"Did you see the strays?" Pete asks gently.

"No, no, we didn't see anything," I say with a rush and refuse to look at any of them.

"Do things start to get hazy about then?" Pete whispers gently and I jerk with shock as I begin shaking my head.

"Did you start having weird dreams and nightmares?" Pete whispers this question too.

"Did you get sick like you had the flue? Headaches, temperature, aches and pains ..." Sam offers quietly and I glance his way nervously and shake my head in denial.

"Did some stranger start following you? Or maybe you think you remember seeing a big black cat ..." Edwin murmurs.

"No!" I cry out in denial and bury my face against the chair but in my minds eye I can see the large black form boldly walking along the path from between the gardens.

"Come on Tawny, you can tell me. Try to remember. You're safe here nothing can hurt you," Pete's voice had taken on a soft almost hypnotic quality as he whispers to me.

"Where did he come from? Around the side of the house?"

"NO! No! He's walking towards me ...just walking towards me out in the open ... I can see his nose move as he sniffs ..." My voice trails off as I choke back a sob.

"Did he scare you? Startle you?"

"He jumped up and knocked me over and ..." my throat hurts as I scream, "Oh God! Oh God! Someone stop him! It hurts! It hurts! Why is he doing this! Where's the cat gone! Daddy! Daddy! It hurts so Daddy! ..."

"It's alright Tawny, he's stopped hurting you, he's stopped baby ..." The voice is no longer Pete's but a well remembered and well loved voice and I start crying harder for I know all too well the next part of this nightmare.

"You gotta stop the car Daddy, I'm gonna be sick. Stop the car Daddy, Stop the car! STOP THE CAR! DADDY! DADDY! DADDY! Let me go! Don't touch me! DON'T TOUCH ME! Oh God oh God Oh God! I'm the cat! I'm the cat! DADDY! DADDY! I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't mean it! Don't be dead! Please don't be dead! Take me with you Daddy! I want to be dead too Daddy..." My body feels as if it is blown apart and my left pastern just above my paw seems to explode in agony, I shriek my pain as I wave my paw in the air while a small chain dangles from it. There is yelling and forms around me I don't recognise in my agony, something soft hits me hard across the face and I whirl away on three legs. I can smell blood, not my blood but someone else's blood and I screech my anger and bewilderment.

I toss off the heavy form that lands on my back and lash back and forth with my tail ignoring the burn of sore muscles in my back leg. The smallest movement sends agony through my injured limb and into my paw as I try to limp away. The chain catches on something and I howl my pain out loud as I fall onto my left shoulder, I try to get to my feet but things are turning murky.

Some sane part of my brain tells me I have been drugged again, the same part of my brain that reminds me I have just told the others present how and when I had been turned into a were cat and the details of my first change. I scream my pain in a voice that turns human as my body refuses to sustain my animal form; I curl up into the foetal position on the floor as I cradle my damaged wrist to my chest. My entire body is in agony and I am only too happy to sink into the oblivion of the drug.

Only the drug doesn't bring total oblivion and I am able to hear the voices around me and feel their hands as I am picked up and carried to a bedroom.

"Help me get this handcuff off her wrist. Shit! It's a mess! How's Doc doing with Edwin?" Pete asks.

"Doc needs to sew his arm up. The artery is damaged," Sam's voice comes from near by, "She breathing properly? Doc said we need to keep an eye on her breathing because of the double dose to knock her out,"




To Love a Stray Ch. 04



"It's very shallow, like a pant." Pete replies. 

I realise they are talking about me and try to breath normally but the pain in my wrist overrides all. I sink in and out of semi lucidness only occasionally aware of voices around me and gentle hands stroking my hair or resting on my shoulder. I cry out as someone moves my wrist and pain radiates from my fingertips to my shoulder.

"Can't you give her something for the pain?" I should know the voice but I can't place it.

"With the drugs already in her system it might kill her!"

And would that be such a bad thing? My own thought runs through my mind.

I drift in and out of consciousness several more times before I can understand the words being spoken.

"Come on, keep this lot down sweetheart," The voice touches a familiar cord but I loose all thoughts of it as my stomach twists painfully and I am aware of my entire body convulsing as I vomit. 

"Doc! Do something! Rosy can't take much more of this!" I recognise Mitchell's distressed voice as my stomach tries to empty it's already emptiness.

"Help me prop her up a bit so I can try to get some fluids into her,"The movement jostles my wrist and I cry out as I try to cradle my wrist to my chest.

"She moved Doc! She tried to hold her injured wrist!"

"I saw,"

It is dark and quiet when I finally surface and manage to open my eyes. My head aches badly, my throat is sore and my mouth tastes terrible. I try to move my head so I can look around but everything feels detached and floaty. I close my eyes and drift in and out of sleep for a while before the faint sounds of someone moving around in the room quietly wakes me. I open my mouth and try to ask for a drink of water but all that emerges is the faintest of squeaks.Footsteps sound faintly and a faint light comes on above my head but not where it glares into my face.

"Rosy, can you hear me Rosy?" Doc asks, his tone suggesting he doubts I can. I manage a slight nod and Doc hurries to hold a glass with a straw to my lips, I manage two swallows before he pulls it away.

"That's all for now I'm sorry," Doc tells me gently "You can have more in a little while." 

I drift in and out of sleep and Doc is there every time I open my eyes, he holds the straw to my lips and I get to drink a little more. I wake in the predawn half-light and Doc is asleep in a chair by the bed, I try to speak but my voice is only a hoarse croak that is barely audible but Doc wakes and holds the glass and straw to my lips once again.

"Don't try to speak. You've lost your voice from screaming just give your throat time to heal. Are you hungry? Nod if you want something to eat," Doc tells me gently. I give a slight nod and it's the best I can manage as I still feel weirdly detached from my body

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Doc tries to reassure me. I close my eyes weakly and wait for Doc to return with something for me to eat.

* * * * *

I look towards the door when I hear it open and then look away trying to hide my disappointment when I see it is Doc. I had come around the night before last and had been sipping water and eating tiny amounts of soft-boiled egg yesterday but this morning I woke feeling much stronger. As much as I wanted to be left alone I was disappointed that none of the tomcats other than Doc had been in to see me. Doc had explained to me that probably due to my pregnancy my body had metabolised a normally harmless sedative in such a way that it had caused severe side effects that had come close to killing me and the others wanted me to rest so that I would get well. I didn't buy his explanations. They knew the truth about me, the entire horrible truth and no longer wanted to associate with me. I couldn't blame them - I hated me too.

"You're looking a lot better this afternoon," Doc said sounding pleased as he came and sat in the chair by my bed. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah," My voice was still hoarse but it was slowly returning.

"We definitely won't be using that drug again; it came very close to killing you." Doc tells me gently.

"You say that like it would be a bad thing," I rasp quietly.

"You don't mean that Rosy," Doc scolds gently. I give a disbelieving snort and glance at Doc. 

"You don't know how many times that has been exactly what I wanted," I tell him dryly.

"While you were out of your mind from the drug you kept begging to be allowed to die. You kept saying you wanted to be dead. Several times you asked what would be so bad about being dead," Doc tells me gently. I don't respond and after several minutes he resumes talking to me. 

"I know your depressed and having a hard time adjusting to becoming a werecat. The first change bringing back your memories of the assault when you were a child but you can get past it with some help," Doc tells me gently. "But that's not why I came in to talk to you."

He goes quiet for a few minutes and I wait uneasily for him to say whatever is on his mind, finally he continues. "What I am about to offer goes against my beliefs but I think I understand you better now and if this is what it takes to help you be able to cope with the reality of becoming a werecat then I'll do an abortion for you. I don't believe it is right but I acknowledge you need to be able to mentally handle your circumstances," 

I'm silent while I try to absorb his words. Yesterday I had been desperate to know if I had lost the babies but had been too scared to ask for fear I was still pregnant, this morning when I had found the courage to ask I had been shocked at how relieved I had been to hear I hadn't that I had broken into tears.

"What if ..." My voice trails off and I swallow several times as tears threaten to escape, "What if I've decided to have the babies?"

"Then I'll look after you through your pregnancy. I'll be there to deliver them," Doc tells me and I can hear the faint thread of hope in his voice.

"I'm not sure if I want to keep them ... I just know I ... I don't want to get rid of them. I'll have them," I say and send him a scared glance.

"Ok just so you know what you'll be getting yourself into, the guys will be wanting to pet you and stroke you a lot. They'll want to touch your stomach, feel the babies move. Toms love being around a pregnant female, they get very paternal even when they aren't the father." Doc said with a note of warning in his voice.

"As long as they know they have to back off when I warn them to," I mutter.

Doc gives a soft laugh, "Maybe they'll even learn to ask permission before touching. May I?"

I look at him startled and after a moments hesitation I give a reluctant nod. He leans forward in the chair and slips one hand beneath the covers slowly all the while watching my face. I move uneasily when his hand touches my hip before coming to rest low on my stomach beneath my navel. I can feel the warmth of his hand even through the material of the t-shirt I am wearing as a nightie and I glance down at the blankets covering his hand and my stomach before glancing back at his face.

"I can just barely feel the fullness here beneath my hand, probably only because I know what to look for. If anyone puts their hand on your belly and it gets heavy or uncomfortable tell them, they won't mean to do any thing like that but they can't feel how it feels for you. And you haven't got a mate to make them back off when you're tired so you'll need to tell them." Doc explains as he moves his hand off my stomach reluctantly.

"I'd like to do an ultra sound and get some measurements so I can calculate a due date, I can do that now or ... if your felling generous towards the guys I can do it this evening after supper and let them see the images on the screen. I'm even letting you have supper in the lounge room with us. Marissa is upset with her sons and the other warriors because they refused to let you be taken up to the main house to be looked after, they all wanted you here where they can listen to you through the walls when they're here. At the moment they're off hunting because I had no intention of fighting with them when ... if you had wanted the abortion." Doc tells me with a smile.

"They're not angry with me?" I ask uncertainly.

"They're upset because you freaked out ... or should I say they're upset that they accidentally upset you," Doc explains gently. I nod slightly; I can remember the concern in the different voices when I had been in the grip of the drug.

"Maybe Marissa would like to come and see too?" I venture uncertainly.

"Marissa would love that, so would Wade if you can handle him being here. And maybe Justin, Donovan and Jasmine." Doc tells me.

"Wade won't ..." I start fearfully.

"Wade is upset you ran away. He was hoping you would stay here and let them protect you," Doc tells me gently.

"If I ... can I just say stop if I get real scared?" I ask uneasily.

"Definitely, or even if you just change your mind, and don't want a lot of were cats around when it's done." Doc assures me.

"Later?" I ask and give a slightly nervous smile.

"Certainly. And I am going to let them all know about the choice I gave you, it'll probably get me told off at the least but I think they need to know you're okay with the baby thing. They know that when you ran away I was worried you were going to do something that could do you a lot of harm," Doc explains gently. "Now how do you feel about being allowed to lay on the lounge for the rest of the afternoon as long as you have a nap before supper?"

"Can I?" I ask in surprised delight.

"Yes, getting out of bed will do you good." Doc grins at me. Out in the lounge room Doc gets me settled comfortably on the lounge and gives me a plate with a sandwich on it, it brings back my memory of Mitchell and Sam sheltering me between as they made me a sandwich. I cradle my injured wrist against my chest as I eat and when I am finished Doc is waiting with a glass of fresh juice and helps me get comfortable with a pillow beneath my injured arm as I stretch out on the lounge.

"You ready for the descent of the masses?" Doc asks. We have been watching a movie on TV for nearly two hours and I look at him not sure what to make of his remark.

"I can see the warriors coming out of the forest. All of them are in human form and most of them have some form of clothing on," Doc tells me. I glance at him with a worried frown and look towards the doorway nervously.

"Everyone's there. Steven, Pete, Sam and Mitchell, Edwin, Alex, Micah and Dwayne," Doc tells me as he looks out the window. "Pete refused to go home until you were out of danger, then he wanted to see you for himself before he left."

"All of them?" I ask uneasily suddenly unsure of the wisdom of being out in the lounge room.

"They're going to be real happy when they realise you're out here. If it gets too much for you with all of them around just tell them to back off a bit, steady on or stop crowding you," Doc encourages me.

"But they're warriors, clan cats ..." I tell him uneasily.

"And someone's told you to be scared of warriors and clan cats?" Doc asks softly. I glance away from him for a few moments before I glance back nervously and give a slight nod of my head.

"Let me guess who told you that ... the stray that attacked you, bought your first change on and got you pregnant?" Doc asks gently.

"He wasn't the one who attacked me," I say and glance at Doc uneasily.

"He's one of the strays who locked you up in the cage and hurt you," Doc guesses. I shake my head and look down at my badly shattered wrist; it is encased in elastic bandages with the support of a plaster backboard.

"I don't wanta talk about it," I protest softly as I hunch my shoulders and slightly cower against the back of the lounge. I hear Doc exhale angrily and wait tensely for him to start demanding answers.

"Well when you feel up to talking about him, about anything that has occurred just come and tell me you want to talk." Doc tells me, his voice slightly flat and emotionless. I start uneasily as my sharp ears catch the sound of male laughter and I glance towards the door expectantly.

"Your hearing is excellent," Doc remarks.

I glance his way surprised and give a shy smile as I shrug. "I always have had good hearing."

"It looks like you're looking forward to seeing the guys," Doc says with a smile.

"I've kind of got used to them harassing me," I say with an uncomfortable shrug.

"Well I guess you'd better brace yourself cause they'll probably try to outdo each other 'harassing' you," Doc tells me with a smile and a conspiratorial wink. I spare another glance for the doorway before struggling to sit up without using my injured wrist.

"You alright?" Doc asks with sudden concern as I struggle against being found laying flat on the lounge.

"I wanta sit up," I say fretfully as I hear voices just outside the building. Doc hurries over to help me sit up and I am getting myself settled comfortably when the door slams and footsteps move lightly through the building. I glance over the back of the lounge towards the sounds nervously and Doc catches me by my chin forcing me to look at him.

"It'll be fine. Calm down," Doc says gently.

"Got any coffee on?" Alex asks.

"How's Rosy doing?" Pete asks. I hear them walk into the room and know that for the moment I am hidden from view by the back of the lounge.

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Doc answers Pete.

"Off to do that now," Pete says eagerly and I listen to footsteps recede down towards the bedrooms. A few moments later I hear Pete swear worriedly and he rushes back out towards the others.

"Rosy's gone!" Pete announces his voice thick with worry.

"You sure she's g ... " Sam's worried tones stop suddenly as he walks into the lounge room to glance around. He smiles widely when he spots me and I fidget under his gaze after nearly a minute. 

"She in there?" Mitchell demands and leans over the back of the lounge. I lean to the side and look back over my shoulder at him uneasily.

"Hey there Rosy!" Mitchell greets me happily.

"Mitchell," I say eagerly and smile shyly as he moves around to stand in front of the lounge. Suddenly the room is full of large strongly smelling male bodies and I look from one face to another as I take in the fact that they are all here. Everyone starts talking at once and I dart quick glances between faces as I try to follow what everyone is saying.

"All right, all right. Everyone calm down Rosy can stay out here until after supper and if she gets tired she can lie down on the lounge and nap," Doc says firmly.

"I've got the shower first," Micah announces before heading off.

"Wait a moment Micah," Doc says firmly and glances my way.

I look away from his direct eye contact and glance uneasily towards Micah where he has stopped in the doorway and turned around to face the room. I pull my legs up onto the lounge tucking them up under myself as I huddle into a small nervous heap.

"Rosy is not to change. Her wrist needs to heal before she does and at this stage she won't be able to bear any weight on it ... on her front leg if she was to change. I've been going over what I know about the times she has changed and I realised one thing connects all the changes. Rosy has been terrified into cat form each time," Doc says firmly and glances around at the silent toms. 

"Each time one or more of us have inadvertently scared Rosy so badly she has changed. Just before you guys got here I managed to get it out of Rosy that some stray has warned her that she needs to be scared of warriors and clan cats ..." Doc explains. An angry hiss comes from someone out of my sight and I gasp and flinch into the comfort of the lounge.

"It's all right Rosy, no-one's angry with you." Doc tells me gently before turning his attention back to the others. "If we become angry or threatening in anyway Rosy panics and changes like she did when Pete got her talking about being attacked by a werecat in cat form,"

"What did the bastard tell you about clan cats and warriors Rosy?" Mitchell asks gently as he watches me from where he is squatting in front of the lounge. I look at him and see pain in his eyes as he looks at me and I suddenly want him to deny what I have learnt and been told over the years.

"Clan cats chase Strays to keep them out of their territories and Warriors kill strays ... all strays," My voice dropped away to a whisper on the last two words and I watch Mitchell fearfully.

"For a start," Edwin snarls and I turn eyes wide with fear towards where his voice is coming from, "Our territory is our home similar to the way a house is a human's home and as for killing all strays that is a load of crap!"

"Edwin!" Micah snaps his voice full of authority.

"We only kill strays who threaten the safety or security of werecats as a species! And we certainly don't kill She-kitts! There aren't many of yous and if we kill a she-kitt how will the next generation of werecats be born?" Edwin demands angrily. 

"Edwin ..." Menace is thick in Micah's voice as he growls at his brother.

"What! So it's all right for her to accuse us of that shit! Hell she as good as said she believes we'll kill her!" Edwin yells at his brother.

"Out now!" Micah roars at the top of his voice and I whimper in fright as I look towards Mitchell for protection.

"Enough!" Doc snaps angrily "Of course Rosy is real scared and cautious about everyone! She is badly injured and has no way of escape if things suddenly go pear-shaped for her! You know I am actually starting to regret letting Rosy come out here but I saw how miserable she has been when none of you guys checked in to see how she has been the last two days. When she could hear you guys coming back from your hunt she kept looking towards the door waiting for yous to come in! As scared as she is of being defenceless around cats that smell like clan cats she wants to be around yous!"

"Well then why did she accuse us of that shit?!" Edwin demands angrily.

"Because Rosy was looking right at me begging me with her eyes to tell her that we won't hurt her!" Mitchell yells as he stands to face Edwin, "Rosy wanted our reassurance and you started yelling at her!"

Mitchell is standing over me as he yells at Edwin and I can't help noticing that his hands are clenching and unclenching as he stands there, I cower down onto the lounge until I am lying flat and I wait for the lounge to be tipped over as the two toms start fighting.

"Mitchell! Edwin! Both of you, back off now!" Sam orders forcefully.

"Mitchell! Edwin!" Micah's voice doesn't rise above normal but it is so full of authority it has me trembling as I turn my face into the cushion beneath my head.

"Mitchell, shower now!" Sam orders harshly.

"Edwin get outside!" Micah orders and I feel him moving rather then hear him as he heads for his brother. I am completely motionless as I hear Mitchell move uncertainly.

"Leave her, shower now. I'm here with her," Sam says softly. I listen to movement around me recede before I turn my head to glance around cautiously. Sam is sitting on the floor about four feet from where I am and I look at him and find him watching me calmly.

"Hey," he says gently.I don't answer him as I lay my head down on the lounge to watch him, after a few moments he moves over to sit with his back against the lounge level with my shoulders. I hesitate a few seconds before reaching out to lay my good hand on the top of his shoulder, one of his hands is lifted to cover my hand and I give a soft sigh. I roll my eyes in their sockets as I try to see who belongs to the faint footsteps that move around to the front of the lounge and move up near Sam.

"Sit up a moment," Micah tells me as he reaches down and slides an arm beneath my upper ribs to sit me up. I am tense as I allow him to sit me up, he moves to sit where my head and shoulders had been and then he is settling me on a pillow he has laid across his lap. "Comfortable?" he asks quietly.




To Love a Stray Ch. 04



"Hmmm," I murmur as I inhale his scent on the pillow. His hand rests on the point of my shoulder for a few moments before it moves to stroke down my side to the curve of my hip. I tense as I hear more movement and watch as Dwayne, Alex, Steven and Pete find seats for themselves close by. I am surrounded in their strong musky scents as they settle down to watch tv and I close my eyes as I take a deep breath and exhale slowly as I sort through their individual scents. A few minutes later I hear the sound of damp feet on floorboards and the clean scent of pine based soap.

"Rosy okay?" Mitchell demands from behind the lounge.

"Mitchell," I say as I open my eyes and turn my head towards his voice. I catch sight of Micah watching me and spare him a wary glance before grinning shyly at Mitchell.

"Shower's mine!" Dwayne yells as he jumps to his feet, "Oops, sorry." He says as he looks at me. I smile and turn my head to hide my face in the pillow. I start as I feel my feet being lifted up and jerk my head up abruptly to see who has dared to touch me. Mitchell smiles at me as he settles himself on the lounge and positions my legs across his lap. I struggle to sit up but am unable to and I whimper in distress when I find I am unable to use my good arm and that my injured wrist is in danger of being bumped.

"Do you want to sit up?" Micah asks at my whimper.

"Yes," I almost whine as I freeze at the sound of his voice.

"Hold still a moment," Micah orders softly. I instinctively obey and the next moment Micah is sitting me up careful to avoid bumping my wrist, I send him a startled look before scooting around to cuddle into Mitchell's side. Mitchell drapes his arm around my shoulders and I watch TV for several minutes before sneaking another glance Micah's way but he is watching the TV and doesn't notice my nervous curiosity. 

Feeling incredibly safe and secure I relax against Mitchell's side and when my eyes become heavy I close them content to go to sleep where I am. Several times the noises on the tv woke me a start and I'd jerk my head up in alarm but Mitchell would talk softly to me and I would relax and go back to sleep.

"Rosy, Rosy, hey Rosy, you hungry? Want to have something to eat?" Mitchell's voice disturbs my sleep and I push away from his side as I sit up groggily.

"What?" I mumbled.

"I got that burger you ordered," Edwin said. I rub my eyes and turn my head to look at him still half asleep. 

"I asked for a burger?" I enquire as I turn my attention to the plate he holds out towards me.

"Yeah, a burger with everything." Edwin encourages me with a smile. I study the burger for a moment and shake my head as I see cheese and pineapple on it as well as the tomato and lettuce. 

"I didn't ask for that," I say with certainty and glance at him suspiciously. "You trying to get on my good side?"

Edwin meets my eyes for a few seconds before exhaling with a bit of a huff, "I'm just trying to be nice to you," he says and I can hear the honesty in his voice.

"Hmmm," I say still suspicious and look at the burger again. I catch sight of the disappointment building in his eyes and I glance at Mitchell uncertainly.

"Edwin's trying to show you he's sorry about before," Mitchell tells me softly.

"I don't need you trying to patch up my mistakes," Edwin growls at Mitchell. I frown as I turn my attention back to the burger on the plate he is still holding although now his hand is slowly lowering towards the floor and he is glaring angrily at Mitchell instead of looking at me.

"You put pineapple on it," I state.

"Yeah I did," Edwin agrees.

"I don't like pineapple on my burgers," I tell him and see the disappointment flicker deep in his eyes for an instant before he controls his expression "But I'll eat it cause I like it when you try to be nice and say sorry," I bite my bottom lip as his eyes darken with a sudden flare and then he smiles and lifts the plate up towards me once again. I forget about my wrist and try to reach for it with both hands but the movement makes me gasp as pain shoots from my wrist to my elbow and I jerk my arm back causing more pain.

"Shhh, steady on." Mitchell murmurs as he supports me for a few moments. "Just sit it on her lap," He tells Edwin.

"Damn! I forgot she can only use one hand, how can she eat it?" Edwin asks of no one as he places the plate on my lap.

"I can manage," I tell him as I lift the lid off the burger with my good hand and put it to one side of the plate before beginning to eat the salad off the burger, I wrinkle my nose as I sniff the pineapple ring before biting into it. I work my way steadily through the burger until all that is left is part of the crust of the bun and a small piece of lettuce.

"I'm full," Dwayne announces with a satisfied sigh and I glance around the toms noting that they all seem to be satisfied with their meal.

"I think I ate too much goat earlier," Alex groans as he tosses his paper plate into a bin at the end of the lounge.

"I hate to disturb you all but Wade and Marissa are coming over in about ten minutes," Doc announces. The others groan and get to their feet reluctantly and I sit up and look around to see what is going on.

"A bit more warning would have been good," Sam complains as he begins gathering used paper plates and dropping them into strategically placed rubbish bins. 

Doc walks over to me and urges me to my feet with a hand under my elbow, "Sit over here in this chair. You'll be more comfortable and out of the way," Doc tells me with a smile before warning me in a whisper, "It might get a bit loud and scary for a few minutes but try to remember you will be safe no matter what," I watch him move away over to the doorway and take several deep breaths before clearing his throat.

"Can I have everyone's attention for a minute?" Doc asks and the others stop what they are doing and look his way.

"Now we've all heard Rosy's nightmares and we are all aware that she is having a lot of trouble adjusting to her new life ..." Doc announces. I glance around self-consciously and notice most of the toms glance my way as they nod their agreement.

"I've been worried about her depression and suicidal remarks and after a lot of thought and soul searching I told her ..." his voice trailed off for a moment and he swallowed visibly before continuing, "I told her that if she needs me to I'll do an abortion so she ..."

"What!"

"Hell no!"

"You bastard!"

"You're not touching her!" I couldn't tell who was yelling what and I am becoming more and more aware of the level of testosterone rocketing higher in the room with every fraction of a second.

"If you do it what the hell is the reason for our existence!" Mitchell demands angrily, "You know this is the closest most of us will ever get to having our own kids! Toms only exist to ensure the safety of our she-kitts, queens and kittens!" he throws aside the rubbish bag he is holding and heads for Doc with clenched fists.

"Stop it right now!" Micah yells angrily and all the others instantly freeze "If it takes what Doc offered Rosy to keep her alive then I say let him do it! I'd rather bury the unborn kittens then end up having Rosy kill herself!"

"You do it and I will kill you myself!" Mitchell snarls as he eyes Doc and Micah, "And if I have to go through Micah to do it I'll find a way!"

"Stop it! Stop it!" I begin sobbing as I cover my ears with my hands, "No fighting! No fighting!"

"Rosy, remember you need to remain calm," Doc tells me from across the room. "And the rest of you can calm down as well, Rosy turned my offer down." There is near total silence in the room other than my crying and I look around wildly fearing Doc is in danger. I am stunned to see most of the toms are breaking into smiles and several of them are hastily wiping tears from their cheeks. The outside door slams against the wall and rattles furiously as someone rushes into the building.

"What is going on here?" Wade demands angrily as he rushes into the room. Anger is rolling off him in waves and I whimper as I slip from the chair and edge towards the window.

"Rosy you are safe, no one is going to hurt you," I hear the voice but it makes no sense to me as I tremble as wave after wave of fire races up my spine, I moan as fire burns in my wrist and I begin pulling at the restricting bandage.

"Rosy, Rosy, Rosy," a familiar voice chants in a low soothing tone and I turn towards it desperately. Mitchell is walking towards me slowly and I keep my full attention on him as he comes towards me. I slide down the wall as my legs buckle and I stop pulling at the bandage on my arm as the fire in my wrist begins to recede.

"That's it Rosy, you can control it, you're safe Rosy, you're safe," Mitchell croons softly to me. I am still trembling when he slips his arms around me and lifts me up to carry me to the lounge where he sits down and cradles me in his lap. I bury my face against his chest and close my eyes as he strokes my hair and back crooning to me all the time. I am aware of time passing and the quiet murmur of voices in the background but I pay them no heed until a gentle hand rests on my uninjured arm and pats gently.

"You ready for the last bit Rosy? Or do you want to wait?" Doc asks gently. I turn my face towards him and frown in confusion as my brain refuses to tell what he means.

"We work out a date?" Doc prompts.

"What are you talking about?" Mitchell growls protectively. I look up at his face and raise my good hand to touch his cheek, he looks down at me in surprise and I realise this is the first time I have reached out physically for the attention I have wanted.

"It's okay, Doc doesn't want to hurt me." I tell him.

"As if he could with Wade and all of us here," Mitchell growls.

"You'll like this," I tell him shyly and ease off his lap, he grabs at my good hand and gets to his feet clearly intending to stay by my side.

"Mitchell let go of Rosy and sit down!" Wade uses all of his authority in his voice and I glanced nervously his way. For a moment I fear Mitchell is going to defy him but finally he lets go of my hand and sits back on the lounge.

"Come on Rosy," Doc urges me quietly and I back away from Mitchell still keeping eye contact with him. I sit in the chair Doc guides me to and I lean back trying to relax despite Doc unfastening the waist of my jeans and pushing aside the fabric.

"Yes!" Edwin hisses as Doc reaches for the small machine beside the chair.

"Is that...?" Sam asks. 

Mitchell begins snarling low and deep as Doc squirts cold gel onto my stomach making me jump in surprise.

"Either you control yourself or get out now!" Micah orders as he moves around to stand in front of Mitchell.

"You'll want to stay for this!" Sam says with growing excitement.

"What?" Micah asks with a growl as he glances at Sam.

"This is a portable ultrasound machine; I've hooked it up to the TV so the image shows there. I am going to try to work out when to expect the babies," Doc explains.

"You saying there are two?" Marissa asks excitedly.

"Yes and we know so much more medically now. Well at least for humans and I am sure we can try some of that if necessary," Doc says.

"What do you mean?" I ask suddenly nervous.

"There was a Dam who had twins, one pregnancy after the other. The first time she miscarried at six months, the second time she made it to full term but the first baby was positioned wrong ... neither baby survived the birth. The third time she had one boy not twins, four years later she carried twins for eight months. The boy survived but the girl died the next day. Her mate just about went mad with grief," Marissa said gently.

"What happened to the mother?" I ask scared and fearing the answer.

"Mum left one night about six months later when Dad was away on business. Dad and his warriors searched for her for months. There was no trace of her. Dad believes she died, he said that he woke in the middle of the night one night with the deepest sense her being gone, totally. He stopped looking after that," Sam said quietly. I turn my face away from the others as tears prick behind my eyes.

"As much as all children are deeply valued by us our daughters are our future," Doc tells me quietly. "Someone turn the TV onto the AV channel and turn the screen this way a bit so I can see what I'm doing,"

I am aware of the probe as he runs it through the gel on my stomach spreading it around. I hear the slight sounds as someone does as he wants and then the excited hisses and gasps from the audience gathered around.

"What's that thing moving?" A girlish voice asks excitedly and I turn my head to see a girl who looks to be just entering her teens sitting on Wade's knee. I glance at the screen and see the rhythmic movement of a beating heart.

"That is a heart, the movement is it beating," I say softly as warmth flows through me at the sight of my unborn child.

"That's right you've used one of these machines when you worked for Doc Caruthers didn't you!" Pete exclaims without taking his eyes off the screen.

"Yeah quite a bit but I think dogs and cats might differ a bit to me," I say as I turn back to the screen.

"How much veterinary knowledge do you have?" Wade asks softly.

"I've done the comprehensive course for assistant and learnt a heap of practical stuff watching and helping my boss," I answer with a nervous glance his way.

"What ... define practical," Wade invites. 

"Set broken bones. Treat abscesses and wounds, dental work on dogs, cats and livestock. Assist in surgeries, vaccinate, diagnose, and take blood samples." I let my voice trail off.

"Look there's two hearts now!" Marissa exclaims excited as the probe is moved and the second heartbeat shows on the screen. I turn my full attention onto the screen as Doc slowly sets about working out how to take the measurements needed for the machine to calculate gestation.

"Can you tell what sex they are yet?" Micah asks with interest.

"Too soon," Doc answers as he moves the probe to get a clearer look at one of the small forms.

"It doesn't want you to look at it!" Donovan or Justin laughs as a tiny hand comes up between it and the probe.

"And its twin was no better! Obviously they take after their mother," Dwayne says flashing me a brilliant smile when I look his way with a frown.

"Oh no," Pete moans, "I remember the time you climbed the old fig tree at Barton's just before your eleventh birthday. You done fine until Young Frankie decided to make you come down by shaking the branch,"

"I didn't fall out of that tree! The branch broke!" I protest annoyed.

"You liked climbing trees even when you were human?" Donovan asks with interest.

"My Dad used to go tracking animals a lot but he used to take pictures not shoot them and he used to take me along most of the time. He took a lot of pictures from various stands in trees so he taught me how to track and climb trees," I tell him with a grin, "and camp and fish and trap rabbits and cook over a campfire,"

"Your Dad sounds like a neat person," Justin pipes up.

"Yeah he was. He was the best Dad I could have had." I say turning back to the screen as I blink back tears.

"We can share our Dad with you!" Jasmine offers with the generosity of a child.

"It doesn't quite work that way Jazzy," Marissa tells her daughter softly.

There is an awkward silence for several seconds before Doc speaks, "Ok. All finished," I hold still while he wipes the gel from my stomach and refastens my jeans, I look past him at the sound of someone approaching and tense as Wade comes around the end of the lounge slowly.

"Hi Rosy would you mind if I said hallo to the babies?" Wade asks in a gentle voice that reminds me of Micah. I gasp in alarm and push myself into a fully upright position, Doc catches hold of me as I attempt to jump up off the chair and I hiss in sudden fear.

"Let her go Doc. I am not asking nor am I telling her to submit, I am merely asking Rosy if I may say hallo to her babies," Wade's voice takes on a firm tone as he glances at Doc. As soon as Doc releases me I scramble to my feet and back up against the wall, my injured wrist cradled across my chest. Wade approaches slowly, giving me plenty of time to protest his approach. As he gets nearer I look away from his face and hunch one shoulder slightly as I lean slightly away from his approach. Finally he is standing in front of me and slightly to one side, I jerk and gasp when his hand comes to rest against my stomach ever so lightly. I glance up at him nervously and look away as he directs a smile my way, he removes his hand and moves backwards as slowly as he had advanced.

"Thank you Rosy," He tells me softly. Mitchell is suddenly at my side and I turn to him burying my face against his chest and hugging him tightly as he rubs my back soothingly.

"He didn't hurt me," I tell him stunned, "He's an Alpha and he didn't attack me,"

"You silly thing, what do we keep trying to tell you? None of us will hurt you," Mitchell scolds me as he cuddles me close.

"Can I say hallo to the babies too?"

"And me?"

"Me too?" I turn my head to look at Justin, Jasmine and Donovan who are crowding around me. I turn around so Mitchell is still holding me but from behind and nod at the three youngsters. Immediately hands are pressed against my stomach, one hand even burrows beneath my jeans but I know I have nothing to fear from these young toms.

"Gently now Rosy won't appreciate it if you squash her poor tummy," Marissa scolds her children gently.

"Yeah be gentle with Rosy," Edwin reinforces as he approaches. His two youngest brothers move away and he places his hand on my stomach but when he goes to slip his fingers beneath the top of my jeans I jerk away from his touch.

"That's enough leave Rosy alone - everyone," Mitchell growls in warning.

"Micah, Steven, I want Mitchell over at the house now!" Wade snaps. I look over my shoulder at Mitchell worriedly and grab at his arm when he takes his arms from around me.

"I got to go," he tells me gently as I clutch at his arm anxiously.

"Come on, lets play a game on the x-box," Sam urges as he takes hold of my upper arm. I cast a glance at Mitchell scared for him, I don't know what is going on but I sense it is not good. I watch Wade, Marissa, Donovan and Jasmine leave and I glance towards Mitchell to find Steven and Micah flanking him.

"Mitchell!" I call in panic. 

Micah turns around to face me, his face a hard mask. "This is clan business. Do not think you can interfere," he warns. I watch the three toms walk out the door and my stomach turns over queasily.

"Is Mitchell in trouble?" I ask fearfully as I look at Sam.

"Mitchell disobeyed Wade and gave orders to his more dominant clan members," Sam tells me and I catch the note of worry he is trying to hide.

"But he was trying to help me! He knows how scared I get!" I protest.

"He was acting like he is your mate. He hasn't tried anything when you sleep in his bed has he?" Sam suddenly demands.

"I would have ripped his arm or hand or whatever off and bashed him with it if he had tried!" I snarl at Sam, "I like him because he doesn't look at me like that! Like Edwin and Steven and Alex and Micah do!"

"They can't help it. You're a she-kitt and unrelated to them," Sam says levelly. I can feel my rage building, I didn't like the answers I was getting and the thought that Mitchell might be in trouble because of me didn't sit well.

"You forgot the fact I am a stray!" I snarl and turn my back on him as I head for the bedroom I'd been put into.

"Like that's anything to be proud of," I hear Edwin mutter and I feel my fury rush through me like a firestorm. I barely feel the agony of my body for the pain in my front leg as I struggle to stand without putting weight on it. I nose it with a whine and take a step with my other front leg, my injured paw held in the air.




To Love a Stray Ch. 04



"Shit!" I hear Doc exclaim and I turn to snarl a warning at him. All of the toms freeze where they are trying to get some distance from me, as even with one leg disabled I am dangerous to them while they are in human form. I snort through my nose and head towards the bedroom my progress made in short little hop like movements with my good front leg. In the bedroom I curl up on top of the bed and lay facing the doorway, my tail wrapped around my hindquarters. I nibble at the bandage on my foreleg until the bandage begins to unwrap and I pull at it impatiently. A knock at my door brings a snarl to my throat and I watch as the door opens slowly and Doc looks in cautiously.

"You mustn't try to go far on that leg Rosy, it's too badly broken to take your weight just yet," He tells me cautiously. I lower my head and move my weight from one back foot to the other making sure I have a good footing, my tail lashes from side to side and Doc quickly closes the door between us as he recognises my threat. It is nearly an hour later before I hear Mitchell's footsteps in the building. I ease off the bed and rear up on my hind legs to use my good paw to depress the elongated handle of the door down so I can get out. I move along the room silently and rotate my ears as I listen to the toms in the lounge room. I stop back from the doorway so that I don't attract attention and drop to my stomach to creep forward to where I can see into the room.

"You're lucky you got off as light as you did," Doc is telling Mitchell as he stitches a gash above his eyebrow.

"Well if Steven hadn't shot his mouth off like he did I wouldn't have hit him," Mitchell all but growls.

"It's not your place to say who can go near Rosy. She is under Wade's protection until such time she chooses a mate," Doc tells him firmly.

"What if she doesn't want a tom after what she's been through?" Mitchell demands hotly.

"You've got to get control of your protectiveness towards Rosy or your going to get more than a month without pay and not being allowed to be with Rosy unless someone else is present," Sam tells his brother angrily.

"That's the worst part. I don't know if Rosy will understand why things have been changed," Mitchell says sadly. 

"She'll just have to cope," Edwin says from somewhere close by but out of my line of sight. I stand upright and walk into the lounge room as best I can on three paws, I walk up to Mitchell and circle him as I sniff reading the story by the scents I pick up on him.

I can smell Steven's scent on his ribs where they smell bruised and Micah's scent on one arm as if he'd grabbed hold of him for some reason. I rear up placing my paws on his shoulders as I sniff near his face; the strong mixture of the scent of his blood and the smell of Steven has my hair standing on end as I move back down to three paws. I turn and leave the room as I head for my room, everyone is silent behind me and I ignore them as I pass by them.

* * * * *

I am in human form when I walk into the kitchen for breakfast the next morning, I look around for Mitchell but he isn't there.

"Want some bacon and eggs? We got plenty here," Dwayne tells me from the counter where he is dishing up his own breakfast.

"Yeah here's a plate," Steven says as he pulls a plastic plate out of a new packet and turns around to hand it to me. I growl low and deep in my throat, the closest to a growl in cat form I have ever done. 

"If you're threatening me it's not going to work," Steven says as he turns to face me cautiously.

"Threatening you? It's not a threat, it's a promise." I hiss as I walk past him to get to the toaster on the far side of the kitchen. I ignore him as I put two slices of bread into the toaster one handed, I hear his soft snort of laughter and am about to turn and face him when loud footsteps come through the back door.

"Business guys!" Micah yells as he marches into the kitchen and looks around.

"Sam! Dwayne! Alex! And Mitchell! We just got a report of a stray that has been seen several times in cat form by Roo hunters over by Westby River," Micah stops as he spots me and hesitates for a moment and then gives a brief nod. "Now is as good a time as any for you to learn how things work," he looks around just as I smell Mitchell's scent.

"You all know the protocol. And be careful," Micah orders. He looks at me where I wait by the toaster and then he glances at the cooked food by the stove, "You okay? Don't want bacon and eggs today?"

"I feel off in the stomach," I say grudgingly when he continues to watch me and I see the worry flare in his eyes. "It's just morning sickness and I'll feel better if I can eat,"

"If what you want isn't here I'm sure one of us can find it in Mum's pantry," Micah tells me quietly.

"Toast will do," I mutter and turn away, I'm not about to tell him I want pancakes dripping in syrup. I long to follow after Mitchell but I know that it would cause more problems for him. I am chewing half heartedly on my buttered toast when the four toms walk by on their way outside, they are all carrying some kind of bag with spare clothing in it and I put my toast aside to follow them outside. I watch as they pack their bags in the back of the van I first arrived here in and I rush forward to grab Mitchell's arm.

"Hey Rosy. I got to go away for three or four days but don't worry I'll come back," He tells me with an easy grin. Ignoring Wade who is walking towards us from the main house I throw my arms around Mitchell and press my face against his chest as I hug him. 

"Be safe," I tell him before reluctantly letting go and stepping back.

"Do I get one of them too?" Alex jokes lightly. I turn my head to glare at him but I only see my Alex who is off to face a stray. I walk over to him and cuddle in close breathing in his scent, "Be safe," I tell him as well. As I step back I find Sam and Dwayne standing close by and I cuddle them telling them to be safe before I release them and step away. I glance nervously at Wade who is now waiting to talk to the four toms and I move off a bit unsure if I am allowed here.

"I'll phone you as soon as I have more information. You might as well detour via Southrock on your way home and see if that stray we've chased on and off is still roaming around there. And as Rosy said, be safe." Wade tells them. I watch as they climb into the van and Dwayne drives off, I wonder if I should mention to Wade that the stray won't be at Southrock as she was right here. I turn away to head back to The Quarters but stop at the sound of Wade's voice.

"Good morning Rosy, Marissa would like it if you wanted to visit with her today," He invites me in a friendly tone.

"Maybe later," I say and walk away.

"She said she has morning sickness," I hear Micah explaining to his father.

"Or she could just be sulking," Steven puts in.

"I can't afford to let Mitchell get too protective of her. When the top warriors and toms start coming around there're several who'd be likely to kill him for it, I'd loose a promising warrior and Rosy would be terribly upset by it," I hear Wade saying as I go in the back door. I pause just inside to keep listening but the sudden clenching of my stomach has me running for the toilet.

I am on my knees leaning against the wall beside the ceramic bowl weak with having been physically sick when I smell Edwin, I turn my head towards the doorway ready to warn him off but he wordlessly offers me a glass of water. I take the glass with a slight nod and rinse my mouth before resting against the wall with my eyes closed and my head bent for several minutes.

"Do you feel up to going to the lounge room now?" Edwin asks softly.

"My bed, I need to rest." I mutter and make no argument when he lifts me in his arms. His smell is much stronger than Mitchell's and muskier I can't help noticing, he is more muscular and thicker through the body. 

I sigh with relief as he carefully lowers me onto the bed but jump when I hear Micah's yell.

"Edwin! Where are you?"

"In here!" He calls back but stays to cover me with a blanket that he tucks around my feet gently. "Don't want you getting cold," he tells me softly.

"What are you doing?" Micah demands as he strides into the room.

"Rosy was sick so I'm just helping her to bed so she can have a rest," Edwin says with a glance at his brother.

"You alright?" Micah demands with a frown of concern and I glimpse Steven and Pete hovering just outside the door.

"I just need to rest for a little while," I say as I close my eyes.

"I'm going to have a chat with Mum maybe she knows something that will help you." Micah tells me firmly.

"Pancakes. Pancakes and honey," I mutter.

"You just spewed your guts up and now you want to eat?" Edwin asks in disbelief.

"Hmmm, that's the way it works apparently," I mutter then yawn, "But first I want to have a nap," Already I can feel the welcome of sleep and relax even though I know the toms are still in and around my room. I wake to unusually muted noise and I lift my head warily to look around. Feeling much better than when I first woke this morning. I sit up and stretch, lifting both arms above my head and bending first to one side and then the other. I slip out from under the blanket and get to my feet. I walk silently to the toilet and visit the bathroom before heading for the lounge room. The four toms are spread around the room in different chairs talking in quiet voices with no one playing the inevitable x-box game. The very lack of noise must have been what woke me I realise.

"Hey you're awake!" Pete exclaims with a grin as he gets to his feet. I ignore him as I head towards the kitchen following the appetising aroma I had followed down the hallway. In the microwave I find a plate heaped with fresh pancakes still slightly warm, I take the plate in my good hand and carry it to the table where I sit down and quickly roll a pancake into a long tube that I begin eating.

I hear footsteps enter the kitchen and I hunch over my plate, my injured arm on the table above the plate and my other hand just above the plate as I chew hungrily. Someone walks behind me and I growl a possessive warning as I turn my head slightly to listen to them go past.

"Woe! The stray is in a bad mood," Edwin comments as he grabs himself something out of the fridge. I hear the soft hiss of a can of soda being opened and take another mouthful of pancake, jerking the bite off with an exaggerated movement.

"We're going for a stroll in the trees later, Steven and I are going to hunt do you want to come for the walk?" Micah asks.

"I'd be helpless as a cat," I snap at Micah.

"You don't have to change you can still go for a walk on two legs. Edwin and Pete will keep you company," Micah tells me.

"What so they don't get stuck in the house with the stray?" I ask sarcastically.

"Oh don't worry. I wouldn't mind being stuck in the house with the she-kitt," Edwin purrs at me.

"You need fresh air and exercise don't you?" Pete asks as I turn my head to growl at Edwin.

"At the moment I need to eat!" I growl as I hunch over my food.

"You don't need to guard your food," Micah chides gently, "No one is going to take it from you," I ignore his comment as I continue to eat and hunch over my food. I know what he said is true but it is sheer perverseness on my part that makes me over react to having them in the room.

"Ought to take it from her every time she acts like a damned stray," Edwin growls and I snarl back at him.

"Stop stirring her!" Micah snaps at his brother.

I use the last pancake to mop up the traces of butter on the plate and pop it into my mouth, when I swallow it I look down at the plate thoughtfully. "They didn't have any honey on them,"

"Well if you hadn't been growling at everyone you could have asked for honey and one of us would have got it for you," Pete tells me slowly as if I might have trouble understanding him. I give him a dirty look as I get up and check in the fridge to check for fresh juice, there are several small bottles of it and I grab one and use my teeth to hold the lid as I turn the bottle and open it. I drop the lid onto my injured arm and lift the bottle to take a deep drink.

"You could have asked one of us to open it," Micah points out.

"And then it would have smelt like whoever touched it," I say and snort with distaste.

"A bit strange being able to smell so well?" Micah inquires softly.

"It has its uses," I say with a shrug, "So when are you going hunting?"

"We can go as soon as you're ready to go for a walk," Micah says levelly. I hesitate a moment, so far I haven't been anywhere that Mitchell hasn't been with me. 

"I can go as soon as I finish this," I say as I lift my drink and take several deep swallows. "Just one condition, yous don't run at me while you're a cat 'cause I've been chased a few times and I don't like it," I warn.

"You promise not to try to run off?" Micah asks. I nod guardedly; I know I am in no fit state to be by myself.

"Fair enough," Micah agrees. "No chasing you but try not to run from us. A cat's natural instinct is to chase anything that flees." I turn my full attention to finishing my drink and put the empty bottle and lid in one of the many rubbish bins around the house.

"This place is really disgusting you know. Rubbish and dust everywhere," I comment.

"If it bothers you so much you can clean it," Steven tells me and I snarl at him.

"So Mum tells us," Edwin says and heads for the door. I hesitate a moment before following him, he leads the way outside and turns towards the closest tree line. I glance quickly over my shoulder at the sound of footsteps behind me and then turn my attention back to the tree line because I don't want to think about the fact that both Micah and Steven are now only wearing jeans and whatever they have on underneath them.

I lengthen my stride and take deep breaths of the fresh air, I smile to myself with pleasure at being outside after days of being cooped up inside. Pete jogs past me followed by Micah and Steven then the race begins as they really begin to run. I glance at Edwin and see the longing in his face to be running with the others but he keeps to my pace. I watch until the three disappear into the dapples shadows and I turn my attention back to the ground in front of me. When we reach the trees we soon find Pete picking up discarded jeans but there are no big black cats in sight and for that I am thankful.

"They've gone hunting," Pete says lightly as he rolls the clothing into a bundle and uses a short piece of rope to make a handle to put over his shoulder. I follow as he starts along a trail and I glance over my shoulder when I don't hear Edwin following, I catch sight of him just about to urinate on a tree and look away hurriedly.



To Love a Stray Ch. 05



Thanks once again to my editor wulfgrleditor and thanks to my greatest critics S & W and I'll let asking for another cuppa pass as input Tang. 

**************

"Can we please stop so I can sit down for a while?" I ask Pete. 

He turns his head to look at me and frowns, "Why didn't you say something sooner? You look ready to drop!" He scolds as he looks around.

"I thought you'd stop sooner," I say and sit down on a patch of thick grass happy to get off my wobbly legs.

Pete looks at me where I am sitting then looks around through the trees with a frown, "Hey Edwin! Get your arse back here!" he demands before coming over to sit near me. "You're okay?"

"Yeah just ... easily tired," I struggle to find the words to explain.

"You're sure?" Pete insists.

"Yeah all I need is to sit down for a while," I tell him as I settle my injured arm across my lap.

"Edwin! Get back here!" Pete yells before producing a bottle of water from one of the pockets in his cargo pants and holding it out to me, he hesitates a moment and removes the lid before holding it out towards me once again.

"Thanks," I say and immediately drink nearly a third of the water. I glance at the bottle then hold it out towards him.

"No, I brought that along for you." He tells me and looks around again. "Think you'll be right to walk back?"

"If we take it a bit easier," I say even though I have no doubt I will be fine once I have half an hours rest.

"Hey, what are you two doing sitting down?" Edwin asks as he walks into sight.

"Rosy needs to rest for a bit," Pete tells him and Edwin sits down as well.

"Micah and Steven got a feral deer each about a mile from here, damn shame to miss out on a feed of fresh venison." Edwin sounds disappointed.

"There's deer around here?" I ask in surprise.

"Yeah some farmer tried to start up a deer farm but ... it didn't work out and a lot of his stock ended up in the national park behind us," Edwin explains.

"Only a mile?" I ask.

"Yeah probably a bit less," Edwin tells me as he looks back in the direction he came from.

"And they'll share with you if you were there?" I ask. The thought of a feed of freshly killed deer is very tempting.

"Yeah it strengthens the bond a clan has. Hell they'd even happily share with you if you were there," Pete tells me.

"No thanks, sounds like the perfect way to invite an attack." I mutter.

"Well hopefully one day you'll trust us enough to know that's wrong," Pete says as he gets to his feet and walks away. I bite back a groan of frustration and lay out flat on my back, immediately Edwin is in my personal space as he reaches out and lays his hand on my stomach. I flinch at his touch then go still as I glance his way, his eyes are glued on my stomach where his hand rests. I glance up as I hear Pete return, he is watching Edwin with interest and I realise he is waiting for him to move so he can touch my stomach.

"Don't be a pig Edwin," I say pretending to be annoyed. Edwin takes a quick glance at my face and moves away, Pete is quick to sit down and reach for my stomach. He slides his hand beneath my jeans waist and I immediately try to push his hand away with my good arm.

"Come on Rosy hold still," Pete tells me as he catches my good wrist and pins my arm down beside me with one hand while the other one remains on my stomach.

"Stop it Pete!" I cry out as I try to roll away from him but with my arm pinned I would be forced to roll towards him, "Get your hand out of my pants!" I start crying and find myself immediately released. I scramble to my hand and knees and try to crawl away from him but suddenly find myself being lifted to my feet and placed behind Edwin as he glares at Pete.

"Hey I didn't mean it that way!" Pete lifts both hands shoulder high as he backs away from Edwin who I realise is growling angrily.

"You all right Rosy?" Edwin asks suspiciously.

"I am now," I admit as I sniff back my tears.

"Come on Rosy. We're heading back now," Edwin orders and takes me by the upper arm. I have no choice but to allow him to take me back the way we came, after a while he slows down and looks around for a place to stop. I sit on a large flat stone thankful to get off my feet and I wrap my good arm around my legs as I rest my chin on my knees.

"You right? You didn't get hurt?" Edwin asks.

"It just scared me," I admit feeling silly. Edwin doesn't say anything just gives a nod as he looks around before picking up a pinecone and tossing it along the ground.

"You don't mind us touching you ... I mean your belly?" Edwin asks curiosity in his voice.

"Sometimes it doesn't bother me too much and other times I hate it," I mutter and look away.

"Ready to walk some more?" He asks.

"Might as well, we got quite a hike to get back." I tell him. We walk in companionable silence for a while before he speaks again.

"So you're really pissed with Steven for punching lover boy?" 

"First, let's get one thing straight. I don't think of Mitchell like that, and secondly it would be no ones business but mine if I did." I reply angrily.

"Mitchell is not dominant enough to look after you or protect you; he's not old enough to be. At least not yet although he would obviously give it a good try, besides he ..." Edwin tells me his voice trailing off and I get the impression there is something he isn't telling me.

"Maybe I don't need looking after!" I snort angrily and get to my feet. I head off the way we were headed not even looking back when I hear Edwin get to his feet and follow me. Anger keeps me going most of the way until I run out of righteous anger and I am forced to stop and look for somewhere to sit down again.

"Calmed down?" Edwin asks as he finds himself a seat a small distance from me.

"You like annoying me don't you," I say as I look at him.

"I seem to be able to do that don't I," Edwin says and I detect a wistful note to his voice. Maybe the guy just had the bad luck of saying the wrong thing!

"So how much longer do you think it will be before I can expect a couple of big black cats running this way?" I ask.

"They'll shift before they get too close to you," Edwin tells me with a reassuring smile. I open my mouth to argue out of fear and stop as it occurs to me he would know the others much better than me. The tinny melody of a mobile phone breaks the silence and I jump nervously as I look his way, Edwin is already taking his phone out and he frowns as he reads a message.

"We need to get back," He tells me as he gets to his feet. "Oh and the others will probably come this way in a hurry." I nod as I get to my feet thankful for the warning. The pace he sets as he takes the lead is fast and soon I start to fall behind, I can tell he is in a hurry but he makes no attempt to force me to go faster than I am comfortable with. When sounds come from behind us I become nervous and Edwin stops and catches me by the upper arm.

"Stop, turn around and you'll see them coming. Learn to control your fear," He tells me gently. I do as he tells me and I am relieved when I see that they have changed back to human form although it is clear that they stopped to do it just out of sight as both Micah and Steven are fastening their jeans as they walk into view.

"I thought I told you to stay with Edwin and Rosy," Micah growls at Pete.

"Ended up a slight change of plans," Edwin speaks up, "Rosy and I were getting on pretty good. Hopefully she's actually enjoyed the walk,"

"It has been good to get out," I admit softly as I fall into step beside Edwin.

"Pete you right to find a movie or game for Rosy while we take care of this business?" Micah asks. I find it hard not to stare at the bare backs of the two toms as they walk ahead of me; both are impressively broad with well-defined muscles and richly tanned skin. Both of them have several scars on either their ribs or arms and I try not think about how they got them or about the fresh pink scars down the inside of Edwin's right forearm.

By the time we reach the tree line I am exhausted and ready to head towards The Quarters, thankful for the chance to get to rest for more than a few minutes. Micah, Edwin and Steven head for the stone building well away from the other buildings while Pete and I continued towards our destination. I am braced against the outside corner of The Quarters working my muddy shoes off when the warm breeze catches my full attention. I move out from the corner of the building as I inhale deeply searching for whatever scent had caught my attention in the first place. Fear fills me as I catch a familiar scent, I gather myself to run but stop as I catch the blood and fear mixed in with the scent.

Instinct has me moving in a silent stalk as I follow the scent on the breeze, I find myself approaching the building where Micah, Steven and Edwin had went. The scent is stronger in the air now and is mingled with scents of other werecats. The sound of solid, meaty thuds reach my ears and I hear the muffled moans of pain in a familiar voice that follow. Unable to contain myself I push at the heavy wooden doors and step into the interior of the building, it is lit by electrical lights and I have no trouble seeing the figure hanging by his bound wrists from a crossbeam of the building. He slowly raises his head as the light from the open door falls across him and he looks straight at me, blood dripping from his nose and split mouth.

"Well hallo Miss Pretty Kitty Cat," His voice is thick and slightly slurred with pain.

"What is she doing here? Get her out of here!" Wade roars but I barely take any notice of him, my every shred of attention on the battered figure before me.

"So they finally caught you did they Rosy?" Jasper asks and looks at the toms in front of him to my right, "Took yous long enough to catch her," he laughs in disgust.

"You know him?" Micah asks as he walks towards me from where he had been standing near his father.

"Of course she knows me. We're old friends aren't we Miss Tawny?" Jasper taunts me.

"We're not friends anymore!" I snarl at him.

"Awww come on now Darling, I can think of at least one recent occasion you were happy to see me," Jasper sneers.

"How do you know Rosy and how long have you known her?" Micah demands as he turns his attention to Jasper.

"Kendal Darnel introduced us," Jasper grins obviously enjoying the angry hisses this brings, "He had her cornered in some rough country but couldn't quite catch her. What you can't smell you can't find, isn't that what you always say Tawny?" Jasper coughs and grimaces in pain, it's then I see the bruises mottling his ribs and stomach.

"How long have I known you Tawny? Miss Pretty Kitty Cat? Rosy? Alley Catty? Any other names you been given?" Jasper takes a deep breath and a bright spark ignites in his eyes, "Looks like I got lucky Babe," he grins at me and I snarl savagely.

Jasper turns his head to look at Wade, "You want to know how long this little piece of mischief has been running around your territory? Try ..." he turns his head to look at me, "... when did Kendal first come across you? Eight ... nearly nine years ago? A skinny feral little kitten that could run like a greyhound ..."

There are muttered sounds of disbelief but I can't take my eyes from Jasper, "You were worth it Babe. A real screamer but worth it, just a shame Kendal got to you first four years back when you were in heat but you still had plenty of fight in you ..." Jasper closes his eyes and hangs his head for a few moments before lifting his head and looking me in the face, "I was hoping to get off with declawing and my canines but I guess they'll kill me for what I done to you ... already told you how warriors and clan cats work,"

"Are you admitting to mistreating a she-kitt?" Wade asks in a dangerous voice. "Tell me the truth and I'll make sure it's quick and clean,"

"Mistreating? Hell man I was only ..." his words were cut off by a hard punch to his midriff and he groans as he tries to suck air back into his lungs.

"Don't ...swear ...in ... front ... of ... your ... betters," each word is followed by a punch to his ribs leaving him groaning in pain. 

I turn horror filled eyes on Micah who had delivered each punch, "Every word he's told me is true isn't it. Yous kill strays,"

"I fucked her ..." again Micah punches Jasper making him swing wildly by his bound arms " ... I told her what mongrels you lot are and when she came into season I tracked her down and...."

I don't stay to see anymore as I turn and flee for The Quarters, I pass Pete on the way but easily dodge him as I race for the building. Inside I race to Mitchell and Sam's room and climb onto Mitchell's bed to bury my face in his pillow as I give in to my tears. Mitchell's scent surrounds me but I find little comfort in it as I wait straining my ears for some sound to give away Jasper's fate. It seems like an eternity before there is any movement in The Quarters and then it is only Pete moving around in other rooms before leaving once again. I curl up on my side with my wrist cradled to my chest watching the doorway, it is beginning to become cool and I pull one corner of the doona over myself and settle in hoping to fall asleep.

The slight sounds of movement in the building bring me to full alert and I lift my head slightly as I listen carefully. Soon there is the aroma of cooking food and my stomach growls hungrily but I stubbornly remain where I am. Footsteps move along the room outside the door and I watch the doorway tensely but Steven and Pete go past without bothering me. I am expecting the footsteps that come to the door and stop for a few moments before coming into the room. 

"You feel like something to eat?" Micah asks softly as he sits on the edge of the bed.

"Can I eat in here?" I ask unhappily.

"No. Three other warriors from our clan have come back and would like to meet you," Micah says firmly.

"I don't want to go out there," I say miserably, "Can't I eat in here?"

"Are you going to let what some rogue, who kept breaking the rules, said about you make you hide away?" Micah asks me.

"Leave me alone," I protest miserably, "I want Mitchell."

"What is it you want? Mitchell explains things to you doesn't he?" Micah asks patiently.

"Am I in trouble?" I ask after several minutes, "Am I going to be punished?"

"Well you shouldn't have gone near the brick shed but no, you're not going to be punished. Not this time," Micah says evenly. "Now come out and try to eat something,"

Micah flips the doona off me and urges me towards the edge of the bed. I have no choice but to do as he urges and I am soon on my feet and being led out to the lounge room.

"Sit down I'll bring your food in to you." Micah orders firmly as he directs me towards the unoccupied lounge.

"I don't want to be here," I protest softly trying to edge back towards the bedroom.

Micah gives a loud sigh and turns to face me, "Okay. Why don't you want to be here?"

"Cause ... 'cause I'm scared of them," I mutter with a quick glance towards the door to the kitchen.

"Why?" Micah asks with exasperation. I glance towards the door nervously and attempt to pull away from Micah's hold on my good wrist as a large form moves into the doorway.

"I told yous it was a she-kitt at the service station several months back when we chased that stray out of the bar," A deep voice says.

"No it was a tom Malcolm," Edwin says as he appears in the doorway beside the large tom, "Hey Rosy. Come meet the warriors I work with," he invites with a smile. He is followed into the room by three strange toms and Steven and Pete, I move so that Micah's large form is between us. Edwin frowns at me as I glare at him and those behind him before he glances at the three strangers.

"Yous have chased me," I say almost accusingly.

"When?" Edwin challenges.

"At that bar and yous chased me right out behind that big lake and then I snuck back to my car that yous had wrecked and I went to the servo and had to run for it from there. And several times down Rock Valley way last year," I mutter uncomfortably.

"Well I'll be!" Steven says and starts laughing, "We've probably all chased you a time or two if that's been you down Rock Valley way!"

The smile disappears suddenly off Stevens face and he looks at Micah, his face tense. "Why the hell didn't we pick up she's a cat at Pete's that night?" He demands suddenly.

"That is something I'd like to know," Micah mutters between gritted teeth.

"Want me to go get Wade?" Steven asks.

"No! Nonononono!" I scream in a panic as I jerk at my arm and try to get away from Micah. My heart pounds painfully hard in my chest and my pulse roars in my ears as I struggle to get away from Micah but he quickly wraps me in both of his arms pinning my arms against my body as he forces me to the lounge.

"No need to disturb his supper. I'm sure Rosy will sit down and talk to us in a few minutes when she realises we won't hurt her," Micah tells Steven.

"What ever happened to she-kitts being placid and docile?" One of the strangers mutters and I flinch as I slowly stop fighting. Micah is much stronger than I am and I realise that I need to preserve my strength for when I will really need it and considering what I am sure has been done to Jasper it might be very soon. Surely they will have no mercy now they find out not only did I run with Jasper while he taught me to be a cat when I first became a werecat but I was also married to him. 

"Can we not talk about Rosy as if she was not here?" Micah asks through gritted teeth and I realise he is becoming angry. He eases me onto the lounge and I strain against the steady pressure forcing me to sit down for nearly a minute before I begin to stop fighting him. I can smell the strong musky scent of his body and feel the heat radiating from him even through my clothes.

"If I let you go you'll stay there?" He asks softly near my bowed head. I hesitated a moment then nod my acceptance and he slowly eases away probably prepared to grab me if I try to run away.

"Tell us what you were doing at the bar," Micah orders softly and I recognise it as the order it is.

"I needed to eat. I hadn't eaten for over a day and I was getting too tired to keep driving home, I needed to eat and rest for a little bit." I answer very softly.

"You knew you were on clan territory?" Micah asks gently.

"It's not safe for me to stop in No Man's Land," I say quietly.

"So you knowingly stopped in clan territory?" Micah insists.

"Only because there was no drive thru take away open," I admit.

"What about over Rock Valley way?" Micah changes the subject.

"I prefer to hunt over there 'cause there's no hunters and plenty of smaller game," I mutter.

"Why smaller game?" Micah asks as if curious.

"So I don't leave anything behind after a kill, I don't want some gung ho hunter chasing me with a gun or some tom set on running me down," I say bitterly.

"You've been chased off your kills a few times?" Micah asks softly.

"I don't stick around to see if the tom wants my food or me or both," I hiss defensively.

"Smart Stray," I hear Edwin mutter and I lift my head to snarl at him.

"You've chased me off two kills I've really needed," I snap and he has the grace to look ashamed of himself.

"Hell if I had known you were a she-kitt I would have made the kill for you and moved off and let you eat your fill," Edwin tells me with a grin. I notice that the three strangers are standing back regarding me with a mixture of shock, interest and surprisingly fondness. I chance a glance up at Micah but he has no emotion on his face and I move back into my seat on the lounge a bit more.

"You going to tell us how long you've been a cat?" Micah asks softly and I glance at him nervously.

"Jasper claimed eight or nine years," One of the stranger mutters.




To Love a Stray Ch. 05



"Malcolm," Micah growls in warning and I recoil back against the lounge. He looks at me levelly and shakes his head slightly, "I wasn't growling at you," he tells me gently.

"You're getting cranky and I'm the smallest and weakest near you," I whisper scared.

"Ok, foods getting cold. Let's eat before it goes completely cold," Micah announces as he moves away from me. I hurry to my feet and move away but he has already headed for the kitchen and I am left standing in the lounge room alone while the toms return to the kitchen. I hear the sounds of food being dished out and the appetising aroma of roasted meat wafts into the lounge room, I move hesitantly over to the door into the kitchen and watch uneasily. When Micah turns around he has two plates of food and I am quick to return to my seat on the lounge when he heads into the lounge room. He grins when he sees me watching him hopefully and carries the two plates of food over and places the smaller of the two on my lap.

"If you need help cutting anything up let me know," he offers.

"I'll manage," I snap slightly before stabbing a roast potato with the fork on the plate. I survey the food on the plate critically as I chew on the potato, the roast pork looks moist and tender while the roast vegies are nicely crisp. 

"Hallo I'm Timny," A dark haired young tom introduces himself as he settles himself on the floor against the wall several feet in front of me. I put my fork down and gather my plate closer to me as I eye him suspiciously and he motions at his own plate.

"Do you like crackling? I see you didn't get any, you can have some of mine if you like," He offers as he manages to spear a piece with his fork to hold it out to me. I eye him for a moment before reaching out and taking the piece of crackling with my good hand putting it straight into my mouth before he can change his mind. Timny smiles widely and turns back to his food. I turn my attention back to my food and dart quick glances around at the new toms.

"How long has Rosy been here?" The tom standing near where Edwin is seated asks between mouthfuls.

"Rosy's been here a week tomorrow but she was here about a month ago. Dwayne, Alex, Sam and Mitchell found her when they were after that group of strays that were setting up their own territory on the outer boundaries of the clan territory." Micah explains.

"Why didn't you stay here back then and how did you get back here?" The tom asks.

"None of your business," I promptly say not liking his prying. This gets the odd laugh from the others and he grins at me.

"Spirited I like it,"

"Malcolm shut up and eat," Edwin tells him. We all settle down to eating and as everyone becomes busy with their own food I start to relax, I keep darting quick looks at the three strangers as I mentally sort their scents out of the rich cocktail of the air. I am chewing steadily on the last slice of meat when Micah stretches and looks my way, I notice he has finished his food and I frown slightly but I am too full to worry he might take my remaining food. 

"Had enough to eat?" Micah asks quietly and I hurry to finish the last few scraps on my plate.

"Yeah," I say as I nod and start sucking the last of the meaty flavour off my fingers. Micah takes my plate as he gets to his feet and pauses to glance at me.

"Go wash your hand," He tells me sounding slightly annoyed. I shrug lightly and get to my feet to do as told, I listen carefully while I wash my hands but I am unable to hear the general conversation over the running water.

When I return to the lounge room Edwin is sitting where Micah had been sitting and I notice Micah is busy in the kitchen putting all the cooking dishes together on the sink. I glance back at Edwin and he looks my way and flashes me a smile before turning his attention back to the Mortal Kombat game being played by Malcolm and Timny, I hesitate a moment then sit down where I was before. 

"Hey Rosy, you thirsty?" Steven asks and I glance his way with a frown, he is walking in from the kitchen carrying two bottles of flavoured milk one is chocolate the other strawberry.

"The strawberry milk please," I say with a wide grin. Steven hands me the bottle of milk, I eye it a second before turning to Edwin and allow him to take it to open it for me.

"You really like your strawberry milk don't you," Edwin comments as I drink the milk eagerly.

"Mmm it's good," I tell him with a smile.

"You look like you're in a good mood," Edwin comments quietly. I glance at him from the corner of my eye to find he's watching me, he smiles when I look his way. He leans towards me slightly as he reaches out to stroke the back of my uninjured forearm from wrist to elbow with his fingertips and when this gets no rebuff he lightly places his hand on my stomach. I glance up from his hand to his face and find him watching his hand sit on my stomach with a rapt expression on his face.

"Hey Ed, what you doing?" Malcolm asks as he glances our way.

"Didn't he tell you?" Steven asks slight surprise in his voice, "Rosy's pregnant,"

"Really?" Malcolm exclaims as he gets to his feet. I watch him nervously as he approaches and he comes to a stop not far from me smiling as he watches Edwin touching my stomach. I notice Timny and the other tom behind Malcolm and I tense as I glance around nervously.

"Just give Rosy a bit of space and time. She has a bit of trouble with strangers and being touched," Micah orders quietly from behind the lounge and I turn my head to look his way with relief.

"But Ed's touching her!" Timny protests.

"Edwin has been around Rosy for a while," Micah says evenly. 

"Edwin move," Steven orders and Edwin moves his hand from my stomach and gets to his feet and moves away allowing Steven to sit beside me. I flinch and grimace as he places his hand on my stomach, I stay still for a few moments before a whimper escapes me and I push his hand away nervously. Steven continues to sit beside me for another minute or so but he is wise enough not to push me and gets up to leave fairly quickly. Edwin sits back down beside me and I glance at him nervously but he smiles encouragingly at me.

"I haven't introduced my team have I? That's Malcolm, Chris and Timny," Edwin names his work mates. I glance at each one as they're introduced and match their faces and scents to their names.

"You going to say hallo to them Rosy?" Micah prompts me.

"Hallo," I mutter before looking away to avoid their eyes.

"See that was nice and easy," Micah tells me softly, he glances at the three toms his brother has just introduced me to. "Rosy has been living the life of a stray up until very recently and meeting someone new has been ... a challenge,"

"How can she have been living in our territory for as long as Jasper claimed and we not know about it?" Malcolm demands and I move uncomfortably.

"That I am not sure of," Micah admits. I think of the specially made mixture of body gel, body oils, shampoo and conditioner as well as the herbal drink I usually take each day. When all are used my scent becomes almost totally undetectable and I can even be in the same room as a werecat and not be detected by smell. I glance around to find Pete watching me thoughtfully and I look away hurriedly, I push my hair back from my face and fidget on the lounge in the uncomfortable silence.

"I need to rest," I whimper as I glance towards the bedrooms

"Doc said you need to shift today if you can," Micah tells me.

"No! No! I can't," I deny in a rush.

"That's bullshit! She supposedly has been a cat for eight or more years and she can't shift! She'd be dead by now for sure," Malcolm says in disgust. "She's jerking you about."

"She can and does shift she just has never been taught how to control her shifts so she can't shift at will," Micah explains to Malcolm, "And if she gets a bad scare she changes so fast it's dangerous."

"Well then we should be able to talk her through a shift," Edwin cuts in.

"No!" I protest as I get to my feet and edge towards the door that leads towards the bedrooms.

"Just one of us then, who ever you prefer." Micah tells me gently.

"No, no I'm not being naked near any of you!" I say in a panic and rush for the door. I hide in Sam and Mitchell's room dragging a blanket from Mitchell's bed for the comfort of his scent.

"Rosy? Rosy? I know you're in here. You might as well talk to me because I'm not leaving until you do," Micah warns from the doorway.

"I don't want to talk to you!" I protest unhappily.

"Well you either talk to me or you talk to Wade, your choice." Micah tells me firmly as he walks around the ends of the beds to look down at me where I sit huddled against the wall.

"How about you sit up on Mitchell's bed and I'll sit on the other one," Micah suggests.

"I want Mitchell," I say unhappily without moving.

"Ok. You're scared and not sure of what's going on and what is expected of you, I get that." Micah says gently as he settles himself on the edge of the nearest bed and looks down at me. "You're scared of us knowing how long you've been a were cat is that it?"

I hesitate for several moments and give a slight nod, glancing at him nervously.

"You've found some way to hide your scent?" He guesses and again I give a slight nod, "Will you tell me what it is?" He asks gently.

I look at him frantic with fright and shake my head, "No, no,"

"If I leave you alone in here will you try to shift? You can come out to the lounge room when you've shifted if you like but several of us will have shifted as well, just incase something makes you panic." Micah tells me in a soothing tone.

"I'll defend myself!" I say with fear as I scoot backwards along the wall away from him.

"I guess we will have to accept that but remember, we don't intend to hurt you or force you to do anything you don't want to." Micah explains patiently. I am painfully aware of him watching me for several minutes before I give a slight nod.

"Would you like help taking the bandage off your arm?" He asks gently.

I shake my head as I look down at my arm, "It'll give yous some time before I can change," I whisper unhappily.

"Steven, Edwin and Pete in cat form?" Micah asks softly. I glance at him startled that he would give me any choice, I think about it for a moment and nod. I sit where I am nervously for a few minutes after he leaves before I unwrap my wrist and undress nervously. I sat sitting on the floor out of sight as I close my eyes and try to concentrate like Mitchell had told me. Nothing happens and I squeeze my eyes shut tighter trying to concentrate, imagine. Frustration grows and I become aware of my need to shift, pain rages through me like fire and suddenly I scream as my body feels the explosion like pain.

I yawn and flex my whiskers before licking my injured pastern above my tingling paw, I work my way down to lick between the toes and clean the claws before heading for the door on three legs. I hesitate as I reach the door into the lounge room but the others are standing back watching for me expectantly. I move into the room sniffing the air cautiously, I flick my ears back and forth nervously as I take in the mixture of human and cat smells.

"Hey there Rosy," Micah says softly as he squats down on one knee, I lift my head and watch him with interest before moving forward to sniff at the hand he extends. Finding his scent to my liking I move forward and rub my head against the point of his knee and allow him to scratch behind my ears and run his hand along my side as I move past him. I stop as I see the three big black toms and press my ears back against my skull as I hiss in fear, I can feel my fur stand on end and I lash my tail from side to side in agitation.

"It's okay Rosy; remember I said Edwin, Steven and Pete would be cats." Micah reminds me softly. 

I keep well clear of them as I move around the room sniffing Malcolm, Chris and Timny as I pass them. I stop as I stand across the room from the cats and lift my head to sniff yet again. There are no betraying traces of rage or lust and I lower my head as I move towards them, I stop just beyond the reach of Steven who is standing slightly in front of the other two and strain my head forward even as I lean back onto my haunches. I sniff noses with him cautiously before slowly easing into a normal stance and glancing past him at the other two, he whines to get my attention but I step forward cautiously as I watch the others with interest.

Edwin purrs as he moves forward and pushes his head against my shoulder ignoring my warning hiss and I sniff towards Pete with real interest. Pete moves towards me and lifts one front leg to hook it over my neck and pull it forward down over my head. Edwin rubs against my side from shoulder to hip and I turn towards him to greet him as he turns and comes back towards my head. Steven moves forward to push his head in my way and I move to rub my shoulder against his head as I twine among the three toms. Someone begins grooming me in the hard to reach spot between my shoulder blades and I start purring as I lower my head and nearly close my eyes as I give myself over to the pleasure of their attentions.

"Want to come over here and hop up on the lounge?" Micah invites from where he is seated comfortably on the lounge. I make my way to where he sits, Edwin is by my side trying to claim my attention and get me to return to the mat where all four of us cats were settling down in a heap to relax and curl up for a rest.

Micah pats the lounge beside him and I sniff the material experimentally, Edwin whines beside me but my instinct as a cat is to curl up beside the most dominant tom in my presence and that happens to be Micah. I hesitate a moment then hop up onto the lounge on my good front leg, pause a moment and carefully step up with one back paw at a time. I stretch out on the lounge and make myself comfortable, my nose only a few inches from Micah's thigh. His hand rests on my head gently scratching behind my ears and through the fur along the line of my spine. I lift my head and look towards the doorway as I hear faint footsteps, a few moments later both Steven and Edwin look towards the door and Micah sits up more alertly at their reactions. I recognise the footsteps as belonging to Donovan and lower my head to rest my chin on my front legs once again. 

"Hey Micah! Micah Dad sent me down here with a..." Donovan starts yelling as soon as he gets inside the building. 

"Quiet down Donny, and don't run." Micah warns with one hand resting on the top of my head. I hear him approach the lounge and smell him as he leans over the back of the lounge.

"Oh hi Rosy, what you doing?" Donovan asks with interest.

"Doc wanted Rosy to shift and shift back to try to help her wrist. Rosy has just been out here getting used to being around others in her cat form," Micah explains patiently to his brother.

"Dad said to tell you Don Curtis is sending his two oldest sons and their top two warriors over tomorrow evening to discuss a problem they are having on their western border," Donovan tells his brother.

"Is that all?" Micah asks as Donovan begins scratching along my spine slowly working his way from just behind my ears down my back.

"No, he also said a couple of yous need to put the outlaw's body through the furnace,"

I hiss and leap from the lounge heading for the sanctuary of Mitchell's room, behind me I can hear Micah talking in a low angry voice but I don't even try to listen I simply don't want to know. I prowl around the bedroom too disturbed to shift back so I sniff every corner, every crevice to learn the secrets of the two who live in the room. I am lying on Mitchell's bed with my eyes closed trying to shift back when I hear the faint knock on the bedroom wall.

"Rosy? Can I come in?" Edwin asks and waits for nearly a minute before poking his head around the door when I don't answer. "Hey, Micah and Steven have gone out for a while. You okay?" I am touched by the concern in his voice and get off the bed to rub against his legs; he reaches down with one hand and rubs my side as I rub against him.

"Having trouble shifting back?" He asks gently. I bob my head and walk around the room before returning to the bed where I stretch out and watch him patiently. "Gee and I thought maybe you liked being a cat with me," Edwin teases me and I blink at him in surprise.

"I'll go and let you try to change back. But if you get lonely just come out to the lounge room but give us a call first okay," Edwin tells me.

I watch him go before resting my chin on my forelegs and trying to relax once again. A few minutes later my shift comes amazingly easy and I rest for a few moments on the bed before reaching for my clothes, I dress quickly as possible and pick up the bandage and plaster backboard for my arm before heading out towards the lounge room.

"Edwin?" I question softly as I stand nervously in the doorway. Edwin looks up distractedly from the game he is playing and looks at me a moment before he grins, "Looks like you managed it. Good one,"

"I can't do this ..." I hold up the bandage and plaster with my good hand for him to see, "... by myself,"

"Malcolm is the one to see, he's better with bandages then me." Edwin tells me with a glance towards Malcolm.

"Come on Stray, I'll fix it up for you." Malcolm says to me. I glance at Malcolm uncertainly before looking back at Edwin but he is already engrossed back in the game. I look around the room for someone familiar but not only are Micah and Steven not there but Pete is also not present.

"I promise not to bite," Malcolm tells me and I take several steps towards him uncertainly. My arm is aching and I know that the bandage and plaster backboard will afford me some relief, reluctantly I approach Malcolm and sit in the chair beside his. He has a gentle touch as he bandages the plaster backboard into place and I can already feel the relief that will come once I can sit still with it.

"Thank you," I whisper softly when he is finished.

"We help each other out around here Stray," Malcolm tells me. I give a nervous nod but stay perched on the edge of the chair instead of moving away, Timny looks my way and grins at me when I glance at him for a moment. I turn my attention to the game Edwin and Chris are playing and watch their progress. I become engrossed in the game and don't notice the time passing until Timny gets to his feet and stretches as he yawns.

"I'm off to bed. See you in the morning Rosy," Timny tells me. I glance at the clock in the kitchen and notice with surprise that it is after midnight, I get to my feet and head towards the bedrooms without a word to any of those left in the lounge room.

"I'm surprised she let you do her arm for her," I hear Edwin say as I reach the door to Mitchell and Sam's room.

"It looks as painful as hell," Malcolm says and I go into the room to climb onto Mitchell's bed.

* * * * *

The sound of masculine laughter wakes me with a start and I sit up in alarm, as I hear the sound of male voices I remember where I am and climb off the bed to go and see what the noise is about. I find Chris, Edwin and Steven in the kitchen starting to cook breakfast and I hang back at the door for a few moments waiting for someone to notice me, when no one looks my way I glance down at my feet nervously for a moment before looking their way once again.

"Good morning," I say faintly. All three toms turn around or look my way in surprise, all of them grin and Steven pulls a chair out from the table.

"Come sit down and keep us company while we cook breakfast Rosy," he invites. I hesitate for a moment then move to sit down, I can see the three toms are happy with this development and they turn back to their tasks happily.

"What do you want for breakfast?" Edwin asks.

"Food," I answer simply. Steven laughs at this and looks my way with a wide grin, "I'm sure we can manage such a ... complex ... order," he tells me and the other two laugh softly with enjoyment.




To Love a Stray Ch. 05



"You got any more strawberry milk?" I ask as I tilt my head to the side

"Yeah," Steven says. I wait expectantly for him to offer me some but there is no offer made and I frown as I think about this turn of events. A few minutes later Steven puts a plate of scrambled eggs with toast in front of me and I pick up the fork on the plate hungrily and begin eating. Soon the three others are sitting down with cups of coffee and I start surprised as Edwin reaches over and drops several pieces of crisply cooked bacon on my plate, I clutch my plate uneasily for a few moments before giving a faint nod.

"Thank you," I say faintly.

"Wow, a thank you instead of a growl and an attempt to detach my hand, I'm impressed." Edwin says and I glance at him to see him smiling.

"Not used to being around werecats," I mutter as I turn my attention back to my food.

"I remember how jumpy you were at Pete's and even at your own place," Steven says evenly.

"All three of yous smelt like clan cats! And clan cats ..." I break off what I am saying and take a deep breath.

"So you ready to believe what you've been told might be wrong?" Steven asks levelly. I give a slight shrug as I'm not about to mention the fact that I have come across several dead strays that smell of clan cats. Nor do I want to mention Jasper who I am sure has been killed.

"I hope someone has put the coffee on!" Malcolm calls as the door bangs noisily. I turn my head and listen as several lots of footsteps move through towards the kitchen. The first into the kitchen is Donovan and Justin who hurry over to claim seats near me, Malcolm, Timny and Micah follow them.

"Coffee is ready," Edwin tells Malcolm who immediately pours himself a cup.

"Can we go hunting with yous today?" Donovan asks eagerly.

"Yeah," Malcolm agrees.

"Can't see why not," Edwin puts in.

"You two should be able to manage a goat between you," Chris tells them.

"You want to come along as well Rosy?" Timny asks.

I shake my head, "My wrist hasn't healed enough for me to be able to walk on all four paws," I say uneasily.

"How about they hunt while you go on two feet, then you shift and have a feed of fresh meat?" Micah asks.

"No! No! I'm not touching someone else's kill!" I refuse nervously. I hear Micah take a deep breath. 

"What ever makes you feel comfortable," he says evenly. 

"Give her a bit more time," Edwin says lightly.

"Rosy can have my kill if I make one," Donovan offers.

"I'm right with my bacon and eggs," I say evenly with a glance his way.

"What no pancakes today?" Micah asks as he moves to the stove. Soon the smell of frying bacon fills the air and I notice everyone but Micah and Steven finishing their drinks and getting to their feet. Soon it is just Micah, Steven and I left in the kitchen and I put my fork on my empty plate before pushing it away with a contented sigh.

"Strawberry milk?" Steven asks.

"Yes please," I answer flashing him a nervous smile. "Where's Pete?" I ask as Steven gets up to pour me a glass of flavoured milk.

"Wade sent him back to his place. Wade's more than a bit pissed off with him, he believes Pete knew about you for some time and didn't report it," Micah tells me with a level look.

I shake my head as I look away, "I made sure he never saw me change or had a chance to smell me," I say unhappily.

"He was real quick to make sure we didn't try to get too close or touch you," Steven points out.

"Are yous trying to make me hate yous?" I ask between gritted teeth as I get to my feet and walk away from the table leaving the glass of strawberry milk where Steven had sat it on the table. I curl up in one of the chairs in the lounge room and sit staring out the large window, outside it is bright and sunny and I long to be outside not stuck inside with two large irritated and irritating toms. 

I am still there by myself when the others return from hunting laughing and in good spirits after what was obviously a successful hunt. I close my eyes faking sleep and they sneak past me to head to either the shower or the kitchen, I wait until none are close by before getting to my feet and leaving the building silently. I find a nice shady spot under a vine covered trellis and sit on the ground making myself comfortable, after a short while I hear the toms moving around and calling my name.

I watch as Wade goes down to the quarters and talks to Micah just outside the door and I unashamedly strain to eaves drop even from this distance. I hear enough to know that they are concerned about my apparent disappearance but I have no desire to let them know I am so close. I remain motionless and watch as everyone moves about searching for me until finally I grow bored and stretch out on my back on the warm ground, I close my eyes and find myself drifting off to sleep. I wake with a start and lay motionless for several moments as my body slowly looses its tension, I must have had a bad dream I realise as I sit up and look around. It is mid afternoon and I realise I am hungry, I get to my feet and head for the quarters and grimace as I realise not only am I hungry I also need to use the toilet.

I ignore the faint sounds of two people talking in one of the bedrooms as I make my way to the toilet being careful not to make a sound. I know the sound of the toilet flushing will probably draw attention but I am quick to wash my hand and head for the kitchen even as I hear someone exiting their room.

"Hey Rosy!" Steven calls behind me but I don't respond as I continue towards the kitchen, "We've been looking for you, where were you?" he demands. I turn to face him angrily, my head is slightly lowered and my good hand is clenching and unclenching at my side. I feel hounded and hunted and I don't like it.

"Obviously I was somewhere else," I growl in a low voice.

"I'll go tell Micah she turned up," Timny says from behind Steven and I glance his way angrily.

"Where were you?" Steven demands as Timny leaves. I stand silently watching him, I can feel my temper rising. Why should I answer to these cats I don't consider part of my clan.

"Where were you?" Steven demands again lacing his voice with authority. My growl starts as a low rumble deep in my chest, it's not only me who's angry but my inner cat as well, as we both begin to feel threatened.

"I do not answer to you or anyone," I say my voice gravely with my growl.

"That's bullshit, as part of this clan you answer to our Alpha as well as the warriors who lead each team," Steven growls back. I tremble as I feel my cat fighting to be let loose on this impertinent tom, I grit my teeth and take several steps to one side as I try to control the urge to begin to circle him.

"I am not a part of the clan. I am a solitary cat and I will fight if necessary to remain so," I warn.

"It doesn't work that way. As a she-kitt you need the protection of the clan toms," He tells me. I can't control the snarl that escapes as I circle around to one side of him. The sound of the outside door slamming has me dividing my attention between Steven and the doorway edgily.

"She's back! Good!" Wade says almost distractedly before he turns his full attention to Steven who doesn't take his eyes off me. "Dwayne's bringing the team back. He's driving and he's injured," My full attention switches to Wade and I notice that his scent is mixed with fear and anxiety.

"Any casualties?" Steven asks quickly.

"He didn't say. He rang from a phone booth and just said they were racing home," Wade tells him.

"Sh ... I'll start preparations here, Doc been alerted?" Steven asks in concern.

"I've left him a message on voicemail; he'll come as soon as he gets it." Wade said firmly.

"What's going on?" I demand tightly, "Is Mitchell all right?"

"I don't have any details but we will prepare for injuries," Wade tells me in a tone meant to be comforting. He turns his head slightly and I can hear hurried footsteps and then the door slams again.

"Timny said Rosy is back ..." Micah says as he hurries into the room. I am aware of several others behind him.

"You think something is wrong don't you?" I demand of Wade.

"No use in jumping to conclusions Rosy," Wade soothes carefully. My rage re-centres itself on the fact that something has happened to my toms and I growl angrily as I circle out wide around Wade and Micah.

"Stay here Rosy, don't go running off!" Micah orders and I turn towards him with a savage snarl.

"Do not order me around!" I yell angrily and turn away as I head towards my room barely noticing the other toms as they move out of my way.

"You will stay here Rosy!" Micah commands and I turn around with a savage snarl, my entire body shuddering with the threatening shift. I am dimly aware of several of the toms backing out of sight and then the sounds of others changeing reaches my ears, still I am aware I can still change before they finish and I growl as I turn away and head for Mitchell's room. I slam the door behind me and give in to my shift, fire races up my spine and I scream as pain explodes through my body savagely. I tear at the bandage around my throbbing pastern and easily rip it off with my teeth before limping around the room, I am able to put weight on my injured leg but it is still not very strong.

"...if you can't make her see sense ..."

I roar my rage and all other sounds cease for a few seconds, I begin scratching at the bedpost on Mitchell's bed leaving my scent mark on the bed before skidding around the room in short dashes. My anger burns for a long time before I begin to calm down, I jump up onto the bed easily and stretch out on my stomach with my forelegs stretched out in front of me. I am busy grooming my injured leg when the door opens a crack and Steven looks in cautiously.

"I thought you might be hungry," he says and shows me two plates each with a large steak on it, one is raw and the other one cooked medium rare. He places the plates on the floor and pushes them toward me before shutting the door and moving away from it. I lay listening intently for several minutes before I get off the bed and pad over to the food. I take my time eating the steaks and licking the juices off the plates before returning to the bed where I stretch out on my left side before rolling onto my back and lying with all four legs sticking up into the air.

It is after dark before I wake and get off the bed, I can hear the muted whispers of the toms in different rooms through the house. I take a deep breath and concentrate and I am surprised when I change with no trouble, I grab a t-shirt of Mitchell's and a pair of drawstring waisted pants that I quickly pull on before heading for the door. Steven, Malcolm, Edwin and Micah are in the lounge room talking quietly beneath the cover of the TV set when I walk through the room on the way to the kitchen and Edwin gets to his feet and follows me.

"Feeling better now Rosy?" He asks lightly. I pause in the act of putting the plates in the bin, decide against throwing the paper plates at his head and give a slight nod.

"Want to come in and sit with me?" He coaxes and I shrug as I turn away from him. "Come on. No one wants you to be upset," he tells me lightly.

"Well frankly Edwin how I feel or what I want is being totally ignored or I would be back at my place, in my house with my job not stuck here in the middle of clan territory." I say coldly.

"Rosy, that's not true and you know it," Edwin scolds gently and I look away from him and the toms in the lounge room as I cradle my injured wrist across my chest.

"Leave me alone," I growl but my growl lacks conviction.

"Come sit with us while we wait for the others to get back. I'm sure you're just as worried about Mitchell as we are about all of them," Edwin says softly. I hesitate for a moment then nod reluctantly. I don't want to be alone while I wait for my toms to get home. My unrestrained imagination would be free to give me horrifying nightmares while I am awake. I follow Edwin to the lounge room and curl up in a chair away from the others.

"They should be back soon surely," Malcolm says with a glance at the watch on his wrist before looking my way, "So tell me Rosy, what do I have to do to get you to let me close enough to ask to touch your belly?"

I look his way and quickly look away again when I see him watching me, "You asking?" I say slightly uncertain.

"Well I wouldn't mind being able to be in the same room as you and not having you hissing and snarling at me," Malcolm says lightly.

"Don't make me feel threatened and I won't hiss, snarl or growl!" I snap.

"And I know your claws and teeth are sharp, I've got several scars from when you stood your ground when I chased you in cat form," Malcolm says with a smile in his voice.

"Good! It'll teach you some manners," I tell him without looking away from the TV.

"So what can I do to get on your good side?" Malcolm asks and I have to smother a smile as I realise he is using my own phrase against me.

"Promise to cook you breakfast in the morning? Wrap your arm for you again? Offer to give you a foot rub? How about a back massage? Nothing above the neck or below the butt cheeks and nothing past the side of the ribs? A neck massage maybe? Or a massage of your injured wrist?" Malcolm offers. I glance at him starting to get annoyed but the expression on his face tells me he really wanted to be able to touch me in some way like I was letting some of the others. I look back towards the TV as I feel a softening of my anger towards all of them and a softening in my desire to leave this place.

"If I let you give me a foot rub will that shut you up?" I demand but my voice lacks bite even to my ears.

"For half an hour," Malcolm tells me and I can hear the hopeful thread in his voice.

"Okay. A foot massage but you keep it below the ankles," I growl. Malcolm collects lotion before settling himself in front of me and lifting one of my feet gently onto his lap, he slathers the lotion on thickly before starting to massage it in. I almost groan at his gentle touch and I frown but can't work up a complaint as his strong fingers search out the sore spots in my feet. When he's finished the second foot, he puts the lid on the lotion and is about to get to his feet before I speak. 

"You can put your hand on my stomach as long as you don't try to put it under my clothes," I say without taking my eyes off the TV screen. His hand is large and warm even through the t shit I am wearing and I glance at his face but he is staring at my stomach where his hand rests entranced. The distant sound of a vehicle engine catches my attention and I push his hand away as I get to my feet.

"It's them!" I exclaim with a glance towards the others. They listen intently for nearly ten seconds before they suddenly start to move.

"Damn you got good hearing," Steven comments as they head outside.

"As little Red Riding Hood told the Big Bad Wolf - 'All the better to hear you with,'" I say even though I know I have mutilated the fairy tale. I follow the toms outside and wait impatiently for the van to drive into sight. I hold my breath as the van comes to a halt and Dwayne gets out from the drivers seat stiffly, even on the opposite side of the car I can see the ragged and blood stained state of his shirt on his right arm from shoulder to elbow. The back of the van opens and Mitchell climbs out, his face half covered by a bloody bandage over one eye and cheek. Blood stains his shirtfront and there are tears in the shoulder of his shirt on the same side as his mauled face.

The strong pungent odour of blood hits me as I edge closer to look in the van. Sam is sitting propped against the far side of the van, his near side covered in slashed clothing with blood soaked material. The leg of his jeans has been cut off and his thigh has been bandaged from groin to knee. But it is Alex who holds my attention where he lays on the back seat so pale his skin is nearly see through, the front of his shirt is covered by several towels between his lower ribs and belt. Blood has soaked through the material and seems to cover the entire seat.

"The bastards gutted him," Dwayne chokes.

"No!" I scream and I am in the van before I am aware I intended to move. I look down at him as his eyes flutter weakly and his lips move soundlessly. I inhale deeply searching for scents I have learnt to identify as a vet assistant, my head spins as I take a second deep breath and filter through the smells.

"There's no gut smells! That means no intestinal damage!" I cry as I turn to look at the others behind me. Hands take hold of my waist and I allow myself to be lifted from the van. 

"Get him inside!" I order, "I might be able to stop the bleeding until Doc gets here!"

"Go inside," Micah orders and I nod before hurrying inside. I wait out of the way by the lounge room door and watch as Mitchell and Dwayne are helped inside before Malcolm carries Sam in. 

"It's going to take us some time to ease Alex onto something so we can carry him inside," Malcolm says gently to me. I turn and hurry to Mitchell and Sam's room to find Timny in there helping to get Sam settled on his bed which is covered by a thick plastic sheet under an absorbent sheet of paper.

"We need boiled water, disinfectant and clean bandages," I tell Timny as I survey the bandage on Mitchell's face. "Did it get your eye?" I ask.

"No it didn't but you won't think he's such a pretty boy anymore. Even if Dwayne has managed to sew him up fairly neatly." Sam says with a pain filled grunt from his bed.

"What damage has been done to you?" I ask as I eye his shredded shirt.

"Take a look," He says with gritted teeth and I gently pull the ruined shirt open to reveal eight long slashes of varying depth, all of which have already been sewn up even if very roughly.

"And your leg?" I ask.

"I need Doc to sew it up. There's a lot of muscle damage," Sam grunts.

I make my way to Dwayne and Alex's room and find Dwayne sitting on the edge of his bed his head in his hands. Without hesitation I walk over to him and gently press his head against my body with my good arm, he wraps his arms around me and holds me tightly as he begins sobbing against my stomach. I stroke his hair gently and rest my injured arm on his shoulder, after several minutes he pulls away from me and pushes both his hands under my t-shirt to run them over my lower stomach. We are still like that when Alex is carried in on some kind of a stretcher and Dwayne pushes me away gently.

"He kept muttering about you and the babies," Dwayne tells me and tears start falling from his eyes once again as he pushes me towards the bed. I push Steven aside to crawl onto the bed and stretch out beside Alex close to him but not actually touching him.

"Rosy?" His voice is very faint and I grasp one of his hands and press it to my face.

"What did you think you were doing getting all scratched up Alex? I need all four of my toms," I whisper to him.

"The bastards ambushed us. They were all in cat form while we were on two legs. They went after Sam and Alex first, done most of the damage before Mitchell and I could reach them," Dwayne says.

"Do you know who they were?" Wade asks and I look over my shoulder to see him sitting beside Dwayne with an arm around his shoulders.

"No, it happened too fast but I'll know them if I ever smell them again," Dwayne announces fiercely.

"You others see if you can identify the scents left behind on the wounds," Wade says tightly and I hear several lots of footsteps retreat from the room. I turn my attention back to Alex and notice him trying to lick his dry lips. 

"Someone get me some water!" I order angry that Alex is suffering from thirst. A few moments later a cold bottle of water is pressed against my injured hand and I turn to reach for it with my good hand, I open it using my teeth and take several swallows before turning to Alex and carefully dribbling several drops onto his lips.




To Love a Stray Ch. 06



Thanks for the many comments, they help me see the story from a different perspective.

A couple of points I will clarify ...

1 The whole Jasper history will be revealed in a later chapter

2 Rosy has had 8 or 9 years of experiences as a stray and under 2 weeks awake in the company of the clan cats.

But don't worry there are a good few more chapters to come so there is a chance for the readers to learn more.

Mygypsy

* * * * * * *

I trot along the trail at a leisurely pace, the mid day shadows fall on the grass beneath the trees and I pause to stretch out in the shade for half an hour just to enjoy the view. I turn my head to lick at an itch on my side and spend ten minutes grooming my shinning hide. Sometimes loneliness bothers me and I remember the werecats I had come into contact with nearly six months previously. 

Thanks to counselling I had finally sort for my rapes and the passage of time I now realise that at the time I came into contact with them I had been suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I still have my demons but now I have strategies to deal with them, that and time for my body to recover after my miscarriage often had me wondering if things could have been different for me and if I would have been able to adapt to living in a clan.

Occasionally I would trespass onto Williamson land and go visit my uncle but I never stayed long for fear Pete would smell me or see me and I would have to face either him or some of Wade's warriors. 

I had made more of my scent covering gel and lotion and used it religiously but I was still too wary to chance an encounter with another werecat. 

My home was now an old hunting shack long forgotten by humans deep in the forest of a national park. My backyard was several hundreds of acres complete with trees for climbing and a lake for swimming in. Rugged hillside country keeps me in excellent shape and there are plenty of feral goats for hunting if I chose to eat freshly killed meat. The only thing I lack is companionship.

The call of a bird from a tree nearby stirs me from my reflections and I stretch lazily before heading for the small pond where I usually swim after running on all four paws. Further down the stream I know I can catch fish either in a net or by hand for my supper and I think about what I will have to eat later. 

I walk the four hundred yards from the pond to my shack naked carrying my discarded clothes in my hand as I climb the steep path nimbly. I pause just off the back porch I have added and look out over the valley below my home, it is peaceful and quiet but at times it seems too much so.

Inside the shack is cool despite the heat of the day and I pull clean clothes from an old dresser to put on. I glance at my new mobile phone and stare at it pensively for a few minutes before turning away with a frown. Lunch is a packet of trail mix and two packets of spicy jerky that I wash down with plenty of water before returning to the small cleared area around the back of the shack with my mobile in hand. 

I place a call to Doc Caruthers just to hear a friendly voice but it's the middle of the day and he is busy working unable to talk for more than a few moments. 

I stand looking out into the wilderness, my stomach full of butterflies and my heart pounding painfully before I punch in the number and lift the phone to my ear. I swallow nervously as I hear the phone ringing and I am just about to hang up when I hear the click that is the precursor to someone talking.

"Yeah hallo," I remain silent unable to speak for the lump in my throat as my eyes fill with tears.

"Hallo? Any one there?"

"Hey Pete," My voice is kind of choked and comes out very faint.

"Hallo?" There is a note of disbelief in his voice and I hear something brush the phone as if he has covered it with something, "Can you lot shut up? I got a bad connection here!"

"Hey Pete," My voice comes out normal and I hug myself when I hear his sharp exhale of surprise.

"Tawny! Rosy! Are you all right? Where are you? Do you need something?" Pete says with a rush.

"I'm fine. I'm fine I got all I need. I just wanted to hear a friendly voice," I say and my voice trails off.

"You got a friendly voice here," I hear his relieved laughter, "fact is there are several more friendly voices if you want to hear them. Sam, Edwin, Steven and Malcolm are with me, I'm at Wade's at the moment."

"Oh," I say my disappointment apparent even to me.

"How are you ... Rosy? Are you really all right?" Pete asks his voice dropping as he asks seriously. I can hear the concern in his voice and I remember the last few days I had spent at the Williamson compound, I had been constantly upset and nearly irrational most of the time.

"Actually Pete I think I'm on the other side of it, I'll make it through." I tell him softly. I hear the others talking to Pete in the background and smile to myself at the sound of their voices but I'm not ready to talk to them yet, not today.

"They all say hi, do you want to talk to them? I can put you on speaker phone," Pete tells me.

"No, I just needed ... I'm ok alright. Don't worry about me," I say and hang up. I'm trembling as I gasp for breath and lean against the support pole for the awning but it is from relief not fear and I close my eyes as I concentrate on my breathing to calm myself.

Once I am calm I unplug the cord from my phone and glance at the little machine that sits on a cut off tree trunk, I know there is no way I can be traced using my phone calls.

Supper is fish caught in a fish trap I devised, roasted in a pit of hot coals along with a pot of vegetable stew and some buns left over from my last trip to town. When it gets dark I strip off and change to go roaming the dark hills by myself, I travel through familiar territory for over two hours before returning to my shack and changing back to human form. 

I am restless when I pick up my phone and go to sit under the fragrant tree near the tree stump, I sit looking down at the phone in my hands for a long time before plugging in the cord and pressing the button to call the last number dialled.

"Yeah hallo. Hey Malcolm! I had that end slice of roast first! Give it back!" Pete yells angrily and I hold the phone away from my ear.

"There's plenty of other roast there!" Malcolm says and I realise by the tinny sound of his voice that the phone is on loudspeaker.

"Fuck you Malcolm!" Pete says angrily.

"I'd rather you didn't you're not my type," Malcolm says sounding pleased with himself. I guess he got to keep the piece of food in question.

"Hallo? Anyone there?" Pete says into the phone sounding annoyed as he takes the phone off loudspeaker.

"I really need to teach you how to guard your food don't I?" I ask as I lean back against the tree trunk.

"Hey that you Stray?" Malcolm asks. I can hear him clearly even when not on speakerphone - werecat hearing is that good.

"Is that Rosy?" Mitchell asks in the background, his voice strained.

"Yeah it's me Mitchell," I say with a smile that only falters slightly as I hear the change in sound that tells me the phone has been put on speakerphone.

"You okay Rosy? Are you getting enough to eat? Are you looking after yourself?" Mitchell asks with a rush.

"Yes, yes and yes." I answer.

"Everyone's here Rosy, want to say hi?" Pete asks.

"Hallo everyone," I say obediently. 

"Hi there Rosy! You still got your spots?" Donovan calls.

"Yeah, can't lick the ruddy things off." I say with a laugh and smile as I hear the others laughing.

"You want to come visit?" Donovan asks, "You can leave when you like."

"Donny! Rosy probably wouldn't feel comfortable here. Remember how hard it was for her," Micah scolds his young brother softly.

"I don't know Donovan. Things are getting better for me but I don't want to push myself too hard," I tell him as I close my eyes, "I just do what I know I can manage."

"I still owe you a couple of kills remember!" Edwin calls.

"I'm more than capable of catching my own food when I want to!" I call back and laugh softly, it feels good to be able to laugh and joke with someone.

"You want one of our numbers so you can call us when Pete's not here?" Edwin asks. I can almost hear everyone holding their breaths as I hesitate to answer. 

"I haven't got anything to write it down on and I'd have to go inside for pen and paper," I say after a moment.

"You got yourself a place?" Sam asks.

"Yeah," I say as I get to my feet easily. "Somewhere dry to sleep and leave a few clothes,"

"You working?" Pete asks.

"On the odd occasion I visit Doc Caruthers -- oops -- I'm not supposed to go on Williamson land am I?" I ask as I laugh nervously.

"We're not about to go hunting you and Wade is hoping you'll find somewhere we can look out for you," Micah tells me gently. I sigh as I lean back on the door jam, phone in one hand and pen and paper in the other.

"I'm content where I am at the moment. I don't know if you clan cats would understand. I do what I want when I want and I'm getting plenty of time on four feet," I say tightly.

"I'm glad for you Rosy," Micah says softly, "It sounds like you're doing what your inner cat needs,"

"Yeah well ... yous got some numbers ready?" I ask suddenly uneasy with the way the conversation is heading.

"Whose do you want?" Micah asks.

"Mitchell's, Sam's and Edwin's," I say as I smooth the piece of paper out. I choose them because of the closeness I feel to Mitchell and Sam and the way Edwin seems to understand me. I write the numbers down as Micah gives them to me and then I tuck the paper in my jeans pocket.

"I don't know if I'll use them," I admit quietly.

"You've got them if you want to use them," Edwin answers softly.

"I gotta go ..." I say tightly.

"Rosy!" Mitchell calls and I know he's trying to make this contact last as long as he can. 

"I wish you were here so we could go hunting together Mitchell," I say softly and hang up. I throw my phone at the tree and curse as it shatters into pieces. I hurriedly pull off my clothes and take a deep breath and exhale slowly, I feel the first pains of my shift and give myself over without fighting it. Under half a minute later I yawn and stretch before setting off at a full run testing the air even as I go looking for something to eat to fuel my two quick shifts.

Morning finds me stretched out on my bed naked and exhausted but with a belly full of freshly killed birds. I don't bother about getting up and going for my usual early morning swim, I have no need to follow a routine because only I am here. The longing for company wakes me mid afternoon and I sit up irritably, I hesitate a moment then sniff myself carefully to test for any unusual underlying smell to my faint body odour, finding none I get to my feet and grab a towel before heading for the pond. 

A good scrubbing removes all smell and I fold my towel and place it on a rock in the sun so I can sit on it enjoying the warmth of the sun on my bare skin. I glance down at my body noting I have regained my normal weight, I run my hands down over my breasts noticing they now have darker nipples. Curiously I reach between my thighs and explore my body with my fingertips, I brush them over my inner folds and gasp startled as pleasure radiates from where I have touched. I trace the opening to my passage and find with surprise that there is slick moisture there, I touch it with my fingers and lift them to my nose but all I smell is a honey-like arousal no hints of a scent similar to cinnamon.

I shift into cat form and head out to hunt, I head for where I know there are plenty of rabbits and soon make a good meal out of several of them before heading back to the pond to shift and swim once again. 

Two days later I find myself in one of the small towns within easy distance of my home buying a new mobile phone, I have kept the sim card from my destroyed phone and immediately feel much better once the new phone is in working order. I save the numbers from the scrap of paper onto my phone but don't ring them, just having them and knowing I can ring them if I want to is enough.

"Well Hallo," I spin around at the deep masculine voice and eye the big burly stranger eyeing me, I strain to catch his scent but the wind is blowing away from me.

"I knew another cat had taken up residence around these parts but I didn't expect it to be someone like you." He grins. "My name's Baxter Barnes,"

I watch him warily but he seems to be happy to keep his distance and I am not interested in letting him get close, he is too big and strong by far.

"What no name? That's okay - I'm fine with that. Well I'll just mosey on and let you go about your business. I work up at the Feed Shed where the farmers get their seed so if you ever need anything just pop by and someone'll be able to tell you where I am," Baxter says in a friendly voice.

I watch as he walks off towards the business he named, my curiosity is stirred but I am not about to hang around and leave myself in a vulnerable position. I buy fresh food that I hastily shove into my backpack before heading out of town on one of the less frequented roads, it's not the best road for heading home on but I can cut across country to head in the right direction.

The early predawn light sees me safely at home thanks to an old farmer who offered me a ride practically to the foot of the hills I live in, he let me out not far from several small cabins where some retirees live and drove off none the wiser that I wasn't visiting one of them like he had assumed. Rainy weather sets in for the week and I only leave my shack for hunting and my daily swim, well rested and well fed I laze about until sunny weather resumes. Reassured I am not about to come into heat I pack enough clothes for a week and shut the shack up securely behind me before heading down towards the foothills. It's time for visiting.

* * * * *

I really should have rung to make sure Pete'd be home, I think as I shuffle my feet. It's well after dark as I stand in the shadows of Pete's veranda waiting for him to return to his house from where ever he went, I can only hope he isn't away overnight or for several days. I finally give in and lower myself to sit down while I wait, the night is crisp and clear and I can smell familiar scents as the breeze wafts across the fields. I turn my head and watch as headlights slow on the highway and turn to enter the driveway, I get to my feet and unconsciously back into the deeper shadows as I watch the vehicle approach. I narrow my eyes and turn my head slightly so the headlights don't dazzle me as the car stops then I hear the car door open and the crunch of gravel as Pete gets out.

"You'd better have one hell of a good reason for trespassing on Williamson Clan Territory!" Pete snarls as he steps in front of the headlights. I can see he is carrying a big heavy metal bar and I realise he can't identify me where I stand.

"I must admit I was hoping for a friendlier greeting," I say as I step out where he can see me and remove the cap that holds my hair up out of sight.

"Tawny? Rosy? Whatever the hell you want to be called, is that you? Who's with you?" Pete demands as he glances around uneasily.

"Yeah it's me and whatever name you're comfortable with will do. No one's with me I'm by myself," I say watching his silhouette closely not sure of my welcome. Pete disappears behind the headlights and then the car and lights are turned off, I can hear the engine ticking as it begins to cool in the night air.

"You don't smell like you," Pete comments as he walks towards me warily.

"I been hiding my scent but I'm letting it come back at the moment, it takes two or three days and the layers build as it returns. And my hormones are back to normal," the last I say with a quick glance away from him, the memory of the babies I lost is still painful.

"Yeah, Sam said it smelt like you were going crazy at the end. Every time anyone tried to interact with you your smell went off the deep end," Pete tells me quietly.

"Yeah well it wasn't any fun from my end either, I'm just glad they let me go when I ran. I was ready to kill myself if they caught me," I admit.

"Shit! Tawny ..." Pete stops and I realise he doesn't know what he can safely say.

"No this isn't a goodbye visit Pete, it's an I want to live visit." I tell him quietly and hear his sigh of relief. "I've gotten some counselling for what I went through as a kid and with the different strays, and I've spent a heck of a lot of time as a cat just enjoying being a cat."

"One hell of a host I am! Do you want to come in? You hungry? Of course your hungry, I'll cook us up a feed." Pete says as he moves to his front door.

"How about you shower and I cook? You smell like the widow Lindy Jones," I say with a grin smelling the fresh sex on him. 

"Sorry about that," Pete says and I laugh.

"It doesn't bother me, there's a difference between what I can smell on you and ... go have that shower smelly boy," I say with a grin as I follow him into his house and drop my backpack by the door.

"Everything is still in the same places," Pete tells me as he heads for his bathroom. I work quickly in the kitchen to start vegetables cooking and steaks marinading before putting more meat out to defrost in the bottom of the fridge. I keep an ear on what Pete is doing while I work but the sound of running water drowns out any sounds.

"How's it going?" Pete asks as he walks into the kitchen wearing only a pair of jeans with his hair still damp from the shower.

"Vegies are moments from being cooked and the steaks are ready to cook anytime." I say as I lean back against the counter and eye him from head to foot openly. "So who did you talk to? Wade or one of the warriors?" 

Pete sends me a startled look and blushes slightly but holds my gaze, "Wade and Doc, they're both glad to hear you've ventured here and Doc is pleased about the counselling and the fact your feeling much better. Wade'll let the warriors know you've made contact and that you're doing better,"

"Let's get this meat cooked so we can eat hey?" I say turning to the stove.

"Sure, so how long you thinking of visiting?" Pete asks.

"Probably only a few hours, over night at the most. " I say with a shrug. "So don't get any ideas about inviting them here." I warn with a glance over my shoulder at him.

"Wade's already given the order that I can't tell them you're here," Pete says evenly but I get the idea it doesn't sit well with him.

"Hmmm, cooked meat for a change," I say to change the subject.

"You have been hunting a lot?" Pete asks.

"Yeah! Once I stopped fighting my cat I found out what fun I can have," I say with a smile as I glance his way.

"You don't say," Pete grins and I laugh happily. The steaks sizzle as I put them in the hot grill and I lick my lips as the aroma starts to rise.

"How about I take over cooking the meat before you drool all over it?" Pete asks.

"Fine by me," I say and move away to look out the back door at the paved area. We are both silent as we sit down to eat, I enjoy the tender steak savouring each mouthful between scoops of creamy mashed potato. We head out to the back area to enjoy our coffee after the meal and I sigh in pleasure after a deep swallow of the fragrant brew.

"I miss my brewed coffee," I say.

"Don't you have a coffee machine?" Pete asks.

"Try no electricity," I laugh and take a deep breath, "There's something I been meaning to ask you," I say and glance his way nervously.

"I'm listening," Pete says with a slight nod.

"Can I have a hug? I've always wanted a hug from you," I tell him levelly. 

Pete puts his coffee mug aside and takes the few steps to reach me. He takes my cup and puts it on the bench seat before wrapping his arms around me gently and cuddling me close. I am engulfed by his scent and close my eyes as I feel all the tension drain from my body.




To Love a Stray Ch. 06



"How's that?" Pete asks softly as he rubs his chin against the side of my head.

"Hmm," I sigh softly.

"That good?" Pete laughs and I feel the vibrations pass through his body. After a few minutes I move away almost reluctantly and pick up my cup, I sniff and start laughing.

"What?" Pete asks with a grin.

"Can I have a shower? I smell like you." I say with a laugh.

"Sure, help yourself to whatever you need." Pete says with a grin as he reaches for my cup. Pete is sitting back on his lounge when I get out of the shower and he glances towards me with a grin when he sees me in one of his t-shirts from his clean clothes hamper.

"You got a spare bed around here I can use for a few hours?" I ask.

"There's the spare room, the other lounge is a pull out bed or you can use half of my bed if you want the company as long as you don't try to take advantage of me," Pete tells me with a grin.

"Keep all the covers between us and I'll be fine," I grin back.

"Sounds like a plan," Pete says. "So you want to kill some more time or sleep?"

"Sleep would be good," I admit.

"You promise not to shift?" Pete asks and I realise he is nervous about being in such close proximity with me while he is asleep and defenceless.

"I've learned how to control my shifting," I tell him quietly. "But we have the covers and a layer of pillows between us." 

"I'm fine with that," Pete agrees and heads towards his room. I go to the far side of his bed and pull the top blanket off, sit down and wrap myself in it before lying down with my back to the centre of the bed. 

"I get the top of the covers so I can get out of the room quick if I need to," I tell him. I can feel the tension in the room as Pete gets ready for bed, he turns the light out and after a few moments hesitation I feel the bed move as he climbs beneath the covers.

"Good night," Pete says softly.

"Hmm, 'night," I murmur already half asleep. I wake during the night crying and Pete talking to me quietly, I can't remember the nightmare but it's not that unusual for me. I sniff loudly and free one arm to brush at the tears on my face.

"You ok Tawny?" Pete asks his voice tight with concern.

"I'll survive... hell I have survived," I mutter and bury my face in the pillow beneath me and cry. I am vaguely aware of Pete talking to me and patting my shoulder awkwardly until my crying jag subsides, I sniff loudly and take several deep breaths.

"Tawny?" Pete asks softly, "Do you need a drink or anything?" he asks.

"No, I just needed to be able to cry. I got the right to cry," I say almost defensively.

"Yeah," Pete mutters obviously not sure how to deal with me.

"Let's go to sleep, I should sleep till morning," I mutter and snuggle against the pillow.

The next time I wake it's to the smell of cooking sausages and I climb out of the bed groggily, I glance at the bedside clock and am surprised to see it is past midday.

"Pete?" I call as I wonder out of the bedroom.

"Hey Tawny, you were asleep when I got back so I didn't wake you," Pete says with a grin.

"You went somewhere?" I ask in confusion.

"Yeah, it's Saturday and I got until Wednesday off from work," Pete says as he puts cooked sausages on a plate.

"So what are you doing in your spare time?" I ask as I grab a hot sausage and take a bite of it.

"I was going to go do some hunting at the compound but I'll stay here as long as you want to stay," Pete tells me earnestly. I stare at the sausage I'm holding and try to find the words I want to say. 

"Do you think Wade would let me come and hunt too if he was asked?" I ask nervously.

"Of course he would!" Pete tells me with a grin, "We can eat, get ready and leave in about an hour!"

"I can't just go, if there is one thing I know for sure is strays don't run around trespassing. It'll get us killed faster than a bullet," I say with a rush. Pete frowns at me for a minute before pulling his mobile from his pocket. I watch nervously as he presses a button and holds the phone to his ear, I can hear the phone ringing on the other end and swallow nervously.

"Hallo," I recognise Wade's voice and glance around in near panic.

"Yes hallo Wade, Rosy wants me to ask if she is allowed to come to the compound for a visit." Pete asks.

"Is she still there with you?" Wade asks sounding surprised.

"Yes," Pete answers as he nods.

"Pass her the phone would you,"

I take a step backwards and swallow nervously as Pete holds the phone out to me, I hesitate a moment before taking the phone and holding it to my ear.

"Mr Williamson," I say barely above a whisper and lick my lips nervously.

"Hallo Rosy, it's good to hear from you. And please call me Wade. You are most certainly welcome to come and visit here, and thank you for bothering to ask it is most courteous of you. May I speak to Pete again?"

"Yes Mr ... Wade. And thank you," I say and pass the phone back to Pete.

"Yes Boss?" Pete says as he holds the phone to his ear.

"When do you expect to get here?" Wade asks.

"About an hour after dark," Pete answers as he takes eggs from the fridge.

"Everyone should be back from hunting by then. I think I'll leave it as a bit of a surprise," Wade announces and Pete looks at me with a grin, "I'll see yous when you get here and make sure you stop by the house first. I'll come out to the car," I watch nervously as Pete ends the call and reaches for a sausage.

"Ok, we'd better eat up and get going." Pete says with a wide grin. I force myself to eat knowing it will be a long time until I next eat and that I will be couped up in a car for several hours probably with no food. I groan as I realise I smell like Pete and grimace to myself as I pull at the neck of the t-shirt I'm wearing.

"Want to have a shower before we go?" Pete asks.

"Yeah, if I got to smell I'd prefer to smell like myself." I say with a grimace.

"Anything to get out of washing up!" Pete laughs, "Grab your backpack you might prefer to wear your own clothes," he tells me when I am about to head for the bathroom.

All too soon and yet not soon enough we are in the car and on the road. I am relieved that Pete has a large bag of snacks and an esky of cold drinks he sits on the back seat within easy reach. It is after dark when Pete slows the car and turned into a long driveway that I recognised from the trees reaching over the road forming an avenue and I move uncomfortably in the seat.

"All but there," Pete says from behind the wheel and glances at me with a smile, "How you holding up?"

"Aside from butterflies the size of wedge-tailed eagles? Okay as long as I don't think about where I'm going," I mutter.

"Do you want me to stop and turn around?" Pete asks slowing the car.

"If you do I don't think I'll have the courage to face them after that," I say and swallow uneasily.

"Ok," Pete says sounding unconvinced. 

I can see the lights in the buildings now and a growing sense of excitement starts to compete for room with the butterflies. Pete steers the car towards the main house and parks not far from the back door, we only have to wait a few seconds and then the large form of Wade is crossing towards the car.

"Hallo Pete, Hallo Rosy glad you made it. I hope you don't mind if I insist you stay at the quarters with the warriors but I need to ensure the safety of my youngest children," Wade tells me and I can hear the apology in his voice. 

"Actually I can understand why you feel that way Wade and I don't mind at all. I'm sure I'll feel much more comfortable over there then under the same roof as an Alpha, no disrespect intended Sir." I say levelly managing to control my fear of him.

"None taken Rosy. I'll let you go over and say hallo, they don't know for sure that you'd make it here. We expected you might try to sneak a little time for Rosy," Wade says with a smile. 

I am tense as Pete drives over to the quarters and I have to take several deep breaths before I get out of the car. Pete grabs his bag and heads for the door leaving me to follow behind him with my backpack; I automatically fall into a silent stalk as I reach the door and catch it before it can slam closed behind Pete.

"There any food left over from supper?" Pete asks as he walks into the lounge room and I nervously hang back as I try to gauge the general mood.

"You made it!" Sam says in surprise, "Wade said Rosy dropped by your place last night,"

"Yeah how is the Stray?" Malcolm asks.

"How is Rosy? She isn't acting crazy is she?" Mitchell asks and I hear the sadness in his voice. Pete turns and looks back at me and I hear the room go silent except for the sounds of some x-box game.

"Is she here?" Mitchell demands and I hear one of the lounge chairs hit the floor and then he appears around the doorway. "Rosy!"

I smile nervously and glance towards the doorway behind him before I am able to speak, "Hallo Mitchell, it's good to see you." I say quietly.

"Don't keep her standing out there in the breeze way, let her come into the lounge room!" Sam calls and Mitchell smiles.

"Want to come in?" Mitchell asks.

"Might as well since I'm here," I say with a nervous glance towards the doorway.

My main memories are of being forced to stay when all I wanted was to flee a situation that had become too much for me to bear. I walk to the doorway and catch hold of his hand as I look in, everyone seems to be there but I look carefully to be sure. 

Sam, Edwin, Chris, Dwayne, Timny, Steven, Malcolm, Pete and Mitchell, the only one seeming to be missing was Micah.

"He's just in the shower," Edwin says with a grin when I glance towards the kitchen nervously.

"Now we know why Dad made Donovan and Justin stay at the main house tonight," Dwayne says lightly.

"Dwayne..." Mitchell growls a warning at him with a frown.

"Mitchell, take a spoon full of cement and harden the fuck up." I tell him lightly. 

Mitchell glances at me surprised and I smile, "I'm a big girl I can look after myself."

"Come on in and sit down ... or help yourselves to a feed from the fridge. I'm sure there's something to eat." Steven says as he gets to his feet.

"Or we could throw a couple of steaks on the grill, hallo Rosy." Micah says from behind me making me start nervously.

"How do you like your steak Rosy?" Edwin asks as he heads for the kitchen.

"Medium rare and slightly charred," Steven tells him.

I start laughing and shake my head. I notice everyone has stopped to look at me and I grin widely, "Actually, the correct answer and the one I very nearly blurted out at Pete's is freshly killed and still running blood," 

Steven looks at me for a moment and then begins laughing as well, "Hell we would have known you were a cat for sure if you had said that, as it was we were wondering pretty hard."

"I was petrified you would guess as much," I admit as I head for the kitchen.

"You want one of us to take your backpack for you?" Mitchell asks as he walks alongside me.

"What? Oh, no don't bother," I say and shrug out of it and drop it by the wall out of the way.

"Did you make it to that college lecture you headed off to?" Pete asks curiously. 

I grimace and glance back at him with a slight frown, "Isn't anything sacred in werecat society?" I ask.

"No, we can smell who's getting a bit off the local girls. Hear who has to do the jerk and tug of a night, heck we even hear when one of the others fart when we're asleep," Edwin tells me with a laugh, I glance his way and he grins.

"It's a matter of TMI Edwin," I tell him dryly.

"What you don't want to know when someone else farts?" Dwayne asks with a laugh.

"So did you make the lecture?" Pete asks again.

"Only thing that is TMI is childbirth stories, we don't need to hear them until after our she-kitt has her first child. Sometimes TMI is what we need," Edwin says seriously and I look his way hurriedly, he gives me a faint nod. 

"Too much knowledge can be a bad thing ... too little could be disastrous," his voice has dropped low and I look away hurriedly as I become certain he knows.

"There wasn't any lecture," I mutter as my face burns with humiliation.

"Well why the hell did you clear out like that?" Pete demands angrily.

"Because I realised I was coming into heat and I knew I wouldn't be able to hide that smell and Kendal Darnel had caught me the only other time it happened and there was no way I was letting any tom near me again if I could help it." I tell him angrily.

"Shit! No wonder I was ready to chance Micah wanting to rip my head off if you weren't interested in him!" Steven says his voice thick with shock.

"Did you know you were coming in when you came over that night?" Micah asks in a hard voice.

"No! Because I would have run a hundred miles if I had known it!" I snap with my back to him.

"You'll need to talk to Doc so you can work out when it's going to happen otherwise any tom that comes near you will be ready to rip anyone and everyone apart for a chance," Micah warns evenly.

"How old are you Rosy?" Pete asks and I glance his way to see him frowning slightly.

"Nearly twenty-one and a half," I answer.

"I'll get Doc to come by tomorrow," Micah mutters.

"You've reached the age that most young she-kitts start getting married," Sam tells me with a raised eyebrow. I look away hurriedly as his meaning sinks in, coming into season must be a regular thing and the obvious result was pregnancy. 

"There must be a way to stop it," I mutter as I push my hair back distractedly.

"Yeah - get yourself a boyfriend and let him knock you up, problem solved." Micah tells me bluntly.

"Don't you want a chance to get an invitation into the cage?" Edwin asks with a laugh.

"I sure as fuck do!" Micah exclaims and there is muted laughter from the others.

"It'd be worth it all right," Steven laughs and I turn towards them confused.

"Ditto," Edwin says, shots a look my way and turns away with a grin. I cross my arms over my chest and start tapping my foot on the floor in irritation. The three of them have smirks on their faces and I long to throw something at them.

"Steven, Edwin, Micah now would be a good time to go take a moonlight run." Sam orders as he moves to stand beside Mitchell who is glaring at them in outrage.

"Yeah," Chris adds pushing past them with Malcolm at his side.

"Idiots," Dwayne mutters turning to face them.

"You going too Pete?" Timny asks in a hard voice.

"I'm staying but you three are leaving," Pete directs his remark at Micah, Edwin and Steven. I watch in stunned silence as the three toms leave laughing softly, once they are outside I hear the sounds that tell me they are shifting and then after a few minutes I hear them racing away on four feet.

"Ok, the birds and the bees or should I say the she-kitt and tom facts quickly and simply," Sam says turning to me, "Expect your heat every six to eight months unless pregnant or breastfeeding. Most parents take measures to ensure their daughter has her choice if she wants to consort with a tom during heat. The Queen/mother will lock her daughter in a secure room with a metal cage in it and if the daughter wants a tom of her choice to visit we call her request -- 'An invitation into the cage'. The mother locks them both in the cage so no other toms can get near by accident because the tom with the she-kitt will try to kill any tom if they try to interfere." Sam pauses to glance at the others as I struggle to take in what he just told me.

"You just had three toms let you know they'd be more than willing to accept any such invitation ..." Chris cuts in to explain.

"No, you got that wrong. Micah hates me, he done his best to make my life miserable and unbearable the first time I was here!" I deny in disbelief.

"Micah didn't like my scent on you, didn't like me touching you. He made that real clear to me," Mitchell tells me levelly. "He likes you just no other male near you,"

"Micah telling you to get a boyfriend and let him knock you up, it's a way a tom tells a she-kitt he's interested. Really interested without leaving himself open to rejection," Dwayne says with a shrug.

I look from one tom to another with shock as I realise they probably have similar thoughts as the other three, I open my mouth to speak but no words come as I take a step backwards.

"We're here explaining this to you so you can take steps to avoid it. If we were interested we wouldn't warn you what will happen. Just stand back and wait the chance ..." Chris is quick to explain.

"Micah has been real interested from the first time he met you ... before he knew you were a cat," Pete reminds me.

"Marissa will probably be happy to look out for you when the time comes," Sam tells me.

"Yeah she was real excited when you came here both times," Dwayne joins in.

"She'd make them stay away?" I ask hopefully.

"It's very rare that the she-kitt in heat doesn't ask for a tom she fancies to spend some time with her. You should know enough about what happens at that time to know why," Sam tells me gently. 

I look away as I remember how desperate I had been to have Jasper inside me when I was fully on heat and I shake my head as I turn away.

"And toms lockup inside the she-kitt every time they ... every time when she's on heat and he ..." I break off unable to name the act.

"Actually no. That only happens when the she-kitt trusts the tom enough to hold still for him to get deep enough for long enough." Sam answers softly "What ever tom caught you wasn't gentle about it was he? He locked up with you at least the once for you to know about it,"

"Every time he climbed on no matter how much I begged him not to," I whisper very softly. I hear a choked sound come from Mitchell and jump as he punches the wall putting his fist through the plasterboard.

"No wonder you don't like to be touched," Sam says quietly.

"I don't like people I don't know touching me," I say as I wrap my arms across my stomach.

"I'm going to cook us some supper," Pete announces as he goes to the fridge.

"We'll need to put more meat down for breakfast," Chris chips in.

"You okay?" Dwayne asks when I glance his way nervously as he moves.

"I just need to try to get my head around what I've just been told," I say with a forced smile.

"Rosy, the whole aim of the game for the tom is to make the she-kitt like it so much she's going to let him do it again and again even when she's not on heat," Sam tells me.

"One or two steaks Rosy?" Pete asks as he tosses a large steak onto the grill.

"One that size will do me," I say as I look at the meat.

"What you've been told hasn't freaked you out has it?" Mitchell asks. I glance at him and I can see the worry deep in his eyes even though he is trying to hide it. 

"It's freaked me out enough to make me real careful what I do around them three now," I admit "But I've learnt how to handle hard stuff or bad stuff a bit differently." 

"Yeah?" Sam queries.

"Rosy was telling me last night she's been getting counselling," Pete explains with a glance at me.

"Good," This comes from Sam.

"That ready yet Pete?" I ask impatiently.

"Rosy. Sit. Stay. Wait," Pete tells me firmly.

"I am a cat not a dog Pete," I pretend to growl then laugh as he grabs a plate and puts my steak on it. I set to work on the meat eating hungrily but take my time eating as I glance at the different toms around the room. 

"Sam," I say between mouthfuls.

"Yeah,"

"You sound like you got some ... experience about this whole cage thing," I say delicately.

"I don't want an invitation Rosy. It'd only take one good smell to make me accept but I am telling you now, I don't want an invitation." Sam tells me firmly with a slight edge to his voice.

"No I was thinking it sounds like you've had an invitation from a she-kitt," I say with a slight wave of my fork. "Turn about is fair play. Do tell,"




To Love a Stray Ch. 06



"He's gotten an invitation from the same she-kitt for her last three heats," Mitchell says with a wide grin, "He's even had to visit recently for just that the last time."

"And no little Sams running around?" I ask.

"Birth control is used unless the tom and she-kitt have marriage plans," Sam tells me. I push my plate away with the bone and the fat trimmings sitting on the plate, Chris eyes me warily for a few moments before carefully reaching out and taking the plate.   

"Is anyone going hunting tomorrow?" I ask as I glance around.

"That's why I came here remember," Pete tells me.

"Most if not all of us," Malcolm says with a shrug, "And if you want to go you can be sure Micah, Edwin and Steven will go. They'll want to impress you,"

"Is that why Edwin keeps telling me he owes me a couple of kills?" I ask suspiciously.

"Yeap," Timny chimes in.

"Let's watch TV or do you want to play an x-box game?" Dwayne asks.

"A movie," I decide and head for the lounge room. I sit in one of the chairs but when Sam comes in he walks over and picks me up before carrying me to the lounge where he dumps me in the centre and sits to one side of me.

"More of us can sit near you here," Mitchell tells me with a grin as he settles on the other side of me.

"Yous don't have to watch me to make sure I don't run away or hurt myself," I mutter annoyed.

"Basic werecat fact -- we tend to sit around in groups or piles with either the most dominant male or the she-kitt at the centre," Mitchell supplies.

"Oh," I say slightly shocked then a warm feeling begins to fill me and I realise I am exactly where I want to be, well except maybe for the absence of the three toms that were out roaming in cat form. "Oh!"

"She just got it," Malcolm supplies.

"She just got what?" Micah asks from behind the lounge and I start slightly as I realise I didn't hear him enter the building. With that thought the door bangs loudly and heavy breathing heralds the arrival of Edwin and Steven.

"You might want to put your jeans on Micah," Edwin tells him with a bit of a bite to his voice.

"You should have come for a run," Steven says to me as he comes around the front of the lounge to find a seat on the floor although the toms that had stayed with me have all the close seats. I glance his way but look away quickly, I'm not comfortable with the fact he's interested in me and I'm not comfortable with noticing how good he looks wearing only his low riding jeans.

"Looks like we get the silent treatment," Edwin announces and I realise I have been sitting there without a word for several minutes as I try to deal with my unwanted reactions.

"I know how to treat someone who gives me the silent treatment," Micah says from directly behind me. 

The next instant he is leaning over me from behind, his arms crossed over my lower ribs as he nuzzles in against my neck with his nose and mouth. I immediately begin to struggle pushing at his arms and trying to bring my shoulder up to force his face away from my neck.

"Get off me!" I cry hoarsely.

"I'm not on you ...yet," Micah purrs against my neck and I suddenly begin struggling much harder.

"Enough!" Sam roars beside me.

I'm on the floor, facing the lounge as I scramble backwards on my hands and buttocks. My heart is pounding and my breath rasps in my throat while fire races up my spine in savage waves, I stumble as I get to my feet and try to walk. More hands grab me as I struggle to remain on my feet and in human form.

"It's alright Rosy," Mitchell tells me as he tries to hold me but I try to push away from him.

"No it's not! I'm gonna change! Now get away from me!" I growl from between gritted teeth as I struggle to remain in control. Suddenly I am free and I manage to make it to the doorway where I cling to the door jam and press my forehead against the cool wood as I struggle for control of my cat.

"Rosy?" I hear both Sam and Mitchell but I can't let go of my inner cat long enough to respond, not yet. It takes time but gradually I regain control and the fiery pain recedes, I open my eyes and realise everyone is silent the TV emitting the only noise. I slowly turn my head to look at the toms, they are all standing watching me and I'm not sure if it is to be ready to help me or to be ready to protect themselves. I feel more exhausted and pain ridden then if I had changed and changed back immediately and without any food for a week.

"I was only playing around," Micah tells me when I glance his way.

"Yeah well you were a fucking idiot about it!" Edwin growls aggressively and several others growl as well.

"Bravo, let's all hike the aggression up a few more notches and see if I can deal with that as well." I manage to say bitterly.

"You need to sit down or lay down?" Mitchell asks as he moves towards me slowly.

"Lay down, away from all the noise and agro." I answer faintly as I close my eyes and rest my forehead against the wood once again.

* * * * *

It is the hour before dawn when I wake and I lift my head to look around as I register the strong smell of others. Mitchell is in front of me; my arm across his waist and my head has used his shoulder as a pillow while the warm body I can feel against my back is Sam. At my feet there is faint movement and I look that way to see Dwayne climbing off the bottom of the bed, he had been stretched out at our feet.

"You getting out?" I ask softly.

"Yeah, nature calls." He tells me as he leaves the room in his jeans. I sit up carefully as I look around in the dim light, this time of morning is my favourite time for a swim and I mental curse the fact I am not near my pond. I crawl off the bed careful not to disturb Sam and Mitchell before heading out towards the toilet. A few minutes later I find Dwayne in the kitchen putting the coffee machine on and cooking bacon.

"Mmm, smells good." I say as I move to stand beside him and watch as he turns the bacon, "Extra crispy please," I tell him as I rest a hand on top of his shoulder and lean against his side for a few minutes. 

I watch as Dwayne puts the crisp bacon on the plate snagging a piece for himself as I pick up a piece to chew, I feel him tense beside me and slowly put his hand near the bacon once again.

"Notice something?" Dwayne asks in a low tone.

"What?"

"You're not guarding the food and we're eating from the same plate," Dwayne says lightly.

"Oh!" I say startled and break into relieved laughter. Dwayne laughs as well and puts his arm around my shoulders to give me a quick squeeze.

"Make yourself a bacon sandwich and eat it before the others smell it and come out for their share." He warns me.

I'm at the table eating when Micah and Steven are the first to wonder out, Micah grins as he helps himself to a hasty bacon sandwich and sits next to me. Several moments later Steven is on the other side and I am surrounded by the scent of them as I eat. The others make their way to the kitchen over the next few minutes and soon we are all busy eating.

"Hunting just before lunch today," Micah announces as he puts his arm over the back of my chair and leans towards me. I have to control the urge to lean away from him or I'd be leaning towards Steven, I fix the problem with a sharp elbow to Micah's ribs.

"Back off," I warn him and he laughs softly as he rubs his ribs but he straightens up.

"Mitchell you'd better get Doc to look at your hand while he's here today," Sam says with a glance at his brother.

"He'll be here in about half an hour," Micah says before leaning towards me, "You need to go have a long talk with him."

"And you need to stop harassing me!" I snap at him disliking the little curl of excitement low in my stomach.

"We told Rosy a lot of information last night so she's well aware of what you lot are up to," Timny says. 

Micah explodes out of the chair beside me and has hold of Timny by the throat before anyone can move. Sam, Chris, Malcolm and Dwayne rush to try to pull Micah off Timny while I hurry to get well away from the resulting struggle.

"Micah! The boy didn't mean any harm by his remark!" Sam snaps as he manages to get in between them.

"If you've scared her I'll skin you alive and use your hide as a doormat!" Micah snarls as he backs up a step.

"No we told her information so she can cope when she has to!" Sam snaps angrily.

"Keep out of it!" Micah snarls and turns his attention to Sam. There are a few tense minutes as neither tom backs down before the sound of a vehicle distracts everyone.

"Come on, that sounds like Doc." Mitchell tells me as he urges me towards the door. I hurry to follow him and all but run to the car that is parking outside the main house.

"Hi Doc," Mitchell says as Doc climbs out of the car, "I've busted up my hand a bit, can you check it out for me?"

"Yeah sure. Hallo Rosy," Doc says with a smile in my direction.

"Hallo," I say suddenly embarrassed by why I was going to talk to Doc.

"Let's go inside Marissa has kindly offered to let us use the games room today," Doc tells us as he heads for the house. 

Marissa meets us at the door and leads the way to a large room that is off at the end of one of the wings of the building. Doc quickly examines Mitchell's hand and announces that is only severely bruised and will be right after a shift.

"Mitchell you can go back to The Quarters now, I'm sure Rosy would appreciate some privacy." Marissa orders firmly but with a smile. Mitchell gets up and leaves without complaint and I look after him nervously.

"Would you like me to stay Rosy? So you have another woman present?" Marissa asks.

"Please," I say uneasily.

"Ok, I've had phone calls from both Micah and Sam early hours of this morning. Micah asked me to come and talk to you about coming into heat, Sam has told me what's been said and has happened since you got here..." Doc is saying.

"Something has happened?" Marissa asks worriedly.

"Micah, Edwin and Steven are going stir crazy and Micah got a little too friendly last night ..." Doc explains.

"I'll give that boy the hiding of his life! And his father will discipline him harshly!" Marissa exclaims angrily.

"From what Sam said Micah had to have a good sniff of Rosy and tried to scent mark her but she didn't know what was happening other than he was getting overly friendly," Doc explains.

"Rosy, you get warning signs when you're about to cycle. You get a clear discharge from your front passage; it's usually noticeable in the amount. You come up to top weight, become aroused all the time, become irritable easily and crave company, lots of company and then you start to get a strong distinctive odour." Marissa explains gently. "If you know what day you get the discharge you can predict when you will come into heat. If you ever need it I can perform the role your mother normally would, well a she-kitt's mother would for her daughter."

"How much warning will I get before this happens?" I ask uneasily.

"Two weeks. The day you have the discharge is day one, the day you come into full heat is day fourteen. Heat should end day twenty. Most She-kitts and Dams begin to smell two days before at day twelve. It's nature's way to get plenty of toms present so she can choose from them." Marissa explains.

"Have you got one of them rooms with the cage in it here?" I ask as I twist my hands nervously.

"Yes, it hasn't been used for a few years now but it wouldn't take long to fix it up." Marissa tells me.

"How long to fix it up?" I ask as I take a deep breath.

"A couple of days, a week more likely." Marissa says with a shrug.

"Doc, Sam said something about birth control." My voice is shaking and both of them look at me with sudden understanding.

"How long have you got before you start smelling?" Marissa asks as she gets to her feet.

"Tomorrow, possibly only tonight." I swallow nervously as I start to have trouble breathing.

"I will go and make sure the room and cage are ready by lunch time," Marissa announces.

"Can you come back as soon as you can?" I ask scared.

"Sure sweetheart," Marissa tells me gently before leaving the room.

"Ok, birth control options." Doc says lifting his black bag onto the table. "There's an injection you can have today. Tablets one each day from the day you start to smell, only as good as how well you remember to take them or condoms."

"Which is most protection?" I ask in fear.

"I would say abstinence but that is often not an option when the hormones peak so the injection is the best protection. Pills are easily forgotten and condoms can be a major inconvenience," Doc tells me in a business like tone as he opens the bag and removes a plastic wrapped syringe and a bottle with liquid in it. "How heavy are you do you know?"

"One-forty-eight to one-fifty," I answer nervously.

"Nice big healthy she-kitt," Doc says in admiration. I turn my head away as he injects the serum into my arm and then wipes the injection site over with an alcohol swab.

"All worked out, Wade is going to get Sam and Pete to give him a hand since they are the oldest of the most stable. The bed won't be new but it's only to sleep on and we do have a spare TV and DVD player you can use and the toms will be band from the house, even Donny and Justin. Now what is worrying you dear?" Marissa asks as she sits down again.

"I'll go leave you two talk in private. Might go tell the toms Rosy here is spending the morning with you and Jazzy; stop any of them venturing over here." Doc tells Marissa.

"Thank you Doc. Now what is it you wanted to talk to me about or do you just need company?" Marissa asks with an understanding smile. I wait until Doc has left the room before I glance at Marissa nervously. 

"I need to know what a tom would do if he were invited ... invited into the cage," I say nervously and look away uneasily.

"Ok I know you're not a virgin but I'll try to explain as much as I can as if ... well it will be your first time," Marissa tells me and pauses for a moment, "He'll be very aroused and want to touch you and hold you, stroke you. He'll try to persuade you to let him touch you intimately, be very interested in foreplay and if you lay down and let him climb on top he'll only enter you only if you want although he will try to persuade you to want him to. When he does ...I mean if he does he'll make sure you enjoy it, his main goal is to get you to want him to have a sexual relationship with you after your heat."

"He won't try to lockup?" I ask fearfully.

"That usually doesn't occur until two or three years into a marriage, it takes a lot of trust to let a tom do that. But I must confess if you trust him enough it is as good as if not better than ordinary sex." Marissa says with a dreamy expression, she gives a start and a self-conscious laugh. "Would you mind if Jazzy visited you while you're in the room? Most young she-kitts get to see some of what being on heat is before they have their first heat." 

"As long as I'm coping okay," I say uncertainly.

"Okay, I'll take that as a maybe." Marissa tells me. "I'll just go and get some sandwiches and coffee ... or would you rather tea?"

"Coffee is fine thanks," I say with a forced smile. I sit in the large room alone while Marissa goes to get the food, I look at the window and realise with a start that it is nearly lunchtime. 

I go to the window and look out into the brightness of the day relieved no one should be able to see into the house's dim interior. I can see the side of the quarters and the toms standing around over there, several of them keep glancing towards the house and I back up a step involuntarily. 

Wade appears from near the house and heads over towards them, there seems to be a short conversation and he signals towards the tree line. I watch as all but one of the toms begin stripping and dropping to all fours prior to shifting, the only one not stripping is Micah and I know this by his size and some instinct as a hot little curl of excitement swirls low in my stomach.

Day Fifteen

I pace the confines of the room restlessly. Movies and television hold no interest for me and the uncomfortable feeling of arousal is now constant. I take a deep breath near the small window and sift the air for any scents and groan in frustration when I realise what I am doing. Thoughts of Micah, Edwin and Steven haunt me and I even consider Malcolm and Chris as options but I grit my teeth and refuse to ask for any one of them to come and visit me. My lunch sits untouched on its tray as did my breakfast before it but I pay hunger no heed as I continue to move around restlessly.

Day Eighteen

I pace the cage restlessly going from one corner to the other until I am in danger of driving myself crazy, I can't eat and I only drink as raging thirst drives me. I know Marissa comes in for most of each day, sitting in a chair in the room but I have confined myself to the cage as my hormones rage driving me to distraction. My lust is so strong now I imagine I can smell the toms on the slight breeze that wafts through the small high windows. My inner cat screams and rages but I am unable to change in my present state and shudder and shake through those tantrums as well.

Day Twenty

I toss fretfully on the bed trying to sleep, I feel weak and tired and irritable still in the grip of my heat. I take the lid off the bottle of water and drink thirstily but I ignore the breakfast Marissa has cooked for me, not even the crisp bacon tempts my appetite. Close to the middle of the day I get off the bed and go to the bars of the cage where I pull against them testing their strength, I try the locked door and scream in rage when it refuses to give. 

"Are you alright Rosy?" Marissa asks as she walks into the room. I turn away and pace the cage in agitation before stoping to look at her. 

"How much longer?" I demand and turn away in rage at the desperation in my voice. I scream and throw the bottle at the bars in front of me managing not to throw it in Marissa's direction.

"I think you're in the last hours by the sound of those screams. Are you sure you don't need one of the toms?" She asks gently. My body tenses and begs for the release it knows would come but I grit my teeth and shake my head even as I struggle not to beg for one of the toms, any one of them. My fear of what a male would do with me overrides my need for release.

Day Twenty-one early hours of the morning

I wake and open my eyes, hunger gnaws at my stomach and I sit up. I see the drinks cooler outside the cage and walk to the bars where I reach through to lift the lid off. Inside a variety of meats in plastic containers sit in a bed of ice. I lift one container out and tilt it to get it through the bars, the chicken inside is moist and tender and I chew it slowly to give my stomach a chance to readjust to food. I grab a bottle of orange juice and drink some before having another mouthful of chicken. I eat steadily until I am comfortably full then I return to the bed with a bottle of juice, I smile as I lay back down.

* * * * * * *

I tilt my head back and let the water run down over my face before washing the flower scented soap from my skin, I turn my attention to my shoulders and slowly lather down my body until I reach my navel. I take my time and a lot of care to clean every inch of my skin and remove all traces of the scent from when I went through heat. Finally satisfied I turn the shower off and step out to reach for a towel and dry myself thoroughly before reaching for the neatly folded new clothes Marissa bought for me.

The matching bra and pants are decidedly sexy, the jeans firm through the hip and butt while the t-shirt is clingy and cut low in the neckline to show the upper swell of my breasts. I eye myself critically in the mirror for a few moments before opening the door and heading for the kitchen. Wade and Marissa are sitting at the table enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee after breakfast and Marissa's eyes light up as she spots me.




To Love a Stray Ch. 07



Hallo and thanks to my readers.

Yes I am Australian and 'yous' is used frequently in a lot of the rural areas here.

I currently am having a problem with the computer I access the internet with and have to use someone else's computer to submit chapters to this site so please be patient. More chapters are coming just a little bit more slowly.

MYGYPSY

************************

My mind feels as if it is stuffed with cotton wool and my eyes open reluctantly as I struggle to work out where I am, everything starts to come back to me slowly and I have to grit my teeth to prevent an outburst of anger and fear. I move my head slightly to look around and the room swims dizzily, I close my eyes and wait impatiently for my dizziness to pass. 

When I am finally able to look around without feeling as if I am going to pass out or fall over I open my eyes to narrow slits and peer around the brightly lit room. Fear flutters in my stomach as I see bars on the window and the bars that make up the door. I hear someone walking close by and close my eyes feigning that I am still under the influence of the drug.

"Shouldn't she be coming around soon?" Steven asks.

"Doc said she should be coming around about now." Sam sounds solemn and I want to scream at him for allowing this to happen to me.

"Should we go away and leave her be for a while?" Steven suggests.

"That's what Doc advised. He reckons she's going to be pissed off when she comes around and I think he's right about that." I listen for regret in Sam's voice but hear none. "Damn Edwin to hell and back! Grabbing her like that was stupid!"

"A sister for you and Mitchell huh? No wonder Mitchell has been over-protective of her. I was starting to wonder how friendly he'd gotten with her," Steven says quietly.

I am silent as I listen to them move away and wonder how long before they start to worry when I show no signs of coming out of the drug. If I can get one of them to open the door ... 

I doze on and off for a while all the while recovering even more from the drug. The shadows tell me it is mid afternoon when I wake fully. The dark silhouettes of the bars grate on my inner cat and the need to be able to run in cat form and forget my worries for a while is starting to get nearly unbearable. My muscles are starting to get stiff from remaining in the same position when I hear someone approaching the room once again.

"Rosy? Rosy?" I recognise Sam's voice even though it is thick and strained with worry, "Hell! She should be awake by now!"

"Go get Doc, I'll see if I can do anything for her," Micah orders. I struggle to keep my breathing even as I hear Sam hurry off and keys jingle in the lock of the door. Micah definitely is not my choice to go up against but I have no choice if I want to escape.

"Rosy! Rosy wake up! Rosy come on! Time to wake up!" 

You weren't this worried when I was drugged and put in here were you? I think angrily.

"Rosy, come on baby, be all right sweetheart," His voice comes from much closer than I am expecting and I can't help opening my eyes in surprise. 

I recognise the moment he realises what I am up to but I am already hurling myself off the bed in mid shift. The pain is incredible as his arms touch me and I fall to the ground, now I know why not to touch someone who is shifting - it's indescribable agony. I make it to my feet and charge Micah a second time aiming high on his chest and to one side, I sheath my claws at the last possible moment but the impact of the collision is still immense as I hit him in the upper right chest knocking him over backwards. 

I hear him grunt in pain as I pick myself up and then I am running for the door. The room is part of the stone building and I bolt for the door, I am in full flight as I reach outside and lower myself towards the ground slightly as I race across the open ground. I hear shouts behind me but I am going too fast to understand what is being said, I halt near the tree line to look back towards the buildings and turn back towards the trees as I see Micah appear from the stone shed in cat form to head towards me along with three cats from the quarters where the others are in the process of shifting.

I know this is no run for pleasure as I speed into the trees and I will have to outsmart the cats behind me on their own well known home territory. Even as I run I am planning my next moves, take them far from home and loose them then sneak back and get my things ... I am one pissed off kitty and they will feel my wrath. Once I am free and clear I will return to my mountain retreat and hide there until I find another place I want to be.

I slow as I take time to regain my breath, my body has recovered from the last traces of the drug and I stop and take time to empty my bowels and bladder before furiously kicking twigs and dirt over the droppings with my back feet. I glance back and am pleased to see that there is no way they will miss my insult if they enter the clearing - I have scratched up a large area in my rage.

I turn away from the clearing and head into the bush; it is not going to be easy to loose the toms on their home territory. They know I am in good health and won't be looking for me collapsed somewhere or hiding by water. This is going to take all my acquired tricks -- werecats hunt by sight not smell so I'll take to the trees as often as possible to be above the usual field of sight. Most cats run down hill when chased, it is easier and faster -- I'll head up hill. Avoid large open spaces, stick to the shadows beneath thicker growth. And the list goes on ...

My inner cat growls as the thoughts run through my mind; her mind turns to the toms. She likes them but I picture the bars of the door and on the window. A snarl escapes us and she pushes me on, she hates cages as much as I do.

* * * * *

It is nearly a month since I was betrayed, betrayed by those I had hoped were my friends. My only solace had been when my period had turned up on time ruling out the threat of pregnancy after being served while in cat form. I look out over my valley and watch the small flock of birds wheeling over the tree tops, the crackle of leaves as something moves near by catches my attention but I look back towards the birds. 

I still have my phone, still have the phone numbers but to use them was to open up the opportunity to learn the results of the blood test I knew Doc would have done. But I didn't need to hear what he has to say, there was no way they could be my brothers. As much as I want them to be and as much as I care about them as if we were related there is no way we could be, they were born werecats and I was born human. I hadn't shifted until after being attacked by the werecat as I had said.

But a tiny part of me knows it's true -- I am not a stray. The strong pull I still feel for Sam and Mitchell. My nature as a child with the always constant driving need to be out in the bush or watching small animals as they go about their daily existence. 

The wind picks up and I turn my face into it closing my eyes and lifting my chin as I read the secrets it holds in its folds. Loneliness haunts me and I open my eyes to look out over the valley once again, I throw my head back and let go with a fair imitation of a dingo howl as my human throat will allow. I have difficulty imitating the cry I would give in cat form. I get to my feet and head back towards my shack, the late evening sun is casting long shadows and I shiver with the dread of the lonesome night to come. 

Supper is a meal of dehydrated camp stew cooked in my fire pit with tinned peaches as desert. I sit out in the night watching the feathery clouds float across the sky; I hold my phone in my hand already attached to the machine to hide my location. I know I will call because I have been longing to ever since I got home, the bond that had formed between me and the toms was much stronger for me than I had realised when I had run from them in anger. 

I look up Pete's number and press the call button as I listen I hear the ring on the other end and wait on edge for it to be answered.

"Hallo Peter speaking." 

"Hi Pete it's me," I say softly.

"You okay?" Pete asks anxiously.

"You've been told I guess," I close my eyes and lean my head back against the tree.

"Yes I was told. You know they're all very worried about you," Pete tells me gently.

"They shouldn't have tried to force me to stay there. I'm not one of them," I protest even as the idea settles more easily in my mind.

"That's not what the results of the test say Tawny. You've got family who want you," he tells me gently.

"All my family is dead and those werecats they've proven I can't trust them." I say bitterly.

"They were trying to do what they thought was best for you," Pete tells me with a sigh.

"They should have given me time and space. All they did was try to prove my entire life a lie!" I say and choke back a sob.

"Let's not argue about this Tawny. Are you safe where you are?" Pete asks.

"Yeah,"

"You got shelter and food?"

"Yeah," I can hear him breathing on the other end of the phone and know he is lost for what to say to me. I squeeze back tears and wish I were there with him so he could tell me I was going to be alright, that everything would be fine.

"Pete?"

"Yeah Tawny?"

"Can you tell them I'm type of ok?" I ask before ending the call. I drop the phone on the ground and begin tearing my clothes off. I need to run, to become a cat and not worry about all things human for a while.

* * * * *

Time becomes a blur as days merge together and time is measured by when I need to hunt to eat, I spend more and more time as a cat loosing my turmoil in animal instinct until all that is left is the need for company. I leave my shack in human form with a backpack and head down towards the towns, my phone is in my jacket pocket with a flat battery and the charger is in my backpack. 

It takes me a week of constant travelling but finally I turn into a remembered driveway just on sunset and start the two-mile walk on foot. My sneakers are worn nearly through and I walk along on the shoulder of the road on the thick grass where it adds cushioning to the thin soles.

With the coming of night the air is becoming cold and I pause long enough to pull my long hooded jumper from my backpack and I wrinkle my nose in distaste - its smell is strong with dust and grime. I pull the hood up over my hair keeping the cold breeze from travelling down my neck and I hunch forward tiredly as I resume walking. 

I start to pick up scents on the wind and it lifts my dragging feet urging me on. I know that just around the corner I will be able to see the lights of the buildings and I smile to myself as I jostle my backpack to ease where it is cutting into my shoulders.

"Stop right where you are! Get down on your knees, hands behind your head or you will be tasered!" The voice that comes out of the dark is strange and I stop instantly before starting to back away.

"Stop right where you are! You will not be warned again!"

I stop moving and shrug one arm out of the backpack so it falls to the ground as I silently curse myself, I should have been aware of whomever it was.

"Get down on your knees with your hands behind your head or you will be tasered!"

Silently I drop to my knees and slowly raise my hands to touch the sides of my head, I hear a slight noise not far ahead of me but to the right and as I turn my head slightly to look I am suddenly shoved hard between the shoulder blades from behind. I manage to get my hands between my face and the ground before I hit but a hard knee lands in the small of my back and fingers bite into my left wrist as my arm is twisted up hard behind my back.

"Come on fight!" He hisses as I tense up but I am in control of my panic enough to know that to fight would be very stupid. He is a werecat and going by the weight on my back and arm much bigger than me. 

It is all I can do to hold still as handcuffs are snapped onto my wrist and my second arm is wrestled behind my back, I am cuffed hard on the back of the head and I stop resisting.

I hear a strange click to my right and a faint static sound, "Edwin we have an intruder here, a cat." a male voice says. "Robby has him in handcuffs,"

"You and Robby bring him over to the stone shed, we'll be there waiting." I recognise Edwin's voice and I am too scared to call out for fear the two who have me will realise I am female.

"Ummm, Mikkarl. I think it's female," Robby says from behind me as he moves his knee off my back and pulls at the side of the hood that is covering my face.

Click, "Edwin are you lot expecting Sam and Mitchell's little female friend to visit?" Mikkarl asks.

"No we haven't heard from her, are you ... is she blonde? White blonde?" I can hear the excitement in Edwin's voice. "Rosy! Can you hear me? Mikkarl and Robby are fine they won't hurt you! Can yous bring her over to the quarters?" Edwin demands.

"Are you Rosy?" Mikkarl asks as he squats where I can see his shoes.

"Yes," my voice is soft with fear and I am relieved when I hear the faint tingle of metal on metal and feel a hand touch the handcuffs on my wrists.

"I'll take these handcuffs off you okay Rosy, and then we can go to the warrior's quarters," Robby tells me from behind my back. "I hear you know my brothers Chris and Malcolm and Mikkarl's brothers Pete and Steven," he talks as he frees my hands.

With my hands free I stand up cautiously and glance towards my backpack. They both look towards my backpack Mikkarl even reaching for it and I spin away from them and bolt towards the quarters as fast as I can go on two legs. 

I hear no sounds of pursuit but I don't slacken off my speed even as I jump half seen obstacles in the dark. I can see the buildings in full view now and head for the quarters, two figures are walking over from the main house and two more wait near the door of the quarters and I slow with a cautious glance over my shoulder as I strain my ears for sounds of pursuit. I slow to a walk and breathe deeply to catch my breath, I stop for a moment to take a proper look behind me and see the two toms well behind me jogging steadily.

"Hey Rosy!" Malcolm calls from the front of the quarters and I head that way looking around for more of the toms.

"Where's Mitchell?" I ask when I am close enough to see Malcolm and Timny clearly.

"Sam, Mitchell, Dwayne and Justin are out on a job. So are Micah and Steven," Malcolm tells me as he approaches me where I have stopped.

"Justin? Isn't he just a kid?" I ask.

"He's on his first job, it's a simple one." Edwin says as he and Chris get close enough to talk at a normal level. "It's good to see you,"

"Mitchell'll be back won't he? And Sam?" I ask worriedly.

"Yeah they just got a few minor things to do on the way back. They should be here not tomorrow evening but the one after," Malcolm tells me.

"Who are they?" I ask glancing at the two toms that were getting much closer.

"Dad put on two new warriors since Justin is so young," Edwin says and glances towards the quarters' door. "Want to come inside?"

I glance towards the door and back at Edwin and catch the way he's glancing between the other three and that's when I realise they think I'm about to flee because Mitchell and Sam aren't there.

"Yeah, yous got anything to eat? I didn't stop to hunt at lunch," I say as I head for the door voluntarily. 

I hear a sigh of relief from someone and glance back over my shoulder at the toms before going through the door and heading for the kitchen. I stand back near the table and watch happily as Edwin starts making me an extravagant sandwich. 

I start nervously when the door bangs and I move closer to where Malcolm and Chris are watching Edwin make my sandwich as the two toms I don't know enter the quarters. When they come into the kitchen I slip past Malcolm and Chris closer to Edwin and glance towards the new toms nervously.

"These are Robby and Mikkarl Rosy," Malcolm tells me quietly. I give a slight nod of understanding before turning my attention back to Edwin and my food.

"At the table or on the lounge?" Edwin asks with a glance at me.

"Lounge room," I decide quickly and follow Malcolm and Chris past Robby and Mikkarl.

I happily sit between Malcolm and Chris on the lounge and take the plate when Edwin hands it to me, I can't help curling one arm around it but make no fuss about using both hands when it becomes clear I can't manage the sandwich one handed.

"Where's Timny gone?" I ask suddenly as I realise I haven't seen him inside the quarters. I notice Edwin exchange quick glances with the other four and hear the slightest noise behind me and I half turn in my seat to look behind me suspiciously, both Robby and Mikkarl are near the door that leads towards the exit.

"He's gone to let Wade know you're here," Chris says quietly.

"Oh," I say and give a shrug as I turn my attention back to my food; I have no intention of leaving before I see Mitchell, Sam and Dwayne. "So is there any more food I can have?" I ask as I finish the last of the sandwich.

"When did you eat last?" Edwin asks as he takes my plate.

"I hunted just before dawn this morning," I say with a shrug as I turn around and kneel on the lounge to watch Edwin over the back of the lounge as he heads towards the kitchen. I turn my head to the other side and look at Robby and Mikkarl who are watching me with undisguised interest.

"How long have yous been working here?" I ask curiously.

"It's been a bit over a month now," Mikkarl tells me with a grin obviously pleased to get my attention.

"You can come sit down 'cause I'm not gonna try to run away," I say as I glance between Mikkarl and Robby before looking at Edwin where he has stopped coming out of the kitchen with a cold cooked chicken on a plate. "I'm not stupid; I know what yous are thinking."

"Well you got to admit you have made a habit out of running away," Malcolm tells me and I glance at him.

"And I suppose none of yous have made me so miserable here that I'd want to leave?" I challenge him as I hold his gaze levelly.

"None of us ever meant to make you miserable." Wade says as he appears in the doorway. 

I leap backwards off the lounge hissing and spitting in fear at the sudden and soundless arrival of the Alpha, I back up several steps before I can stop myself. I drop my head slightly as I eye Wade then glance at Malcolm and Chris who are unworried by the sudden arrival of their Alpha. 

I calm down when there is no sign of threat and I take my cue from the calmness of the toms. I move closer to Malcolm who is the larger of the two, mindful of keeping him and the lounge between Wade and myself.

"Wade," I say respectfully with a bob of my head.

"It's good to see you came back by yourself Rosy," Wade tells me, "I'm sorry about the reception you first got but we didn't know to expect you."

"I don't know how to contact you." I say softly, hesitantly.

"I'll have make sure that is remedied," Wade tells me with a smile, "I hope you're going to stay at least until Sam and Mitchell return. I know they'll want to see you."

"Of course I want to see them! And Dwayne," I say and look down at my feet as I remember the trouble I got into when I had claimed them as mine in front of Wade.

"Well I'm sure you can find a place here to stay for the time being, anyway I'll leave you to catch up with the warriors here and probably see you now and then over the next few days." Wade tells me with a friendly smile.

You think I'm going to run away from here, I think as I drop my gaze so he doesn't read my thoughts in my face.

"See you tomorrow Rosy. Guys," Wade said before turning and heading for the door, I watched him disappear and listened for the door to open and shut before I began to relax.




To Love a Stray Ch. 07



"You still hungry Rosy?" Edwin asks from the kitchen doorway and I turn my head to look at him, he has an entire chicken on the plate he holds.

"I hope that's not all for me, I'm not that hungry." I tell him with a grin.

"That's okay, what you don't want can go back in the fridge." He tells me as he walks into the lounge room and motions towards the lounge. "Sit down and I'll give you the plate,"

I look at the empty space on the lounge between Malcolm and Chris; hesitate for a moment then sit down turning my head to watch Edwin as he carries the food to me. I take the plate and sit it on my lap holding it with one hand while I pull a drumstick and thigh off and concentrate on that. The flesh is tasty and I chew eagerly stripping it from the bones quickly with my fingers before stuffing it into my mouth. I finish off both thighs and drumsticks before I am satisfied and I look at the plate slightly puzzled over what to do with it now.

"Want me to put it in the fridge for you?" Edwin asks.

I look at him in surprise and nod my head, "Yeah thanks. That was good," I grin at him and he grins back.

"You've got grease all over your face,"

I laugh and get to my feet when he takes the plate before I head for the bathroom and wash my face. I glance at the shower and then down at my grimy hands.

"I'm going to have a shower." I say as I walk out and grab my backpack before heading back towards the bathroom.

"You know where we keep the clean towels." Malcolm calls after me. 

The shower is a luxury that I have nearly forgotten how good it feels and I take my time as I wash my hair and clean myself using a pretty floral soap I found in the towel cupboard still in its packaging. I dig through my backpack to find my nicest t-shirt and shorts to wear and head back out to the lounge room feeling much better. 

I climb onto the lounge between Malcolm and Chris and glance over my shoulder at Robby and Mikkarl before turning my attention to the TV to watch Edwin and Timny playing some violent combat game. I hesitate a moment before pulling my feet up onto the lounge and leaning into Malcolm's side, I yawn but continue to watch the game on TV until my eyes start to drift closed. I open my eyes and come fully awake with a start as I realise that I am about to fall asleep. 

"I want to go to sleep." I say quietly and Chris gets to his feet.

"Do you want to walk or be carried?"

I look up at him surprised, I've never been given the option and suddenly the idea of being carried instead of having to walk is appealing. The thought of being held is welcome.

"You can carry me." I say allowing the privilege. 

Chris's arms are large and reassuring when he picks me up and I cuddle into his body trustingly. He carries me along the room where the bedrooms are until he comes to a door and stops.

"In mine and Malcolm's room or Mitchell and Sam's room?"

"Yours and Malcolm's," I say and yawn, "I'm tired, really tired." I don't mention the fact I am longing for company.

"Ok then," Chris says easily. 

The bed I am lain on in big and soft and I cuddle into the pillow and warm blankets, I am vaguely aware of the blankets being tucked around me but I am too tired to do more than close my eyes and endure the attention. I must have drifted off to sleep almost immediately as next thing I am aware of is the bed moving slightly as a large body climbs onto the bed, I roll away from the movement onto my stomach and go back to sleep. 

I'm disturbed sometime much later when a large warm body comes to a rest against my side, I only become half awake and don't protest as a strong arm pulls me against a hard body. I roll onto my side with my back to the warmth and go back to sleep once again.

I wake with a cry of fear, I don't know where I am and it's dark so I can't see who belongs to the warm body pressed to mine. I can smell werecats - clan cats and my terror mounts as I struggle to sit up but a strong arm holds me down.

"Rosy! Rosy! Wake up! Wake up Rosy!" I recognise the voice, it's Chris and I reach towards him desperately. I turn towards him and wrap my arms around his body pressing my face against his bare chest searching desperately for the reassuring sound of his heartbeat.

"It's ok, it's ok," He croons softly and I cling to him as my tears begin to flow. 

He holds me close rubbing my back with one hand from between my shoulder blades to the small of my back. When my tears have run their course I close my eyes and simply lay there listening to the steady beat of his heart. His body is warm against mine and sometime while crying I had realised we were both under the covers and aside from my thin clothes there was possibly only a pair of boxer shorts or jocks between us. Strangely enough I'm not afraid of him and find comfort in his closeness, his breathing has evened out and I know he is asleep once again even while I lay there just enjoying the contact.

Chris makes some sound deep in his throat waking me and I turn to him more fully and slide my arms up around his neck, he makes a sound of contentment deep in his throat and his hand rubs the small of my back. I give a soft sigh of pleasure as he finds a sore spot and arch up against his body sleepily, his arm tightens around me and I cuddle into his warmth.

I wake to the moist warmth between my thighs, the faint throbbing ache there is vaguely familiar but I can't place it. I yawn and stretch arching into the warm body against mine, delightful sensations radiate from my breasts and groin and I close my eyes as I move experimentally. It is such a long time since I recall having experienced these delicious sensations but I sure like them, the hand against my lower back tightens slightly then slips lower to press my hips against something that is hard and throbbing. The sensation is echoed low in my stomach and I move experimentally once again wanting this dream to continue. I find myself pressed into the mattress on my back and a hand cups my breast, the touch is gentle and surprisingly enjoyable as my nipple is rolled gently between two firm surfaces. I catch my breath as something warm and moist claims my nipple through the fabric of my t-shirt and I take a deep breath as I arch into the gentle suction that is applied. 

The attention is switched to my other breast and my stomach quivers as I feel something move down over my ribs and stomach to pull at the hem of my t-shirt. I'm not prepared for the intensity of the sensations when my t-shirt is pushed up above my breast and what could only be a mouth claims the tip of my breast. I move restlessly and the hand travels down my body once again as the mouth claims my other breast. 

My first instinct is to press my thighs together tightly fearing pain even in my sleep but the touch is light as it trails across the material of my shorts, pleasure comes from the mouth at my breasts but uncertainty comes from the light touch that skims over my lower stomach.

Fingers trace light circles on the top of my thigh and slowly edge higher under one leg of my shorts, I instinctively open my legs as the touch reaches near the inner crease of my groin. Fear and pleasure mix in equal parts as fingers divide my folds finding the moist heat there, I jerk as sensation shoots through me concentrating in the passage that the fingers dance outside of. 

I tense not liking the mix of fear and pleasure, it reminds me too much of pain. The mouth at my breast stills and slowly lifts, I hear the deep breath as he inhales my scent. 

"What the..." I hear the surprise in Chris' voice and tense as I realise this is not a dream that someone was actually touching me. I can smell his arousal but also there is stress becoming apparent and he eases his hand out of my shorts.

"About time you woke up! I thought I was going to have to kick your arse so you didn't wake her up and scare her half out of her mind!" I hear Malcolm growl barely audible. I roll away from Chris and I hear both toms hold their breath as I move, I feel Chris pull the covers up over my shoulders and I grit my teeth so I don't tense up and alert him to the fact I am awake. I feel him put a row of pillows between us and remain motionless as he makes himself comfortable. I remain awake long after both toms begin to emit slight snores; the slight tingling of my body is strange and confusing. It is so long since I have been touched in such a way that hasn't been extremely painful and aggressive.

I wake with a start surprised to find I had fallen asleep, the light through the doorway tells me the day has well and truly started. I stretch with a yawn and smile to myself as I spend a few moments enjoying the big comfortable bed. I climb out of bed feeling well rested and a bit surprised to see my backpack sitting in full view where I couldn't miss it and I check it out carefully but other than Malcolm's scent on one of the straps it seems to be untouched. I take the chance for a shower and change into fresh clothes before I head out towards the lounge room where I can hear the murmur of the TV.

"Hey guys can I use the washing machine?" I ask before walking through the door. I come to an abrupt halt as I see Wade and Doc sitting with the warriors.

"Good morning Rosy, I came down about half an hour ago to see how you were and I thought I'd wait around since I'm sure you appreciate a chance to sleep in," Wade tells me with a friendly smile.

"Wade," I acknowledge with a cautious nod.

"Hallo Rosy, Wade asked me to come by and make sure you're in good health," Doc tells me levelly.

"Don't bother. I'm fine except for sore feet from my trip here and I could probably do with a preventative treatment for parasites considering I've been eating on all four most of the time since I was here last," I say tightly, "but I'll take care of that myself. I don't trust you - your got a habit of either sticking me with a syringe and knocking me out or supplying the syringe and drug for someone else to do it," There is no mistaking the angry growl in my voice as I direct my comments to Doc.

"I'm sorry things happened to make you feel that way," Doc says gently.

"Well I suppose Doc can leave some ointment for your feet if you think you need it and some of the warriors can take you into town so you can get anything you need," Wade seems okay with my stand and I give a faint nod but don't tell him I have no money with me to make any purchases.

"Hungry Rosy?" Edwin asks as he gets to his feet. I watch suddenly cautious as both Wade and Doc get to their feet, Wade pulls a thick wallet out of his pocket and opens it to drop a thick clip of notes onto the seat he was sitting in. 

"I'm sure you boys would like to treat Rosy to a good time," he says before heading for the doorway. I move back well out of his way and watch as he and Doc leave.

"Rosy? You want something to eat?" Edwin asks and as I turn my attention to him I realise he has been trying to get my attention. I smile and drop my backpack before walking into the lounge room.

"Yeah, a feed would go down real well." I say and head for the kitchen, "Don't worry I'll cook it myself," and with that I open the fridge and look at its contents with interest. I grab the left over chicken, some grated cheese and a pack of tortilla wraps from the bench and quickly set about making some layered melts to go in the microwave.

"Did you sleep well?" Malcolm asks.

"Considering I've been making do with three or four hours a night on the way here I slept real well," I say without glancing his way. 

The microwave chimes and I take out my breakfast before cutting it into pieces then turn and drop the knife into the sink. I feel rather than see the hand that takes a small piece of my food and my reaction is instant and instinctive as I grab the offending wrist in a forceful grip.

"Hey!" Mikkarl squawks in surprise. I turn my head towards him slowly, anger boiling just beneath my control. 

"Do ... not ... ever ... touch ... my ... food," I growl stressing each word.

"Rosy," Edwin's voice is low and cautious, "Let Mikkarl go so he can move away from your food. He didn't know any better."

I keep my glare fixed on Mikkarl but manage to force myself to release his hand. Strangely warning him has been enough for me and I don't need to lash out in defence of my food but I do continue to growl a low warning as he steps away. I sit down and turn to my food eating hungrily, meals have been lean while I travelled and my weight has gone down a little bit.

"How long since you ate regular?" Chris asks as he sits opposite me at the table.

"I have been eating regular." I say with a shrug, "Been hunting each night, filling up each morning and walking all day or catching lifts."

"One meal a day?" Chris sounds surprised and I glance at him.

"It's easier to travel fast on an empty stomach and sleep on a full one. Learnt that running from clan cats." I say levelly.

"And what if you shift don't you need to eat to shift?" Edwin asks.

"Mice, rats, frogs, rabbits and fish generally provide a lot of energy when they're fat." I say with a shrug as I contemplate the last mouthful of food in my hand, I glance around the room and spot Mikkarl standing well back away from me. 

"You want to try it?" I offer holding the mouthful of food out towards him. Mikkarl grins a cocky smile at me and moves forward. 

"Yeah," he takes the offered food from my hand and pops it into his mouth chewing it with relish.

"I can remember a time you would have licked your plate clean rather than chance someone else getting any of your food." Edwin tells me sounding surprised.

"There's more food in the fridge and if I'm hungry yous won't stop me helping myself." I say with a shrug but dart a quick glance his way to make certain this is so.

"Ah so you're starting to learn how clan cats work." Malcolm comments sounding pleased.

"So what are we doing today?" I ask brightly "Going hunting?"

"No. A trip to town. You can put a load of washing on and it'll be ready to hang out or chuck in the dryer or bin when we get back." Malcolm tells me.

"Yeah and it'll be our treat," Chris says with a wide grin.

"We know you would have been eating three times a day if you'd had money." Edwin cuts in. "You're barefoot at the moment and those sneakers you arrived in, well you might as well have been barefooted then."

"Ok! So I wore my shoes out 'cause I was in a hurry to get here! Is that what you wanted to hear?" I demand angrily.

"You clear out when all we want is to look after you, can't you just let us look after you when you're here?" Chris asks quietly. I grit my teeth and turn my head away, I have been on my own looking after myself for so long it is strange to even contemplate letting them provide food and cook for me.

"I'll go to town with yous but I don't promise anything," I mutter tightly.

"I'm going who else is?" Chris asks as he gets to his feet.

"I'm driving, we can take my 4WD." Edwin's tone brooks no arguments as he glances around the room.

"Count me in," Malcolm says as he grabs my empty plate and heads for the kitchen. 

I head off to put my washing in the machine and set it so it will wash while we're away. By the time I return to the main part of the building the three toms that are going to town have all changed into clean shirts and jeans and I feel self-conscious at the worn state of my clothes. All my nice stuff is gone, lost when my house was packed up and moved months ago. I gasp as I realise some of my clothing should still be here.

"Did my stuff get thrown out? The stuff Pete and Micah packed up and moved here?" I ask eagerly.

"I don't know." Edwin says before turning towards the doorway and rattling his keys, "Come on."

I follow them outside and climb into the back of a four-wheel drive with Malcolm while Chris gets in the passenger seat in front. The drive into town is a lot quicker than my journey out yesterday afternoon and I look around with interest at the empty fields before we turn onto the highway. Chris is fiddling with the radio turning it from station to station and I listen to the music with interest, it is one thing I have missed being away from civilisation.

"So what's the country like where you've been living?" Edwin asks curiously.

"Well there's dirt ... plants ... the odd animal." I say dryly and glance his way.

"What no birds or water?" Chris asks with a laugh.

"Oh yeah there might be some of them." I say looking out the window.

"Where do you want to go first?" Edwin asks.

"Where ever. Where do yous need to go?" I ask as I glance from one to the others.

"Shoe store for a start, somewhere for some jeans and t-shirts or do you prefer dresses?" Chris asks from the front. "Or we can pick out stuff for you and guess your sizes."

I groan and close my eyes as I realise I will have to go along with this or end up with heaps of things that would probably give me a heart attack. "Jeans, t-shirts, cut-offs and dresses are for special occasions only." I groan.

"Now see, being co-operative isn't that hard." Chris tells me.

"Don't you three feel mean ganging up on me? Poor innocent little me who hasn't done a thing to you." I complain then add, "this visit,"

"We're not ganging up on you." Edwin grins at me in the rear view mirror.

"You cats are so going to eat my dust when we go hunting." I mutter.

"What you going to run away again?" Malcolm asks with an intense look.

"I don't run away, I go where I can be alone so I can think without having anyone around." I mutter feeling bad that they feel I'll run and I know I haven't done anything to convince them otherwise.

"Want to go for pizza when we finish buying what you need?" Chris asks breaking the tense silence.

"Pizza isn't my thing. There a good fish shop that cooks fish or does sushi?" I glance his way with interest.

"Sushi?" There is disgust in Edwin's voice.

"No, I like the prawn chips that sushi shops have."

"And caramel popcorn with nuts in it or peanut brittle," Edwin adds.

"And red apples straight from the tree, still warm and sweet from the sun." I add with a grin.

"And bacon," Chris adds.

"Yeah bacon is always good. And onions fried on the grill until they're all soft and got those crispy bits through them." I say and feel my mouth begin to water. "Damn! Now I'm hungry again!"

The three toms chuckle softly and I smile in spite of myself, "Okay," I say, "enough torturing the stray."

"You're not a stray you know, those tests ... oooffff!" I slam my elbow hard into Malcolm's ribs and he eyes me with displeasure, "What is it with you?" He demands.

"You've started to piss me off." I say levelly as I glare at him.

"Knock it off you pair!" Edwin orders from the front.

"Tell her she's the one who's deluded!" Malcolm growls. It's too much for me and I swing my legs around and lift them onto the seat and start kicking Malcolm's thigh, even as I do it I am aware of how much force I put into it and only aim to punish not maim.

"Ouch! Shit! Stop the fucking car! She's gone nuts back here!" Malcolm howls as I put my feet to good use.

"Bloody hell!" Edwin swears as he brakes abruptly. I stop kicking Malcolm and turn around to sit in the seat properly. 

"You might stop and think next time before pissing me off!" I growl at Malcolm before half turning towards the window in my seat. Edwin slows right down and I know he's glancing in the rear view mirror but I don't look his way. 

"Everything settled back there now?" he asks.

"Pull over; Chris can ride in the back with her!" Malcolm declares angrily.

"What afraid you'll catch fleas?" I ask sarcastically.

"I am not about to stay where you can kick the crap out of me when I can't even slap you because you're a she-kitt!" Malcolm snaps angrily.

"Well if I've kicked that crap out of you what's your problem?" I demand.




To Love a Stray Ch. 07



"No more kicking or hitting or I will stop, drag you out of my car and gaffa tape you to the roof!" Edwin warns angrily.

"So shredding his fancy shirt is okay?" I ask with raised eyebrows.

"Rosy," Chris warns but I can hear the laughter in his voice.

"Ok, I'll behave but I want ice cream." I announce. I can hear Chris smothering his laughter and a snort from Edwin.

"And you got to let us buy you heaps of stuff for kicking me!" Malcolm orders.

"I might consider one thing you like and that's all." I tell him dryly.

"I thought all females where supposed to love shopping," Edwin comments.

"Oh I generally do but it's your father's money and I am sure there are strings attached to it." I say dryly.

"You know I'm not going to even try to explain how things work because you're going to believe what you want or think the worst anyway!" Edwin snaps angrily. I sit looking out the window for the rest of the drive, Edwin's words making me wonder. Was I closing my mind simply because I didn't want to see anything good in clan cats?

* * * * *

I look at the wealth of clothes laid out on the bed, clothes I had let the toms urge me into choosing. Though I must admit there were several pairs of jeans I had simply had to have, soft-brushed denim that would be sheer luxury to wear. I jump nervously at the loud knock on the door.

"Come on, hurry up!" Timny calls and I grimace as I hear him head back to the lounge room. The toms want me to try the clothes on and show them. I glance at the half a dozen different tops, two pairs of cut offs and three pairs of jeans and shake my head deciding I'll show them two outfits and that's all. I quickly change into a pair of jeans and one of the tops before opening the door and heading for the lounge room.

"Now you look like someone cares about you," Edwin says in approval as I turn slowly to let the toms look at the outfit. I head back to the bedroom and change into the cut offs that come to just above my knees and a top that buttons down the front before heading back out to the lounge room.

"What about the other cut offs? I want to see them, my leg's killing me." Malcolm complains. I frown at him, the other cut offs were his idea and as much as I would like to get out of trying them on he had been limping since getting out of the car. I head back to the bedroom and exchange the cut offs pulling the others on, they are much shorter but I like the way they feel on and head out to the lounge room once again. 

"Nice," Edwin says in a low purr and I don't miss the look in his eye. I sit on the lounge between Malcolm and Chris and Malcolm flinches when I swing my legs up onto the lounge but I rest my feet in his lap and grin at him.

"You can rub ointment into my feet since you made me hurt them on your leg." I tell him.

"You just want a foot rub." Malcolm chides but reaches for the ointment Doc had left while we were in town.

"I liked the other cut offs," The voice from the kitchen startles me and I gasp as I turn and look over the back of the lounge to see Steven leaning against one side of the doorframe while Micah is standing back a little way in the kitchen.

"They really hugged your butt," Steven grins. "I see you been letting the boys spoil you."

"We're trying," Edwin says and I glance at him to find him watching me, "and Rosy is being pretty good about it. Aren't you Rosy?"

"It was the prawn chips and ice cream." I say loftily even as a smile tickles at the corners of my lips.

"That reminds me Rosy, isn't there something you got to take?" Chris asks from beside me. I frown at him as I think about the amount of tablets I need to take to rid myself of any parasites I may have picked up eating fresh kills.

"A couple of you sit on her and I'll shove the tablets down her throat, she tries to bite me and I'll bloody well bite her back." Micah growls.

"I'm not sitting on her. My ribs and legs don't need to be matching sets." Malcolm grumbles.

"Oh give me a glass of water or juice and I'll take the damn tablets." I say and lie back on Chris' lap and let Malcolm take my feet into his hands. 

I know by the way he holds both feet he doesn't trust me not to try to jump up and try to escape taking the tablets I have already admitted to hating. A large hand soon appears over the back of the lounge and I take the glass of juice and hold my other hand out for Edwin to put some of the tablets in, the first lot of tablets go down easy enough but when it comes to the rather large and foul tasting two to prevent tape worms I pull a face and try to sit up. 

Chris takes hold of my shoulders and refuses to let me sit up, I frown at him but tilt my head back and drop one of the tablets down the back of my throat and swallow desperately. The second one follows quickly on the heels of the first and I try to sit up, I am immediately helped up and I drain the glass of juice hurriedly.

"Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!" I shudder and grimace at the after taste still left in my mouth.

"Your feet are a mess," Malcolm remarks as he gently massages one foot.

"My shoes got wet and I didn't stop to take them off or dry them out." I mutter as I lay back and enjoy the foot massage. 

"They'll be right once I shift," I pretend not to see the glance between Edwin and Malcolm and sigh as I close my eyes and relax. I hear both Steven and Micah come around into the lounge room and open my eyes for a few moments to see where they seat themselves before closing my eyes once again.

"How long has she been here? Did one of you catch her unaware?" Micah asks

"She turned up just after dark last night," Edwin answers.

"She came back of her own free will?" Micah queries sounding surprised. "Is she coming into heat? She's not due until ..." his voice trails off and I slap him in the back of the head hard.

"Hey!" Micah growls angrily and glares at me.

"Mind your own business!" I snap angrily.

"Maybe I consider it my business," Micah purrs at me. I eye him nervously, I don't have Mitchell, Sam or even Dwayne to protect me and I feel very vulnerable as he eyes my prone body.

"You don't have to look at me like that; you're as safe as you want to be." Micah says when he meets my eyes. I turn my face away hurriedly and close my eyes as I lay with my face turned towards Chris's body. Malcolm keeps massaging my feet and slowly my tension leaches away until I find myself starting to drift off to sleep.

"I suppose she's got a full belly she is about to sleep it off, real little cat isn't she." Micah comments.

"Oh bite me!" I mutter and I am shocked when my hand is lifted and I feel teeth bite the base of my thumb gently. I jerk my hand away and sit up wide-eyed only to find Micah is watching me with a huge grin.

"You did invite me to bite you." He tells me. I get to my feet and head for the bedrooms. 

"Chris I'm going to lie down on your bed and have a sleep." I call back over my shoulder.

"I'm staying here," He calls back to me.

"Just letting you know I'm going into your room." I tell him before disappearing into the room. I soon find I am unable to go to sleep and after about half an hour I come out of the room and head for the outdoors.

"Hey! Where you going?" Micah challenges as he gets to his feet.

"For a run," I answer without looking back at him.

"No shifting!" He warns and starts after me, immediately I stop and swing around to face him. 

"Are you trying to prevent me leaving if I decide to?" I demand angrily.

"You haven't seen your ... toms yet." Micah chooses his words carefully as he makes his argument.

"Well stop trying to drive me away!" I snap and turn away to head outside.

"Wait for us!" Malcolm calls and I turn around angrily to face the quarters when I am nearly twenty yards from the door. I relax when Malcolm, Chris and Timny come out but no others.

"Where you going?" Malcolm asks as he falls in step behind me.

"For a walk since I'm not allowed to shift." I mutter angrily.

"Don't worry about Micah, he's just happy that your back and he doesn't want you disappearing again in a hurry." Chris says as he comes up on my other side.

"The way he was acting it wasn't me running off that he had on his mind." I mutter to myself angrily.

"Oh come on, give Micah a chance. He liiiiikkkkkessss you." Timny says drawing out the word.

"Shall we change the subject before I get pissed off and shift?" I demand.

"Would shifting involve take our clothes off?" Malcolm asks wriggling his eyebrows. I glare at him a moment before realising he is teasing me.

"You lot would have to turn your backs and close your eyes and keep them closed." I declare and resume walking.

"Where are we going?" I ask as we reach the tree line.

"You like swimming?" Chris asks.

"Yeah,"

"We got a neat swimming hole; you can strip down to your top and undies. We'll keep our underwear on just for you." Malcolm tells me.

"Don't worry I won't ruin your arsehole image by telling anyone you can be sweet when you want to." I shoot back.

"Why thank you," Malcolm says with a laugh. The swimming hole proves to be very good and I am soon having fun splashing with the toms forgetting to be self-conscious of the fact the water makes my top cling to my body or the fact that my shorts rest on the bank out of reach of the water. 

I scream and giggle as they splash me or pick me up and toss me into the air to fall in the water, I squeal and run for the shore only to let one of them catch me and drag me back to the deeper water where I get dunked or help two of them dunk the other.  

When I finally do climb out I sprawl flat on my back and lay in the dappled sun pleasantly exhausted, Chris comes out to sit beside me while the other two continue to muck around in the water.

"Seemed like you were having fun." Chris comments.

"Yeap," I say with a broad smile. He grins back at me and brushes my hair off my forehead. I feel my body start to tingle at the look in his eyes and look away from him.

"How long will they stay in there?" I ask.

"Either until they get hungry or one of our phones goes off." Chris says as he stretches out beside me. I glance at him and try to ignore the way my body starts to feel as I remember him touching me last night, I stare up at the wisps of clouds through the leaves and try to keep my breathing even.

"You've gone all quiet." I hear the trace of concern in his voice and realise he's heard the way my heart has started beating faster. 

I glance at him from the corner of my eye and he's watching me closely and I look away hurriedly. I don't want to notice how well muscled his shoulders are or the way they look all slick and smooth wet from the water, I feel my nipples tighten making my breasts ache strangely.

"What's wrong?" Chris asks softly and I glance towards him nervously then look away at the others in the water. "Rosy?"

"I'm going back in the water." I say jumping up and rushing into the water.

"Back for more are you!" Malcolm laughs at me and grabs me by the waist, before I realise what he is about to do he has lifted me level with his shoulders. He tenses and I hear him sniff before he tosses me into the water. 

"Go cool off," He laughs as I stand up spluttering. Timny splashes me and I squeal before splashing him back, several times I look to see where Chris is but he's still sitting on the grass and I ignore him as I laugh and splash and play.

"Rosy seems to be having fun," I hear Chris say. I glance across at Chris to find he has stood and walked over to Malcolm who's checking his phone, I hear Malcolm laugh softly and I look away as he glances my way.

"What the heck did you do to make her run back into the water?" Malcolm asks so quietly I almost can't hear him.

"Nothing, she was fine one moment and the next she started getting agitated and ended up going back in the water." Chris says quietly. Malcolm starts laughing and I glance their way for a moment before turning my attention back to Timny in a hurry as he splashes me all up the back. I glance back towards the two toms on the bank and Timny catches me unaware dunking me as I look away from him, I come up coughing and choking while Timny grabs my arm and steadies me.

"Was she trying to catch a fish?" Chris laughs as both he and Malcolm join us in the water.

"Must have been." Timny says with a laugh. I splash at his chest and squeal as he splashes me back, I find myself thrown in the air by Malcolm and hold my breath before I hit the water. 

I don't notice when Timny leaves the water and when I do finally notice his absence I realise that both Timny and Malcolm have left the water and are well away from Chris and me.

"You look like you were having fun," Chris says easily and I glance at him with a smile.

"Yeah. It was lots of fun." I say happily. 

I feel something catch at my top and glance down automatically, Chris has hold of my top and when I meet his eyes he moves closer. I lick my bottom lip nervously and then his mouth is on mine, brushing lightly over my mouth a moment before he lifts his head. I blink up at him for a few moments then he lowers his head and this time when his mouth closes over mine his tongue traces the seam of my lips before gently slipping into my mouth. 

I kiss him back enjoying the experience for a few minutes before he lifts his head, I push away from him and head for the bank. I can hear him following me and when I reach the grass he catches up with me in a hurry and pulls me to a stop, his mouth is much more demanding this time and I press against him as I slip my arms around his neck.

"Shouldn't we stop Chris?" Timny's question breaks into what is happening and I stiffen in Chris's arms, turning my face away from his.

"No leave 'em he won't hurt her or do anything she doesn't want him to do." I hear Malcolm answer quietly and I hear faint noises as they move away. I realise Chris has picked me up and is easing me down on to the grass on my back, I turn my face towards him startled but he smiles down at me and stretches out along side me. He strokes the side of my face gently for a moment before kissing me lightly and lifting his head to look down at me again.

"Not scared are you?" he asks softly.

"A bit ... but ..." I stop talking and bite my bottom lip and drop my gaze to his chest, "You didn't hurt me when you touched me last night." I whisper nervously.

"O ...k ... so you were awake." Chris says softly.

"I didn't know ... I thought ... I'd been ..." I stammer nervously.

"You thought you were dreaming because it felt nice?" Chris guesses as he lowers his head to kiss my neck.

"Yeah," I say with a nervous gasp and jerk slightly as his hand finds my breast, the sensations are as I remembered them and I hold still as he unbuttons my top and pushes it aside to uncover my breasts. His lips move down my neck leaving a pleasant tingling in their wake while his hand brushes lightly over my ribs, I gasp and jerk as it moves lower and Chris lifts his head to kiss me.

We kiss for a while before he lifts his head and trails his lips down my neck, I gasp and arch into his mouth as it covers my breast and he begins sucking gently. The sensations he causes as he turns his attention from one breast to the other and alternates between sucking gently, biting gently and licking soon has me moving restlessly. The hand that trails across my thighs has me opening my legs and I tense as his fingers slip beneath one side of my underpants, I am totally unprepared for the intense sensations that surge where he touches and I gasp as I spread my legs wider and grab at his shoulders. Chris lifts his head and kisses me, I whimper into his mouth as his fingers explore my dewy folds as I move my hips against his hand.

I pull my mouth away from his and gasp for breath as the intensity of the sensations build. I whimper and turn my head to press my mouth against his shoulder. The strong feelings well up and something tightens down low in my stomach, I am only aware of the sensations coursing through my body and I whimper wanting something I can't identify. Wave after wave of sensation bursts over me and I gasp as I close my thighs tightly on his hand, I whimper and allow him to push my thighs apart again as he continues to make the exquisite sensations bloom. When the last shudder of pleasure moves through me I open my eyes slowly and tense as Chris moves over me to lie between my thighs.

"No! No!" I cry in fright and push against his chest, he rolls away from me and I scramble into a sitting position.

"It's alright Rosy, I'm stopping, I've stopped. I promise I won't do anymore to you." Chris pants as he holds one hand out towards me in the universal signal for stop, I gasp as I pull my top closed trembling as I watch him. 

"Chris! Time we headed back." Malcolm calls and I glance towards the direction where his voice came from but I see no sign of either him or Timny.

"Give me a minute!" Chris yells back and I look at him, he grins at me in a strained kind of way and takes a deep breath. "I'm not going to hurt you I promise, and we'd best get dressed."

I scramble backwards keeping a wary eye on him as I search with one hand for my clothes, as he pulls his jeans on over his jocks I realise he is still very aroused and yet he is not forcing himself on me. I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I try to control my fear.

"You alright Rosy?" I hear the concern in Chris's voice and open my eyes to glance at him; I look away quickly but give a faint nod.

"You weren't trying to hurt me." I state and my surprise is evident in my voice even to me.

"I enjoyed that as much as I hope you did, why would I want to hurt you?" Chris tells me softly. I stand up and pull my cut offs on before buttoning my top up; I glance at Chris and find him waiting for me.

"Come on, let's go find the others." Chris says and leads the way towards the trees. As soon as we reach the trees Malcolm and Timny appear out of the shadows and I realise with embarrassment that they probably were where they could see and hear everything that had happened. I am surprised there are no dirty comments and other than a concerned glance from both of them they act like nothing unusual has happened. 

As we walk I dart embarrassed glances at Chris and can't help wondering what he thinks of me after I let him do that, a sick feeling begins to grow in my stomach. I'm sure we've just messed our friendship up and I grimace unhappily as I walk with my head down for a few moments.

"We'll catch up in a minute." Chris says as he catches hold of my arm. 

I glance at him nervously and look away hurriedly when I see him watching me. Malcolm and Timny continue on without a word and I bite my bottom lip nervously as I wait for what Chris has to say.

"You okay Rosy? You don't want to shred me for what happened?" Chris asks softly. I shake my head slightly as I glance at his face and glance away only he catches my chin in his fingers and tilts my face up to drop a quick kiss on my lips. I blink at him in surprise and he grins at me. 

"Feel better now? I know I do." He tells me with a smile.

"Yeah," I say softly and let him take my hand. We soon catch up to the others and when I try to pull my hand free Chris looks at me with a raised eyebrow and keeps a firm hold on my hand until I stop trying to pull free. 

When we reach the tree line at the compound the three toms stop and Chris looks at me, I meet his eyes for a few seconds before dropping my eyes. He lifts his hand that holds mine, he gestures towards our entwined fingers. 

"Are you alright with this?" he asks softly.

"What do you mean exactly?" I ask uncertainly.

"Not trying to hide what everyone is going to smell on us. Or if you prefer we can forget it happened and that's the end of it?" Chris tells me quietly. I stand there not sure what to say, I glance at his face uncertainly before glancing away.




To Love a Stray Ch. 08



I watch in fear as Sam races towards where Micah and Edwin stand between the large brindle bull and Dwayne who is leading Justin to the relative safety of the undergrowth. I see Malcolm and Chris rushing towards where the bull stands raking at the dirt with his massive front feet; he bellows his rage and kneels to rub his head in the dirt as well. Robby and Mikkarl are racing towards Dwayne and Justin from different places while Steven and Timny are rushing to aid those facing the bull. I rush along the tree line to stand where Dwayne and Justin are heading; I rub my head against Justin's shoulder as he halts beside me. 

Robby and Mikkarl take up a defensive position out from us while Dwayne and Mitchell race towards the others now gathered around the bull. I watch the toms fan out around the front end of the bull. Micah is directly in front of him and he roars his challenge at the bull making me shiver with a mixture of excitement and fear. I watch as the toms make quick lunges towards the bull, dodging out of harms way at the last second as the bull drops his head to meet them. 

I quickly see how they work as a team, one or more distracting the bull as others dart in from behind or to the sides to try to deliver damaging blows. The bull goes down in one hind leg and I realise someone has hamstrung him on that side. He bellows his rage and pain before trying to charge forward at two of the toms only to go down as the other hind leg is hamstrung as well. 

The bull is pulled to the ground and I quiver with excitement as his struggles quickly diminish. Justin whines beside me and I nose his shoulder but refuse to follow when he wants to move forward. Robby and Mikkarl have crept forward a good distance, but I wait for some signal or call from those around the bull. Micah stands up and looks towards us; he calls to us then drops his head to the carcass. I allow Justin to run ahead of me as we follow Robby and Mikkarl. I slow as we approach the kill and hang back as the other three rushes forward to join in the feast. 

I eye the clan of cats eating their kill and crouch down nervously. I know better than to approach another cat's kill but I was called to it and I am hungry. Mitchell calls to me but I only whine and move nervously. Micah raises his head, calls and I cower to the ground. He advances towards me slowly and I hiss in fear but he merely lowers his head and sniffs towards me and calls softly. I wriggle on my stomach nervously as he nudges my shoulder gently; I crawl towards the kill and cower down once again.  

Micah returns to the kill and eats several mouthfuls before looking at me and calling again. I creep forward a little ways and sniff towards the carcass but make no move to touch it. I watch as the others eat hungrily and finally I pluck up enough courage to sneak forward and grab a mouthful of meat and rip it free before retreating to gulp it down. I repeat this process several times until I gain enough courage to stand in place and eat several mouthfuls before retreating then returning for more food. 

One by one the toms stop feeding and move away to clean themselves. I keep a wary eye on the others as I eat and when Mitchell comes over near me, I snarl defensively and back away from the kill. He moves away and I return to the kill to finish my meal. I am licking my muzzle when Micah heads my way and I cower away from him as he sniffs at me. 

I cringe when he starts licking my shoulder and I hiss in fear. Chris walks over with a growl and Micah moves away to leave me sitting with Chris. I clean my muzzle and face before I lay down in the shade from a small bush and roll onto my back. I look at the toms lying around and roll onto my belly and get to my feet slowly. I move from one to another checking none of them are injured and smoothing rough fur here and there. Mitchell hooks a foreleg over my neck and I tumble down on top of him as he wrestles me playfully. Chris comes over and chews playfully on one of my legs while Mitchell pulls at another. After a few minutes we stretch out lazily and drift off to sleep. 

I wake after several hours and sit up to look around. Micah and Sam are at the kill eating again and Malcolm, Dwayne and Steven soon join them. 

When Chris wakes and returns to the kill I join them and soon everyone is eating again. This time when we finish there isn't much of the bull left and Micah moves off at a steady walk. I follow for a while before lying down once again. A demanding call from Micah has me on my feet and moving once again to catch up with them. The journey back to the quarters takes us time and we arrive to a dark building. The toms begin to shift back to human form outside but I head inside to the bathroom before shifting and claim the first shower. 

I wrap myself in a towel before heading to Chris and Malcolm's room and pulling on clothes; I climb into bed and make myself comfortable to sleep off my two large feeds. I can hear the toms laughing and talking in the lounge room and lay listening to them. It isn't too long before a form appears at the doorway and I watch it uneasily. 

"Rosy? You asleep?" Sam asks. 

"No." 

"Come on come out in the lounge room. You can even have the lounge to sleep on if you want," he tells me as he comes into the room. 

I hesitate a moment before pushing the covers back and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I pull on an old comfortable pair of track pants over my underwear and straighten my t-shirt before following Sam out to the others. They immediately move off the lounge and I lie down on my stomach and look around at them as they settle themselves nearby. 

"You've had enough to eat?" Micah asks as he looks at me. 

"Yeah," I say and yawn. He laughs looking pleased and stretches his legs out making himself comfortable. 

"I'd like to know what the hell that bull was doing there," Edwin says sounding annoyed. 

"Some of us had better go check the boundary fences tomorrow, see if he got in that way," Micah sounds very relaxed. 

"He made one hell of a meal though," Steven utters and the others laugh. 

"Yeah, that he did," Sam agrees. 

"Who made the kill?" I ask curiously. 

"Both Sam and I took him down to be on the safe side," Micah tells me as he looks directly at me. "He was one big fellow." 

"That was your first time you ate someone else's kill wasn't it," Steven remarks. 

"Micah kept calling me to the food," I say defensively. 

"If he hadn't one of us would have - being part of a clan means we look after each other," Mitchell says as he settles himself against the lounge and uses my side as a pillow. I feel someone touching my hair and lift my head to see Chris seated at the end of the lounge where he can touch me. The look in his eyes makes my breasts ache and a tingle start low in my stomach. 

"That hunt wasn't anything like that red bull being taken down," I mutter as I remember the shear savagery of that attack. 

"You have seen a red bull taken down?" Micah asks lightly. 

"Pete, you and Steven were there, on the other side of the clearing watching. The wind was blowing across the clearing so it wouldn't have taken any of our scents to one of the other groups. I watched the strays all attack at once; Red Devil ground one cat into the dirt with his head before he went down." I hide my face in the cushion of the lounge for a moment before I lift my head once again. "I'd been out to help Donald Caruthers vaccinate those three bulls the month before. Red Devil was a big sook." 

"Hell, we didn't even know there was another cat watching! And that bull took out another cat before he was pulled down a second time," Steven says as if he almost respected the fight that Red Devil had shown. 

"No one was meant to know I was there," I snap, realizing what I had done and shake my head. "No one was meant to know I was there. I intended to hide my presence." 

"What do you reckon the difference between the two kills was?" Micah asks and I think for a moment before replying. 

"The strays did it for the thrill of the kill; it was all about bloodshed for the sake of bloodshed. Earlier was for food, carried out with skill and precision and humanity," I say firmly. 

"Yeah that sums up what those strays had done pretty well. It's called bloodlust: killing only for the sake of the kill and the taste of blood, nothing else," Micah agrees. 

"Yeah," Sam nods. 

"I noticed you were smart enough to stand back and leave the kill to us," Edwin grins at me. 

"Yeah, I protected Rosy. Or I would have if that bull came our way," Justin puffs his chest up proudly. 

"Main thing is you followed orders," Micah says sounding pleased with his brother. 

"Rosy was smart enough to know what to do. She didn't get in our way and didn't run off and disappear," Mitchell states. I roll onto my side and look at Mitchell. I can see the sadness in his eyes and realise it is because he doesn't know when I'll disappear next. I sit up and ruffle his hair fondly; I don't understand why I am so driven to be around him and Sam. I am not attracted to either of them the way I am to Chris and yet I feel more driven to stay with them. I have to wonder if it is because we are siblings. 

"How long you going to be here this time?" Sam asks and I shrug. 

"Don't know," I admit. 

"You're going to be here as long as we got enough food to feed ya aren't you," Edwin teases. 

"Talking about food, I guess we'll be eating beef until we get rid of all those cows," Micah announces. 

"Why?" Justin asks. 

"Even just two of us can handle a full grown cow, but put a calf at foot and it's different entirely," Steven explains. 

"The instinctive need to protect its young," I say. 

"Yeah and with you, Jazzy, Donny and ... yeah well we can't risk it." Micah says with a look my way. 

"I don't need protecting," Justin refutes. 

"He wasn't talking about you silly," Edwin says looking my way. 

"Well I've always avoided livestock and intend to in the future as well," I say. 

"Those cattle were bought for the sole purpose of eating," Dwayne says. 

"I notice you weren't backwards about having two large meals," Chris grins at me. 

"I was hungry," I say and stick my tongue out at him. Chris laughs and steals a kiss. 

"Hey some people are trying to digest a meal here," Steven complains and several others chuckle. 

"So was your steak done to your liking Rosy?" Edwin asks with a wide grin. 

"Sure was! Freshly killed and still running blood! Yum!" I say and laugh. 

"How about we drag some mattresses out here and bunk down for the night," Sam asks. "We let Rosy have the lounge." 

"Sounds like an idea," Micah agrees. 

"You stay there Miss Spotty One and I'll bring a blanket and pillow out for you," Mitchell says as he gets to his feet. 

I lay on the lounge, too comfortable to bother moving. The toms bring out an array of mattresses and put them on the floor of the lounge room dropping pillows and the odd blanket on them. 

"Who wants a beer," Edwin asks as he heads for the kitchen. 

"Got any bourbon," I ask. 

"You like the hard stuff do you?" Sam asks as he heads to the kitchen as well. 

"Either on ice or with cola," I tell him. 

"You should stick with soft drinks," Mitchell tells me. 

"Mitchell, I've been to a few college parties so I know how to handle my alcohol," I say dryly. 

"What you just got drunk, not falling down drunk," Malcolm asks with a laugh. 

"Neither," I growl at him without conviction. 

When Sam returns he hands me a plastic cup half full with liquid and I sniff it before sipping it. The bourbon is of high quality and I let it trickle down my throat slowly enjoying the burn as it goes down. All of the toms have an alcoholic drink of some kind except for Justin who has a can of coke. The TV is turned onto a movie channel and I lazily watch it as I continue to sip my drink. When I put my empty glass on the floor Chris asks if I want another drink but I shake my head and make myself comfortable with the pillow and blanket Mitchell got for me. I soon grow drowsy from the combination of food and alcohol and close my eyes as I listen to the soft murmur of the toms as they talk. 

"Whoever's closest to the switch turn the light off," Edwin says. "Justin's asleep so is Rosy." 

"Not quite," I mumble. 

"Warm enough?" Chris asks. 

"You watch. Lover–boy is going to offer to warm her up," Edwin mutters to someone and I hear a smothered laugh. 

"Not while her brothers and Micah are in the room if he has a lick of sense," Mikkarl says quietly. 

"How about you lot shut your mouths before I do it for you?" Micah asks in a low dangerous voice. 

The sudden rise of aggression in the room has me shivering nervously and I abandon the lounge to cuddle up between Mitchell and Sam. I feel Mitchell tuck his blanket around me and I snuggle up to his chest as I make myself comfortable. 

"Hey Rosy, remember that's your brother not lover-boy," Edwin taunts me. I hear someone get to their feet then there is an audible thud followed by a second one and Edwin grunts in pain. I can feel Mitchell stroking my back through the blanket as if to stop me getting upset. 

"You saved me the trouble Micah," Sam says beside me and I realise he is on his feet. 

"No problems," Micah remarks and I hear him settling down on his mattress once again. 

"You beat me to it as well," Steven mutters sounding unhappy about missing out on hitting Edwin. I hear several others settling back into their spots and smile to myself as I realise how many of them care about me. 

I wake to the predawn light and I am startled to find myself looking at Sam's sleeping face until I remember the previous night. Carefully I ease from beneath Mitchell's arm and sit up to look around. The toms are scattered around the room on mattresses still asleep. I get to my feet and step up onto the lounge and jump over the back to land lightly on my feet with only the softest noise on landing. I glance back to make sure I disturbed no-one before heading for the toilet. 

When I make my way out to the kitchen I begin getting the food for breakfast out to cook. A search of the pantry rewards me with several packets of plain muffin mix while a search of the freezer supplies mixed berries. I quickly make the muffin mixes and add the berries. A lack of cases for the muffin tins only slows me until I find baking paper and soon the smell of muffins cooking fills the kitchen. I start the first pan full of sausages and one of bacon before removing the first batch of muffins from the oven. I pluck the piping hot muffins from the tray and add more lining paper and mix before putting the tray back in the oven to bake. I manage to save the bacon and sausages from burning and put bread in the toaster before grabbing plates to put the nearly cooked meat on. 

"Looks like you could do with a hand there," Steven says as he moves to check the sausages as I remove the bacon from the pan and start adding more. 

"Thanks," I say and stand back to check on everything. Steven is busy removing cooked sausages and replacing them with uncooked ones and I turn my attention to the oven and decide the muffins need a few more minutes. 

"Some of us are going to need coffee more than others this morning," Micah remarks as he sets about starting the coffee brewing. I grab us a muffin each and hand one to Steven and Micah before heading back to turn the bacon. Both of them are busy eating when I glance their way. 

"Wow! Muffins!" Justin exclaims loudly as he grabs a couple and bites into one. 

"Only one now and you can have more after breakfast, but I am saving some for Jazzy and Donovan if they come over today," I say firmly. 

Sam takes the second muffin off Justin as he comes into the kitchen and he grins as he takes a large bite out of the muffin before he has the paper liner off completely. "Hmmm, 'ese err 'ood," he manages around a mouthful of food. 

"Hey Rosy," Mitchell greets me with a cuddle before heading off to grab a muffin. 

"I hope someone has started the coffee," Edwin mumbles as he stumbles into the kitchen looking more asleep than awake. 

By now all of the toms are awake and filing into the kitchen as I remove the next batch of muffins from the oven and redo the last lot to be put in. Someone has taken over the bacon and I am able to put the muffins in the oven and help myself to a cup of coffee before standing back and watching the others dishing up breakfast for themselves. 

"The muffins have never tasted this good when we tried to make them," Malcolm comments. 

"It's all about adding berries or apple and cinnamon or pineapple and coconut or even chocolate chunks," I say as I stop sipping my coffee for the moment. 

"You'll have to write down how to do that," Dwayne says. 

"Or stay around and make them for us," Mitchell gives a cheeky grin but I see the worry I'll run off again beneath it. I snatch a piece of bacon off his plate and grin at him before moving to dish up my own food leaving my cup of coffee by the chair I plan to sit in. I keep glancing back at it nervously but force myself not to rush back and grab it in the middle of dishing up my food. 

"You're getting a lot better with things," Sam comments as I slip into the seat between Mitchell and Chris. 

"Sometimes I manage it, sometimes I don't," I say and shrug. 

"At least you're trying," Mitchell tells me. 

"It's not about trying," I say. "It's knowing or maybe believing it's not going to be stolen. Or like at the kill yesterday, knowing I wouldn't be attacked and mauled for touching it," I explain. 

"When we found you you didn't have scars as if you've been attacked before," Sam comments. I glance at the pink scars on Mitchell's cheek and forehead and turn my face so the light from the lounge room hits my cheek and I raise my hand and trace the faint fine line I know runs up the right side of my nose then across below my eye to nearly the outside corner. 

"Skin glue and plastic skin from a vet does amazing things for wounds. There's a couple more but none have been serious because I never stay around long enough," I say quietly. I feel Mitchell's fingertips brush my skin as he traces the very faint line. 

"You've doctored yourself?" Sam asks. 

"I couldn't walk up to a hospital and say can you stitch me up because I got clawed up while I was a cat," I tell him evenly. I can almost feel their stress and worry and it actually hurts me they are worried for me. 

"If you were here it wouldn't be an issue," Mitchell states and grabs hold of my hand. I try to jerk it away too agitated for the contact but he refuses to let go and I jump to my feet as I struggle to pull free. He stands as well and I attempt to back away from the table. 

"You're our sister! We only want to look after you!" Mitchell protests, "If that bastard hadn't stolen you, you would have ..." 

I turn my head to glare at Mitchell as I go still my temper flaring wildly, "Do not talk about my father like that!" I warn. 

"He wasn't your father!" Mitchell yells back at me. It seems I am not the only one who has a temper. 

"You will let go of me and I will go for a walk. You and Sam can come if you want but when I start talking you will shut up and listen because I am not going to hear you call my father another name without retaliating," I warn in a low snarl of a tone. I pull my hand free and head for the outdoors, not bothering to see if either or both of them follow me. 

* * * * * 

I sit on the fallen log and throw pebbles into the stream watching as the rings move out towards the edges of the stream. 

"I always knew Harry wasn't my natural father. His mother was a Native American while his father was Jamaican and as he said he understood my soul. He taught me about the outdoors when he preferred motor racing. He went to every parent/teacher meeting no matter what. We hardly ever lived indoors and he taught me what I could 




To Love a Stray Ch. 08



and couldn't eat from the land, how to trap animals," I take a deep breath and sigh without looking at either of my brothers. 

"It never mattered what I'd done, what I said when I was angry, I knew I might get in trouble for it but I also knew he'd still love me. And he was the most gentle, compassionate non-violent man. Heck he was a vegetarian but he trapped animals for me. Killed them, prepared them and cooked them. He taught me to only kill what I needed for food - never take more than I need and never ever kill for the sake of killing. He let most of the animals we trapped go without any cruelty," I turn my head and look at my two brothers before I continue speaking. 

"The day I was attacked by the werecat he came home early because he felt I needed him - he said he felt my need as any parent would. He wrapped me up and we were headed to his uncle's place to get a more comfortable vehicle for the two-hour trip to the hospital ... we came around a corner and there were two big black cats on the road. Harry swerved and we ended up in a ditch, the Ute tipped over onto the passenger side. I can remember I started screaming when they started turning into men." 

I take a deep breath and look away as I push my remembered horror from my mind. "Harry grabbed me and shook me and told me I had to listen to him. He said that they would kill him because he knew what they were, what I was. He told me to always remember that he had loved me like I was his own flesh and blood and that there was not an ounce of bad in me. He had loved my mother and me and he wanted me to remember that. He said ... he said to remember everything he had taught me. That he could only give me a few moments at the most but he knew I would only need the little time he could buy me before they killed him. And then he climbed out his window blew me a kiss and walked towards them carrying a tyre iron while I climbed out the broken back window and ran from the cat ..." 

I give a tight little laugh, "I'd changed when I saw the cats on the road and didn't realise it until later - much much later. I didn't realise the shadow I ran from was my own." I look at my brothers and take a deep breath to prevent the tears that always threatened when I remember how I had lost my father. "So don't ever say he was not my father and don't ever call him names. I have done my best ever since to be the kind of person he would be proud of." 

"I can understand why you call Harry your father, and you're right. He was a father to you in every way that mattered to both of you," Mitchell tells me quietly. 

"Can I ask what our mother named you? Pete often calls you Tawny and you call yourself Rosy," Sam asks levelly. 

"Tawny Rosalind," I say quietly, "I often feel like there's two different halves of me, the human half and the cat half." 

"And that's why you use the two different names," Mitchell guesses. 

"But Rosy you are a werecat, not a human," Mitchell points out gently. "You need to learn to be a werecat. Make peace with your inner cat." 

"Don't you see I'm neither? I'm not a werecat, not truly, not totally. But I'm not a human either. I don't belong in either world," I say painfully. 

"When you are having trouble coping with a situation, or you don't understand something, tell one of us. We will help you in whatever way we can," Mitchell tells me earnestly. 

"We will have to teach you how to be a werecat," Sam says simply, "Help you make friends with your inner cat." 

After several minutes, Sam finally asks, "Back to the two werecats that were on the road that day with Harry - were either of the cats the one who attacked you?" 

"Yeah, he was the smaller one. His father said 'I lost the bitch twice but my son will have the whelp'," I remember bitterly. 

"Did you ever find out who either of the cats were?" Sam asks after a long silence. 

"Vaygar and Kendal Darnel. They have hounded me ever since," I snarl and hear the low angry growls that come from both toms. 

"And can you please not growl around me. I inherited a non-violent nature from Harry and aggression scares me. And I hate the way you, Mitchell, expect me to run away all the time. It upsets me when you're upset. I only run away because I'm scared or because I can't cope with what's happening," I say and look at the ground unhappily. "My inner cat comes out and when I'm a cat, human emotion and troubles are very distant for me. It gives me time to be able to cope with things." 

"Ok here's a question you might not like, but remember I am your big brother and I am only trying to look out for you. Are you letting Chris mount you and are you using protection," Sam asks. 

"Are all brothers this nosy," I demand as I look away from them in embarrassment. 

"In werecat society it is generally the brothers of a she-kitt who deal with their sisters' relationships and stuff, believe it or not," Sam tells me levelly. "There are some occasions a mother will step in ... but you're stuck with us." 

"All of the warriors at the quarters have at least had the Tom and She-kitt talk with their sisters. I know Steven and his brothers have told a couple of toms to move on that their sister didn't want around," Mitchell says evenly. 

I groan and shake my head before glancing at them. "There's been a lot of kissing and touching but the one time he tried to ... I started to freak out because I suddenly remembered the pain ... He backed off immediately. We've done some things that feel really good since then but he hasn't tried to ... mount me again," I say embarrassed. 

"Do you want him to?" Sam asks straight to the point. 

"I know theoretically it won't hurt if I want him. But also I'm scared it will. And yeah I'm very curious about what it'll feel like," I mutter and turn away. 

"Ok, here's just an idea for you to think about. Carlotta, Lotty, the she-kitt I visit and get the invitations from, had her first time outside of her heat. A lot of she-kitts do. Lotty is Malcolm and Chris's sister by the way." 

"Anyway I was at their compound and we were all sprawled out like last night only Lotty ended up cuddling up between me and another tom that wasn't her brother, and that is an invitation. She started kissing him and I got to get real friendly from behind and next thing I knew she was on her hands and knees presenting and I mounted her. She squealed and cried all the way through it because she had been a virgin but she didn't say stop," Sam tells me. 

"Did you notice Micah had his mattress right next to Chris'," Mitchell asks. 

"No I didn't. I only knew where you and Sam were because of all the agro that suddenly started up," I turn my head to look at Mitchell suspiciously then at Sam. "Is there any reason why you mentioned where Micah was?" 

"You were paying a lot of attention to him last night. Apparently you, him and Steven have been getting quite friendly," Sam remarks. 

"I don't understand," I say confused. 

"Micah has been openly interested in you, has made sure you knew what he was thinking. He reckons you haven't been telling him to back off or leave you alone. The most you do is retreat for a while before joining back in with the group," Sam explains. 

"Have you been talking about me?" I demand. 

"Micah did mention he intends to see if he can get you to stop sleeping in Chris's bed and move into his bed," Mitchell supplies. 

"Doesn't he respect the fact I like Chris?" I ask angrily. 

"It's not uncommon for a warrior to ... shall we say satisfy a she-kitt's needs when she isn't seeing someone. And Micah says all he has smelt is your ... pleasure and the fact you haven't done the same kind of service for Chris," Mitchell says quietly. 

I think about this remark for a few minutes and realise that while I like Chris I am more interested in the sensations he stirs in my body than I am in Chris. 

"Can I ask, what did you mean when you said Lotty 'presented'," I say with an embarrassed glance Sam's way. 

"Humans call it the doggy position, but us cats use it as a very non confrontational position when the she-kitt is scared for some reason or feels threatened by the tom," 

Sam explains. "If Chris had been serious about wanting to mount you he'd have tried it that way." 

"Are you saying that Chris isn't really interested, that he's just filling my 'needs'," I ask uncertainly. 

"Actually yeah, pretty sure that's it," Sam tells me gently, "But it gives you someone you trust if you want to experiment with one of the toms that are interested - Micah, Steven and Edwin." 

I look away surprised to find that I am not at all upset that Chris might not be that 'into' me. This surprises me. So does the fact that I am interested in 'experimenting' with either Steven or Micah. 

"You know the way werecats do things are totally different to the way humans do. If you were human I'd be telling you to mind your own business which would not be your sister's sex life, or the lack there of," I say levelly. 

"Are you telling us to back off?" Sam asks. 

"I'm saying ..." my voice trails off and I look down at my hands. " I'm saying I'm touched you care enough to try to look out for me even if I don't like the idea of you talking about me with the others 'that' way." 

"How long are you planning to stay around," Mitchell wants to know. 

"I honestly don't know. All I know is I can't stay away. I keep wanting to see you guys," I mumble. 

"That's the blood bond. It's an instinct to stay together and look after the younger siblings or the she-kitt. About the only thing that over rides it is if one of the toms is lucky enough to get married to a she-kitt. Then he moves to her parents' territory," Sam explains. 

"Where do I stand considering I don't ... considering I was virtually a stray," I ask curiously. 

"Wade and Marissa are hoping you'll stay. Jazzy has always been very sickly and she wasn't expected to live to ten let alone fifteen or to nearly full adulthood like she has," Sam tells me quietly. 

"Is that why Micah, Edwin and Steven are interested? To try to force me to stay," I jump to my feet and begin to pace agitatedly. 

"When we believed you were a stray Micah was glad you had been found. Oh he was sorry for what you had been through but he apparently took a real liking to you when he met you at Pete's," Mitchell's voice is soft and calm but I turn around to glare at him. 

"That was only because I was coming into heat," I snap. 

"Think what you want to because I know you will, but we know all of the others a lot better than you do and it's the truth when we tell you that it is you they are interested in, not a replacement for Jazzy. It's a shame you can't see yourself from a tom's point of view. Pretty, spirited and pleasant company when you're not looking to argue about everything," Sam states and crosses his arms across his chest in a 'so there' attitude. 

I am just about to snap that I know exactly why toms like me when I realise I am basing all my beliefs on the way strays have treated me and disregarding the way the toms here have treated me. 

"I got nearly nine years of experience of how stray toms treat she-kitts, and if you stop and work it out, I've only experienced how I get treated here by the clan toms. And believe it or not, for me it is a lot better to be safe than sorry." 

"You got a good point there, I must admit," Sam looks at Mitchell who nods his agreement. 

"That's why I ended up trying to talk to both of you and make you understand why I get upset when you disrespected my Dad. I'm learning how to relate to you but it's hard because you didn't understand how you were hurting me. And I didn't want to end up running away because I'd only end up coming back again." 

"Well take it from someone who cares about you, I would tell the guys to keep away from you if they didn't care about you as you. And I don't care that Micah could pound the daylights out of me for it. If I thought it was in your best interests I would do it," Sam tells me earnestly. 

"I type of understand the dominance thing I think, but exactly how does it work and who is where," I ask curiously. 

"Wade is Alpha of the clan, number one. Marissa as his mate is due all the respect due to him. Micah is the dominant tom - he's biggest, strongest and smartest. I'm next, Edwin; and Malcolm are bigger but I'm meaner," Sam smiles at me and I have to laugh. 

"Steven, Edwin and Malcolm are about even followed by Mitchell here. Dwayne, then Chris and Timny. Mikkarl, then Robby and lastly Justin because he's youngest and untried in the field. Donny is still a kid but you and Jazzy have 'status' as She-kitts. Toms that are a part of the clan but don't live here are either outliers or simply non-dominant members of the clan." 

"But I have no place here; I'm not a member of the clan. I never have been," I deny quickly. 

"You're a member of the clan because you're our sister and us warriors as a group chose to take care of you when you were injured when we believed you were a stray," Sam explains. "We've all seen the way you recognise the more dominant members and display submission. You just need time to learn." 

"So I'm a good little she-kitt because I pretend like I respect my betters," I ask dryly. 

"Not at all," Sam says. "Now as much as I am enjoying getting to know you, Mitchell and I need to get back because we'll be working today and you need to finish your breakfast." 

I get to my feet and go to follow them back to the compound and the quarters, but Sam motions me forward and when I am level with him he puts an arm across the top of my shoulders as we walk. Mitchell catches my hand on his side and Sam lets his arm drop to catch my other hand. I am content to walk along like this and I am still holding their hands when we walk up to the back door of the quarters. 

"Good, you're back," Micah comments when Sam and Mitchell join the toms in the lounge room and I head to the kitchen to eat. "Sam, Mitchell you can come out to the pasture. We're checking the fence line and we'll try to do a head count and work out what is in the pasture. We need to know if there are any more bulls. Anything with horns, in calf or with calves at foot. Chris, Timny, Robby, Mikkarl and Justin you're to stay here at the compound and do the chores. Rosy do you want to come out to the pasture? You'll need a good feed now in case you have to shift and you are to keep well away from the livestock and do exactly as you're told when you're told." 

"Yeah, I can check out the cattle if you have got binoculars," I offer around a mouthful of food. 

"Good idea. Binoculars will give us a better view from a distance," Micah comments. "But you'll stay where we know where you are at all times." 

"Bikes or jeeps?" Sam asks. 

"A jeep for fencing equipment and emergency transport, bikes for the rest of us," Micah decides. "You can ride a motorbike can't you Rosy?" 

"Never learnt to," I say with a shrug. 

"Well you're not learning today. You can drive the jeep. Dwayne you go with her," Micah decides. I listen as Micah outlines exactly what he wants done today while I eat my food; I grab a bottle of juice and drink it before heading off to put on my new sneakers. The jeep is a fairly new model and it is already packed with all that should be needed to repair any damaged fencing. I get behind the wheel and we follow the motorbikes across the clearing. 

Micah, Steven and Sam have big racing four-wheel bikes while the others are on big powerful dirt bikes. I follow the tracks of where vehicles have been driven before and we soon lose sight of the bikes, but I know Dwayne has a two-way radio as do the others. When we do come to the fence, Dwayne directs me which way to go and we start to travel along the fence line checking for any signs of damage. It is well around the back of the pasture that we find a large tree down across a post. I stop the jeep and we get out surveying the damage. I study the marks on the ground and squat down at the downed fence and eye the marks there. 

"See that hoof mark," I say pointing to a big print that has pressed deep into the ground. "That would have been the bull. See the brindle hairs on the wire here as well," I pluck a few hairs out of the wire and hold it to my nose. 

"Can you tell much from the tracks here?" Dwayne asks. 

"There was the bull and see there - several smaller beasts probably not full grown yet. At least one big full grown beast ... no, make that three or four." I stop and pick up a small piece of white almost rubber like substance caught in a strand of barbed wire and sniff it and pass it to Dwayne. "A calf only a few hours old, two days at the most. Still smells slightly of amniotic fluid, this soft stuff coats the hooves for protection for the cow. It's in there." 

"I'm going to tell Micah what you reckon. They'll be coming from there," Dwayne points to the fence line the other side of the tree. "I'll start on cutting the tree off the fence." 

I look at the trees on the inside of the pasture and spot one I am sure I can climb up into easily. I get the binoculars from the jeep and stop beside Dwayne where he is studying the branches on the fallen tree. 

"I'm going to go climb up that big tree there, sit on one of the bigger branches and have a look with these to see if I can see any cattle nearby. Chances are they won't have gone far with the fresh feed," I tell him. 

"I'm coming to the tree with you to make sure you don't run into that cow and calf," Dwayne tells me firmly and I don't protest as we walk towards the trees. When we reach the tree I indicated, I look up into the branches from below, pick my place and start climbing. 

"You're pretty good at that aren't you," Dwayne comments. 

"Plenty of practice," I say with a laugh as I easily reach the branch I want. I settle myself and wave down at Dwayne who heads back to the fence. I take a notebook and pencil from my pocket before lifting the binoculars to my eyes. I soon find two groups of cattle and note where they are and what is in each group. 

"Find anything?" The question startles me and I look down to see Micah. 

"Yeah, there's a group of six beasts well past weaning. Two appear to be 'Micky' bulls, older uncut bull calves. One is a black polley which is not horned the other is a Hereford with horns about five or six inches long. The other four appear to be females. In another group are two big bullocks with horns and a cow is feeding near them. I'm sure she has a young calf nearby. Still got a bit of ground to look over though," I reply. 

"Come back to the jeep when you're finished," he orders and heads back to the fence line. 

I turn my attention back to surveying the pastureland; I frown when I see a beast off by itself and watch it for a few minutes before getting down from the tree and heading off towards it. I travel quickly and when I get close I slow down and approach the cow cautiously. She swings her head to look at me and attempts to get to her feet but is unable to do more than stand and brace herself spay legged. Two large feet protrude from her vulva and I inch forward as I croon to her. 

Finally I am close enough to grasp the protruding legs just above the ankles and when the cow heaves I brace myself and pull hard. The calf moves out a bit and I keep the pressure on as she stands for a few moments before heaving a second time. This time the calf slides free to just behind its front shoulders and I allow the head and neck to hang down and I watch as mucus runs from the mouth as it opens and closes. The next heave allows me to pull the calf until only its hips and hind legs are still hidden. I release my hold and step back wiping my hands on the rough bark of a tree then on damp grass. I watch the cow heave again and the calf slips free and I edge away as she turns her attention to her baby. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 08



I head back towards the fence line watching carefully for any of the other cattle as I go. I am exhilarated by the birth of the calf and I am smiling when I walk out of the trees and along the fence line towards the jeep and fallen tree. 

"Where did you go," Micah asks as I duck between the strands of wire now that the fence is standing upright once again. 

"Back through there," I say and lift a hand and point back the way I had come from. "There was a cow down and ..." 

"Didn't you listen to what I told you," Micah demands in a roar. "I said you keep well away from the livestock and we were to know where you were at all times!" 

"But the cow was down and she needed help," I protest hotly. 

"You disobeyed me," Micah roars at me angrily and I glare back at him. 

"I couldn't not help ..." I try to explain to him. 

"You will go back to the quarters and I will deal with you when I get back," Micah roars angrily. 

"I ..." 

"GET BACK TO THE QUARTERS NOW!" 

I storm to the jeep in a temper and jump into the driver's seat. I start the motor and I head back the way I came. By the time I reach the quarters I have calmed down and I leave the binoculars, notebook and pencil on the kitchen table before going to the bathroom to scrub my hands to get the smell off them. No one is in the quarters and I pace around as I wait for someone to show up. I only have around an hour wait before Micah comes storming in through the door and stomps through to the lounge room where I am waiting. 

"You disobeyed me! Not just once but two separate orders!" His anger sets my temper off and I place my hands on my hips as I glare at him. 

"Who the hell do you think you are to try to order me around? Oh blow this for a joke! I do not answer to you!" I yell angrily and turn away to head to the kitchen. I don't hear Micah move but suddenly he grabs me from behind and we both fall as I stumble over one of the mattresses. My breath is knocked from my body as he lands on me but I am rolled onto my back and I begin hitting and kicking as he tries to pin me beneath him. 

"You will answer to me," Micah orders angrily. He catches both my wrists and forces them above my head to hold them in one hard hand; he catches my face in his other hand to glare down at me and forces a knee between my thighs roughly. I buck wildly as he settles his hips in the cradle of my thighs and surges against me; I can feel the hard and large ridge of his erection through both of our clothes as he grinds it into my soft inner folds. 

"Who is dominant," Micah demands glaring at me, and when the only reply he gets is a sob, he strengthens his thrusts between my legs. "Who is dominant?" 

"You're dominant! You're dominant!" I cry my submission and roll up into a protective ball on my side as he releases me and gets to his feet. He puts his foot on my hips and pushes me roughly, and I am in no doubt that if I were male he would have kicked me hard. 

"I am dominant and if you ever dare disobey me or question that in anyway ever again, I will make you submit to me totally," Micah yells at me angrily. I remain motionless as he paces near me. Tears trickle down my cheeks but I refuse to make a sound that may be construed as a plea for leniency. I keep my face buried in the crooks of my elbows and my knees curled up to my stomach as I wait to find out what will happen next. 

"I got you a cup of coffee Micah," Steven says nearby. 

"I don't bloody well want it," Micah snaps as he continues to pace near me. I can hear others moving around in the kitchen, at the back of the lounge and in the bedrooms, but no one comes near me except Micah who keeps pacing near by. Finally I hear him go into the kitchen but I don't move from where I am. I hear footsteps come into the lounge room and I can smell Mitchell, then Micah growls in the kitchen. 

"Keep away from her," he warns. The footsteps move away from me and it's then I know for sure I've made some very stupid mistakes today. Not only did I disobey Micah I openly challenged his authority in front of the other toms. 

I hear him come into the lounge room and start nervously when he stops beside me. He grasps my wrists and looks at them and when I glance his way he glares at me and I instantly drop my gaze from his face. He takes hold of my chin and I realise he is checking my face for marks from his hold and I know there will be bruising on my wrists from the way they throb. 

"Get up and get in my chair until I say you can move," he snaps and I move quickly to do as he orders. I pull my knees up to my chest and bury my face in my knees as I sit in the chair. I hear others move to sit in chairs or on the lounge but no one sits near me and I know I am in disgrace. 

"You want that cup of coffee now," Steven asks. 

"Yeah," Micah's voice is still a low angry growl and I don't chance glancing his way as I hear him moving away. 

"Are we going after any of the cattle later," Edwin asks. 

"The cow with the calf and maybe one of the ones with horns," Micah decides. 

"There're two cows with calves. The other one was having her calf and it was stuck so I pulled it," I say against my knees. Surely letting Micah know is much better than denying what I had done. 

"Why the hell didn't you tell one of us so we could eliminate one threat before it became worse," Sam demands angrily. 

"Get out of my sight before I really hurt you," Micah roars at me and I flee for the safety of Mitchell and Sam's room. 

It is only once I am there I realise I may not be welcome at the moment, so I retreat to a corner of the large sunroom and huddle in a corner. I hear the toms leave and watch as the shadows move across the room as the afternoon passes. No one comes into the quarters and I sit by myself miserably. 

It is dark when they return and I stay where I am. I huddle down in the corner when I hear footsteps coming towards my end of the building and recognise Micah's tread. I squint in the bright light as he switches on the light and remain motionless as he walks over to me. I don't lift my eyes from the floor when he stops right in front of me. 

"Have you eaten," he asks calmly. 

"No," I answer quietly. 

"Use the toilet if you have to, then get yourself something to eat and come to the lounge room," Micah orders before walking off. When I have made myself some sandwiches I go to the lounge room and hesitate just at the entrance. No one looks my way and there seems to be no place for me so I sit on the floor against the wall. 

"I'll go into town tomorrow and pick up those few things if you want," Edwin says. 

"Quit your sulking and get over here," Micah's voice has taken on a hard tone and I get to my feet and walk over near where he is. "Sit on the lounge with your brothers and don't give any trouble." 

I sit on the lounge and force myself to eat; when I am finished I take my plate out and dump it in a bin before returning to the lounge and sitting down. I go to lean into Mitchell's side but he moves away. I look at him but he is ignoring me and I sit back without saying a word. The room is unnaturally quiet and I pull my legs up onto the lounge, hugging my knees as I watch the movie on TV that everyone seems to be watching but nobody is absorbing. 

After nearly an hour I can't take it anymore and get to my feet. I haven't even reached the doorway when I hear the low growl from Micah. "Get back here." 

"I'm tired; I want to go to bed," I say quietly as I stand in the doorway with my head hanging. 

"Well get back here. We're sleeping out here again tonight," Micah orders. I return to the lounge and stretch out on it when both Sam and Mitchell move off it. I lay with my back to the TV and pull the blanket up over my head and close my eyes. 

"She asleep or just laying there," Micah asks. 

"I'm not sure," Mitchell answers quietly. 

"Malcolm turn the light out," Micah orders and the room goes dark after a few seconds. I uncover my head and lay there listening to the unusual quietness of the toms. Even though I am tired I can't seem to fall asleep, and it is quite a time later when I feel Mitchell tucking the blanket around my feet. 

"I thought for sure she'd be gone when we came back tonight," Mitchell says quietly his voice sounding odd. 

"You weren't the only one bud. But Micah couldn't let her get away with what she'd done, and you heard her back here when he called her on her behaviour," Dwayne says quietly. "You saw how mad he was when we walked in. She's real lucky he didn't show her exactly who is boss in one hell of nasty way." 

"As much as we want her to stay, if she doesn't conform to our rules we might as well not have her here," Micah says softly. "She'll be a danger to herself and everyone around here." 

"She sure is a feisty little thing," Steven says with a laugh. 

"It's going to get cold before morning," Sam says. "I'd better get another blanket or two for Rosy." 

"Leave it. She can ask if she wakes up cold," Micah orders. "She needs to start communicating; you can't just rush to work out whatever she needs." 

"She is starting to communicate; we had a good talk this morning. But as she pointed out, she's had nine or so years as a stray and under a month here," Sam sounds angry. 

There is silence for a while and I am nearly asleep when someone stumbles against the lounge. I give a startled gasp and scramble up to sit on my pillow. I see several of the others stir and look my way. I recognise Chris as he heads towards the toilet and I look down where Sam and Mitchell are. 

"Mitchell? Sam?" When this gets no reaction I glance around the others noticing some of them watching me. 

"What do you want Rosy? Your brothers are asleep. You're not to wake them," Micah's tone is firm. 

"He scared me," I say not sure how to tell him I want the reassurance of company. 

"What do you want?" Micah asks evenly. 

"Can I cuddle up next to you," I ask, and then quickly add, "I'm lonely." 

"Ok, but you got to behave. No wriggling and squirming," Micah tells me firmly. 

"Ok," I say relieved and hurry to slip beneath the blanket beside him. I stretch out facing him close but not touching, I am motionless when Chris returns and lays down behind me, but I am mindful of what Micah said and don't move. I can hear the soothing sounds of the two heartbeats on either side of me and close my eyes. 

I wake to total darkness and the sound of heavy rain. There is a bright flash of light and then the heavy roll of thunder. I roll onto my side so I can see out the window and a large heavy hand settles on my hip. 

"Not scared of storms are you," Micah asks quietly from behind my head. 

"No, I like watching them," I say in hushed tones. 

"The electricity is out," Micah's voice is soft and his breath stirs the hair on my head as he moves closer and slips an arm over my waist. 

"I thought it was too dark," Edwin says. Several flashes of light follow each other closely and thunder rumbles. I hear more of the toms stir but I don't move even when I hear Sam sit up. 

"Rosy's gone," Sam sounds defeated. 

"What?" There is a note of panic in Mitchell's voice and I push against Micah's arm. He lets me go and I crawl across to my brothers while trying not to hurt anyone in my way. I sprawl across Sam as I grab Mitchell around the neck and hug him. 

"I'm here, I'm here," I tell them and get rolled beneath the blankets. One of them slaps me hard on the butt, I think it's actually Mitchell, and then I am firmly tucked between them. I can't see the lightning as well from here but I rub the side of my face against Mitchell's shoulder and hum in my throat while I clutch Sam's hand. 

"Your hair smells like Micah," Mitchell states and I feel him sniff down the back of my shoulders. 

"I don't like getting sniffed." I warn firmly. 

"Tough," Sam says. 

"Go to sleep." Mitchell orders. I frown but close my eyes obediently as I snuggle my face against his shoulder. 

* * * * * 

I arch my whiskers as I yawn and stretch my front legs. I pad out towards the lounge room where the toms are shifting and wait patiently at the door. The electricity has been out all morning and Wade had come to the quarters to inform Micah that he was taking Marissa, Donovan and Jazzy hunting. When Wade left, Micah immediately cornered me and told me I was to obey every order. I was to stay back with Marissa, Donovan and Jazzy and keep well away from the cattle. 

I hear cats moving around in the lounge room and poke my head around the corner of the door to look at them. Edwin walks over to greet me and I rub my head on his shoulder before stepping into the room careful to avoid those still shifting. Mitchell comes over and bites my ear gently before moving aside so Micah can greet me but I remember the previous day and cower to the ground hissing defensively as he sniffs me. 

Micah leads the way outside and I bound along behind him. Sam comes up beside me and I sniff his shoulder as we trot towards the main house. Micah turns and looks at me and I immediately lay down resting my chin on the ground. My ears swivel as I hear cats coming towards us. I have promised to remain like this until Wade is with us. 

A small black form races forward and jumps on my front shoulders, biting playfully at my neck and ears. I shudder but hold still with my eyes tightly closed. A soft little whine makes me open my eyes and I see the small frail looking little black cat in front of me. Sharp teeth grab the tip of my tail and I swing my head around to see Donovan standing with my tail in his mouth. 

Jazzy rubs her head on my shoulder then stands with both front paws on my back. I move my tail lazily only to have Donovan grab it again. I watch the two adult cats walking towards us and press my chin against the ground as Wade comes closer. I feel Jazzy move off me and I stand as Wade steps up to me to extend his nose. I take one quick sniff before moving away nervously. Wade follows me and I hiss defensively but he purrs as he sniffs along my side before moving to greet Micah. Jazzy claims my attention as she rubs against my chest and I lift my head to find Marissa waiting to greet me. We rub our heads together but I can't move because Jazzy has decided to lie beneath my body and chew at my front leg while I greet her mother. 

I turn my head to watch the toms greeting Wade and Marissa but Jazzy claims my attention once again and I let her knock me over sideways as she tries to wrestle with 

me. I am lying on my side with Jazzy standing over me when Wade gives a call to follow him. I get to my feet careful not to bump Jazzy and shake myself before trotting off behind Micah. We travel steadily and when we do finally reach the pasture Jazzy is visibly tired. 

It is Micah who shifts back to open the gate and he runs his hand the entire length of my back as I pass by. I turn to watch him as the others come through the opening and for the first time I actually take a good look at his body. I feel nothing other than a vague curiosity in my cat form, but until now even toms in human form had been terrifying. I wonder on my change of view as I lick Jazzy's shoulder and purr encouragement at her. Marissa comes to rub her head gently against her daughter and sniffs my nose approvingly before we start off again. 

Jazzy is moving much slower now and I stay beside her as the toms start to pass us. Mitchell pauses to rub his head against me and Jazzy when she pushes between us to greet him before he speeds up. Justin huffs at his sister as he passes and Jazzy calls after him but he doesn't slow up. Soon we are trailing behind the others and Jazzy stops in the shade of a bush to lie down and rest. 

I circle nervously checking out the surrounding area before looking the way the others have gone. I press my ears back against my head wanting to call after them but know that to do so will alert any prey animals in hearing. When Jazzy gets to her feet I lead the way after the others her shoulder pressing against my hip as we move. We reach the shade of some trees and once again Jazzy lies down. 

A coughing call reaches my ears and I immediately reply before dropping my nose to Jazzy and giving her several licks. She climbs to her feet and I lead her towards where the call came from. I answer another call and halt as I hear something crashing through the undergrowth towards us. I drop my head and arch my back turning slightly sideways as I prepare to defend Jazzy and myself. My relief is immense as Wade, Micah and Sam burst from the undergrowth with Marissa close on their heels. Jazzy gives a delighted cry and comes out from behind me to greet her father. 

Wade turns his attention to me and rubs his head against my shoulder even as I flinch away from him before he grooms a spot on my ribs. Both Micah and Sam rub against me and I return their greetings enthusiastically before turning back to Jazzy. Marissa is licking her daughter and purring at her but she turns her attention to me with a grateful purr. Jazzy is happy to follow the others trotting between the three toms but she is visibly tired when we come out of the trees on the other side to where the rest of the clan is gathered around two large carcasses. 

We move forward to eat but Micah blocks me from the first kill and urges me towards the other one. I crouch and hiss but move to the second carcass and find a place I can snatch a mouthful of meat before retreating to eat it. Jazzy appears at my side and sniffs at my muzzle. I look at the crush of bodies at the carcass then back at her and lay my ears back. A bite and a swipe of my paw makes Steven move over and Malcolm moves away at my growl. Jazzy ducks into the space I have made and begins to try to worry a piece of meat free. I watch a moment then push my nose forward. She slaps me across the face but I rip a chunk of warm meat free and drop it in front of her where she grabs it and I turn my attention to getting more for her. 

Jazzy is full long before I am satisfied and I begin to tear at the carcass in earnest. A chunk of meat falls against my front leg and I look up surprised. Micah snorts softly then rips another chunk free and drops it before ripping a large chunk free to chew on. I turn my attention to the meat he has given me as I realise he must have seen what I was doing for his sister. I am still eating when he starts grooming the fur over my ribs but I don't stop until my stomach is full and I retreat to a patch of shade to stretch out beside Jazzy. 

Wade walks over and sniffs at my muzzle but I am too full and content to do more than swish my tail. He pauses to lick my shoulder before moving among the toms. I lift my head when someone comes up behind me but it is Mitchell and I put my head back down to close my eyes as he stretches out between Jazzy and me. Sometime during the day Jazzy curls up in a ball beside me and I clean her shoulder before flopping out on my side and going back to sleep. 

The sound of others feeding wakes me and I lift my head to watch them before rolling onto my belly and sitting up on my haunches. I flick my ears and swish my tail as I watch the toms tearing at the kill. I get to my feet and stretch before approaching the kill and sniffing at the exposed ribs. The front shoulders are relatively untouched and I climb over the carcass to begin stripping meat from the shoulder for myself. 

I sniff at the torn throat curiously and smell Micah's scent making me glance over the carcass to where he is stretched out in the shade near his mother and sister. Before I rip a large chunk of meat free and start chewing it. Steven bumps my shoulder and I move over so he can get better access to the exposed meat. He grabs hold of the hide and tugs at it pulling it away from the meat. I grab hold beside his muzzle and lend my weight to his efforts and a large area of meat is skinned. Donovan comes over and I stand back for a few minutes watching how they take turns eating from the carcass before I move into place to join in the feed. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 09



Hi, I am trying to post once a week. So all you avid readers please bear with me. Real life does have a mind of its own.

I look forward to all of your comments, enjoy.

* * * * *

My body protests as I sit up. My shoulder is sore this morning but it is my hip that is the worst. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and carefully ease my weight onto my feet as I stand up. I take several limping steps along the edge of the bed before I am sure that I can walk out to the lounge room without falling flat on my face. I head out towards the main areas of the building and can't help noticing that the toms have gone quiet at the sounds of my progress. 

"Look, its hoppity," Steven says as I reach the lounge room doorway. I grimace at him but make no retort as I pause in the doorway. I eye the empty lounge several moments before starting the marathon to get to where I can sit down. 

"Shouldn't you have that arm in a sling," Micah challenges. 

"Probably but I am not going all the way back to the bedroom to find one," I say between gritted teeth as I manoeuvre around the end of the lounge until I am in front of it. 

"Timny, go get that sling you had when you broke your collarbone," Micah orders. I notice both Timny and Justin leave the room and I turn to ease myself onto the lounge carefully. It is when I am sitting down that I realise I should have sat in the middle of the lounge so I could stretch out in comfort. 

"Doc has been here nearly an hour. Once he's checked your stitches and shoulder he'll probably clear you to change so you had better have a feed," Micah tells me firmly. 

"Okay," I say without argument although I had warned him the night before that one side effect I suffered from the painkiller was a loss of appetite for nearly twenty-four hours. 

Timny returns with the sling and hands it to Micah and I glance at Timny before resting my head back on the lounge. Malcolm passes me a plate of sandwiches and I sit the plate on my lap before picking one up and taking a bite. I allow Micah to put the sling on for me while I eat. I am still eating when Doc comes in and I eye him distrustfully while I finish my food. 

"Are you going to let me look at your injuries or are we going to do this the hard way? I'm sure some of the guys here will sit on you if need be," Doc warns me. 

"She'll be fine Doc. Rosy and I have an understanding," Micah tells him with a firm look my way. 

I hesitate a moment before giving a brief nod and handing Malcolm my empty plate. I hold still as Doc pokes and probes my shoulder bringing several gasps from me before he is satisfied there was no damage to the joint. I pull the edge of my shorts up to expose all of my stitches and I jump with a hiss when Doc goes to touch the upper most end of the wound. Micah catches his hand stopping him. 

"Doc, look at exactly where the end of that gash is. Look up an inch higher and remember what she's been through," Micah advises. 

Doc suddenly looks up at my face and gives a slight nod. "Rosy, I need to check for signs of infection and one is heat around the wound." His touch is light and brief as he can make it but I can't prevent myself hissing and jerking when he touches me. 

"Two full changes and those stitches can come out, but no strenuous exercise until the fourth or fifth change. That means no running. Trotting is okay, no leaping or pouncing either," Doc pronounces. 

"No climbing trees, fences or anything either," Micah orders. 

"Out of curiosity, am I allowed to twitch my tail or breathe," I ask seriously. "Because those are about the only things that haven't been banned." 

"Doc do you know what this is and how it works," Sam asks and I look to see him holding the tool he took from the room the previous night. I grimace and long to hide my head but I know it is no option. Doc takes the tool and studies it carefully before looking at Sam startled. 

"They're called emasculators; some farmers use them on male calves. The pinchers here are positioned above the ... testicles, the handles squeezed shut tightly and the blood supply to the isolated parts is cut off and they either fall off after a few days or are cut off immediately. Where did you get them?" 

"Holy freaking hell," Steven exclaims and jumps up from where he is squatting watching me; I notice he isn't the only one of the toms to move uneasily. 

"Can they be worked one handed," Micah asks in a tight voice. 

"I'm not sure ..." Doc says as he experiments with holding the handles in one hand. 

"It can be done by an experienced operator but the ... patient would need to be motionless and have the necessary parts ... exposed for access," I say as I lift my chin defiantly. 

"You know how to work them," Doc asks with interest temporarily unaware of the tension in the room. 

"She called them calf castrators," Micah growls and Doc looks at him with a frown before glancing at me. 

"Right before I threatened to use them on him," I say and quickly lower my head submissively. 

"She's got a first aid kit that those came out of. Can you have a look through it for anything else that needs to be taken away from her," Micah asks in a hard tone. 

"Certainly," Doc agrees readily. I frown as Steven produces my first aid kit from beside one of the chairs and hands it to Doc who places it in one of the seats and begins to go through it carefully. 

"It's basically all equipment for treating injuries. Some of it could be used as weapons if nothing else was available but they'd be along the lines of last ditch efforts of defence," Doc says once he has finished checking my briefcase. "Ah ... when she threatened you did you have your pants off and parts dangling in view?" 

"No! I was trying to help her," Micah spits out angrily. 

"Well you think about where her injury is," Doc says with a laugh. "I doubt you were in any danger other than being bashed over the head with them. So how many of you did it take to hold her down for the stitches or did you knock her out with some of that sedative I left?" 

"I held her hand and talked with her while Micah stitched. Once she'd used the anaesthetic on herself she calmed down," Steven informs Doc. 

"Well I guess you'll be capable of taking the stitches out. Won't be the first lot you've taken out," Doc says critically as he turns away. "What stray did you get into a fight with Edwin? Those strips across your ribs are going to need several changes."  

"And with every change you want to think about your place in the ranks boy," Micah says on a low snarl. I glance between the two of them uneasily before looking towards Sam and Mitchell hopefully. Sam comes over to sit beside me on the lounge and I grin happily when Mitchell joins us. 

"Help your sister into one of the rooms so she can change while Doc is still here. I want him to be able to check those stitches," Micah directs his order at Sam or Mitchell and both of them stand and turn to look at me. I sigh and get to my feet with some difficulty. I would prefer to heal a lot more in human form before having to change but apparently I was under orders to change. 

"Hold still," Sam orders and I find myself picked up. 

"Gee I should have thought about this before I walked out here by myself," I say. 

"You don't like your brothers helping you," Doc inquires. 

"I don't mind it," I say and grin at Sam who pretends to scowl at me. 

"I can handle it from here," he tells Mitchell before carrying me from the room. He puts me on my feet carefully in their bedroom and holds my arm until I gain my balance. 

"You should not have threatened Micah last night Rosy. He had every right to punish you for it and still has if he wants to," Sam tells me sternly. 

"Can I just change and get it over and done with? I'm really not into pain so I can't see why I have to change so soon," I mumble. 

"Because changing speeds up the healing process and will help prevent any permanent injury to your shoulder," Sam informs me. 

"It's worse than anyone is saying isn't it, and it'll hurt like hell when I change," I mutter to myself. 

"Yeah little sis, we think there's tendon and ligament damage," Sam acknowledges quietly. 

"Ok, help me with the shirt then get back," I warn. 

When I am naked I sit on the floor with difficulty and manage to balance myself with my hand. I close my eyes and let my head hang for a few moments before taking a deep breath. I try to concentrate the necessity of changing, not the fact that Sam is in the room while I am naked and vulnerable. 

I let go of my cat and she surges to the front of my mind eagerly. We scream as the pain lances through our shoulder and hip and then I am standing on all four paws and shaking with weakness before stumbling forward and collapsing. 

I can hear a cat whining and wish it would shut up. The same with Sam who is yelling for Doc making my head feel like it is about to explode. 

"She's coming around Doc," Mitchell says and I feel him stroking my head and neck. I realise I am a cat as I sit up on my chest and lift my head to look around. Mitchell is sitting by my head and I sniff him before rubbing my head on his thigh. Doc is kneeling on my other side with Sam and Micah behind him and I lay my ears back before getting to my feet slowly. My shoulder feels a lot better but it is my hip that has the deep burning ache that informs me there is a fracture in a bone. 

I move to sniff Sam and rub my face against his knee before rubbing my body against Micah's legs. I give Steven the same treatment just outside the door before heading for the lounge room carrying my back leg. I claim one of the few remaining mattresses remaining in the lounge room as mine and stretch out on it rubbing my face on it when I smell Chris's scent on it. 

"Rosy, roll over and let me check your stitches," Doc tells me and I lift my head, turn it towards him and hiss menacingly. My cat remembers him drugging us not too long ago. 

"Hey Rosy, come over here," Edwin invites and scratches around my ears when I comply. I begin purring as he scratches along my back line but I stop purring and turn my head towards the hallway door as a sound catches my attention. I recognise Mitchell as he walks through the doorway in cat form and I swish my tail as he approaches me. 

"Rosy, come and let me check your stitches," Doc says again and Mitchell promptly bites me on the ribs. I hiss at him but hop over to Doc and lay down before rolling over onto my back and letting him check the stitches before rolling back onto my stomach. 

"Rosy," Micah warns. 

"They look fine but the way she's carrying that leg worries me," Doc admits. 

"Could there be anything in the wound," Micah asks. "I'm sure it was cleaned properly but it went deep into the muscle." 

"Hey Rosy," Sam calls and I get to my feet to hop over to him. I purr loudly as he pats my head and pulls on my ears, "Walk on all four feet for me Rosy." 

I turn away and limp back to Mitchell where he has curled up on the mattress I claimed, and I sniff him before stretching out beside him on my stomach with my leg tucked up under me. 

"OI!" Chris protests. "Can you pair get off my mattress! I don't want cat hair all over it." 

Mitchell gets to his feet and moves off the mattress before lying down once again but I walk around the few mattresses sniffing them. Finding Steven's I lay down on it and swivel my ears waiting for him to tell me to get off it. 

"Rosy, go change so Doc can check that leg out," Micah orders and I turn my head to look at him. "Don't make me change to make you do as you're told," he warns me. I get to my feet and head for the bedrooms. I hear Mitchell get to his feet and follow me. 

When I come to my clothes I halt and Mitchell nudges my side as he comes up alongside me. I turn my head and he stares at me intently. I blink and look away but Mitchell claims my attention and stares intently once again. As I watch he begins to change and I realise he is changing slower than usual. Finally I get what he was trying to communicate to me – change slower. 

The pain hits like a knife being plunged deep into my hip as I force myself to change slowly; I gasp and struggle to maintain the steady change until finally I am lying on the floor in a heap naked. 

"Give it a minute," Mitchell advises as he wraps a blanket around my shoulders. I shiver and hug the blanket closer, glad I am not collapsed for a second time. 

"Edwin! What the hell are you doing," Steven demands loudly in the room next door and I turn my head to see Edwin glance in the door on his way past. 

"I'm just after something in my room," Edwin calls back. I wait until he has passed the door on the way back to the lounge room before reaching for my clothes. I pull them on hurriedly, happy to find that my shoulder is indeed much better and the ache in my hip is a lot less noticeable. Mitchell has finished dressing and is sitting with his back to me; I glance over my shoulder and smile to myself. He really is a good brother. 

"Finished," I tell him and he gets to his feet and turns around. 

"I thought you might like company," he explains his actions. 

"Thanks," I head back out to the lounge room still limping but this time each step doesn't send needles of pain deeper into my hip joint. Doc looks my way and gets to his feet motioning at the lounge; I walk around to the front of it and put my foot on the seat before pulling the edge of my shorts up above the stitches along the pink line in my skin. 

"I think every second one can come out now and the rest after your next change. What happened when you first changed," Doc asks. 

"It's in my hip joint. Going on changing with a cracked rib, I'd say a fracture or a chip in the socket. Shoulder is fine now, a tiny bit of residual pain but that's it," I explain. 

"She changes too fast," Mitchell says. 

"What makes you an expert," Edwin cuts in. I glance his way and he grins at me but I don't smile back. More and more I am starting to see a nasty side to Edwin I am not sure I like. 

"Can Rosy come hunting with us today," Micah asks. 

"She needs to change several more times with that hip and rest it for a few days. No long treks," Doc warns. 

"I can cook up a feed here by myself," I say with a shrug. 

"No need to stay by yourself," Edwin tells me. 

"I'm used to being alone. It gets too crowded here for me at times," I say brushing his concern aside. 

"You want to stay for a hunt Doc? We need to clean out the pasture. Had a big bull and a couple of younger ones get in during the last week and I don't want to miss anything that might end up dropping a calf," Micah explains. 

"I can't. I got a meeting I have to attend in an hour and a half," Doc sounds sincerely regretful. 

"Well in the next couple of days if you can," Micah extends the invitation. 

"I'll keep that in mind," Doc begins to gather his medical bag and coat and I watch as he shakes hands with several of the toms. When he comes to me I hesitate a moment but allow a handshake earning a smile from him before he leaves. 

"You sure you'll be right by yourself Rosy? One of us can take the jeep for you to ride in," Micah offers. 

"I don't feel like doing much running. I'm still sore in the hip and I don't want to chance ripping out my stitches," I say. 

"I've got to take some out haven't I? It won't take more than a minute," Micah says glancing around. 

"Later, after you get back. It'll give me time to get used to the idea," I tell him. He eyes me doubtfully as if he expects me to be gone when they return just to avoid his touching me. 

"Ok, first thing when I get back," he tells me firmly before turning towards the others. "Who's for lunch on the hoof?" 

I watch as they head out the door. Edwin grins at me as he glances back over his shoulder and I smile as he bumps into Malcolm. I move into the kitchen and look in the fridge. I can hear the crunches and pops as the others change and move to where I can look out the small window in the kitchen door. 

I can see Sam, Steven and Dwayne but it is Steven I watch as his body goes through the stages of his change. I turn away before he finishes and stand staring into the fridge without seeing what is in it. My mind is filled with images of Steven naked and on all fours braced against his change. 

I make myself a hamburger for lunch stacking on the salad only to pull the burger apart and eat it a bit at a time before stretching out on the lounge with a can of soda and turning the TV on. The movie is one I have already seen but I lay there too content to bother about moving. My eyelids grow heavy and I yawn before placing my drink on the floor and rolling onto my side. 

"Rosy! Rosy! Wake up, get up and give me a hand," Dwayne's voice cuts into my sleep and I open my eyes and sit up groggily. 

"Rosy! Get up now," Dwayne orders and I get to my feet. 

"What," I ask confused. 

"Give me a hand, quickly," Dwayne orders and I see the sheet of plastic he holds in his hand. I hear an angry roar outside and glance at the doorway before following Dwayne towards the bedrooms. 

"Has someone been hurt," I ask uneasily. 

"Yeah that's a pretty good description," Dwayne says as he goes into Micah and Steven's room and heads for Micah's huge bed. 

"What's happened," I demand as he passes one corner of the plastic to me and we spread it over the bed. 

"There's been an all-out brawl. Edwin started it. All that stuff in that case of yours, can you sew someone up," Dwayne asks. 

"I've sewn myself up a few times. Sewn up dozens of animals. I suppose I could sew someone else up if I had to," I say uneasily. 

"Well you're probably it," Dwayne announces as he throws a light blanket over the plastic sheet. 

"But both Micah and Sam can stitch people up ... is my brother hurt," I demand scared. 

"Sam seemed fine when he sent some of us ahead to get things ready here," Dwayne tells me calmly. 

"Where are the others," I ask uneasily. 

"Timny has gone to get Wade to see if he can stop the fight," Dwayne says without looking at me. 

"Who's fighting," I demand forcefully. 

"Let's get some needles threaded for stitching," Dwayne orders and heads for the other end of the house. I look at the bed for a few moments before fully realising whose it is. As it hits me I take a deep breath and hurry after Dwayne. Micah and Edwin had had a fight yesterday. Had they started up again today? 

Dwayne has my first aid kit on the kitchen table and I open it to pull out my supply of suture needles and thread. I hesitate for a moment then open the hidden compartment to pull out my small supply of skin glue and plastic skin. I set water to boil putting aside the sterile gauze for cleaning wounds. Dwayne places a box filled with hydrogen peroxide bottles and thread in plastic bags on the table. The screen door bangs and Justin runs in wearing no clothes - his face pale and sweaty as if he has been sick. 

"Chris and Mikkarl are coming with Steven. Dad has gotten Micah and Malcolm separated but..." 

"Shut up and get some pants on," Dwayne snaps at his brother and I begin shaking as I realise Sam or Mitchell if not both of them have been involved. 

"I need to know Dwayne, they're my brothers," I say between gritted teeth. 

"Edwin apparently ambushed Steven. I think Edwin's working on the basis of knock off Micah's back up then take him on. Mitchell apparently flew in and he nearly had Edwin driven off Steven when Robby stepped in. That's when Micah and Sam got there. Sam put Robby out of the fight; Edwin went after Mitchell and Micah tried to break it up. That is when Malcolm went after Micah probaly thinking to even up the numbers," Dwayne says holding my gaze. "Edwin's been after Micah's job for about a year now. He's pissed off that Mitchell is ready to stand up for Steven and is backing Micah as the dominant tom." 




To Love a Stray Ch. 09



"They're nearly here," Justin yells running into the room. "They're just outside." 

I hear the screen door open and quickly load syringes, ampoules, needles and thread onto a clean paper plate and head for the bedroom leaving Dwayne to bring the water and peroxide. 

"I've got the big bed covered," Dwayne says and I hear faint grunts of pain as they make their way towards the room. 

I stand by the end of the bed as Steven is helped into the room and I get my first look at his injuries. It is obvious at first glance the fight occurred in cat form. 

Steven, Chris and Mikkarl all lack any piece of clothing and I swallow my unease as I concentrate on each separate wound. He has long shallow scratches across his chest and right flank, bite punctures on one shoulder, but the most worrying by far is the bite marks on one side of his throat. 

"Any wounds on your back," I ask. Chris and Mikkarl help him turn around and I am relieved to see only several long shallow scratches on his back, but he does have deep claw marks across the back of one thigh. 

"Face down so I can do the back of the thigh first to stop the bleeding," I order. "Then I want a close up look at that neck wound." 

Faced with stitching up Steven's wounds I block out everything but what I am doing. I work quickly, numbing and cleaning the claw marks before picking up needle and suture thread. I bite my bottom lip before taking the first stitch and easing the edges of the wound together. It all flows back, the countless times I have stitched wounds in my job, and my fingers fly as I quickly work. 

"Turn him over and someone grab a towel or something," I mutter as I stand and arch my back. The neck wound looks nasty with puncture marks and a hanging flap of skin. I numb the area and clean the wound before commencing stitching. 

Nearly half an hour later, I tie off the last stitch on the long, shallow scratch across the top of his chest. I quickly measure out a dose of antibiotics and half a dose of painkiller. The injection is given before Steven realises what I am about and I move away as I stretch stiffly. 

"Everyone else is back. Sam's been stitched up and he and Micah are working on Mitchell. The others have a few wounds each but Wade said unless anything needs immediate attention they can wait for Doc to return," Dwayne tells me. 

"Where are they," I demand fear for my brothers filling me. 

"Can I have a shower," Steven asks. 

"Get someone to go in the room in case you get dizzy from blood loss or something. I don't want to stitch up split heads," I tell him. 

"I'll see to it," Mikkarl says. 

"What room, Dwayne," I demand as I head for the door with my supplies. 

"Out in the kitchen. Mitchell is refusing to lie down while Edwin is in the building," Dwayne explains and I head for the kitchen hurriedly not sure what to expect. 

Mitchell is sitting on a kitchen chair leaning on the back of it with his arms crossed over the top of it and his chin resting on his forearms. He stares into the lounge room where Edwin is sitting in one of the lounge chairs, a wad of material held against his ribs. 

Sam is putting stitches in long deep claw marks down one side of Mitchell's back while Micah threads another needle. Wade is standing back by the sink watching with a tight face. I spot Robby sitting on the floor by the fridge sporting an array of bruises; I look around and see Malcolm sitting on the floor in the hallway smeared with blood across his chest and one thigh. 

"How's Steven," Wade asks. 

"I've stitched him up best I can. A lot of stitches but the worst are his neck and the back of his leg," I answer. 

"You stitch everything up that needs stitches," Micah asks. 

"She's thorough, fast and as neat as you and Doc," Dwayne cuts in. 

"Micah, leave Sam to work on his brother while you go get that side of yours fixed up," Wade orders. 

Micah puts the needle down and when he turns away from Mitchell I see the three deep claw marks tracing around his ribs for the first time. The fourth one is much shallower and probably won't need stitches. He heads for his room and I follow behind him suddenly uneasy. He is sitting on the edge of his bed when I enter the room and study his wounds for a few moments. I quickly numb around the wounds then set to work cleaning the long slashes. 

"Did any of you get to eat," I ask. 

"No." His reply is clipped and short. With the wounds clean I quickly thread a needle and set to work stitching. By the time I finish the second slash, Steven has returned from his shower and he grins as he eyes Micah's side. 

"How bad did you beat your brother up," Steven asks. 

"Mitchell put him down on his back and made him submit," Micah says tightly. 

"Mitchell? Holy shit," Steven says getting comfortable on his bed. "You think he's going to go after your spot?" 

"I don't think so. Wade tried to break them up but Edwin kept going after Mitchell and Mitchell realized he couldn't turn his back on him," Micah says and glances down at what I am doing. "You can't do continuous stitches like that or they'll tear out when I change." 

"I'll cut the connecting threads when I get to the end. Saves picking up the scissors and putting them down again with every stitch," I mutter as I concentrate. Micah grunts and seems about to argue but I reach the end of the slash and turn my attention to snipping each connection. I start on the last deep slash and quickly stitch it taking care to make sure the flesh sits evenly. 

"Are these the only ones," I ask as I dismiss the last scratch. 

"Want me to take off my pants so you can check," Micah asks with a grin. 

"No thanks. I have enough to laugh at as it is," I say dryly. 

"Cruel," Steven laughs. 

"I'm going to check on Mitchell," I say and head for the kitchen. I find Sam still at work stitching Mitchell's back up and I move around to his side for a better view. There are numerous pink scratch marks and half healed grazes on Mitchell's skin and I realise how brutal the fight must have been. 

"You all finished stitching," Sam asks. 

"Yeah," I answer quietly. 

"Just a few more, Mitch, and I'll be done," Sam directs his comment at our brother. 

"A few swigs of whiskey would go down well," Mitchell comments and I hurry to find him a bottle of liquor. 

"Hey Rosy, you gonna come stitch me up," Edwin calls invitingly. 

I ignore him, angry over the violence of the injuries he has given Mitchell. 

"You shut up Edwin! You've caused enough trouble already," Wade orders angrily. 

"These darned claw marks over my ribs won't stop bleeding and they've opened up old wounds," Edwin calls back. 

"I'll sew him up; sew his damned mouth shut as well," Micah snarls from the door of the lounge room. 

"Micah! Back off," Wade orders as he heads for the lounge room. I glance that way to see Micah glaring at Edwin while Wade checks his injuries; Wade makes an angry sound in his throat as he straightens up and glares down at Edwin. 

"Some of those injuries aren't that old. Who the hell have you been fighting with," Wade demands. 

"We had a slight disagreement yesterday," Micah says calmly in the face of his father's anger. 

"What else don't I know about," Wade demands. 

"Rosy was spooked and ran from the fight. She got hurt, that's why Doc was here this morning," Micah says evenly. 

"As a warrior your first priority is to protect all she-kitts, is it not? You got involved in a fight you had to know would scare Rosy. Is that doing your job? I don't think so! As Alpha I am responsible for all females under my care and you allowed one of them to be hurt!" Wade is outraged and clearly fighting for control of his temper. 

"I should have ..." Micah starts. 

"A she-kitt got hurt and you didn't see fit to tell me," Wade yells and heads my way. I move closer to Sam and he slips an arm around me as he stops stitching Mitchell's injury. 

"Doc cleared Rosy for changing this morning and she's already much better after one change," Sam says quietly. 

"Is that why you're limping," Wade demands of me. 

"My hip is sore but I'll be better after another change or two. I didn't know changing helps things heal lots quicker," I murmur quietly, scared by his rage. 

Wade considers me silently for a few moments and I am sure he knows how scared I am because of the aggression in the two rooms. 

"I want to know if there are any problems in the future and I had better hear that Rosy has recovered fully in the next few days," he snaps before looking at Mitchell's back. "Edwin needs stitches in his side now; it can't wait for Doc to get here." 

"Doc said he left sedative here last time I run off ... knock him out and I'll stitch his side up," I say coldly. 

"Oh come on Rosy, I'll behave for you," Edwin whines at me. 

"You got both of my brothers hurt and you think I'm going to care if I'm causing more pain stitching you up than when the pain first hit after the injury," I ask in a deadly voice. Edwin looks at me and wisely keeps silent as I glare at him. 

"I'll get the sedative," Micah says and heads towards the bedrooms. 

"I am not getting knocked out here! There's no guarantee I'll ever wake up," Edwin denies before Micah reaches the door. 

"They weren't just going to make Steven back-off; he was going to put Mitchell out of the picture at least for a while," Micah declares angrily. "This was an outright challenge of my authority and position!" 

"Get the sedative, and before you protest again, Edwin, you get stitched up here then taken to the main house. Malcolm and Robby can spend the night locked in the containment room for their own safety. Tomorrow I am going to get to the bottom of all this business," Wade orders, his authority ringing in his voice. 

"Let me finish up here," Sam says gently beside my ear and I move away wanting to hold Mitchell's hand, but I know it would be seen as weakness on his part by some of the others. 

When Micah returns, Wade takes the syringe from him and goes over to Edwin, making him move to the lounge before giving him the injection. Within minutes Edwin is out cold and I gather what I will need. 

"I'm finished here now," Sam says, "I'll give you a hand Rosy." 

When I get my first clear view of Edwin's wound, I am glad for Sam's offer of help. The new claw marks have torn open one of the older claw marks leaving a large flap of skin and tissue dangling. I set about cleaning the wound taking special care to clean out beneath the piece of skin and am pleased when I finish this task. I use several dissolving stitches to hold the flap in place before starting to stitch the long gouges. 

By the time I am finished stitching I am sick from the smell of blood and aggression that still clings to the toms. I clean my tools and pack them away before heading towards the back door to go outside away from the smells. I barely glance up when Dwayne and Chris carry Edwin over to the main house under the directions of Wade. They return and take Malcolm and Robby over to the stone shed. 

"Hey Rosy, Timny and Justin are cooking up a feed. You come back in and join us when you're ready ok," Dwayne says as he stops and squats beside me where I sit against the side of the building. I nod but don't say anything and he gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze before heading inside. I sit outside for a few more minutes before getting to my feet and heading inside so no one would feel they had to come and find me. 

Steven is stretched out on the lounge and goes to get up when I walk in the room but I shake my head at him. 

"You stay there," I say before heading to the kitchen and washing up at the sink. Dwayne hands me a towel to dry my hands then turns me towards the lounge room. 

"You go sit down with Steven," he orders before turning back to help Justin, Timny and Chris finish putting the food on large platters. 

Mikkarl comes to the lounge room doorway and I see he is helping Mitchell who is limping heavily on one leg. I can hear Micah and Sam talking in soft murmurs at the 

other end of the building but I pull an end table over for Mitchell to rest his leg on when he sits in one of the lounge chairs before I sit on the floor in the middle at the front of the lounge. 

"Food's ready," Justin calls as they carry in the platters of food. 

Dwayne brings in a paper plate that he hands to me. Micah and Sam make their way out from the other rooms and sit down on either side of me. Micah takes my plate and fills it with food before passing it to Steven. 

"I got that for Rosy so she doesn't have to worry about us all eating from the same tray," Dwayne informs his brother. 

"Rosy'll be right," Micah tells him. 

"We'll look after you," Sam says with a grin in my direction before passing me a large mince patty between two slices of bread. We all eat in silence. Sam and Micah hand me food as we go until I shake my head and lean back relaxing as I watch them all finish the food off. 

"I was mighty pleased to see you didn't turn on me Chris," Micah comments as Dwayne hands around several bottles of rum and bourbon. 

"I didn't consider it my fight against you," Chris says levelly. "I got no problems with the way things are or were." 

"Glad you see it that way," Micah says as he stretches and lays his arm along the lounge behind me. "So has anyone got a problem with me or the way I run things around here?" There is silence for several minutes as he waits for any possible replies. 

"Does anyone in this room have a problem with anyone else in this room," Micah asks inviting the others to speak up. 

"Yeah, I got a big problem with the way Rosy runs away from us," Sam says flatly. "Point in case: yesterday." 

"I wasn't running away from you!" I deny hotly. "It was all the aggression near the food. I could smell it and feel it rolling off Edwin and Micah in waves! It was like having claws rip across my nerves!" 

"You kept running and you made that stupid jump," Mitchell shoots at me. 

I get to my knees and turn to face him across Sam and Dwayne. "And I was being chased! By cats that had claws and teeth to use if they caught me," I yell at him angrily. 

"Why did you stop? Because you were injured," Mitchell demands just as angry as me. 

"No! You all stopped chasing me! Stopped scaring me and I could think beyond RUN! I heard you guys calling me! Not just a bunch of cats out to hurt me!" I yell as the tears start leaking from my eyes. "That's when I knew I was safe and not about to be ripped apart," I go to jump to my feet but find myself clasped to Micah's chest. I struggle briefly but stop when his hold merely tightens. 

"You want to yell at us some more? We were all chasing you, we were all hoping to catch you before you hurt yourself," Micah tells me. 

"Well don't chase me! It's hearing you behind me chasing me that does it," I protest as I try to lean away from him. 

There is silence for several minutes before Micah speaks again. "Anyone else with a complaint or problem?" 

"Yeah the whiskey bottle is empty," Steven protests. 

"Justin grab another bottle, would you, and there's beer in the fridge if you'd like one," Micah says. 

"Great!" Justin is quick to comply with the request and I wonder how much of it is the lure of a beer and how much is wanting to get away from my yelling. 

"You going to sit down again or are you going to yell at your brother some more," Micah asks. I shake my head and push away from Micah careful not to touch his injured side. I move back to my spot and settle down to wipe the tears from my face. 

"I'm going to change to heal these stitches a bit. Anyone else," Micah asks. 

"Me too," Sam says. 

"I'm in as much pain as I want to handle. I'd prefer to wait til morning," Mitchell grimaces even as he gets to his feet. 

"I'll wait. Not disrespecting your needle work Rosy, but I'd like Doc to take a look at my neck before I change," Steven tells me. 

"Well you are my first werecat patient ... other than myself," I admit. 

"I'm changing here so either run and hide in your room, close your eyes or watch the show," Micah tells me with a huge grin as I turn my head to look at him. 

"You just want to get your clothes off around her," Steven laughs as I cover my face with both hands. 

"Yeah but it's getting her clothes off that's the point," Micah shoots back with a laugh. 

"Well if you want Rosy to change as well you should ask her, not try to blind her," Steven laughs. 

"No! I'm not taking my clothes off or changing in the same room as you," I deny before I can be asked. It's hard enough forcing myself to trust they aren't going to hurt me, but to place myself in such a vulnerable position as being naked near them is more than I can handle. 

"It's your right to choose," Micah says. 

There is silence for a few moments then the first of the sounds that tell me someone is changing. Soon the noises come from several different directions and I slowly turn my head to peek between my hands. A quick glimpse is all I need to tell me all three toms are changing and I close my eyes and cover my face once again. I listen nervously until the sounds stop and I hear a cat yawn. Slowly I uncover my face and turn my face towards them. 

Mitchell, the smallest of the three, walks over and begins to rub his cheek on my knee. I gasp and jump then laugh nervously; it is the first time I have been so close to someone in cat form who has not been intent on attacking me while I am in human form. I reach out and touch his head only to jerk my hand back almost instantly. He blinks at me and turns his head slightly onto the side as if he doesn't understand my reactions. I reach out a second time and this time I don't jerk my hand away. I reach behind his ears and scratch remembering how good it feels. 

"Your fur feels so silky smoothe," I say in wonder. Something nudges my other knee and I look startled to find Sam rubbing his head on my thigh. I laugh as I place my other hand near his face and he rubs his cheek against the palm of my hand. 

"This is cool," I say in amazement as my brothers rub against my hands. I move to kneel on the floor and laugh as Mitchell rubs against my side nearly knocking me over. Sam moves to stand in front of me and I put my arms around his chest and hug him. Mitchell pushes his nose against my side and I hug him as well but I am careful not to bump any place where he might have stitches. 

A huge head pushes in against my chest and I run my hands down over Micah's powerful shoulders. I can feel the muscles ripple beneath his fur as he moves and I run my hand along under his stomach. He turns around and I run my hand the length of his tail careful not to grasp it too hard or pull it as he turns to face me. He rubs his head against my shoulder and I find myself knocked back against the lounge as he lowers his head to rub it against my stomach. 

Micah lifts his head and sniffs at my face before moving closer, running his cold nose across my collarbone and up the side of my neck to sniff just below my ear noisily. I laugh as I push his head away and sit up straight once again. He turns his attention to my legs sniffing from my knees down to my feet before licking the bottom of my foot making me gasp and attempt to get my foot away from him. 

"He wants you to change," Steven tells me. 

"No, I don't want to," I deny quickly glancing around uneasily. Micah huffs noisily then lays down beside me his body pressing gently against my leg. I settle myself comfortably once again and sit with one hand resting on his shoulders. 

I notice Sam and Mitchell have stretched out comfortably near by and they are busy grooming themselves. I find myself scratching down along Micah's backbone to the base of his tail. He rolls onto his side and when I stroke the soft fur on his stomach, he rolls onto his back with his four legs in the air. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 09



He rolls onto his stomach and rests his chin on my thigh for several moments before moving out of reach. I lean forward and reach towards him just to run my fingers through his fur again. 

"Rosy no! Micah's about to change. Don't touch him," Steven warns and I sit back pulling both hands close to my body. 

"I didn't realise," I say and watch in fascinated awe as he begins the changes that will render him human once again. I look away in flustered embarrassment when Micah stands up and faces me and I realise he is once again human and naked. I hear his soft laugh and the whisper of material then the rasp of a zip. 

"It's safe to look now," Micah says his voice coloured with laughter. "Mitchell, let me look at that back of yours." 

I watch while he parts the fur to inspect Mitchell's wounds pronouncing his approval of their condition before Mitchell moves aside and Micah checks some stitches on Sam's hind leg when Sam moves closer for inspection. Micah turns so Steven can see his side and lifts his arm up standing still for a few long moments. 

"How do they look?" 

"The top line needs another change. There's still a lot of barely sealed slash," Steven announces. 

"That doesn't surprise me. Edwin wasn't mucking around when he got his claws into me," Micah grunts angrily he settles down to sit beside me once again. "Did you guys think to cook extra?" 

"Yeah there's some cooked meat on a plate in the microwave. Plenty for when you three have changed back," Timny answers. 

"How's the pain? Do you need something," Micah asks Steven. 

"Rosy hit me with some of that stuff she has. The pain is mostly gone but I'm still aware not to move too much or too fast," Steven informs Micah. 

"And broad spectrum antibiotic," I add. "Claws hold lots of bacteria." 

"You're good with the needle and thread," Micah comments. 

"Plenty of practise on animals in the vet surgery and quite a few on farms," I shrug his compliment off. 

"How do you get close to animals? Most take off as soon as they get a whiff of us," Dwayne asks. 

"I stumbled onto a way to hide my scent. Plus I make special effort to be as noisy as a human. No stalking or slinking," I say with another shrug. 

"So what's this scent hiding secret," Steven asks casually - too casually. 

"I take my personal scent off, fold it up real small and tuck it in my back pocket," I say with a snort of disdain. I still don't trust any of them enough to divulge my secret. 

"If you hide your scent how come we can smell you," Justin asks curiously. 

"Because I haven't been hiding my scent," I say glancing his way. 

"Seriously, how do you do it," Steven asks and I glance in his direction uncomfortably. I shake my head as I get to my feet. 

"I'm off to bed, goodnight." I hurry from the room and retreat to the small room that has been converted from a storeroom to a bedroom just for me, even if I do tend to sleep in someone else's bed rather than sleep alone. I can hear the toms breathing and moving occasionally in their seats in the lounge room when I climb into the bed. 

"She still doesn't trust us completely," Micah says and I strain my ears to listen to any replies. 

"Personally I think Rosy is doing real well to trust us as much as she does," Sam says. He must have been changing back when we were talking and I hadn't noticed. I wonder if Mitchell is still in cat form or if he has changed as well. 

"The only way she'll learn to trust us is to stick around as long as possible. See for herself how we treat her," Micah sounds like he has been drinking some of the whiskey, his voice slightly raspy. 

"Rosy did admit yesterday that she wants to come back because Sam and I are here," Mitchell comments and I distinguish the sound of a zipper closing. 

"I notice she has stopped wanting to rip heads off every time being related is mentioned and you two don't seem so pissed off about her being raised as a human," Chris says quietly. 

"It's all quite complicated but the three of us have tried to make our peace about it," Sam states simply. 

"Well she's certainly warming up to Micah. Yesterday after he stitched her up and was going to give her that painkiller – which is great stuff by the way – she didn't rip his head off when he mentioned he intends on being able to give her children one day. 

And that was after she had threatened him with that tool thingy," Steven says with a soft laugh. 

I sit up in bed as I hear that remark and frown. I think back carefully on the previous day and realise that Micah had indeed made that comment but I hadn't taken it in at the time. I had been too worried about whether or not I would be able to avoid getting the needle that would end up knocking me out. 

"She was more interested in keeping her eyes on the syringe than anything else. She really seemed freaked out about being vulnerable," Micah says softly. 

"I can understand that. I wasn't too keen on the thought of having Edwin and Malcolm in here while I'm laid up like this," Steven admits tightly. 

There is silence for a few moments then the toms start talking again but this time it sounds like they are heading outside or into the kitchen and I lay back down again. I lay awake for a long time and hear the toms as they make their way to their rooms. I hear someone maybe Dwayne helping Micah get Steven to their room then the hushed sounds of night take over. 

I wake several times during the night with nightmares I can't remember that leave me shaking and crying. I pull my blankets closer and cuddle my pillow miserably because Sam and Mitchell are both injured and I don't want to disturb their sleep. 

"Hey Rosy, you okay?" I turn towards the door at the sound of Chris' voice and sit up slightly. 

"Can you sleep in here with me," I ask softly. I want, no need, his physical presence even though I suspect he won't touch me sexually unless I make it clear I want him to. 

"Bad dreams," Chris asks as he gets into the narrow bed beside me. 

"Yeah," I confirm as I cuddle up against his side. He cuddles me close resting his chin against my temple and his hand in the small of my back. I close my eyes and sigh softly with contentment when no unnamed terrors make me look around the dark room. 

I wake in the hour before dawn and slip from Chris's arms to enjoy a shower before I remember my own stitches and decide to change. My hip still hurts during the change but I do it slower like Mitchell told me and I am soon walking through the building silently. I pause in the doorway of Micah and Steven's room and stand there a few moments to sniff Steven's scent. It is the quickest way for me to check his health without disturbing him. 

I prowl around the kitchen and lounge room sniffing the faint traces of scent left behind from the night before then head outside and trot around in the cool grass for a few minutes before heading back inside. 

I return to the bathroom to change before dressing and heading out to the lounge room with tweezers, a small mirror and a suture blade so I can sit on the lounge and 

hopefully remove my own stitches before anyone wakes up. I have removed all the stitches and I am running my hand over the site of the wound, checking for any signs that it still needs to heal when I hear footsteps heading my way. 

"Good morning," Sam says as he heads for the kitchen. "What are you up to?" 

"Removing my stitches," I answer evenly. 

"I'm not even going to go into the should you have thing. Want a cup of coffee while I start breakfast," Sam asks. 

"I'll make the coffee for both of us, and I changed again so my stitches were to come out. Some should have come out last night, according to Doc, but it got forgotten in everything," I say getting to my feet before heading towards the coffee pot. 

"Your leg feel better," Sam asks with a quick glance my way. 

"As good as new. The hip joint is slightly tender and my shoulder's fine." I say with a smile. "How are your injuries?" 

"Nothing serious, and one change fixed them. Would you mind taking a cup of coffee and two pain tablets in for Mitchell? He'd probably prefer to see you rather than me," Sam tells me with a smile when I glance his way. 

"Is he okay," I ask in concern. 

"He'll be fine in a day or two. You might take Steven in the same when he starts moving around," Sam mentions. 

I return to making the coffee, putting extra cups out to fill before passing Sam his freshly made coffee. I pick up the cup I made for Mitchell along with the pain tablets and head for his room. He is propped up in bed and grins when he sees me. 

"Coffee and little white capsules," I tell him with a smile. 

"Good, I'll take them and get up in a little while. How's my favourite sister this morning," Mitchell asks with a cheeky grin. 

"I'm fine," I say handing him his coffee and tablets before sitting on the edge of his bed. "Can I ask why you got involved in the fight yesterday?" 

"Edwin might be a top class warrior but not the calibre of tom that Steven is. Do you understand what I mean," Mitchell asks seriously. 

"You believe Steven is the better person ... tom/werecat, call it what you want," I say meeting his gaze levelly. 

"Yeah. Steven is just as good a warrior as him, I wasn't saying he isn't," Mitchell makes that clear and I nod. He watches me closely for a minute before taking the 

tablets and swallowing them. "What are you thinking," he asks before taking several swallows of coffee. 

"I don't know what you mean," I say glancing towards the door as I hear someone approaching on their way to the kitchen or lounge room. 

"Okay if you want to play it that way," Mitchell says quietly. 

"I'm not playing anything," I say levelly when I look back at him. 

"So how are you this morning? I notice you're not limping," Mitchell comments. 

"Good, nearly completely better," I say as I ease off the bed. "You coming out to eat?" 

"Yeah once the pills kick in," Mitchell tells me. 

I leave him to go and check on Steven. I pause in the doorway and look in the room. Micah isn't in the room and I can tell by his breathing that Steven is awake. I head out to the kitchen and make another two cups of coffee before heading towards Micah and Steven's room; I can hear someone moving around in it as I approach the door. 

"Hallo, anyone want a cup of coffee?" I ask as stop in the doorway. 

"Yeah, come in. You wouldn't have any of the painkillers Doc left would you," Steven asks with a tight smile. 

"Sure do," I say as I stop beside Micah who is looking for a clean shirt. "Coffee?" I ask him offering one of the cups. 

"You're a life saver Sweetheart," Micah tells me with a smile and I move over to where Steven is sitting himself up in bed. He takes the capsules I tip from the bottle into his hand and follows it with nearly half of his coffee. I climb onto the bed and sit on my legs as I glance between the two toms. Steven grins at me obviously pleased with my presence. 

"I changed this morning and took my stitches out afterwards. My leg's all good," I announce. 

"Show me," Micah orders. I take a deep breath about to protest then decide against it as I turn my leg and show him the mark. I brush my hand over it and glance between Micah and Steven once again. 

"No lumps or soreness," Micah asks. 

"It seems all good," I answer. 

"Take it easy on it for a few changes. Muscles take longer to heal than skin," Micah warns. 

"Ok," I say guardedly, expecting more than this but neither makes any further comments. 

"Sam's started breakfast. I'll go help him," I say as I slip from the seat on the bed. 

"Let someone else do it. You take it easy," Steven tells me. I smile at him from the doorway and give a shrug before heading for the kitchen. 

In the kitchen Dwayne and Timny are helping Sam with the breakfast so I head off to the lounge room with a glass of juice. I'm sitting in one of the chairs when Mitchell makes his way out to the room limping and moving stiffly. Justin and Chris are with him and all three of them take up chairs around the room. I turn my head and listen when I hear the faint sounds that tell me Steven is coming and I watch a few minutes later when he makes his way to the lounge with help from Mikkarl. Micah heads through to the kitchen and I smile at Steven when he sends a strained grin my way as he settles himself on the lounge. 

"Food's ready," Sam announces as he comes in carrying a plate of food for Mitchell. 

I watch surprised as Micah does the same for Steven, but I remember how I have been told on several occasions that clan members look out for each other. But it is more than that I realise as I remember that Micah and Steven work as partners as do Sam and Mitchell while they work as warriors. I go out to the kitchen with the others and hang back slightly as usual as they grab their first picks of the food. When a few of them step back chewing on food and waiting for others to fill their plates I move forward and quickly fill my plate before heading back to the lounge room. I am sitting in the chair eating when the screen door opens and Donovan and Jazzy rush into the building. 

"Hey! Where is everyone," Donovan calls. 

"In here," Dwayne answers and the two youngsters come into the room wide eyed. 

"Did you and Edwin have a fight," Donovan demands as he stares wide-eyed at Micah. 

"That was the day before yesterday. Why?" Micah asks. 

"Edwin is all clawed up and in a real bad mood. He wants to come here but Dad won't let him," Jazzy says seriously. "He's being a real arsehole." 

"Who, your father," Micah asks dryly. 

"Noooo! Edwin," Jazzy answers with a toss of her head. 

"Don't use that kind of language Jazzy," Dwayne tells her. 

Jazzy walks over and picks up a piece of my bacon popping it into her mouth and chewing noisily, "Hhhmmmmm, that's good." 

"Jazzy, " Micah asks, "Did you have breakfast at the house?" 

"Yeah, Mum made pancakes," Jazzy answers and takes another piece of my bacon and pops it into her mouth. 

"Well then leave Rosy's food alone and let her eat," Micah orders firmly. 

"Yeah don't touch Rosy's food. She got real mean the time I wanted some of her food," Donovan says staring at his sister with worried eyes. 

"Rosy's a lot more civilised now but that is her breakfast you were eating," Micah says to Jazzy who I can feel staring at me. 

"I don't believe you, Donovan Jacob Williamson! Rosy hasn't got a mean bone in her body," Jazzy tells her youngest brother off wagging her finger at him before turning her annoyed gaze on Micah. "And you, Micah Stanley Williamson! You stop being a bossy boots!" 

"They're right Jazzy; I was as mean as a stray when I first came here. Remember you weren't allowed near me until ... well you weren't allowed near me," I tell her calmly as I look at her. 

"But you're all right now Rosy, 'cause we're friends," Jazzy declares. 

"Rosy, eat up." Micah says firmly and I turn my attention back to my food. 

"Wow! What happened to you Steven," Donovan asks surprised. 

"Don't you worry about it. Now you go take your sister back to the house and tell Dad we'll be ready here in half an hour," Micah says firmly. "Now scoot, I'm going to change and I will want the rest of my breakfast when I'm finished so no food sneaks you pair." 

I watch as Donovan and Jazzy leave the room. I hear the now familiar rasp of a zipper and turn my attention down to my plate as I hear Micah start to change. He rubs his head against my knee when he has changed into cat form and walks around the room a few times before returning to his plate and eating what's left in two large bites. I offer him a large piece of steak from my plate and he looks me in the face. 

"Go on, I wouldn't offer the food to you if I wanted it," I tell him. He takes the meat from my fingers delicately before turning away and stretching lazily. The half hour is nearly up before Micah changes back, and I am in the kitchen washing up the dirty pans from breakfast when I hear him walk in and stop not far from me. I glance back over my shoulder at him and I am pleased to note he has both jeans and a shirt on. 

"You want me to go for a walk while Wade is here," I guess when he doesn't say anything for a minute or so. 

"The opposite, in fact. You need to be here. What happened affects everyone who lives in these quarters and unless you plan on leaving soon, you might want to have a say in anything that is decided today," Micah says evenly. 

I glance at him surprised but don't say anything. He waits for a few moments before turning and heading towards the bedrooms where the other toms have gone. I am checking that there is fresh coffee brewing when there is a knock at the screen door. 

"Micah, we're coming in," Wade calls. I hear the screen door open and Micah and the other toms come into the lounge room. None of them sit down as they all turn to face the doorway. Wade comes in followed by Edwin, Malcolm and Robby. 

"We are going to get things straightened out here and now," Wade says with authority. 

Micah steps forward so he is in front of the other toms while Sam, Steven and Mitchell move to stand directly behind him. I hear Edwin draw a sharp breath and I am suddenly uneasy by myself in the kitchen so I make my way towards the lounge room. I hesitate when I see I'd have to pass close to Edwin and change course slightly to sneak between the wall and one of the chairs as I go to stand behind Sam. Wade nods as if understanding something. 

"I want everything sorted out peacefully here and now," Wade says firmly 

"I'm head warrior and I have some conditions I want met," Micah says and gives a brief bob of his head towards his father, "if my Alpha would hear me out." 

"I'm listening," Wade assures him. 

"Firstly, Robby Inness is gone. I do not want him as one of my warriors. He hasn't been here six months and he turned against me, seriously questioning my authority. If he isn't with me then he's against me," Micah snarls. 

Robby swallows nervously and takes a step backwards. "You can't just go breaking up a partnership," he protests as he glances at Mikkarl. 

"I don't want a partner I can't trust," Mikkarl states and I glance at him to see him glaring at Robby. 

"Secondly, I can't afford to lose any other warriors but I won't have Edwin and Malcolm here. My three top warriors have injuries of some degree or another because of those two, and I do not trust either of them not to start something behind my back against my warriors," Micah says firmly with a glance towards those behind him. 

"As you said, we can't afford to lose any warriors," Wade points out. 

"Edwin goes and works for someone else or him and I take it outside right now and settle this for once and for all. If you look at the injuries to Steven and Mitchell, you can see Edwin wasn't just going to put them out of commission; he was going in for  

the kill. It will be him or me," Micah states coldly. "I will not have him where he can endanger my warriors any time he chooses." 

"I sincerely wish it hadn't come to this," Wade says regretfully with a glance at Edwin before looking back at Micah. "What about Malcolm?" 

"Before this I have had no complaints with Malcolm. Yes he was involved in the fight yesterday, and he had chances to attack both Steven and Mitchell when they were out numbered. He didn't become involved until I tried to stop Edwin, and then it only involved body blocks," Micah says on a low angry growl. 

"Unfortunately I need a warrior. If he goes then half a team is gone. Maybe we can get by with three until I find some more warriors willing to work for us," Micah says tightly. 

"What do you have to say for yourself Malcolm," Wade demands. 

"I thought Edwin took things too extreme, I didn't want to be involved in such a plan," Malcolm answers contritely. "But I wasn't going to stand by and see my partner out numbered two to one when one of the opponents was Micah. Micah out matches Edwin by himself." 




To Love a Stray Ch. 10



Hi to all readers. Thanks for all the comments left. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy

Mygypsy

******

*I lay stretched out in the shade my stomach full from the cow that Micah killed; I don't stir when someone walks by me on their way to their own section of shade. I have become accustomed to sharing kills that one or another of the toms has made but I still prefer venison to beef. 

It has been three weeks now since Edwin left to work elsewhere and in that time the bonds I have formed with the other toms has strengthened steadily. I still don't change in the same room as them but I have become fairly used to them deciding to change in the room I am in, the main offenders being Micah and Steven. I still often share Chris's bed and we indulge in oral sex but so far I haven't been comfortable enough to let him go any further. 

Jazzy walks over and plonks herself down beside me crowding me into the sun and I get to my feet to move into the shade. Donovan and Jazzy are regulars on our hunts now. After the second hunt Wade and Marissa have allowed them to come with us without their presence. I barely bother to open my eyes as Micah walks over to nose and sniff both Jazzy and me. I flick my tail as his whiskers brush my ear but refuse to do more in the heat of the day. 

I wake as the day starts to cool and instead of returning to the kill and eating my fill again, I trot off into the trees without a backward glance. In the shadows I stop to check that Jazzy and Donovan aren't following me before I break into a lope. The water hole I head for is edged with green grass and I pause as I check carefully for any livestock before heading to the waters edge to lap thirstily. I stop and check no one has followed me before I change back to human form and walk into the water. 

I strike out for the far bank and swim lazily for a while before I hear the first demanding call from Micah. 

I head back to shore and change to cat form before heading back towards the kill site at a fast run. I burst from the trees at full speed and see most of the toms lined up defensively between the two youngest members of the clan and me. I turn and streak off around the perimeter of the clearing at a fast pace and I am delighted when Micah and Steven break formation to chase me. They have the inside run of the huge circle I make and soon both of them are fairly close. I break away and head for the trees weaving in and out of them as the two toms follow. I race across the small clear patch between trees and I can hear both toms still close. I do a sharp turn and they race past me as I speed back the way I have come. I track their progress by the noise of their chase and I am aware that they are taking a short cut across the clearing to try to head me off; I kick in with more speed and manage to keep ahead of them as our paths converge. 

Slowly but surely Micah is making up ground beside me and when he comes level with me his shoulder presses against mine and I am turned in a circle until I slow down. He growls and lays back his ears as he approaches where I have stopped while Steven looks on. I extend my head and sniff his nose before screeching and streaking away once again. This time Micah and Steven realise it's a kind of game as they race after me. After another two times of allowing them to catch up to me, I finally slow and come to a stop. Both toms come over to sniff me thoroughly but I jump away when they spend too much time sniffing around my hindquarters. 

I return to lay in the shade once again while the others eat but I have no desire to eat the now cool meat. I stretch out on my side and watch the others eating and when I become bored I drag myself along on my side before rolling and jumping up to kick leaves and twigs wildly. Both Micah and Steven stop eating to watch me and I move to where there are more leaves and twigs to kick those up as well. Both toms leave the kill and walk over to where I dragged myself along the ground to sniff at the mark with interest. 

I trot past where Jazzy and Donovan are wrestling while Mitchell watches them and stop to scratch claw marks in the trunk of a large tree. I stop and listen as I hear the rustlings of a mouse and with one quick snap of the jaws it becomes a tasty mouthful. A slow lizard goes the same way and I glance out of the corner of my eye to check on the two toms following me. Steven comes up to sniff at my muzzle and I snort and slap the ground with my paw. He huffs at me and his tail starts to twitch as he senses another game. I slap his shoulder with a soft paw before darting in among the trees. I use the trees to hide behind as both Micah and Steven chase me. 

I am poised on top of a fallen tree ready to pounce on which ever tom comes close first when I hear Jazzy screech with excitement and pain. I jerk my head around to look towards the others at the kill and I am shocked by what I see. Jazzy is lying on her stomach with her tail cocked to one side while a tom stands over her pumping enthusiastically. She screeches again and jumps away from him. I lay my ears back and growl with anger - how dare he hurt her! He looks my way and I recognise Mitchell. Jealousy hits with a surprise attack - how dare Jazzy consort with my brother! 

I am off the tree and stalking towards Jazzy with my ears flattened against my head while I snarl furiously when a heavy body hits me in the shoulder and I go down in a flurry of leaves. I am pinned beneath Micah and he grabs hold of the skin just in front of my shoulder as I struggle to try to regain my feet. Another screech from Jazzy has me freezing and looking her way again to see Mitchell serving her once again. I scream my fury and thrash beneath Micah as he struggles to hold me down; I see his leg near my muzzle and close my jaws over his paw viciously. 

Micah screams in fury and surprise and I manage to wriggle free, but Steven is blocking my path with laid back ears and a savage expression as he snarls at me. Somewhere deep inside me something bubbles to the surface of my reason telling me I must flee before I attack Jazzy for stealing my toms, even if her consort is my brother. I turn away with a scream of rage and race for the exit hatch to the pasture. I hear cats following me but I don't slow to look back as I race across rough ground. 

The flap of the exit doesn't swing open easily for my weight but I dig my claws in and force it open to streak through and head for the thicker trees away from the direction of the compound. I can hear someone behind me but I have no wish for company as I trot between trees on a faint animal track. I follow it for some distance before coming to a stream that is little more than a trickle in a sandy bed. I scratch sand aside and wait patiently for the water to flow clear through the deepened area so I don't end up lapping murky water. 

Steven and Chris come out of the undergrowth behind me but I lay back my ears and snarl a warning to be left alone before drinking my fill. I move away and wait for them to drink before I turn and trot deeper into the trees. A change in the wind brings the scent of deer to me and I stop as I rotate my ears listening for a clue to their where abouts. The faint sound of clicking teeth tells me I am close to them and I instantly drop into a crouch before slinking forward slowly. 

I find the deer grazing on the lush grass in dappled shade where the ground is dark and hints at a hidden spring of water. There are two does with half grown fawns at foot and a large buck much too big for just me. Then I remember the two toms behind me and I begin my stalk. I place each foot carefully so that nothing crunches or snaps beneath my paws. I continue to move closer even when I am within striking range of the does and fawns. I press myself down against the ground as I settle each paw carefully then launch myself forward with the powerful thrust of my back legs. 

My front paws hit the clear patch of dirt I aimed for and then my hind paws are landing on the outside of them before I leap forward again. My second leap lands me on the front shoulders of the buck. I sweep one paw at his face to catch his head and pull it around cleanly breaking his neck. I stand over my kill and snarl at the fleeing does and fawns before turning my attention to eating. I quickly rip into the body cavity and pull the liver free to eat the delicious treat while it is still hot. 

Steven whines beside me and Chris sneaks closer behind Steven as I turn my head to look at them. I extend my nose to Steven welcoming them to my kill before turning back to my prize of the liver. We gorge ourselves on the deer before lying down near the carcass; even though there is only the three of us most of the deer is gone. I make no protest when Steven begins cleaning me and I lay still as he cleans my muzzle and ears before starting to groom my shoulders. Chris comes to lie beside me and I lay with my nose near his shoulder where I can smell him with each breath. Finally I relax totally and roll onto my back to sleep. 

It is after dark when I waken and stand up to look around. Steven comes over from the kill where he has been eating and we rub our heads together. Chris trots over from a pile of dead leaves and I allow him to rub along my side affectionately. Steven nudges me and makes it clear he wants me to follow him. I trot along with him, and Chris comes up on my other side. I grow irritable as I realise we are headed back towards the compound and when we reach the tree line I stop and lay my ears back refusing to go any further. Steven tries to coax me forward but I snarl and start lashing my tail savagely. 

Chris takes off for the buildings and I retreat back into the trees despite Steven trying to coax me to follow him. A few minutes later Micah and Sam jog over to the tree line, both in human form. Micah carries a pair of jeans for Steven while Sam has a top and my long cuts offs in his hand. 

"Good, you guys are back," Micah says and turns his attention to me. "You're not in trouble Rosy. We just didn't realise Jazzy and Mitchell were so interested in each other." 

I snort angrily, take my clothes in my mouth and move away out of sight so I can 

change in privacy. I can hear Micah and Sam talking about converting part of the long sunroom into another bedroom and I straighten my clothes before walking out of the trees and glancing towards the building sullenly. 

"How are you doing Rosy," Sam asks quietly. 

"Fine," I snap angrily. 

"Ready to go in," Micah asks. 

"Do I really have a choice," I demand with a curl of my top lip. 

"Jazzy is about to come into heat and that's affecting you. That's why you're feeling so out of sorts." Sam tells me. "Jazzy is at the house with Marissa so it's fine for you to come home." 

I say nothing as I fall into step beside Sam; I can hear Micah and Steven behind me and frown with annoyance before breaking into a jog and heading for the quarters. When I go inside I head straight for my little room ignoring the other toms that are in the lounge room as they call out their greetings. I slam my door and throw myself across my bed. I hear footsteps come along the sunroom and then my door is opened. Micah stands in the doorway but I can't see his face because the light is behind him. 

"Come on, you're coming out to the lounge room," Micah says and walks in to pull me off the bed. I really have no choice but to do as he said or be picked up and carried out to where the others are. I follow Micah out to the lounge room silently. All I want is to be alone and not have to see Mitchell and be reminded of the events of the afternoon. I sit in the middle of the lounge refusing to look left or right and I don't speak to anyone who speaks to me. Sam sits on one side of me and Micah sits on the other side while the rest sprawl around the room watching as two of them play some game of carnage on the x-box. Malcolm hands me a bottle of beer and I take it, thankful to have something to do with my hands. 

"Rosy, how would you like to meet some more of our kind," Micah asks me. "There is a meeting of the Clan Alphas in four days. A number of us are going. You're more than welcome to go along as well." 

"Who's going," I ask curiously. 

"Wade will definitely be going. Sam, Mitchell, and if you want to go, Chris and Timny had better go along," Micah tells me. 

I glance across where Mitchell is leaning against one of the lounge chairs looking very relaxed and happy. "Will there be many others there," I ask. 

"There'll be at least eight of the fifteen Alphas. They'll have two or three high ranking warriors with them and usually there are three or four of the unmarried she-kitts there," Micah tells me. 

"Sounds a bit like the local meat market to me," I say when I work out how many 

toms there will be in comparison to she-kitts. 

"Meat market," Steven queries sounding confused. 

"It's a human term. The local meat market is the pubs or the club of a Friday and Saturday night when all the guys are out and the girls go looking to see what's on offer," I scoff in disgust. 

Micah promptly chokes on the beer he's drinking and several of the other toms have huge grins on their faces. Apparently they can see the humour in my remark. 

"I thought you said you didn't do the nightclub thing," Justin comments. 

"I went to university Justin. I might have preferred not to go out clubbing, as we called it, but that doesn't mean I wasn't aware of what goes on. And there were times I ventured out," I say dryly. 

"But you went to college parties," Mitchell tells me. 

I take the beer Malcolm offers me as I put aside the empty bottle from my first beer and open the fresh one before continuing. "Parties at university or college whatever you want to call it are a lot different. You have your different groups, law, social sciences, performing arts and so on, and their parties get pretty wild," I say with a shrug and take a long drink of the cold bitter brew. 

"What? Sex, drugs and rock and roll," Timny jokes. 

"And not necessarily in that order. Drugs, hard core stuff, alcohol, anything to get a buzz on," I say and put down the empty beer bottle. 

"Tell me you didn't try anything like that," Sam says disapprovingly. 

"And chance changing and freaking everyone present out including myself? Not this little brown duck," I refute as Malcolm hands me another beer. "Where's the good stuff?" 

"You want to drink my bourbon do you," Micah asks with a grin. 

"Awe come on," I tell Micah with a wink feeling good. "I nearly let you catch me today." 

Micah grins at me, "What do you mean nearly let me catch you? As I remember it I was face to face with you three times." 

"I was running on the outside of the circle, remember. You pair cut across the inside and still didn't manage to catch me," I laugh softly. 

"That's not the way I remember it," Micah says with a wide smile and I feel something tighten low in my stomach. 

"You wish," I tell him with a saucy smile enjoying the tingle of fear his intense look gives me. 

"Maybe I'm not the only one wishing," Micah drops his voice low and intimate as he leans towards me. I give a snort of laughter and cover my mouth with my hand as I giggle. 

"You still want that bourbon," Micah asks as he leans close. 

"Yeah why not," I say boldly as I lift my head to eye him. I feel very strange, not at all like myself as I watch Micah get up and head for the kitchen. He returns with a bottle of bourbon and two glasses. I watch as he pours my drink and one for himself. I take my glass and sip the potent liquor and give a sigh of satisfaction. 

"Damn that's good," I sigh and stretch my legs out in front of me. 

"Not stiffening up after all that running are you," Micah asks quietly. 

I glance his way and drop my eyes from his intense gaze. I can almost feel the heat radiating off him and I glance at his hands where he holds his glass in his lap. I can't miss the evidence of his 'stiffening up after all that running', and I choke on my drink as I start laughing. I jump up from where I sit as bourbon spills down the front of my top and nearly fall over Mikkarl, who is in front of me. I look at the empty beer bottles in front of where I was sitting and shake my head. 

"I know I did not drink that many beers," I deny even as I find I have trouble lifting the glass of bourbon to my mouth. "I never drink that many 'cause beer makes me drunk!" 

"You don't say," Micah tells me with a grin. 

"I do say," I tell him and frown. "Now don't you be like every other male I've come across when I've been drinking and think just cause I let ya give me a drink I'll let ya give me anything else." 

I wobble as I point at his lap. "You guys always want to put those things in places they don't fit. Why can't you be like girls and know how to use your fingers and tongues? Heck a girlfriend knows how to satisfy another girl a heck of a lot better than some male," I tell him seriously and ruin the effect with a hiccup. 

"And I suppose you'd know," Micah laughs at me. 

"Of course I'd know! I lived with my girlfriend for six months," I say and hiccup again then frown. "Heck, I thought I wasn't gonna tell em I prefer girls," I mutter to myself in the silence. 

"Tell me you did not just say what I think you said," Sam snaps a look of stunned disbelief on his face. 

What the heck, it's out in the open now. 

"What, that I lived with my girlfriend or the part about preferring girls," I demand, angry that I feel I have to defend my personal preferences. "After what toms have done to me you really think I want some tom sticking their thing in me? And human males are just as bad! All they want is to get their dicks taken care of! They figure if they buy a girl a drink she automatically owes them sex!" I look around the stunned faces. 

What the hell have I done? 

"You never seemed to mind what I've been doing to you," Chris says quietly. 

"You're not hell bent on hurting me," I yell at him and suddenly tears start to stream down my face. 

"Don't cry Rosy! We still love you," Mitchell says as I feel his arms around me. 

"But I'm not the she-kitt you guys need! You want a she-kitt who will have babies and I can't even stand being touched that way," I sob inconsolably as I try to pull out of his embrace. 

"Come on, sit back down. You can't throw something like this at us and run off," Mitchell tells me as he sits in my spot and drags me onto his lap. 

"Don't tell us you're more interested in Jazzy than any of us," Malcolm says. 

"Jazzy's like a little sister or niece or something," I mutter. "Besides I sleep with Chris fairly often don't I?" 

"So you're just confused," Sam says firmly. 

"Confusion was one thing I was not feeling when I lived with my girlfriend Lilly," I snap at Sam. 

"Well how come you're not still with her," Sam asks. 

"She liked to go out clubbing and bring home guys with us. It didn't really bother me until she tried to get me to join in with them," I say with a grimace as I take the bottle of beer Malcolm passes me. I look at it with a frown, "Where's my bourbon?" 

"You drank it all," Micah tells me holding up an empty bottle. I frown as I concentrate on the bottle. 

"That looks like a beer bottle," I tell him. 

"You think I'm trying to trick you out of drinking my bourbon," Micah asks with a grin and I focus on his mouth as mine suddenly goes dry. 

"What would his lips feel like on mine?" Was that kiss at Pete's really as good as I remember? 

His smile widens and one corner of his mouth lifts higher than the other. I lick my lips nervously before turning my head away and look at Steven who'd given a snort of laughter. 

"What's so funny," I ask him. 

"Something you were thinking," his grin widens and several of the others laugh. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 10



"What was it ya were thinking," I want to know. This time Steven laughs outright and I giggle. 

"Gee I must be getting drunk," I say. 

"It's a possibility," Micah tells me. 

"But my beer is still half full," I say holding up the bottle for him to see. 

"Looks empty to me," Micah tells me and I squint as I look at the bottle. 

"Hey! Someone drank my beer," I complain. 

"I think it might have been you," Steven tells me seriously. 

"That's okay then," I mutter looking at the bottle before checking the bottom to make sure there's no hole in it. 

"I think it's time you went to bed," Micah tells me. 

"No! I want to stay up with you guys," I protest. 

"I'm about to go to bed," Micah tells me softly. 

"Are you?" I'm amazed he's ready to leave the others. I smile as an idea occurs to me. Maybe I won't have to face the dark alone. "I'll go to bed if you will." 

"Micah! She's drunk she doesn't know what she's saying," Sam growls standing up. 

"Want to come to bed Rosy?" Micah asks, "Sam is it okay if your sister sleeps with me tonight?" 

"Sam's not the boss of me," I say indignantly as I get to my feet after fighting out of Mitchell's arms. The room sways and I grab for something to hang onto so I don't fall over. I look to see what I have grabbed and find both Sam and Micah have hold of my hands. "I wanta go to bed. I drunk I'm a bit think." 

"Just a bit," Sam asks sternly. 

"I don't drink beer," I say as I sway slightly. 

"I think you'd better go to bed before you fall over," Micah tells me as he scoops me up in his arms. 

"Don't do anything she'll regret when she's sober," Sam warns tightly as he lets go of my hand. 

I rest my head against Micah's chest his heartbeat strong beneath my ear as I watch the walls go by. When we enter his room I know I should be concerned but I feel wonderful and carefree, even when he puts me on his bed and stretches out beside me. I watch his face as he pulls the hem of my shirt up and lays his hand on my lower ribs. His heart is beating faster now and I feel my breath catch in my throat as he leans closer. 

"Remember when I kissed you at Pete's," he asks softly. 

"Yes," my answer is little more than a breathy whisper. How could I forget that kiss? 

"Want to try it again," he asks and I nod. I close my eyes as his face comes closer. His lips are warm and firm and surprisingly soft against mine and I sigh softly into his mouth. His tongue slips between my lips and I open my mouth to suck at it as he caresses the inside of my mouth. 

"You're not so scary anymore," I think as he lifts his head and regards me with dark eyes for a few moments. "You're not bossing me 'round 'nd being all Alpha like." 

"Is that so," Micah asks softly and I blink as I wonder what he's talking about. 

Micah lowers his head to kiss me again and groans as I suck his tongue into my mouth. His kiss changes from gentle to demanding as he cups my face and kisses me hard. He drags his mouth away from mine leaving me gasping for air as he trails his mouth across my cheek and down my throat. One of his hands cups my breast through my shirt and I arch into his hand. His finger and thumb pinches my nipple gently and I run my hands over his shoulders restlessly. 

"Like it when fingers and the tongue are used, do you," Micah asks softly as he runs his hand down my body and boldly cups between my thighs. 

"Yes," I whimper and his mouth reclaims mine. He raises his head as I feel him pulling at my jeans and then he is moving down my body as he pushes my jeans off my hips and down my legs. His fingers immediately find my moist folds and I open my legs willingly as his touch causes pleasure to build. He moves to kneel between my thighs and I open my legs wider as I reach down to hold myself open. I jump as his mouth finds my most intimate centre and I gasp as I move my hips against his mouth. 

"Hell that's good," I gasp and lift my legs to hook my knees over his shoulders. I feel the suction on my clit as fingers pump into my passage and I whimper with pleasure as I feel my stomach start to tighten already. I squirm and moan as I move against his mouth. 

"Stop! Stop! Not yet," I protest but it's too late as wave after wave of pleasure surges through me and I groan and arch with its intensity. I'm vaguely aware of Micah moving from between my thighs as my legs come to rest on the mattress once more and then the lethargy of fulfilment starts to cloud my mind. I yawn sleepily and roll onto my side as I close my eyes. I yearn for Micah to hold me but I am alone in the bed. 

I groan as light seeps beneath my closed eyelids and I roll over to pull the pillow over my throbbing head. My mouth tastes foul and my mind is hazy as I struggle to wake. 

"I need a shower," I groan to myself and end up tumbling out of bed. I wince as my head hurts and open my eyes enough to see the floor. A pair of my cut offs is directly in front of me and I pick them up as I stumble to my feet. I feel with my hand to make sure I have a shirt on before squinting and heading for the bright rectangle that is the doorway. I make my way towards the bathroom more by feel than anything else and sigh with relief when I shut the door and walk into the shower cubicle. 

I gasp as cold-water cascades down over my head and I fumble to adjust the temperature. I tilt my head back and hold my breath as the water runs over my face and down my body. I turn so the tepid water runs down over my head, neck and back as I brace my hands against the walls of the shower stall. As I start to feel more alert I realise that I am still wearing my t-shirt and holding my now wet cut offs. I strip my shirt off and toss my clothes in the corner of the stall before reaching for the soap. 

When I am finished my shower and have dried off I realise I haven't got any dry clothes with me so I wrap myself in my towel and hurry to my room leaving my wet clothes behind to deal with later. I dress hurriedly in snug jeans and a shirt before heading towards the kitchen for something to drink. 

"Hey Rosy, how you feeling this morning," Mitchell asks me as I walk through the lounge room. 

"Don't yell. I got a killer headache," I mumble as I head into the kitchen. 

"I think you'll find it's called a hangover," Malcolm says with a laugh. I stop just short of the fridge door and close my eyes as I concentrate on exactly how I feel. 

"Okay, what moron gave me beer," I ask as I open my eyes, the fridge door and reach for two cans of coke. I carry my drinks into the lounge room and sit down carefully to avoid jolting my head. 

"Okay, who was it? It so isn't funny. I feel worse than dog shit this morning," I groan as I close my eyes and hold both cans against my forehead. 

"I don't know. You were quite entertaining last night," Sam says and I think I detect a hint of disapproval in his voice but my head hurts too much and my brain is still too thick and foggy to be able to tell. 

"How much did I drink and who was the moron who gave it to me," I ask as I move the cans to my temples without opening my eyes. "Just for future reference – I don't 

drink beer. Not only does it get me drunk, it totally knocks me out to where I don't know what I am doing or saying. I manage most other alcohol with no problems, have a few drinks but that's it. But give me beer and I am lucky if I can remember my own name when I come to the next day." 

"Don't you remember what happened last night," Mitchell asks me. 

"Not at the moment, genius but by tomorrow night I'll know who to kick for trying to fit a hundred and one drums in my head," I groan. "Who ever decided that alcohol kills brain cells sure got it wrong. It just makes you wish it did!" 

"Yeah that will most likely be the way in this case," Sam says dryly. 

I open my eyes to look at Sam. He's looking at me and there's a tightness around his mouth that tells me he's angry with someone - likely me. I glance at Mitchell, Timny, Dwayne and Malcolm who are the only others in the room or maybe building. Mitchell looks away from me as soon as I look his way and I frown as I wonder why both of my brothers seem angry. I put one can of coke down and open the other one wincing when the hiss of escaping gas assaults my ears. 

"Ok, who did I piss off / get pissed off with / spill my drink on or tip my drink over their head," I ask resignedly. 

"I take it you've done all those things," Sam asks in that same dry tone. 

"Yeah." 

"Well I guess I can add those to the list of things you've done," Sam tells me. 

"Or maybe it's just what she prefers," Malcolm says and laughs. There are smothered laughs from Dwayne and Timny and I drink half the can of coke before looking at them and trying to work out what they were talking about. I glance at Sam and Mitchell but Sam is looking down into his cup of coffee and Mitchell is looking out the window. 

"Okay, it's so obvious I did or said something that's pissed you two off. Out with it," I tell my brothers. This gets outright laughs from Malcolm, Timny and Dwayne as well as a chuckle from Sam and a hastily smothered grin from Mitchell. 

"You talk a heck of a lot when you're drunk and answer all kinds of questions and even tend to say what you're thinking," Malcolm tells me. 

"I've always said what I think; I'll say it to someone's face rather than behind their back. Whom did I tell off," I want to know. 

"You informed us what humans call 'the local meat market'," Dwayne offers. 

"Talked about college parties," Timny grins. 

"You were flirting with Micah and Steven," Mitchell says. 

"What's new about that? Micah and Steven are always flirting with me," I dismiss. 

Dwayne laughs and shakes his head while the others grin widely, even my brothers. 

"You weren't listening. I said you were flirting with them," Mitchell explains. I narrow my eyes as I look at him. I am starting to get the uncomfortable feeling something significant happened when I was drunk. 

"Why do I get the feeling ignorance is bliss," I mutter to myself and close my eyes as I hold the can to my head once again. 

"You really don't remember do you," Sam asks. "I don't know whether to tell you what you said and did or not. It'd be a heck of a lot kinder to tell you but it might be a lot safer for me to leave you to remember by yourself." 

"Both of them bent on removing your head from your shoulders might be a bit much hey," Dwayne asks with a laugh. 

"We made an honest mistake," Mitchell growls and all the toms become serious. 

I finish the first can of drink and start on the second one knowing I will feel better when I get the fluids into myself. My head hurts too much to try to figure out what has the others so amused. I am nearly halfway through my second can when I realise I am starting to fall back to sleep. I climb to my feet clutching the drink and head for the bedrooms. 

"I'm going to sleep until I no longer feel like dog shit," I mutter. I finish my drink, walk to my room and crawl onto my bed. I realise I am falling asleep even as I lay my head on the pillow as I yawn and snuggle under the quilt. 

The familiar noise of lunch being made wakes me and I frown as I roll onto my back. My head still hurts but I feel much better than I did earlier. I sit up slowly and look around before pushing the quilt off my legs and getting up; I make use of the toilet and wash my face and hands before heading out for lunch. The lounge room goes silent as I walk through and I barely spare a glance for who's there before I go into the kitchen and set about making my own lunch. 

"Looks like you're feeling much better," Sam comments. 

"So just how many beers did I end up drinking? And who kept handing them to me?" I ask without glancing his way. 

"It was Malcolm," Justin informs me. 

"Thank you Justin," I say and glance at Malcolm where he sits in his usual place. Everyone is in the lounge room except for me and they all seem to be watching me expectantly. I turn back to making my lunch and when it's ready I carry it into the lounge room. 

"Come sit next to me," Micah invites seriously. I glance at him, take in his seriousness and shake my head before sitting on the floor next to Sam's chair. 

"You'd better go sit next to Micah," Sam tells me quietly. Steven laughs and I glance his way. 

"As she told you last night Sam, you're not the boss of her." 

"Shut your face," Sam snarls at Steven. 

"Can someone tell me what happened last night," I ask tightly. 

"What, you still saying you don't remember," Dwayne asks. 

"You told us about your girlfriend. Did you really used to sleep with her," Justin asks. "Cause you ..." 

"Bullshit," I exclaim and begin to pull my sandwich to pieces. I stop and glance at Sam and look down at my plate suddenly no longer hungry. "Am I in trouble?" 

"So it's true," Mitchell asks. 

"Yeah I prefer girls," I admit. "I don't go out with guys, just girls." 

"You sure as hell didn't worry about that when you asked Micah to go to bed with you," Steven informs me and I feel my heart stop beating then start at a tremendous pace. 

"How many beers did I have? Five or six in half an hour to forty minutes," I ask uneasily. 

I only have two occasions as a guide to how much beer I would have drunk, as I stopped drinking beer the second time I found I couldn't remember the previous night. The uneasy feeling starts to grow as I get a flash of seeing numerous empty beer bottles at my feet. 

"Eleven in just under an hour," Sam answers quietly. "Oh and half a glass of bourbon." 

"So I wasn't even on this planet," I stop and look at Sam and it feels like my eyes are about to pop out of my head. "Tell me you ..." I stop talking as the memories start flooding back starting with my thoughts of not having to face the dark alone. 

My food goes flying as I stumble to my feet. "Some brothers you are! Could I even walk? And you let me go into his bedroom with him," I yell at Sam and Mitchell only to stop and glare at Micah. "You knew I was drunk! You knew I didn't know what I was doing! You're nothing but a low down bastard," I hiss coldly and storm from the room. 

Embarrassment and quickly returning flashes of memories send me heading outside 

rather than to my room. Excitement curls low in my stomach as I remember Micah lowering his head to kiss me and heat starts building between my thighs as the memory of what followed shocks me. It is too much for me to deal with in my present state so I surrender to my need to become a cat. 

Once I'm in the hallway I start stripping off and by the time I open the screen door I am naked and change almost instantaneously. I take no notice of where I am going as I race for the tree line. I run for a long time, aware I have two followers. I keep moving but they make no attempt to catch up with me merely keep within hearing and air borne scent range. 

I stop at a stream for a drink and lay my ears back when Sam and Mitchell come out of the undergrowth some fifty feet away and have a drink as well. It's the hottest part of the day and I retreat to the shade to flop out on my side enjoying the coolness of the ground beneath me. Sam and Mitchell come over closer and stretch out in the shade as well. I get up and walk over to them sniffing at them before lying down near them and relaxing, I doze fitfully, waking often to get up and drink. 

Sam wakes me when the sun is low in the sky; he sits watching me and tilts his head to one side before glancing back through the trees and undergrowth. Mitchell comes over and noses me affectionately and I roll over showing my belly. He pulls at my tail and I growl as I wriggle on my back. Sam takes the opportunity to grab Mitchell by the scruff of the neck and I watch as they wrestle playfully. I slap one of them on the rump and then race for the nearest bush. All three of us play tag until I stop and sit down to clean my ears. I take my time making myself look respectable before walking over to Sam and nudging him in the ribs. Sam looks at me hopefully and I follow as he leads the way back towards the compound. Mitchell trots at my side leaping and batting at sticks and twigs playfully as we travel. 

My clothes aren't scattered where I left them and I make my way to my room before changing. I find the clothes I discarded folded neatly and placed on the end of my bed. I can't summon the energy to be angry when I smell Micah's scent on them telling me he has been in my room. I dress quickly and head out to the other end of the building where everyone is in the kitchen and I wonder if we ever do more than eat three times a day around here. 

Sam passes me a plate already filled with food and I retreat to the lounge room to sit down. I sit in my usual place and dig into my food to avoid having to talk to anyone. I can't help noticing that Micah and Steven end up staying in the kitchen to eat and I am relieved for the brief reprieve but I am realistic enough to know that before the night is out I will once again be the centre of their attention. 

"You're not going to kick the crap out of my leg again are you," Malcolm asks uneasily. 

"I won't if you promise never to give me beer ever again unless I ask for it. No, better yet make me get it myself," I tell him sternly and Malcolm smiles in relief. 

"I didn't mean for it to turn out like it did. I just thought you needed to relax after yesterday afternoon," Malcolm says with a shrug. I automatically glance at Mitchell 

and he makes a point of being very interested in his plate of food. 

"Next thing we know Mitchell will be getting an invitation into the cage," Mikkarl laughs. 

"He won't be here and Jazzy is still too fragile to do that," Micah growls and I see Mitchell send an angry glance his way. 

"What exactly is or was wrong with Jazzy? I been told she's always been sickly," I query with interest. 

"Doc could never pin point the exact problem," Dwayne says. "But now she's older and has gotten much better." 

"So where is this meeting thing with the Alphas going to be? And do you and Mitchell have to go," I ask Sam. 

"It's a sign of respect to be asked along. Usually it's Micah and Steven or Micah and myself who go with Wade and Marissa, but since Marissa needs to stay here with Jazzy, Micah will stay as well. You're going to come with us aren't you," Sam asks. 

"Yeah, you'll get to meet a lot of other werecats," Mitchell tells me. 

I don't tell either of them that the biggest appeal is the fact that I would be away from Micah after what happened between us. I wasn't looking forward to his advances. 

"So where will it be held," I ask again. 

"There's a compound in a neutral zone. It's run by several of the older retired Alphas. That's where it's planned for." Sam explains. "You'll have a great time if you come along." 

"Maybe," I concede. 

"You'll probably get to meet Lotty," Sam tells me. 

"You sure you want to let your sister near the love of your life," Steven asks with a laugh. I glance at Sam and see him look away from me and realise he isn't as comfortable with my preferences as he makes out, or maybe it is because it is his female friend we're talking about. 

"Steven, stop hassling my brother," I tell him. 

"You want me to keep my full attention on you do you," Steven asks me with a grin. 

"Whatever," I say as I roll my eyes. 

"Thinking about going are you," Micah asks as he walks into the lounge room. 

"Yes," I say guardedly as Micah sits down beside me. 

"Not going to stay here with me while your brothers are gone," Micah teases me lightly. 

"Probably not," I shrug. 

"As much as I would prefer you stay here it'll be good for you to go," Micah tells me evenly. 

I don't say anything and after a few minutes he puts his arm along the lounge-back behind me. The normal conversations over the meal start to fall into place and it is almost like last night didn't happen except for the uncomfortable feeling that doesn't want to leave me. When I get up to get myself a drink, I turn around from the fridge to find Micah right behind me. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 10



"Come on, we're going to have a little chat," he tells me as he takes me by the upper arm and leads me out the kitchen door, past the rubbish bin and away from the quarters. 

"What," I ask uneasily as he turns to face me. 

"Do you remember what happened between us last night," Micah asks gently. 

"Yeah," I admit tightly. 

"That's all that was going to happen even before your brothers dragged me out of the room. I had no intention of taking advantage of you being drunk any more than I had. The only thing I would have done differently would have been to hold you while you fell asleep," Micah informs me quietly. 

"Sam and Mitchell dragged you out of the room?" I gasp with surprise. 

"You screamed when you came and I guess they thought I was hurting you or forcing you to do something you didn't want to do," he explains. 

"I don't remember screaming I just remember wanting you to stop for a ... it happened too fast," I mutter and feel my face burn with embarrassment as I try to turn away. 

"Rosy! You okay," Sam's voice reaches us and I hear Micah growl under his breath but he lets go of my arm. 

"I'm here Sam and everything's fine," I say as I walk towards the sound of his voice and am surprised to find Mitchell with him. 

"Come back inside with us," Sam says firmly. I allow my brothers to take me inside and I sit between them on the lounge. It is a while before Micah comes back in and by then I am stretched out on my stomach beside Mitchell playing against him in an x-box game. 

"You spoke to her," I hear Steven ask quietly. There is no such thing as privacy in a house of werecats. Our sensitive hearing allows us to hear much more than humans can and we can only give privacy by not paying attention to the conversations of others. 

"I tried to but her brothers got there before I could really talk to her," Micah answers faintly. 

"Well maybe after they get back from the meeting, if she doesn't decide to stay here by herself," Steven offers. 

I miss a point on the game and Mitchell teases me. By the time he has stopped laughing Micah and Steven have moved out of hearing and I am left to wonder what they were talking about while I play the game against Mitchell. By the time I am ready to go to bed they haven't returned and I go to my room by myself. I know if I have nightmares either Chris will come in to me or I can go and climb in bed with any of them. 

* * * * * 

I get out of the four-wheel drive and look around nervously. Chris and Timny are with me while Sam and Mitchell have travelled with Wade in his car. I look across the top of the car at my brothers where Wade is talking to another Alpha. I wait patiently with Chris and Timny knowing that they will soon be free to do their own socialising for a while. I watch as Wade and his companion walk away heading for the main building while Sam and Mitchell head towards where I wait. 

"Looks like we get the rest of the day to ourselves," Sam tells us as he approaches. 

"Where are we staying," Chris asks. 

"We've been given one of the biggest rooms in the guest house and Rosy has been invited to stay in the cabin with three other she-kitts who are here," Sam tells us. 

"I want to stay with you," I protest instantly. 

"No one is going to make you stay with the other she-kitts," Mitchell tells me soothingly. "Besides the other warriors are going to want to meet you." 

"I don't want to be left with cats I don't know," I protest softly as a group of toms head towards us. 

"You won't be," Sam promises. "At least one of us will be with you at all times." 

"Hey Sam! Now I know that's not Jasmine, so it must be this sister of yours we've all been hearing about from Edwin," a large tom says as he walks towards us boldly. 

"Edwin's here is he," Sam asks evenly. 

"Yeah, he's here with his new partner Jacob Dorrington," the large tom answers as he 

comes to a halt in front of Sam. 

"Rosy, this is Conner Stephan one of Timny's brothers. That tall fellow there is Kell Lancaster, the one that looks like Pete and Steven is Andy Willoughby, their brother, and these other two are David Francis and Loci Francis," Sam introduces each tom to me. I nod uneasily and glance from face to face as I take a step backwards. There are too many warriors I don't know for me to feel comfortable. 

"We were just about to take our gear to our room," Mitchell says shouldering his bedroll and stepping to my side as if he was just about to walk by. 

"You are in the big guest house aren't you? Well come on. Do you need a hand with anything or have you got everything under control," Conner asks. 

"We got everything under control," Sam assures him as he picks up his own bedroll and pack of clothes. I take my bedroll and backpack when Timny hands them to me and I follow Sam and Mitchell when they head towards a building. I glance behind me to make sure it is Chris and Timny directly behind me as I walk. 

"Who's Edwin working for these days," Sam asks. 

"Mal Inness," Conner supplies. "So what actually happened with Edwin?" 

"He made a play against Micah by going after Steven first, and Mitchell put him in his place," Sam says evenly. 

"That's not quite the story he's telling," Kell states with a quick glance my way. 

"Ray's here by the way," Conner tells Sam. 

"That's to be expected," Sam answers as he disappears into the guesthouse. I follow Mitchell inside and to the large bedroom where he drops his belongings before turning around to check on me. I drop my bedroll and backpack beside his and glance back through the door where the strange toms are waiting. 

"The fridge is well stocked if you're hungry," Kell offers. 

Sam grins. "Come on, feed time," he tells us and I hang back to follow Chris to the kitchen. 

We all make sandwiches and head outside to settle on benches in the shade of some big trees to eat. I keep track of the general conversation as I eat and I notice which of the toms Sam talks to most. I am nearly finished my food when I hear a familiar step and turn to look behind me. 

"Hey Rosy! It's good to see you again! Guys," Edwin greets us in a friendly tone. 

"Edwin," Sam says with a nod. 

"Hey Edwin," I say with a grin. Despite the trouble when he left, I am still glad to see 

him again. 

"I'm going to change and go for a run later. You want to come with me Rosy," Edwin asks. 

"I'm not sure. We might have something planned already," I tell him with a shrug. 

"Well I'm sure we will get to take a run before you leave," Edwin grins at me but his smile doesn't reach his eyes. 

"Rosy, I've been told you're quite fast on your feet when you're a cat," Conner says to me catching me by surprise. I glance at Mitchell then Sam uneasily. 

"She has out run both Mitchell and Edwin on several different occasions," Sam tells him. 

Conner gives a whistle, "I'm impressed." 

"Who's here and who's expected," Mitchell asks. 

"As I said Ray's here, Stephan." Conner looks at me and explains for my benefit, "Stephan Willoughby, Mal Inness, Wade, Bud Lancaster, Bert Stephan, Martin Francis. Kurt Black and Maurice Dean are here. Stan Baxter, Alan Cummings, Lex Norton and Marcus Farlow have said they're coming but Danny Doctrill can't make it as Kaytee is due to have her baby any day. Hank Webster and Tim Darnel have business to take care of and if they finish in time they will try to get here." 

"Who is Tim Darnel," I ask tightly. 

"You might have heard the surname. Most of the Alphas have had trouble with Tim's cousins Vaygar and Kendal," Conner says with a glance in my direction. "Tim ousted Vaygar years ago; claims he caught him trying to instigate a take-over of another clan." 

"Rosy has come across the outlaw rouges," Sam keeps the information at a minimum. 

"Don't worry, Tim is nothing like them. So tell us, we know you have the same Sire as Sam and Mitchell but who is your Dam or should I say mother? I heard you were a human," Conner comes straight out with the question. 

"Yeah, who is your mother? There's a rumour going around that Jeddah is but no werecat worth their fur would leave their child to be raised by humans especially not a She-kitt," Kell interjects. 

"What's it to you," I ask uncomfortably. 

"Ahhh, she speaks when spoken to, occasionally," someone mutters. 

"We're just curious," Conner tells me with a smile. 

I glance his way. I'm already starting to like him and he clearly is a good friend of Sam and Mitchell. I smile back at him before answering, "Jeddah was killed in a car accident just days after I was born." 

"So you're full sister and brothers," Conner muses quietly as he nods as if to himself. 

"I'm surprised Micah isn't here," Edwin comments with a glance at me. 

"Jazzy is coming into heat," Chris tells him. 

"So little Jazzy is doing that well? Good for her. Next you know Ed, Wade will be sending out invitations for toms to visit every six months," Conner says with a wide grin. 

"There's a good chance Jazzy won't come into full heat and not again for several years," Timny remarks. 

"You're not saying Jazzy has mated are you? And don't say he's been around her in the last week," Edwin snaps angrily with a glance at Mitchell. 

I glance between Sam and Mitchell and notice Mitchell clenching his jaw tightly. 

"What good are warriors when they don't watch out for the clan's she-kitt," Edwin demands angrily. "Who the hell has let you go creeping around my little sister? Has Micah been asleep all day everyday?" 

"I bet Wade and Marissa will be over the moon if Jazzy is pregnant. No one expected her to live this long did they," one of the other toms asks. 

Edwin isn't the only one who growls as Sam, Mitchell, Chris and Timny get to their feet as well. I scramble to my feet along with everyone else and start fearfully as Conner pulls me out of harms way as Sam and Mitchell close in on the tom. 

"Come over here out of the way Rosy," Conner tells me quietly and I try to twist my wrist out of his grip but he tightens his hold. "No stay here. Your brothers will just teach Loci to be respectful when he talks about the she-kitt of the clan they belong to." 

"Can you let me go? I don't like being touched," I warn between gritted teeth. 

"Sorry, no offence meant," Conner says as he lets me go. I move uncomfortably but stay by his side as I watch Sam and Mitchell backed by Chris and Timny warning the unlucky tom who upset them. Mitchell comes over to give me a quick cuddle when they turn away from the troublemaker and I allow the comfort before moving away. 

"Here comes the ponytail brigade," Kell remarks with a laugh and I glance around curiously. There is a group of five girls walking away from the main house and I watch as two of them break away to head towards a different group of toms while three continue towards the group I stand with. 

"Hi Chris," a shapely brunette gives him a cuddle and kiss making my temper rise. "Where's Malcolm? I'm surprised he isn't here with you." 

I can't control the low growl that escapes me and all three girls turn to look at me. "Get your hands off Chris or I'll remove them for you," I hiss. 

"It's alright Rosy! This is Carlotta, Chris's sister," Sam says grabbing me by the arm. "Hi Lotty. I'm afraid this is my very rude little sister, Rosy. She thinks she has a bit of a claim on Chris." 

Lotty folds her arms across her chest as she regards me, "Nice, as civilized as a stray." 

"That is exactly what Malcolm says as well," Chris tells her with a laugh. 

Lotty glances at Sam longingly but makes no attempt to go near him, "Hi Mitchell, Timny. How are they hanging boys?" 

"Rosy, Lotty is a special friend of mine and these two with her are Larnie, Kell's sister and Donna, Timny and Conner's sister. This is Tawny Rosalind but she prefers to be called Rosy," Sam introduces us. 

I give a brief nod and glance quickly between the three girls. Lotty is very pretty with sable coloured hair and sparkling hazel eyes. Larnie has black hair and alabaster skin with clear blue eyes while Donna has deep auburn hair and grey eyes like her brother. Donna gives me a guarded look before moving to give Timny a cuddle. 

"Hi Rosy, it's great to meet a new she-kitt. There aren't that many of us around," Larnie says with a friendly smile. 

"Yeah I type of am noticing that," I admit in a friendly tone. "You can let me go now Sam, I promise I'll behave." 

"Ooooo, a stray with manners," Lotty says sarcastically with a glance Donna's way before turning to Sam. "Edwin was telling Daddy that he doesn't have to worry about that horrid stray that was always running around in our clan territory. Edwin said your team caught it. I hope you broke all of its legs. It just about drove Daddy crazy the time it was chased along the boundary of our home compound." 

"Don't forget to tell Sam how fast you can change. After all it was his mother who could change in under thirty seconds," Conner tells her. 

"I changed in thirty seconds flat earlier this week," Lotty is telling Sam when I interrupt. 

"Was that with clothing on or off," I ask. 

"Off of course! Everyone knows not to change with clothing on. It slows the process up," Lotty tells me disgustedly. 

"Lord loves a duck," I mutter to myself as I shake my head. "What's so fast about 

thirty seconds? Mitchell can change in thirty-five seconds, a couple of the other toms at Williamson compound can change nearly as quick and I think there is a tom slightly faster." 

"I heard you were ignorant as a stray but I couldn't believe it. Obviously I was wrong," Lotty tells me loftily. 

"Sounds like you've been talking to Trickster the coyote or smoking wacky tabaccy," I tell her with a smile. 

"You're not making any sense," Lotty dismisses me with a wave of her hand. "How about we change and go for a run," she turns her attention to the toms. 

"Yeah that's a great idea," Edwin grins at Lotty. 

I glance at Mitchell and Sam and both of them nod at me. Even Timny and Chris have tight little smiles. 

"If you like I can use the stop watch feature on my watch to time anyone who wants me to," Chris offers with a glance at me. 

"Oh the stray imagines she's fast does she," Lotty says with a roll of her eyes. 

"I am really getting tired of your shit Princess," I tell her and Lotty turns to face me with a cold look on her face. 

"I am not even going to buy into this one," Sam mutters and moves away. 

"What did you call me," Lotty demands angrily. 

"Princess," I say and the tone of my voice tells her that I mean anything but that. 

"Look stray," Lotty says stressing the term, "you have to learn to respect your betters and that means all of us. Especially us she-kitts – we are purebred and what are you? Some little blow-by your father got on some human with the werecat gene? Add to that the fact you were raised by some dirty human." 

"You're a purebred," I say in disbelief. "And by the way, Miss Carlotta, never ever disrespect either of my parents. You are not worthy of them wiping their feet on you," I tell her coldly. "The man who raised me was..." Lotty's slap to my face cuts my words off and I hiss angrily as I clench and unclench my hands. 

"Just as I thought! Like all strays - a coward," Lotty says. 

"That is it!" I say as I pull my favourite jumper off and toss it out of the way before turning to face her. Her second slap jerks my head to the side and tears of pain well in my eyes. I deliver two fast slaps that have her gasping and backing up hurriedly. I launch another slap but she ducks away from it only to duck straight into my other hand as I swing it. She gives a cry of pain and lifts a hand to her nose and it comes away bloody. She rushes me but I am no longer where I was a moment before and I 

trip her as she rushes past. In a split second I am on her with my knees in the small of her back and one hand gripping the back of her neck tightly. I press her face down hard against the ground as I grab one arm and twist it up behind her back. 

"You had enough or do you want me slap you stupid," I demand angrily. 

"Stop it," Chris cries as he grabs me from behind and I come around kicking out with one leg to knock his legs out from under him. He lands on his butt with a startled gasp and I scramble away and back off warily. 

"You made your point. You don't have to humiliate Lotty," Chris snaps as he gets to his feet and helps his sister to her feet. Lotty has the imprint of grass on one cheek and a thin line of blood coming from her nose. She eyes me warily but pushes Chris away. 

"I don't need your help," she snaps at her brother then looks back at me as if expecting another attack from me. "I'm going for a run. Anyone who wants to come is welcome." 

I watch as Lotty turns her back on me and begins to take her clothes off. I glance at Sam and see he is starting to strip. I swallow hard then pull my shirt off over my head. Mitchell gives me an encouraging smile and I notice Lotty keeps glancing my way nervously. 

I quickly shed the rest of my clothes, take a deep breath and let myself drop to all four and change. I refuse to scream with the explosion of pain. I hear started gasps and several screams but I stretch lazily and sit down to groom myself ignoring everyone else as they continue their change. 

Mitchell is the first to walk forward and greet me and I sniff him with interest before watching Conner greet Lotty. Conner walks over to me and sniffs at my nose before rubbing his head on my shoulder. I glance across at Lotty but she is standing back and as I advance towards her, she hisses nervously at me. Sam butts between us and greets Lotty before I sneak around his other side to sniff her. She hisses defensively and I extend my nose with a purr. She takes a quick sniff then backs away to greet Chris who is stretching. Edwin comes alongside me and tries to rub his head along my side but I hiss at him and lay my ears back refusing to let him leave his scent anywhere on me. 

Conner trots away from the rest of us and Sam quickly follows. Not willing to be left behind I trot after them. As we go along I notice other toms from different cabins joining us as well as the two other she-kitts. One of them moves to my side to sniff me before melting away and the other one takes her place. I catch a rabbit on the way and when Conner pauses for a drink I eat it swiftly letting Chris take several bites. When we head off I pause to take several laps of water before bolting past the others and racing halfway up a tree trunk. 

Sam trots by with a faint huff and I drop down with pricked ears before following Sam and Conner sedately. When Mitchell, Edwin and two others speed past, Sam glances back at me and I bolt after them. I draw close as they begin a large circle around a large clearing and soon the two other toms start to drop back. I edge closer to 

Edwin and Mitchell and wait until we are heading back towards the others before I flatten out closer to the ground and speed up. I quickly pass Edwin, and Mitchell fights to keep pace with me for several strides then slowly falls behind as I speed towards the rest of the cats. Leaves and sticks fly as I skid to a halt side ways. Conner steps forward and sniffs me before racing off and I follow him closely as he races to the far side of the clearing. 

Everyone spreads out and finds a spot in the shade to either sit or lay down. I notice Sam edges away by himself with Lotty and I trot after them. Conner nudges my hip and I turn around with my ears laid back before continuing to follow Sam and Lotty. Lotty spots me and lies down with her ears back hissing and spitting defensively but I merely sniff her and Sam with interest before trotting away. I find Chris to stretch out beside him and Conner follows me to lie down on the other side and watch me with interest. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 11 Pt. 01



Hi, 

This is a shorter chapter but it is actually about half of the original chapter. I have added in Micah's POV. I do intend to get ETC up to this chapter but it will just take me time.

Thanks for all the comments. I look forward to reading the next lot.

MYGYPSY

*

I whimper against Kell's mouth and open my legs wider as I feel Conner close his lips over my wet passage. I thrust my hips up at his face as he sucks and licks at my opening. His mouth moves and his tongue flicks my clit as his fingers invade my passage opening and stretches me. I whimper against Kell's mouth again and my eyes fly open wide as Conner stops touching me. I jerk my mouth away from Kell's lips and look for Conner over Kell's shoulder. 

"No! No! No," I protest as I see Conner slipping a condom on. 

"Ahhh come on Babe, you know you want it," Conner coaxes as he moves up over my body, his hand back between my thighs teasing me making me jerk involuntarily beneath him. 

"Get off my sister," I hear Mitchell growl angrily and Conner freezes. We both look towards where Mitchell is getting out of his sleeping bag. 

"Get off her, she said no," Chris orders and I look his way to see both him and Timny getting to their feet. I hear Conner groan with frustration and I push against Kell's chest making him release me. I roll away from him and push up onto my hands. 

"Stay right there Rosy," Chris orders sharply and I look towards him aiming to crawl to him. I hear Conner's sharp inhalation and freeze to look back over my shoulder at him as I realise I am just about to get to my knees and assume the 'present' position in front of him. I roll onto my side and lay flat. 

"Sam! You're needed here now! Sam," Mitchell yells and then he is with me, pulling me to my feet and shoving me behind him as he faces Conner. "She didn't mean it Conner. She barely knows of most of our customs." 

"What's going on," Sam asks as he rushes to the doorway. 

"Your sister wanted to stop playing around and then she presented to me when I stopped," Conner snarls. 

"I was going to crawl away from him," I protest. 

"She was on her stomach and looked back at me," Conner hisses. 

"Rosy didn't realise what she was doing," Chris interjects quietly. 

"Well what is she doing playing around when she's coming in if she doesn't know what not to do," Kell asks evenly. 

"What?" Both Sam and Mitchell hiss. 

"I tasted it on her last night when we where playing around," Kell is trying to explain. 

"I'm not! I can't be! I have another month," I protest. 

"Larnie has started to come in," Kell says. "And as I was saying, I tasted it last night but not the night before." 

"And Jazzy coming in, Shit! I should have known this could happen," Sam hisses quietly. "So you'll accept this has all been an unfortunate misunderstanding," Sam asks looking at Conner. 

"Yeah," Conner says tightly after a moment's hesitation. 

"There's a lot who would demand you step aside and let them take what your sister unwittingly offered," Kell says real quiet. 

"And have her hate them," Conner scoffs. "They'd be real stupid." 

"Now you toms are welcome to keep sleeping in here but I'm coming back in and you won't be playing around with Rosy anymore," Sam says firmly. 

"What about Lotty," Chris asks. 

"That's up to her," Sam says then glances at me. "And Rosy will be nice to her or else." 

I nod my agreement and move closer to Mitchell. 

"I'll be back in a few moments," Sam tells us firmly before heading out of the room. 

"I'll get Rosy's sleeping bag," Timny mutters and I watch as he unzips my bag from where it was joined up with Conner and Kell's bags. I had been sleeping with them for the last three nights and we had been indulging in a lot of oral sex. I had been surprised the first night when the two toms turned their attentions on me but when they kept to the boundaries I quickly set, I enjoyed their prolonged teasing of my body. I'd had no idea that my enjoyment and drive was linked to my coming into heat. 

When Sam returns he has Lotty with him and she glances at me nervously. I lower my gaze and try to convey that I am no threat but she continues to stand half behind Sam. He sets out their sleeping bag and gives instructions for my bag to be put on the other side of Mitchell's so I am well away from Conner and Kell. I settle into my sleeping bag but it is hard to try to get to sleep. My body is still humming with arousal and there is an empty ache between my thighs. 

"Chris! Timny! Get up! Wake up boys," Wade's voice startles me awake and I hiss in fear as I scoot back against the wall at the sudden intrusion. 

"Boss," Chris questions sleepily. The light is turned on and the toms lift their heads sleepily; amazingly Lotty is still asleep. I sit up and look around uneasily as Chris stumbles to his feet and kicks Timny, who is slow to react. 

"All right! All right! I'm awake," Timny mutters angrily at Chris and swats at the leg that kicked him. 

"Get up! We're heading back to our compound now," Wade orders then glances at Sam, Mitchell and me. "You three will stay here with Ray for the meeting in a few hours. When it's over you're to head back home," Wade is curt and snaps his orders before looking back at Chris and Timny. 

"Come on! We don't have all day!" 

"Is there a problem Boss," Sam asks getting to his feet and helping the two toms to gather their belongings. 

"Wade got an emergency call from Micah that Jazzy has taken a very bad turn. One of her worst," Ray says quietly from the doorway. 

"Is Jazzy all right," Mitchell demands as he gets to his feet hurriedly, worry etched deeply into his face. 

"It's not looking good," Ray answers softly and a moan of pain comes from Mitchell. 

"Boss please let me go back with you," Mitchell begs of Wade. 

"You belong here with your sister and Ray," Wade snaps curtly. "This attack is most likely the result of that little stunt you and Jazzy pulled!" 

"I need to be with Jazzy," Mitchell implores. 

"No," Wade orders without raising his voice. 

I climb to my feet and walk up to Wade. I put my hand on his arm and he looks at me in surprise. "Wade, my Alpha. Please, for Jazzy's sake, take Mitchell with you instead of Chris and Timny. Jazzy is in love with Mitchell, if you haven't noticed. She wouldn't have taken the risk if she didn't love him. She needs him. He needs to be there too," I say softly as I keep eye contact with him. 

"No! It's all his fault my daughter is fighting for her life," Wade snaps angrily. 

"Well let her see Mitchell so she knows she has good reason to fight for her life," I snap at him and his eyes narrow and his nostrils flair as he looks at me, but I refuse to blink or look away. 

"Mitchell, grab your stuff," Wade hisses. "Chris, Timny, stay here with Sam and Rosy." 

"Just grab what you need Mitchell. I'll make sure the rest comes home with us," I say without looking at Mitchell. I hear him scrambling to get his belongings but I don't break eye contact with Wade. 

A few moments later I hear Mitchell hurry from the room and then Wade turns away from me. 

"I hope Jazzy is better soon," Ray says as Wade walks past him. 

"From your lips to the ears of the Almighty," I say the prayer. 

"From your lips to God's ears," everyone else in the room says at the same time as me. I hear Wade pause a moment then hurry away. I take a deep breath and then my legs collapse with reaction, and someone catches me before I hit the floor. My head rests against a hard chest and I can smell Sam as he holds me. 

"Don't ever question an Alpha's decision like that again," Ray orders and his voice comes from somewhere close by level with my head. 

"Oh Rosy, you are a foolish, foolish brave little thing," Sam scolds gently as he rocks me. 

"She's right you know," I hear Lotty say quietly. "Jazzy has been crazy for Mitchell for as long as I can remember, and if she is as sick as Wade says then she'll need Mitchell to be there for her to see that he cares about her as well." 

"Rosy, lie down and try to sleep. We have a very important meeting to attend in a few hours," Ray tells me quietly. "And there are a few important cats I want you to meet." 

I nod against Sam's shoulder and allow him to put me into my sleeping bag like a baby. Chris moves his bag to cuddle against my back and I lay staring at the space where Mitchell had been. 

* * * * * 

I sit in the front passenger seat of the four-wheel drive and watch out the front windscreen as we travel. Sam is driving with a white knuckled grip on the wheel while Chris and Timny sit in the back wearing grim looks. 

As we drive through the dappled shade from the trees, I can't help but remember the conversation Lotty had with me. She'd offered some female advice since she figured I didn't have any female I felt I could turn to. She explained that all the young she-kitts worked out an arrangement with a tom they liked or trusted and the tom was given an invitation to be at the family compound while the she-kitt was in seclusion in her heat. If there were no special toms in attendance, then the tom that the she-kitt had made the arrangement with would receive the invitation into the cage. It was how the she-kitts managed to ensure they had someone acceptable when needed. 

I frown as I look out the passenger side window and realise I have made no such arrangement. I had wanted to speak to Sam after talking to Lotty so he could let Conner and Kell know that they would be receiving invitations to be at the Williamson Compound during my heat. But in the rush to get back home I had forgotten to speak to Sam. 

The atmosphere in the vehicle is tense. Both Chris and Timny are upset with me. I can understand Chris being upset with the attention I received from Conner and Kell, but I am at a loss as to the cause of Timny's annoyance. I can only guess it has something to do with his sister Donna. When word had gotten around that I was coming into heat 

the morning after Wade and Mitchell's hurried departure, Donna had hung around me always within sight. For some reason she seemed hostile towards me but not game enough to confront me with whatever was bothering her. I heave a deep sigh as I worry about the entire situation and jump in surprise when Sam speaks. 

"Don't worry. Jazzy will be fine. She has to be," he tells me and I hear murmurs of agreement from the back seat. I realise they have forgotten about my coming into heat early with the news of Jazzy's illness, and I am slightly relieved that Micah and Steven won't be alerted to what is happening as I don't know if I can handle their attentions at the moment. 

"Only another hour and a half before we get home," Sam comments with a glance at his watch. The time travelling home went fast but at the same time has dragged on for what seems like an eternity. The toms have only stopped for food because I am with them, and we all chaffed at the small delay this caused. Toilet breaks have been few and far between despite the amount of fluids we have consumed. 

The time away as well as interacting with other werecats has let me see many things more clearly. I now see all the things Micah's done to try to start a relationship with me: getting me to feed at his kills, the constant touching, and the way he cut both Edwin and Steven out of a lot of things to do with me. I close my eyes miserably and lean my head back against the headrest while I try to push all thoughts from my mind. I shouldn't be thinking about my problems when Jazzy is so sick. 

"How long has Jazzy been sick like this," I ask. 

"She was about two and a half, maybe nearly three when she started getting sick. She had bad turns every four to six months for years but she's been much better the last two years. She had been much better." Sam's voice goes quiet. 

"Doc says it's her heart, congit ... congeeknee..." Chris stumbles over the words. 

"Congenital heart failure," I guess. 

"Yeah," Sam mutters and I clench my teeth in anguish. I am silent the rest of the journey, managing to doze for half an hour and find relief from the stress. I am wide-awake when Sam parks near the quarters and I get out of the car to stare across at the main house. 

"How is Jazzy," Sam asks and I look to see Malcolm has come out to greet us. 

"She's changed to cat form and is unable to change back. Mitchell has been with her since he got back. Doc says it's making her a lot more calm and relaxed but she is in a real bad way," Malcolm says quietly. 

"You are to eat then go to the house so you can go in and see her when she is awake," Steven says as he comes out of the quarters. 

"We've already eaten," Sam tells him. 

"When and where?" 

"An hour after we started out at ..." Chris begins. 

"Inside and eat. Micah's orders," Steven says flatly. 

I head inside hoping the others will follow. After all, the faster we eat the faster we finish and get to see Jazzy. There is cold pizza on the table and I grab a slice and bite into it chewing quickly. I eat half a pizza and wash it down with soda before turning and heading outside. Sam, Chris and Timny are still eating as I push past Steven, growling threateningly when he tries to stop me. I jog over to the main house and knock on the front door. Marissa opens the door after a minute or so and pulls me into a quick hug, clinging for a few moments before letting me go. 

"This way Rosy," Marissa tells me and leads the way to an area of the house I have never been. She shows me to a room decorated in pretty pastel colours with all kinds of frills and bows. Mitchell is sitting on the floor with Jazzy curled up half on his legs, while Micah sits against the bed on the floor, looking seriously out of place in the very feminine room. 

Jazzy lifts her head and I move to sit on the floor near her. She moves to push her furry head against my chest and I scratch behind her ears as she snuggles close. Even without a stethoscope I can hear her laboured breathing and see the way her uneven heartbeat shows against her ribs. I put my arms around her shoulders and bury my face against her neck as I hold her. She snorts and lifts her head to look me in the face. I see her knowledge of what is happening to my body in regards to my heat in the twinkle of her eyes. I rub her neck roughly making her purr and I laugh at her. 

"You're a fine one to talk," I tell her. 

"What," both toms ask in unison. 

"You wouldn't understand. Just girl talk," I say with a wink at Jazzy and she snorts again before taking a sniff of me. Micah moves over to sniff and growls low in his throat as he smells Conner and Kell's scents from their goodbye hugs. 

"Oh by the way Micah, Belladonna Stephan said to say hallo," I say. 

Lotty had informed me Donna invited Micah into the cage with her twice. Micah flushes red but says nothing as he moves back to where he was. Mitchell glances at my face and I give him a tight smile before turning back to Jazzy. 

"Donna, Celeste, Larnie, Lotty and Adriana said to say hallo," I tell her. Jazzy lies down with her head resting on Mitchell's lap and I can't help but notice how laboured her breathing has become. I glance towards the door at the sound of footsteps and want to beg Doc to help Jazzy as he walks into the room followed by Wade. 

"How are you feeling now Jazzy," Doc asks quietly. "Ready to try to change back yet?" 

"Jazzy has tried not too long ago. She only managed to wear herself out even more," Micah tells Doc, trying to hide the concern in his voice. 

"She's happiest like this," Mitchell tells Doc and my heartaches for the pain in his voice. 

"Why don't you change to be with her," I ask Mitchell and a hard hand descends on my shoulder pulling me to the doorway away from Jazzy. 

"My daughter is still on heat! Your brother is not going to get another chance to jeopardise her health," Wade tells me pushing me out of the room. 

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I say desperately, but Wade refuses to let me back into the room. 

"Shhh!" Doc snaps and I look past Wade to see Doc listening to Jazzy's heart then her lungs and her heart once again. "If I didn't know better I'd say there was some kind of growth in her heart causing a partial blockage," Doc mutters to himself. 

I watch as Jazzy yawns, noting the colour of her mouth and gums, her laboured breathing and the evidence of her heartbeat on her ribs. An idea slowly begins to form and I back away before hurrying from the house. A faint memory teases at the edge of my mind and I frown as I try to remember the details more fully. 

"Are you okay," Sam asks quietly making me jump nervously and I grimace unhappily. 

"In trouble again I'm afraid. I can't seem to stop putting my foot in my mouth. Look I need to go somewhere. Can you take me," I ask. 

"I'm not going anywhere until ... one way or the other. Whatever it is it can wait," Sam tells me coldly and pushes past me to head to the house. 

"Sam ..." I am just about to tell him where I want to go and why, but he turns around outraged. 

"No Rosy! And I mean it! Now get to your room! We are going to have serious words when I get back," Sam snaps and I am left to stare after him shocked by his temper. 

I stand there silently as Chris, Timny, Malcolm and Steven file past and head into the house. I turn away disheartened but resolved to do whatever I have to. I decide against going back to the quarters and start looking for a vehicle with keys in it or one I can easily hotwire. Unfortunately the only one I find with keys in it is Wade's personal car, a neat little sports model in shiny metallic blue. Deciding it will have to do and that what I am about to do will either earn me total forgiveness or end my time here. But if Jazzy dies I don't want to be here to see Mitchell's pain so I swallow my misgivings and slip behind the wheel of the car. 

I hesitate a moment as my hand hovers over the key in the ignition and I look at the quarters and then at the main house one last time. Micah and Steven are coming out of 

the house and I bite my bottom lip as I turn the key and the engine roars to life. I see both of them turn towards the sound and I fumble nervously as I slip it into first gear. I hear Micah yell and then I gun the engine and send gravel flying as I shift quickly through the gears. I am halfway down the driveway when I look in the rear view mirror and see Micah's car speeding after me. I chance a bit more speed on the unpaved road and groan as a four-wheel drive turns in the drive way. I lean forward over the wheel glancing between the vehicle behind me and the vehicle in front of me. At the last second I drop the sports car back a gear and rev the motor as I take it off road and around the four-wheel drive with Dwayne at the wheel. 

The car fishtails dramatically as I speed out of the driveway and onto the main road, heading in the opposite direction to where I want to go. I refuse to look in the rear view mirror as I push the car faster and faster. I speed through intersections relying on my cat reflexes and begin to take a far ranging round about route to where I really want to go. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

I look towards the doorway as I recognise Rosy's footsteps. She follows Marissa into the room and with a quick glance rushes straight to Jazzy who is curled up in cat form against Mitchell in human form. 

It is astounding to see how close Jazzy and Rosy have become in the short time Rosy has been here. It is obvious in the way Rosy carefully cuddles Jazzy who is now extremely weak. So weak that the scent of her heat is nearly non-existent and all of us are able to visit with her. 

Jazzy's soft laugh in cat form catches my attention. "What," I ask. 

"You wouldn't understand. Just girl talk," Rosy dismisses. 





To Love a Stray Ch. 11 Pt. 01



Jazzy gives an insistent snort and sniffs Rosy. Realising she wants me to know something I get to my feet and walk over to sniff Rosy, she flinches away with a frown and a glare. But not before I catch the scent of Connor Stephan, Kell Lancaster and an underlying cinnamon sweetness. 

"Oh by the way Micah, Belladonna Stephan said to say hallo," Rosy's words fill me with embarrassment. What had Donna been saying to her? Had she told her we had nearly had an understanding prior to an engagement? 

"Donna, Celeste, Larnie, Lotty and Adriana said to say hallo," Rosy is talking softly to Jazzy and it hits me that Rosy probably doesn't realise we are loosing Jazzy. That Doc holds no hope of her recovering from her illness this time. 

The evidence of the strange ailment is horribly clear. Her laboured breathing and the way her heart beat, already frighteningly weak and irregular, is steadily getting worse. 

I watch as Rosy and Jazzy seem to draw comfort from each other. I realise that they both know. My heart is breaking a tiny piece at a time as Doc comes into the room. Jazzy is too weak now to change back into human form and I am aware we will be forced to cremate Jazzy in cat form, unable to bury her beside our brother. 

"Why don't you change to be with her?" 

I glance towards Rosy startled by her words. Why hadn't I thought of that? 

"My daughter is still on heat! Your brother is not going to get another chance to jeopardise her health," Wade tells Rosy angrily as he forces her out of the room. 

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Rosy is apologising, clearly wanting back into the room and I get to my feet to try to reason with Wade. 

"Shhh," Doc snaps. 

I turn my head and watch as he repositions the stethoscope, shaking his head slightly before standing up from kneeling beside Jazzy. 

"If I didn't know better I'd say there was some kind of growth in her heart causing a partial blockage," Doc mutters. 

Jazzy yawns and I realise that Wade removing Rosy from the room has upset Jazzy. She is too weak; I don't want her to waste what strength she has fretting for Rosy. 

I glance past Wade and realise Rosy has left, I move to stand in front of him and Wade frowns as I catch hold of his arm to stop him brushing past me. 

"Wade, let Rosy come back in. Let Jazzy have some time with Mitchell ... this time," I can't bring myself to voice the horrible truth. "Don't deny Jazzy that. Just let her be happy. If it means Mitchell changing to a cat, if it means Rosy being in here ... let Jazzy have what she really wants." 

I can feel the tears well in my eyes and see them reflected in Wade's eyes now that he is aware I know the truth. He gives a brief nod and I move past him and go looking for Rosy. I pass Sam in the hallway. Near the front door Chris, Timny, Malcolm and Steven pause as they glance between me, and the door I just came out of. 

"How is she," Steven asks quietly. 

"Doc's in there at the moment. Jazzy just keeps getting weaker," I say hollowly. "She changed to cat form for some reason and now she can't make it back." I swallow hard and look away. When Jazzy dies I want to be able to bury her, not cremate her, I know she'd hate that. 

I realise the others have left and only Steven is still with me. 

"How are you holding up mate," he asks gently. 

"I think about the same as all of us," I say and give a bitter laugh. "Staying strong until that last little fragment falls and nothing standing is left." 

Steven doesn't say anything, he simply hugs me tightly and I hold onto my best friend as if he can keep the inevitable at bay. I want my sister with me, not for what time she has left but for years and years. 

"I need to go and find Rosy," I say huskily as I push away from him, a small laugh escapes me as I remember her smell. "Rosy is coming into heat. I smelt it on her," 

The sound of a car starting as we head for the quarters makes me look, as everyone should be inside. 

"Damn it no Rosy," I yell angrily as I spin on one foot and head for my car as she sends gravel flying out behind the car. 

Steven is right beside me as I reach my car and I slide across the bonnet as I use the quickest route to the driver's door. My car roars to life and I jam the car into reverse swinging around backwards in a large arc. Tyres squeal and gravel sprays wildly when I change to first gear. I breathe a sigh of relief as Dwayne's four-wheel drive appears at the start of the drive way but Rosy avoids it with surprising skill and then she is speeding out onto the highway. 

I stop just outside the driveway, I am breathing heavily as if I had just raced here on foot as I glare after the fast disappearing car. I pull my phone from my pocket and hit autodial for Wade without taking my eyes from where the car has disappeared from sight. 

"Yeah what's wrong," Wade asks. 

"Rosy just stole your sports car and hightailed it out of here," I say without preamble. 

"Damn! I can't worry about that now," Wade says and I hear a door shut quietly. "Can you call Edwin, let him know he needs to come home. Call Baxter Barnes too would you, I could do with my old friend here." 

"Yeah, will do." I say and grasp the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger as I close my eyes. I can feel a headache building behind my eyes as I close the phone and take several deep breaths. It will be good to have Baxter here. He had been more like a father to me than Wade had been during my teenage years and when I had started training as a warrior. 

The call to Edwin is quick and to the point, Wade says come home. Jazzy is sick again and Doc doesn't hold out any hope she'll recover. 

I already have what I'll say to Baxter worked out in my head when I press the autodial button that will call him. Jazzy is dangerously sick and Wade needs him. I hear the click as the call is answered and his deep familiar voice. 

"Baxter speaking, that you Micah?" 

"Yeah," My voice chokes up and I am forced to swallow before I can continue. "Come back to the compound, we need you. Jazzy ... Jazzy is dying, Rosy just stole Wade's car and took off God knows where ..." I choke up and no further words can make it past the lump in my throat. 

"I'll be there," Baxter says reassuringly. "Just hang tough for a few more hours." 

I feel Steven's hand on my shoulder squeezing it hard and I bow my head as I close my eyes. I lift both hands and bring them down hard on the steering wheel as I take out my pain and frustration on something that won't feel pain. 

My world is disintegrating; nothing makes sense anymore. Why does someone as young and vital as Jazzy have to die? Why does Rosy choose to runaway when I need her with me? 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

The sun sinks below the horizon I slow as I fumble for the headlight switch. I turn them on and concentrate on which roads to take as I speed through the countryside. It is well into the early hours of the morning when I slow the car to turn down a familiar street and slip the car into a dark building out of sight before turning it off and getting out. I slip along in the shadows and find the key in its normal place to let myself into the building. Once inside I make my way to the office and turn on the computer waiting impatiently for it to load. I snag a drink from the fridge and a packet of biscuits from the staff room cupboard before sitting myself at the computer and search through old files. 

The drink and biscuits are long gone when I find the file I half remembered seeing once. I am reading it intently when the light in the room is turned on and there is the sound of someone clearing his throat angrily. 

"Now why doesn't it surprise me it is you who tripped my new silent alarm?" 

I turn around to smile weakly. "Hallo Unca Dunka." 

"I take it it was you near on eight months back who broke in and stole some drugs," he tells me sternly. "And here I was believing your Dad raised you better than that!" 

"I only took what I believed I needed and only because I was desperate," I say contritely. 

"What are you after this time," he asks sternly. 

"Information. I need information so that maybe I can help someone," I say faintly. 

"What? Speak up child," he snaps impatiently. 

"Information. I need information so that maybe I can help someone," I say firmly. 

"Let me guess. You are looking up the Black Panther I treated ten or more years ago," he states firmly. I am silent from shock and Don Caruthers takes the chance to sit down in the chair opposite me. 

"I know what your mother was. I can guess what you have become, what you were meant all along to become. Can you tell me the symptoms you are experiencing," he asks kindly. 

"It's not ... shortness of breath, heart palpitations, all the general symptoms of congenital heart failure but it sounds like there is some kind of blockage in the heart. It goes in cycles, every five or six months as if ... as if whatever is causing the blockage goes away," I say quietly. 

"You've never been sickly," Don Caruthers states. 

"It's a little girl. She is about eighteen but looks like she is twelve or thirteen. She is the only daughter in a family where girls are so rare they are worth more than all the gold in the world. And if she dies it is going to tear the heart out of one of the most wonderful people in the world ... it will hurt a lot of good people but several people who have been so very good to me," I tell him taking care to remain facing him as I speak clearly despite the tears that start down my cheeks. 

"Now if you had been talking about an exotic cat I would have hazarded a guess of heartworm. A rare thing but possible by what you described - if we had been talking about a relative of your mother," Don Caruthers says gently. 

"How would I go about treating her if I could get to her," I ask. 

"You need a vet, a vet you can trust with the secret they have kept for you all your life. Someone who loves you as if you were the daughter of his nephew." 

"I can take you there but I don't know if they'll let me near her. I stole the Alph ... I stole a car to get here and there will be some mighty pissed off people there. They'll probably drag me off, lock me up and throw away the key," I say with a nervous laugh. 

"In front of a human," Don Caruthers asks doubtfully. 

"They'll tell you they're calling the cops on me probably..." My voice trails off as it sinks in he is willing to help. I nod as I wipe at the fresh rush of tears. "Just help her. Promise that if I can get you to her, you'll help her." 

"I promised your mother long ago I would do all I could to help you when the time came for you to go back to where you belong," he tells me gently. I watch as he starts collecting drugs from his drug cabinet and gathering what he thinks he might need. 

"Have I missed anything do you think," Don asks. 

"One of those injections to prevent cats getting pregnant when they're ..." I stop in embarrassment. "Providing it can be given up to two or three weeks ahead of time and still be effective. Females cycle like normal cats and ..." I look away in embarrassment. 

"I understand what you mean. Your mother made sure we knew what we would be facing when you got old enough to attract boys. But I don't know of anything I would say could be safely used," Don Caruthers says sounding worried. 

"Well then we need a dart gun and some bad ass drugs," I mutter to myself. He mixes several different drugs and fills syringes and gets an eerily familiar gun from the locked drawer of his desk. I eye it uneasily and move away. I hear him laugh and I glance his way apprehensively. 

"It looks like you been on the wrong end of one of these," Don Caruthers comments dryly. 

"One or twice," I admit. 

"If you are coming into your oestrous then you need to consider if you really should go there if there will be male cats around," Unca advises me in concern. 

"I can't not help," I tell him unhappily. 

"Well come on. Time is vital," he says and I follow him outside. "We'll take my vehicle. Someone can come get the vehicle you 'borrowed' later. Directions please." 

I give him clear directions as I settle into the passenger seat and close my eyes; I have been awake since the early hours of the morning two days ago with only a few hours sleep. 

"We should get there somewhere around mid afternoon," Don Caruthers tells me. 

"Would it be possible to delay it until after dark," I ask, "I don't know how they're going to react to me bringing you there," I admit. "The cover of darkness may just give us a few seconds advantage before they realise it's me." 

"You're scared of these people," Don Caruthers says gently. 

"I'll show you something but you have to remember it wasn't these people who did it - just others of our kind," I mutter hating calling strays my kind. I turn my back to him and pull my shirt up over my head exposing my back, thankful I am not wearing a bra. I hear his sharp intake of breath and go to pull my shirt down but he places a hand on my shoulder halting my action. 

"You look like you've been mauled by a big cat!" 

"If things go pear shaped I won't be waiting around for them to get hold of me. They won't do that to me but I believe I will be locked up and they'll claim it's for my own good. If things go bad, once I know you're safe, I will be out of there as fast as I can go, and if I am in the vehicle with you the vehicle will be stopped," I turn around to tell him. 

"Well why risk going back at all," Don Caruthers asks. 

"Because the guy who loves this girl means a lot to me," I mumble. 

"What? Look at me when you speak girl," Don Caruthers scolds me. 

"Because the guy who loves this girl means a lot to me," I repeat as I look at him careful to annunciate properly. 

"You're in love with a guy who is in love with someone else," Don Caruthers wants to know. 

"When Jeddah left her husband, she left her two young sons with him," I tell him. 

"And this girl is the girlfriend of one of your brothers," he guesses. "You're risking this for your brother." 

"And Jasmine, Jazzy. She's the most wonderful girl," I say quietly. 

"Okay, after dark it will be. How many are likely to be there," Don asks. 

"Too many but I have to chance it," I say as I curl my legs up on the seat and scrunch down to try to sleep. I hear Don Caruthers mutter something about always seeming like a cat but I am already nearly asleep and I shut my eyes. 

I doze fitfully through the trip, waking often to look around warily and stretch before going back to sleep. When Don stops on a secluded road I get out of the vehicle and walk behind several trees to relieve myself before walking back to the vehicle. 

"I'm going to grab a couple of hours sleep," Don Caruthers tells me. 

"I won't be far," I promise before fading into the shadows and finding a tree, a tree I can perch in a fork of or lay along a branch. I settle in the fork of the tree and close my eyes as I listen intently the wind blows only sweetly scented air to me from across a freshly mown hay field. I rest in the tree but don't stay there long before sliding down and quickly stripping to change and hunt. It doesn't take long to gather enough mice and rabbits to satisfy my appetite and I manage to surprise several plump bush turkeys in the brush near some trees. 

I am sitting on the ground near the passenger door when Don Caruthers wakes and I stand up to peer in the window at him, "I'm ready to go anytime you are. I don't feel too comfortable this close to their home," I say quietly. 

"I need to take a walk before we go," Don Caruthers tells me as he gets out of the vehicle and heads towards the trees. I don't tell him he hasn't gone far enough to be out of my hearing so I turn the radio on and fiddle with it on a very low volume for the few minutes before he returns. 

"All set," he asks. 

"Let's get started. The sooner we do the sooner it's over," I say pulling my hooded jacket on and flipping the hood over my head before reaching for his spray on deodorant and using it liberally. 

All too soon we are turning into the driveway of the Williamson compound and I nervously scan the grounds as we drive towards the house. I point the way not wanting to speak and possibly alert any of them to my presence. I see Pete's car parked near the quarters and when Don Caruthers comes to a stop close to the footpath, I am quick to follow him out of his side door grabbing the extra equipment as I go. 

I see Steven, Sam, Malcolm and Chris come out of the quarters and head our way at a human pace. A quick glance towards the house shows lights come on at the front and I grab hold of Don Caruthers' arm and urge him forward. 

"Excuse me! This is private property! I'll have to ask you to leave," Sam calls and I feel Don Caruthers hesitate a moment. 

"Well excuse me, young chap but I have been asked to come here," Don automatically uses his 'professor voice' and I grin to myself as the four hesitate for a moment. The front door of the house opens and I shiver as Micah, Dwayne and Edwin come out of the house. 

"I'm sorry sir, but I believe you have the wrong place," Micah says firmly and Don Caruthers stops. 

"No he doesn't," I say as I push my hood back and slip one hand into the box that contains the dart gun. I don't miss the low growls that come from the three toms in front of me and even though I move uneasily, I set my face into serious lines as I shake my head at them. 

"You've got a hide coming back here after stealing my car," Wade growls low in his throat as he walks through the door behind his sons. I jerk in fear but step forward so I am between them and Don Caruthers. 

"We think we know what's wrong with Jazzy. All it will take to know if we're right is to look at some blood beneath a microscope," I say firmly despite the quiver of fear in my voice. 

"You can't go near her," Micah warns and I hear the unspoken warning that she is still in cat form. 

"Did I hear you say you think you know what is wrong with Jazzy," Marissa asks as she steps out into sight. 

"Marissa, go back inside Darling. Let us take care of this trouble," Wade tells her gently. 

"Rosy! What have you done," I hear Sam's worried voice close behind me and I pull the gun from the box and point it towards Micah, Dwayne and Edwin as I glance over my shoulder at Sam. I hear Marissa's frightened gasp but don't take my attention off either set of toms. 

"Put that down Tawny," Don Caruthers tells me sternly. "Your Dad would be spinning in his grave if he knew what you're doing!" 

I turn my head so I can see Unca if I was to look his way, but I don't take my eyes off Sam and the others or those on the other side of me. 

"No, he'd be crawling out of it to kick my butt if I didn't try to do the right thing. You know that Unca. Sam, this is my uncle, Donald Caruthers, my Daddy's uncle. Unca, that fellow," I motion towards Sam when Don Caruthers glances his way worriedly. "Is Sam, my oldest brother. Now enough introductions - I want to see Jazzy. Correction, I am going to see Jazzy," I say firmly. 

"I don't think this is such a good idea Tawny," Don Caruthers tells me in a whisper. 

"Oh shit Rosy! Tell me you didn't," Sam begs and I have to clamp my teeth together not to respond to his anguish. 

"Tawny didn't have to tell me a thing, I already knew. Some years back now my nephew called me out to his place saying he had acquired an injured animal. It turned out to be a shape shifter of our legends. I treated Jeddah. I delivered her daughter months later and treated my nephew's child as she grew up. I never revealed this secret that was not mine to speak of. We, our faith, we have our own traditions and respect others as well," Don says as if his honour has been questioned. 

"You said you think you know what is wrong with Jazzy," Marissa asks tearfully. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 11 Pt. 01



"There is a parasite that can affect the heart. It's not very common in felines but it is possible," I answer. 

"And you would need a blood sample," Doc asks as he comes out of the house. 

"Yes, eggs and immature larvae will show up in a sample of approximately five mills. It is treatable and medication would be needed for up to a year to ensure all of the parasites are destroyed," I explain. 

"Wade, is it alright if I get a blood sample," Doc asks. 

"Yes! Anything that might help Jazzy," Marissa rushes to answer. 

"Yes," Wade agrees after several long moments. I roll my head on my shoulders trying to ease some of my stress without lowering my arms. I glimpse Edwin edging a fraction closer and I glare at him. 

"I owe you for your attempted manipulations so don't tempt me. My uncle here can attest to the fact I got a most nasty temper when stirred," I tell him coldly. 

"Tawny, you know he is trying to get your attention off those behind you," Doc Caruthers tells me and I nod as he glances at me. 

"They're not going to let me go Unca," I communicate using a type of single-handed sign language for the deaf. "I have broken a major law in their eyes." 

I can tell by the little glances between the toms that no one understands what is being said and they are moving into position to try to stop any tricks and to prevent me from leaving. 

"I got the blood sample," Doc says as he comes out holding a syringe with blood in it. 

"I need a table or something to set my field microscope up on. And I need you all to take a few steps back so my assistant here can help me. My old eyes aren't as good as they once were," Doc Caruthers says firmly. 

"Just set it up Unca. It'll only take me one quick glance with each slide," I tell him quickly. 

"You sure," he asks quietly. 

"She is the one they're worried about at the moment. They know she is dying and that is disaster for the family," I fall into the sign language again. 

"Ahuh," Unca answers as he watches Dwayne easily carry a heavy table out for use. I glance around uneasily as he quickly begins preparing slides before setting up the microscope. I wait for him to prepare a dozen or so before I inch closer. 

"Set it up and focus it," I say. I wait until the microscope is set up with a slide in place before taking a careful look around so I know exactly where everyone is. 

"Malcolm, Steven, you need to get a bit nearer to Sam and Chris," I tell them firmly. I'm not sure they're going to obey until I catch the slight motion from Micah. The two toms move where I told them to and I motion with the dart gun at Micah, Dwayne and Edwin and they immediately take several steps back. 

I take one long suspicious glance around before taking a quick peek in the eyepiece of the microscope. I quickly switch to the next slide as I glance around again. It is on the fifth slide when I glance quickly at Unca and nod towards the microscope. He moves into place to look in the eyepiece and whistles softly. 

"I take it you're a Doctor of some kind," Unca says as he looks at Doc. "Come and have a look at this slide. It is exactly what we suspected." 

I move aside nervously as Doc moves to take a look and I glance around quickly at all the toms making sure they haven't moved. 

"The oval things are heartworm eggs, the thin string like things immature larvae. That stuff that looks similar to skin flakes is the outer husk of dead mature adult worms. It 

builds up in the heart along with live mature worms, before breaking down like that. It causes blockages and in severe infestations, death," Don Caruthers explains. 

"Can it be treated," Doc asks. 

"With felines the blood needs filtering to clean it. Drugs will break down the dead adults, different drugs to destroy the immature larvae and any worms. Continued treatment to kill the larvae as they hatch from the eggs that don't get filtered out," Don Caruthers lists the various individual treatments that will be needed. 

"What do I need to get," Doc demands. 

"I got enough with me to start treatment and filter the blood but I need Tawny's help and I won't get that while she is expecting to be attacked at any second," My uncle states with a look straight at Micah then Wade. 

"How do we know she won't try to run off to escape being turned over to the police for car theft," Micah asks. 

"Being turned over to police means being locked up and made to pay for my crime, even if my actions saves her life," I motion quickly with the one hand. 

"Would you mind repeating that in English," Wade asks. 

"When you speak to my uncle have the respect to look at him so he can see what you're saying. He is profoundly deaf," I say flashing a savage smile at Wade. The sharp slap from Unca catches me off guard and I squeal in surprise as I duck and move out of his reach. 

"I always said your Dad should have put you across his knee each week. It would have taken some of that smartness right out of you! You keep a respectful tongue in your head young girl!" I send my uncle a hurt look before glancing around at the toms, indignant that they saw me get hit. 

"Well I plead self defence Unca," I motion with my hand... 

"Do you promise not to try to run away if we are allowed to treat the sick girl," my uncle asks me. 

"Once you're headed home safe and sound, I promise to be a good girl and do as I'm told," I sign. 

"In English so you are understood," my uncle tells me. 

"Once you're headed home safe and sound, I promise to be a good girl and do as I'm told," I say flatly as I look straight at Wade making sure he knows I understand exactly what will happen once my Uncle is gone. 

"Can I see my patient," Don Caruthers asks. 

"As soon as Rosy puts down the gun," Micah says looking directly at me. 

"None of you are to touch me," I say and glare at him. 

"Tawny, just do as you are told so we can help your friend," my uncle says firmly. 

"I can't work if I have to keep dodging being touched," I mutter softly. 

"No one will bother you. You have my word," Marissa says firmly. "Now can you please help my baby?" 

I take a deep breath and put the gun back in the box and place it on the table before grabbing up the heavy vet bag and heading for the door. I can feel fear sweat trickling down my back as I walk past the toms and step into the house, and I know they can smell it on me. 

"This way," Marissa instructs and I follow her quickly knowing my uncle is right behind me. Unca gives a soft gasp of awe as he steps into the room and sees Jazzy sprawled out on a mattress on the floor with her head in Mitchell's lap. She rolls her eyes towards us and hisses in fear but I move to kneel beside her and I stroke her side gently. 

"We know what's making you sick Jazzy, and this man is my Unca Dunka, Uncle Donald. He knows how to make you better," I tell her softly. Jazzy rolls her eyes towards him again but makes no protest when he comes and kneels beside me. 

"Hallo little one. You can call me Unca Dunka too if you like. When Tawny was just a little thing she couldn't say Uncle Donald properly so I became Unca Dunka." His voice is soft and he quickly uses his stethoscope attached to a small dial with a needle that flicks with each heartbeat. He nods as he watches the meter then he looks at Mitchell. "And you must be another of Jeddah's children. You have your mother's eyes." 

Mitchell looks from me, to my Uncle and back to me. "Rosy, you should never let a human know what we are. Our very survival depends on it," he looks away before looking down at Jazzy. 

"What are you talking about young man? My niece has merely asked me to help some people who have raised an extremely rare exotic cat from a tiny baby. That little kitten is now sick," Don Caruthers shrugs. "I am a vet. I can not let a creature that God has created suffer." 

I watch as he turns away and starts getting the blood-filtering machine set up. I move to help him but he waves me aside. 

"Start a nutrient drip. You do it just in case having a stranger touching her upsets our little friend there," he instructs me. "Use a shunt so we have a port for later," he adds very softly. 

I set about doing as instructed and soon have a drip steadily feeding nourishment to Jazzy's wasted body. I pause to dribble some water on her mouth and she licks at it thankfully. 

"I can do that," Mitchell tells me and I leave him to feed the moisture to her slowly. 

"Do we have a set of figures on heart rate, temperature and blood pressure to use as a comparison," Unca asks me. 

"Dwayne, go get Justin and Donny," Micah orders. I glance up; other than Wade, Marissa, Mitchell, Doc, Unca and myself, he is the only one in the room with Jazzy. 

"Unca means cat readings," I inform him. 

"Unca, that is Micah, I suppose you could call him a foreman or managing director," I say turning my face to him where he is double-checking the tubing of the machine. 

"You will take the observations. I am sure they will be more comfortable with me knowing as little as possible about them," Unca tells me in a whisper. 

"No need to whisper, we have remarkable hearing. Cat hearing," I say as I get a second stethoscope, a thermometer and a note pad. We work in silence until we have the machine set up and Unca turns his attention to Wade while I go to the doorway and take physical observations off both Justin and Donny who are in cat form. Micah is standing close by and Steven and Edwin are a little way back in the hall watching me intently. 

"This machine will filter any toxins from the blood stream and hopefully it will also filter many of the parasites out as well as the remains of the adults that have finished their life cycle. Hopefully this will relieve a lot of the stress on the little one's heart and we can start treatment," I hear Unca explaining. 

"How long will this take," Wade asks. 

"Approximately six to eight hours on the machine and then a critical forty eight hour period of treatment," Unca advises. 

"You got that long," Wade demands with a look my way. 

"I should have a week," I say. 

"What do you mean should have? You should bloo ...you should be aware of those things," Micah snaps angrily at me. I look at Unca as he clears his throat noisily. He has a worried frown on his face as his eyes search my face. 

"The joys of being a female cat. I am in the process of coming into heat and will need to be kept away from the males," I sign. 

"Barbaric," Unca snaps and I laugh. 

"English," Micah growls angrily. 

"We were talking about a matter in regard to our family, the Caruthers," Unca says with a hard look for Micah. "Now whatever you were harassing my niece about, please leave her alone so she can concentrate on the task at hand." 

"I have the right to choose a male, if my hormones drive me to it," I sign rapidly. 

"Ahhh, the need for some form of contraception. I wish I had been able to supply it for you," Unca signs. 

"Thanks anyway," I make the simple sign. 

"English," Micah demands. I hear the low growl starting to build in Mitchell's throat and glance his way to see him. He gives me a tight smile before looking down at Jazzy again. 

"We haven't got any plasma or transfusion supply to start ..." Unca looks at me as he realises, and I take a deep breath as I shrug out of my jacket. 

"Doc has Jazzy ever had a blood transfusion or blood products for any reason," I ask as I reach into the equipment bag for a tourniquet. 

"No, it's not a technology I have," Doc says quietly. 

"So go ahead with this," I ask aloud with a glance at Unca. 

"Best solution," he agrees and takes the tourniquet. In a moment my blood is flowing into the tubing of the machine. 

"We don't have any blood product that I would use for your daughter or any substitute, so we'll use fresh living blood to fill the tubes so your daughter's weak system isn't stressed in any way." Unca says with a kind smile for Marissa. "I am using my niece as the donor since they are both female and in a similar stage of their hormonal cycle. I do not know if it makes any difference but I would prefer to error on the side of caution," 

A few minutes later and Jazzy is attached to the machine as it starts filtering her blood while I sit not far from Mitchell with my arm bent as I apply pressure to where my blood was taken. 

"Ma'am, would I be able to inconvenience you for a cup of coffee and perhaps some kind of refreshments for my niece and myself? We haven't stopped for anything to eat since lunch time and I don't want my niece fainting on me," Unca says directing a charming smile at Marissa. 

"Oh of course! You should have said something sooner," Marissa exclaims as she hurries towards the door. 

"Marissa, Uncle is a vegetarian. He does not believe that a living creature should give its life so he can eat of its flesh. Eggs, milk, cheese and other dairy products are fine though," I explain. 

Let them make what they want of that, I think exhaustedly as I lean back against the edge of the bed and close my eyes. 

"Is there something I can do so you two can rest," Doc asks quietly. 

"We will take it in turns. Tawny first because she will need to be awake when the filters need checking and changing. I no longer have the eyesight for such work," Unca says softly and I open one eye to look his way. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

I watch as Rosy and her uncle, a vet, move around quietly setting up equipment to treat Jazzy. I still can't believe she is here, that she has returned. The love and respect they have for each other is evident as they work together, and in the soft exchanges between them. Often they lapse into that sign language and I watch as emotions animate Rosy's face. 

Tight lines of worry have become etched on Wade's face while worry and stress has left Marissa pale and fragile looking. Now hope is burning in Marissa's eyes and I can see the fear that help has come too late in Wade's eyes. 

There are hopeful whispers outside the room, it seems all of the toms have gathered in the house. I don't tell them to leave, Jazzy is as important to them as she is to us - her brothers and parents. 

The way Rosy's uncle answers questions and phrases remarks show great compassion and wisdom. He seems respectful of our true nature but not intimidated by us. The way he talks softly and soothingly has clearly put Jazzy at ease, as does the fact it is Rosy who puts in a needle to start IV fluids. 

I think of the gun Rosy had pointed at us. It is now locked in Wade's office but I still have to repress a shudder as I remember how the fear had rolled off her in waves as she had effectively held us all at bay with the gun. No one had been game to make a move. We hadn't known if it held tranquilliser darts or real bullets. Either way we had had no inclination to try it out. 

When normal heart rate, blood pressure and temperature readings are wanted I ask Dwayne to get Justin and Donovan to change to cat form and come to the door so Rosy can get the information. When Rosy moves to the doorway to take the needed reading I notice both Edwin and Steven are close by watching her intently. Edwin doesn't even try to hide the fact he is sniffing the air for her scent but luckily Rosy is too busy listening to Donny's heart to notice. 

As she turns back into the room I see the strain on her face and remember she still isn't comfortable around toms in cat form while she is human. She looks away from 

me hurriedly; she knows she is likely to be in trouble for what she done. Does she have any idea of how much trouble? 

"You got that long," Wade demands tightly. I rouse myself from my thoughts to glance at Rosy. 

"I should have a week," She answers. 

Ah, they are discussing how much time before she will need the secure room. 

"What do you mean should have? You should bloo ...you should be aware of those things," I snap angrily hoping no one noticed my lapse in concentration. 

Don Caruthers clears his throat noisily. He has a worried frown on his face as he looks at Rosy. Again they lapse into sign language. Rosy gives a nervous laugh and my irritation with their secretive talk grows. 

"English," I growl. 

"We were talking about a matter in regard to our family, the Caruthers," he says with a hard directed my way. "Now whatever you were harassing my niece about, please leave her alone so she can concentrate on the task at hand." 

There is more signing between them and my patience begins to rapidly wear out. A quick glance at Wade and Marissa tells me they are worried as well. 

"English," I demand. 

A low growl comes from Mitchell and Rosy glances his way cautiously. Clearly she is aware she is in trouble and expects no help from him. 

"We haven't got any plasma or transfusion supply to start ..." Caruthers is talking to Rosy and she immediately takes her jacket off. 

There is a short discussion with Doc and then Rosy offers her own arm to Caruthers. I want to protest as the needle slides into her flesh but I bite back my words, it's not up to me. 

"We don't have any blood product that I would use for your daughter or any substitute, so we'll use fresh living blood to fill the tubes so your daughter's weak system isn't stressed in any way." Caruthers says with a kind smile for Marissa. "I am using my niece as the donor since they are both female and in a similar stage of their hormonal cycle. I do not know if it makes any difference but I would prefer to error on the side of caution," 

Within minutes the medical equipment is working and Jazzy is receiving the treatment that will hopefully save her life. 

Caruthers asks for food and drink for himself and Rosy, his manner with Marissa is both gentle and compassionate. Another time, another place and I am sure I would like the man. 

Rosy is leaning against the bed not far from Jazzy and Mitchell, she has her eyes closed and a soft sound comes from her. I walk over to her and lift her into my arms, she opens her eyes and for a moment I am lost in their sleepy depths as I place her on the bed. 

"She'll rest better here," I direct my comment at no one in particular. Her eyes flutter open and I reach out to close them gently before stroking her temples. Her lips part slightly and a soft sigh escapes her as she rolls onto her side and pulls her legs up towards her stomach. 

"Please excuse me niece, she stayed up all last night researching your daughters ailment." Caruthers says quietly to Wade. 

I head out into the hallway and the area becomes alive as everyone gets to their feet from where they were sitting. 

"How is Jazzy," Edwin demands. 

"They've just started treating her. Baxter, can you take everyone back to the quarters. There's not a lot of room in this hallway." I say quietly. "I'll come let everyone know what's happening once we have some indication," 

"All right, you heard your boss. Back to the quarters," Baxter orders firmly and I am once again thankful he is here to help. 

"I'm not going anywhere," Edwin snarls. "Not while Rosy is here and so close to coming into full heat." 

"I'll stay and watch Micah's back," Steven says as he moves to stand beside me. 

"Come on lads, let's get a move on." Baxter orders firmly. 

"I want to stay here," Donny protests. 

Baxter walks over and puts an arm around Donny's shoulders, "Anyone ever tell you about the time Micah there knocked Edwin out of the hayloft?" 

I watch in silence as Baxter moves everyone away before I turn my attention back to Edwin. He is staring into Jazzy's room and I can't help but notice the way he is staring at Rosy. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

I come awake with a start as strong arms lift me and I open my eyes to see Micah's face above me as he places me on the bed. I glance at Unca who is checking on the tubes attached to Jazzy. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 11 Pt. 02



Hallo Lit readers

Here is the long awaited part 2. 

I have brought Enter the Cat up to where TLAS ch 11 started.

For fans of this story if you haven't read Enter the Cat you should have a look at it.

Please comment and vote. I look forward to ALL comments.

Mygypsy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I swallow hard and refuse to let my fear show on my face as Unca loads the last of his equipment into his vehicle. I glance at Timny who will travel back with him to retrieve Wade's car and then quickly look back at Unca.

"I'll be hearing from you soon." Unca tells me and brushes a kiss on my cheek. He smiles as he looks at Jazzy where she is sitting in a chair wrapped in a blanket waiting to say goodbye to him. She is in human form and there is a healthy blush to her cheeks as she grins at the man who undoubtedly saved her life.

"Thank you Unca Dunka," she says softly, and the rather gruff old man smiles down at her.

"No, thank you sweet child." he tells her gently. "For allowing me to see there is still magic in this world."

I watch as he climbs into his vehicle and I wave goodbye as it slowly pulls away.

"Mitchell take Jazzy inside. Now!" Wade orders firmly and I know with a sinking feeling that my freedom is about to end. I sense rather than hear the movement either side of me behind me and I fight the urge to look behind me or flee. After all I did give my promise I would do as I am told.

"I'm to go inside and to the secure room?" I ask without looking away from the disappearing vehicle.

"Yes." Wade answers firmly. I wait until the vehicle is nearly out of sight before heading inside and making my way to the room where I had spent my last heat. I turn to face the door nervously and I don't have long before Wade is in the doorway.

"You will remain in here until I am certain you will not try to run off again." Wade tells me forcefully as he catches hold of one of my arms and forces me to walk to the cage. He abruptly pushes me into it and shuts the door, locking it.

"I need to see Doc about birth control!" I state.

"I have decided you will not be given that option. When you are ready I will send Edwin in here and he shall breed you, willing or not. You will settle down and produce the next generation of werecats." Wade orders.

"You do not have that right!" I yell angrily, "It is my right to choose! My right to choose who and if I risk pregnancy!"

"You lost that right when you brought a human here and pointed a gun at us. You are not human and it is time you stopped running away whenever it suits you. You put the entire clan at risk when you informed your uncle of our existence. Now you pay!" Wade snaps angrily.

It starts to sink in that he means what he is saying and is not making empty threats.

"Micah, I want it to be Micah." I say struggling to stay calm.

"Do you think that I am not aware of the fact Micah is very lenient with you and does not make you follow his orders? That you continue to defy him nearly every day? No it will be Edwin. I cannot trust Micah not to cave in to the pleas I am sure you would bombard him with, and use birth control so he does not breed you, hoping to win favour with you. Edwin will do as I command." Wade tells me coldly. "Maybe having a kitt of your own will make you consider your actions more carefully - stop you acting foolishly and making dangerous choices."

"Wade please, please don't do this." I beg as I clasp the bars of the door in my hands. "I did it to try to save Jazzy, I didn't mean to defy you or challenge your authority."

"Enough! The subject is not open to discussion." Wade snaps tightly.

"What are you going to do? Keep me locked up until I am too heavily pregnant to try to run?" I demand as my mounting fear starts to turn to fury. 

I look past Wade to see Edwin standing behind him, grinning in anticipation and I shriek my rage as I look around for something to throw at him. Wade slams the room door and I hear the key turn in the lock and another shriek of rage rises in my throat.

I begin to pace the cage looking out at the room beyond, studying it carefully. There is a new small 'cat flap' installed in the bottom of the cage door and I presume it is to pass my meals through. A bucket sits in a corner with a lid on it and I recognise my toilet facility from last time. I scan each wall closely, memorising everything even the pattern on the wallpaper as I pace. Apart from the table and a lounge in the outer room and the bed within the cage, all furnishings have been stripped from the room. The only sound other than my pacing is the faint hum of an air conditioner somewhere at the end of one of the vents on the internal wall. I growl low and angry as I continue to pace. Already I have a set pattern to my steps as I move around the cage. 

Not long before dusk the room door is unlocked and Marissa comes in with a tray while Wade stands just inside the doorway watching. I go to the far side of the cage and turn my back on them rather than look at them in my anger. I want to scream and yell but I refuse to give Wade the satisfaction of seeing how scared he has me.

Wade has to be bluffing; there is no way he could really be going to do as he threatened. He is just trying to scare me, make me more reluctant about defying or disobeying him in the future. I listen as Marissa approaches the cage but I refuse to turn and look at either of them. I wait until I hear them both leave the room before starting to pace once again.

It is dark before I stop pacing and I sit on the floor glaring at the tray of food that has been pushed through the flap of the cage door. Finally I get up and approach the tray. I knock the lid off the dish on it and stare at the mixed grill someone has prepared. There is even extra bacon and I pick the dish up to eat hungrily. It will do me no good to become too weak to fight when the time comes. I dismiss the cup of coffee and reach for the can of coke, opening it and drinking the liquid thirstily.

I listen to the noises in the house slowly coming to a cease. In my distress I imagine I can hear the faint sounds of soft breathing before I move to begin systematically testing each individual frame of the jail like bars. Finding no weaknesses I retreat to the bed and lay down to try to sleep. The faint sound of the room door being unlocked brings me off the bed to stand facing the door of the outer room. I watch as it opens and I snarl when Edwin comes into the room.

"Hey Rosy, I thought we could talk some." he tells me with a smile.

"Get out!" I growl at him.

"Look we both know what will happen when I come into that cage with you..." Edwin starts.

"You like your females unwilling do you? Because let me tell you I would never choose you, I don't want you. You are not an option." I snarl at him, livid.

"Don't be like that Rosy. You'll want me when the time comes." Edwin tells me softly.

"Correction! My heat will want a male, any male! I will never want you!" I say in a cold calm voice.

"You will, just wait and ..." Edwin tries to tell me.

"Get out!" I yell at him and he takes an involuntary step backwards. "Get out! Get out! GET OUT! GET OUT!" I scream as I grab the cage bars and pull at them ineffectively in my rage. 

I continue to scream abuse at him barely aware of when the room door opens and Wade comes in to grab Edwin and drag him from the room, shutting the door and locking it behind him. 

I am in such a rage I continue to yell and shout abuse at Edwin even though he is no longer where I can see him. Slowly I settle down enough to return to pacing the cage with a low snarl rumbling in my throat. My inner cat does not like being in a cage and even though I want to change forms I am unable to due to my extreme agitation.

It is the small hours of the morning before I curl up on the bed to sleep. I wake to the faint aroma of cooking food and sit up on the bed to watch the room door patiently. It is nearly an hour later before I hear light footsteps approaching the door and I straighten up in anticipation. I hear the sound of the door being unlocked before it swings open and Marissa walks into the room carrying a tray.

"Good morning Rosy," Marissa says brightly.

"Marissa can you ask Doc to come and see me please?" I ask softly.

"I am sorry Rosy but I will not defy my husband." Marissa says apologetically.

"Marissa, you told me I have the right to choose. Please don't let them take that right away from me. How would you feel if it was Jazzy in here facing what I am going to face?" I ask desperately as it finally sinks in that Wade had not been trying to scare me into submission.

"Jazzy is a good girl, she would have no intention of threatening her Alpha or any tomcat with a gun or exposing our existence to a human." Marissa tells me with a frown.

"Don't you see? I had no other choice if I was to help Jazzy. No one would listen to me!" I implore her.

"Take your food and eat." Marissa says as she pushes the tray through to me.

"I was in a situation much the same as this when Sam, Mitchell, Dwayne and Alex first found me. I was locked in a zoo animal cage and the strays that had me would come into the cage and take me against my will, force me to do what they wanted. How is this any different other than the ones about to do it to me now claim to care about me?" I ask frantically.

"That is it! No more!" Wade yells and strides into the room. He wraps a gentle arm around Marissa who is very distressed and guides her from the room, locking the door behind her. I move to the far side of the bed and sit down on the floor shattered. I can't eat or drink in my state of apprehension and rest my elbows on my knees as I hang my head miserably. The house is quiet outside the room and eventually I lie down on my side and curl up into a ball of misery.

It is lunchtime before I stir to eat my cold breakfast and time passes without any sounds from the other parts of the house. It is just on dark when I hear someone come into the house. Within a few minutes the outer door is unlocked and Wade stands in the doorway while Marissa brings my tray to the cage. I can't help noticing she looks as pale and strained as she did when Jazzy was sick, I feel remorse for causing her distress. After all I know she is not to blame for my predicament.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The storm clouds sit low on the horizon; the air is heavy and oppressive, promising an electrical storm. I look away from the encroaching storm and look back towards the main house. I stand looking towards the house for several minutes before returning to the lounge room and sitting on the lounge.

Hopefully today will be the day Rosy asks Marissa to pass on an invitation to a tom. I have little doubt it will be me, or maybe Steven. But definitely it will not be Edwin. It can't be!

The afternoon Don Caruthers had left Wade had escorted Rosy to the secure room. I have no doubt he has locked her in to prevent her leaving before she was punished for stealing his car, and more seriously for pointing a loaded gun at us. 

It had been late when we had heard Rosy screaming abuse at Edwin and then Wade ordering him away from the room forcefully. Sam and Mitchell had wanted to go to the house and drag Edwin outside to give him a beating. I had been thankful for Baxter's steadying influence, I don't think I would have had the drive to prevent them doing it.

Jazzy is recovering; she is at Stephan's and Aunt Abigail's until Rosy's heat is over. Wade had decided it best for Jazzy to be away from Rosy for the moment and Doc had agreed although he had seemed reluctant. Stephan had sent his best warriors to collect Jazzy and take her to his compound by light plane.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Donovan asks brightly as he pauses beside us in the lounge room.

"Waiting." Steven tells him with a grin.

"Well I'm gonna go see if Marissa has any more of those biscuits. And I might go talk to Rosy through the doors again. She didn't answer me yesterday." Donovan informs us.

I send a dark scowl his way but make no move to get up and give him the cuff across the ear he deserves.

"Donovan, leave your brother and Steven alone. Just because you got to talk to Rosy and they aren't allowed in the house there is no need to tease them." Baxter scolds firmly.

Donovan whines but moves away leaving us be. I hear the screen door slam behind him and then there is silence in the quarters. I know Sam and Mitchell are somewhere nearby worrying over what punishment Rosy will receive. I haven't told them but I intend to try to reason with Wade, try to get him to keep the severity of her punishment down.

I get to my feet and pace to the window by the TV restlessly; I rest one hand against the side of the window frame as I look out at the darkening sky.

"I don't like the look of that sky." Malcolm says as he pauses in the door from the hallway.

I hear others behind him and the screen door slams making me turn to face the room in irritation. I watch as Malcolm walks into the room followed by others and realise everyone is here for lunch.

"Nothing doing yet?" Mikkarl asks quietly as he glances between Steven and me.

"Not yet." Steven confirms.

"Who wants hamburgers?" Mikkarl asks as he heads for the kitchen. "Some of you set out the salad makings. One of us might need a good feed."

Lunch is a hurried affair and I am only half way through my second burger when Donovan comes running into the quarters. His face is pale and he looks like he is about to be sick as he glances around wildly, faint whimpers of distress coming from him.

"Has something happened to Jazzy?" Mitchell demands as Donovan looks around frantically.

"No, no!" Donovan is crying as he shakes his head. "It's horrible, can't you hear her?"

There is silence and I make out a faint noise, possibly someone yelling, the sound carrying in the thick air before the storm.

"She wasn't asking for him, she didn't want him. But Wade sent Edwin into the room, into the cage ..."

I don't hear any more over my own roar of pain and rage as I head for the front door. I am just outside the screen door about to run for the main house when I am tackled from behind. Even as I yell and fight against the hands restraining me I can hear Rosy screaming at Edwin above the noise.

"...I don't want you! Not you! I don't want it to be you! Go away! Just go away! No! Stop it! Stop it! Don't ... leave me ...no ... don't want you, didn't ask for you ..."

Her screams gradually die down until they can't be heard and I squeeze my eyes shut tight as I allow myself to go limp and my forehead to rest against the ground beneath me. Her silence means her inner cat has taken control, accepting the tom with her.

"The worst of it's over for her." Baxter says gently near the back of my head. "It sounds like her cat has accepted it. It's no use Micah."

I am lifted to my feet and I try to shrug off the strong grip on either arm but find I am fighting an impossible battle as I am slammed up against the wall of the quarters and held there.

"Calm down boyo, calm down." Baxter orders. "Let's go inside and I am going to have a talk to the lot of you."

I am forcibly walked inside and someone turns the TV on while I am sat in the middle of the lounge, Steven on one side and Dwayne on the other.

"Justin keep a look out at the hallway door, we don't want Wade walking in on this." Baxter says firmly and stands in front of me. "I have been friends with Wade ever since I first met him when he came over from America to represent his family in an international werecat meeting. Not once until today have I ever doubted his decisions, let alone outright disagreed with anything he has done. You go over there now, drag Edwin out of that cage, give him the hiding he deserves, and Wade will kick you out of the clan. How will you help Rosy then?"

I glare at his boots. I don't want to look at him. I don't want to see he supports Wade's decision and I don't want his pity. I feel Steven hook an arm over my shoulders as he pulls me against his side, his head tips towards mine and I begin to realise I am not the only one suffering.

I look around the room. Mitchell is sitting beneath the window openly crying while Sam paces back and forth in front of him, pounding his fist into an open hand over and over again. Donovan is collapsed in a chair sobbing noisily; Chris and Timny crouched beside him talking to him in low voices.

No one is unaffected. Mikkarl is trying to calm Pete who is here, not having left after arriving to find Jazzy deathly sick. Even Malcolm who is usually emotionless is visibly upset. I look up to find Baxter watching me closely, his eyes moist and deeply troubled. 

"I will not let Edwin move back here and have Rosy!" I snarl.

"Well you got some planning to do." Baxter says bluntly. "Donovan. Do you know if Doc saw Rosy when she was first locked in the room?"

"No I don't ..." Donovan stops mid sniffle as the significance hits him; he looks at Baxter for a moment. "Rosy was begging Wade that since she had to have a baby she wanted to pick the father."

"The bastard!" Mitchell shouts in anger and pain as he gets to his feet. "He's got no right to decide that."

"You can bet it's what he has decided for her punishment." Baxter says flatly. "Force her to become a nice settled little mother. Stop her from thinking beyond herself and her own kitt."

"We need to get Wade to let Rosy out of that room ASAP. A lot of her nightmares are about being locked in a cage. It's one of the few things she does remember when she wakes up from one." Sam says tightly.

"Rosy comes back here as soon as I can make Wade let her out of that room and cage." I say tightly.

"How are you going to stop her running away or hurting herself?" Pete asks worriedly.

"We'll all help look after her." Malcolm says. "Shower her with attention and affection. Heck we do it to Jazzy all the time, isn't it about time Rosy realised it's how we treat she-kitts."

"We don't leave her by herself." Chris puts in.

I listen to the ideas coming from the warriors and realise that Rosy has won all of their hearts in one way or another. Hope begins to grow as I realise no one else wants Edwin back here, not even his one-time best friend and former work partner Malcolm.

"When Rosy comes out of the cage I'll challenge Edwin for the right to be with Rosy. It's not the first time something like that has happened and there is no way I am allowing Edwin to take Rosy away from here. This place is her home now." I say with conviction.

"What if Rosy doesn't want you?" Sam asks tightly.

"I think Micah will respect your sister's wishes a lot more than Edwin would." Baxter says mildly before I can reply.

Sam glances at Baxter then back at me before looking away once again. Mitchell who is still standing just behind his brother gives me a hard glare but I don't look away.

"You aren't going to hurt Rosy are you?" Donovan demands as he stares at me.

"Rosy will need help and protection if what we think is happening is true. If that is all she wants from me, then I have to accept that's the way it is." I tell him levelly.

"Whatever is decided it is not going to be easy." Baxter says firmly. "That poor little she-kitt is going to be a mess, forced to accept Edwin. Then there is going to be a lot of worry for the safety of both herself and any kitt that may result." 

He holds up his hand as Sam, Donovan and Pete go to speak.

"Firstly we can only guess at why Wade sent Edwin into the cage. Donovan did you hear anything either of them said before you came over here?" Baxter asks.

"Not really." Donovan says and hesitates a moment. "I was in the pantry getting some of the chocolate chip biscuits Marissa made when Wade and Marissa came into the kitchen. Marissa was begging Wade not to do it, that it wasn't right."




To Love a Stray Ch. 11 Pt. 02



"All we can do for the moment is wait and see how things turn out, if Edwin does move back here. Then decide what to do," Baxter says evenly.

"Do you think Wade is going to order punishment for Rosy?" Mitchell asks worriedly.

"Isn't this enough?" Sam asks through clenched teeth.

"I'll try to talk to him over the next few days." Baxter says quietly. "After having to listen to Rosy's reaction he might be more likely to go more gently with her."

"Why the hell does he keep treating her like any other stray?" Malcolm demands. "Rosy is clan not a stray!"

"What is it with this clan? Why is everyone trying to put a label on that poor little she?" Baxter demands. "Yes she should have been born clan, but she wasn't! And from what you lot say she identifies herself as a stray. We have all heard you can't trust a female stray, first chance they get they try to eliminate all female competition. Would you Williamson boys rather your father took chances with your sister's safety?"

"I am not listening to you stand up for Wade!" I say tightly as I get to my feet. I am in no mood to listen to this conversation.

"Why don't we all go over to the workout shed?" Baxter asks. "Some good old fashioned sweating should help you all feel better."

* * * * *

It is quiet in the quarters as I walk through the screen door and along the hallway before turning to go into the sunroom and towards the bedrooms. I suspect I will find Sam and Mitchell in their room; they have been very detached from the other warriors over the last three days.

Edwin had only stayed in the cage with Rosy overnight. The next day he had emerged from the main house, got into his vehicle and driven away before any of us had gotten close to him. Sam and Mitchell had wanted to chase after him and give him a beating for going into the cage with Rosy. Luckily it had been easy to dissuade them from pursuing him, getting them to wait here in case Rosy was allowed out of the containment room.

I stop at their room and look in, I am pleased to have found them, but both of them have closed looks on their faces as they turn to look at me.

"I was just looking for you pair to tell you Baxter, Dwayne and I are about to go and speak to Wade about Rosy being allowed to return to the quarters." I tell them as I stand in their doorway.

Sam glances at Mitchell and Mitchell gives a shrug.

"Rosy should have come out of that cage by now if Edwin left of his own accord." Sam says tightly.

"I intend on finding out why she is still in there and what punishment Wade has decided to insist on." I tell them levelly.

"Our sister is locked in a cage or in a room." Mitchell snaps viciously. "Knowing what she has been through Wade is not punishing her! He is torturing her. Wasn't sending your brother in there punishment enough? Being pregnant nearly sent her crazy not too long ago."

"The Were Board of Governors isn't going to like her being a single mother and I sure as hell am not letting Edwin marry my sister even if she is pregnant to him." Sam snaps tightly.

"I'll take full responsibility for her." I say as I meet the eyes of first Sam then Mitchell. "If Rosy will have me, I'll marry her and treat any kitt as if it was my own flesh and blood."

Sam narrows his eyes and goes to speak but I beat him to it.

"This isn't about her possibly being pregnant; it isn't about righting a wrong. When ... when Rosy took off with Wade's car it hit me that I'm in love with her. Then this shit Wade has pulled sending Edwin into the cage with Rosy, it made me realise how much I love her. A kitt, if she is pregnant, if that is what Wade planned. The kitt will be Rosy's kitt, how could I not love it?" I ask seriously.

"You're a good tom Micah, but there just might be a huge problem." Sam says with a tired sounding sigh. "Mitchell and I have been talking and we think that maybe with all that has happened to Rosy she probably can't handle any tom mounting her. She never let you even try to mount her just before we left for the meeting. There were things that went on at the Alpha meeting with Connor and Kell, and we all heard her reaction to Edwin."

"You're not the only one who has wondered about that. I've heard about what happened with Rosy accidentally presenting to Connor." I admit evenly.

"It's Rosy's choice what she does once we get her out of that house." Mitchell says evenly. I eye him silently for a moment. Finding Rosy has matured his instincts quickly, Sam is a force to be reckoned with but unless I miss my guess, Mitchell will be the one not to underestimate.

"I never said it wasn't Rosy's choice." I say quietly. "So do you two want to come while Baxter tries to talk to Wade? Rosy is your sister after all."

"I'd sure as hell like to hear what Wade has to say for himself." Sam says tightly.

"There's one thing I want to get straight here and now." Baxter says just a few feet away. 

I give a startled hiss and spin around to face him as Sam and Mitchell come out of their room to eye Baxter silently; suspicion evident on both their faces.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you young hot blooded toms are considering trying to overthrow Wade. Now is not the time. Jazzy is not well enough to step up as Queen to the clan. And has the Were Board made a decision about restoring territory to Rosy or are they waiting to see how she adapts to clan life?" Baxter asks evenly. "Now is not the time for a revolt. The clan would need one or both of those she-kitts in full health and not under punishment for a serious transgression."

"What makes you think we'd turn against Wade and Marissa?" Sam asks with narrowed eyes. "If it wasn't for them and Kurt Black, Mitchell and I would have most likely been victims of a hostile takeover ourselves."

"You two would not be the sons of Jeddah Black if you were willing to accept what has happened lying down. Not to mention you Micah, you're too much like your mother's father not to want to right this." Baxter says evenly. "The plan for now is to go over there and I talk to Wade, negotiate his letting Rosy come back here."

"We go and see about getting Rosy back home." I agree quietly.

"That's all I need to hear." Baxter cuts in quickly. "If Wade asks me in the future if I heard any of you talk about possible trouble from this I can honestly say all I have heard is mutterings against Edwin."

When Baxter turns and heads for the hallway I hesitate a moment as I glance at Sam and Mitchell before turning and following Baxter. I hear both of them follow and I smile savagely to myself. Having Rosy's brothers with us will carry a lot of weight in bargaining with Wade.

Outside Baxter is waiting with Dwayne and he moves to walk beside me as I head for the main house. It is obvious Wade has been waiting for us when he steps from the front door and walks to the yard fence. Cantrell Yates and Mal Inness follow him to stand back behind him.

Was Wade expecting trouble? Cantrell and Mal are certain to be backing for him in case of trouble from within the ranks of his own clan I realise instantly. Suddenly I am glad Baxter is here with his steadying influence and knowledgeable advice.

"Mal, Cantrell." Baxter says on a friendly note and steps up to the fence to offer his hand to the two visiting Alphas.

"Baxter." Wade says sounding slightly reserved.

"Wade." Baxter gives a quick nod and glances towards the house door as if expecting someone else. "Sam and Mitchell here are looking for their little sister; they said she should be out of the cage by now."

I hear a low growl come from Mitchell and glance behind me, Sam has placed a hand on Mitchell's shoulder and Dwayne is stepping closer on the other side.

"Rosy was charged over several serious crimes and I have ruled on her punishment." Wade says tightly and I immediately sense we are not going to like the punishment he has decided on by the way he has crossed his arms and is glancing between us.

"Why weren't we told so we could see her and ensure she knew her rights?" Sam demands tightly.

"Kurt Black was here and spoke on her behalf." Cantrell Yates says evenly. "As it is Wade is only insisting on punishment for one of three charges and being mighty lenient at that. He could have decided on punishment and had it carried out without asking the advice of any of us."

"What punishment have you decided on?" Baxter asks cautiously as he looks towards Wade.

My heart is pounding and I can hear the low growls coming from Sam and Mitchell. I can only think of two crimes but I know Wade would have been very thorough with his charges.

"I believe Rosy had the best of intentions when she acted as she did so I am only acting on her theft of my car." Wade says evenly and I hear sharp intakes of breath behind me. We had been expecting charges over the gun or exposure of our species' existence.

"Six months in a cage and frankly if it had been me I would have been pushing for maximum sentence on her two major crimes. Female or not she acted like a feral stray that needs to be put down." Cantrell says with a hard frown.

"Six months in a cage! That will kill Rosy!" Mitchell yells in anguish.

"Micah, Dwayne." Wade says with a glare of authority over Mitchell's cry. "Take Sam and Mitchell back to the quarters and ensure they remain there until they have calmed down. Baxter I want to talk to you."

"Do as your Alpha ordered." Baxter says firmly jerking his head towards Sam and Mitchell.

Sam and Dwayne have hold of Mitchell who is struggling in their grasp; undoubtedly he wants to remove Rosy from Wade's house immediately.

"Now Micah." Baxter snaps with such authority that I forget I am head warrior and he is nothing more than an outlier.

I take hold of one of Mitchell's arms and with Sam on his other side we force him to walk back to the quarters. He is silent and I do not doubt for one moment that he is planning some attempt to remove Rosy from here. 

I pause at the door of the quarters when the others are going inside and glance back towards the house. Cantrell and Mal are by the door while Wade and Baxter stand by the fence. Baxter appears to be talking as I turn away and head inside.

"...He's going to kill her that's what he's going to do!"

I hear Mitchell's angry voice before I reach the lounge room; I pause in the doorway and take in the scene before me. Sam has hold of Mitchell and he is trying to contain his younger brother.

"What the hell is going on?" Steven demands with agitation as he turns to look at me. Mikkarl and Callum are also in the lounge room glancing between the struggle going on between Sam and Mitchell, then at Dwayne and myself with growing alarm.

"He's trying to make Rosy go crazy and kill herself." Mitchell roars with anguish. Sam is finally forced to throw his brother to the floor and pin him down bodily.

"Calm down!" Sam yells at him.

"Wade has given Rosy six months in a cage." I say angrily.

"Is that all?" Steven asks in disbelief.

"Isn't that enough?" Mitchell demands angrily.

I glance his way. His face is tear stained and Sam is trying to brush his own face against his shoulder while restraining his brother. I stride over to them, push Sam aside and lift Mitchell to his feet by the front of his shirt.

"Your sister is alive and we can work on getting you and your brother in to see her." I snap angrily as I glare into his face. His mouth is opening and closing silently as he struggles in my grasp causing me to tighten my grip.

"For God's sake let him go Micah! He can't breathe when you hold him off the floor like that." Steven yells at me and I realise that both Sam and Dwayne are trying to rescue Mitchell from me. Stunned I release my grip and back up several steps as I take deep breaths.

"We all need to calm down." I manage before heading for the kitchen sink. I turn on the cold tap and splash water over my face several times before filling my cupped hands and putting the water on the back of my neck. I brace my hands on the sink for several minutes before turning the water off and turning around to face the other room.

I hear Baxter whistling a happy tune as he approaches the quarters and I am ready to grab him and shake some sense into him as I hear the screen door open and then his footsteps in the hallway.

"I got some good news for you lads," Baxter says lightly as he walks into the lounge room. "We are about to turn a bedroom in this building into the biggest cage about. Put bars on the windows and reinforce the doors so the building can be secured as necessary. Anchor points for a chain are to be put in at several places as well."

"What are you on about?" Dwayne demands beating me to the question.

"A few weeks in the cage in the secure room, a pregnancy test -- which he mentioned under his breath out of ear shot of his friends, and Rosy gets to come back here. Wade is convinced she will try to run." Baxter says as he looks around meeting our eyes. "Marissa made her feelings known over this matter while I was over there. Since Edwin is happy to go off on work assignments and leave Rosy all by herself, Marissa is spending as much time as she can with Rosy but she wants Rosy out of the cage."

"Can Mitchell and I go see Rosy?" Sam demands with a quick glance towards his brother.

"Afraid not. Wade intends that Rosy learns a healthy respect for werecat laws." Baxter says with a shake of his head.

"So he did it, he really sent Edwin into the cage?" I ask even though I know the answer. All my hopes that Wade had not enforced his decision were to no avail.

"There's no undoing it boyo." Baxter says quietly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I stand in the corner of the cage my gaze averted as Wade fastens a collar securely around my neck, locks it with a key and attaches a strong but light weight chain. He gives it a gentle tug to ensure it is secure before taking a firm hold of the chain and taking a step towards the door of the cage.

"Come on Rosy. Time for you to come out of here." Wade tells me quietly. 

It has been four weeks since my heat has finished and Doc had been here yesterday to draw blood for a pregnancy test since my period hadn't arrived. I don't need to hear the results. I know I am pregnant. Edwin had come into the cage with me when I came into full heat. I refused to accept him, but he had over powered me and tied my wrists together to prevent my fighting him. My inner cat had accepted the defeat and he had mated with me until he was sated the following morning. I became very aggressive towards him and Wade had yelled orders through the door until Edwin finally left the cage after loosening the bonds on my wrists so I could remove them myself.

"Come on Rosy," Wade urges patiently and I follow him from the cage. I don't react when he hands the chain to Edwin and I am left to follow Edwin to the main part of the house.

"Is that leash and collar really necessary?" Marissa asks as she comes out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron.

"At this stage it is. I can't trust Rosy not to try to run away." Wade tells her.

Marissa sighs heavily and shakes her head. "I'm sorry but I still believe what has been done is wrong."

"Oh come on Mum, aren't you happy you're going to become a grandmother despite the fact Jazzy didn't end up pregnant?" Edwin asks.

"Thank heaven for small mercies." Wade mutters before dropping a quick kiss on Marissa's cheek. "We're just taking Rosy over to the quarters since the warriors are so keen to have her move back in there." 

I follow when Edwin leads off only too happy to be out of doors once again after far too long shut up in the cage. I look around eagerly once I am outside noting how the seasons have changed in the past six weeks. I stop at the door into the quarters not wanting to have to go back inside after such a brief time, but Edwin grasps the chain inches from the collar and drags me inside knowing I will have no option but to follow.

"Alright men, I hope you have those anchorage points in like I ordered." Wade says ahead of both Edwin and me, and I hear movement in the lounge room as I follow Edwin along the hallway towards it.

"Yeah we do," I hear Sam answer.

"Where are you Micah?" Edwin demands as he all but drags me behind him. I realise with some surprise that he is not comfortable in the quarters.

"I thought I told you never to come in here!" Micah growls.

"I got a little present for you." Edwin says as he walks into the lounge room pulling me behind him on the leash. Micah starts growling and I try to stop from getting closer but Edwin is ruthless in dragging me into the centre of the room. He pulls me past himself and pushes me towards the others. I keep my head down in shame and don't look around.

"You can have her now. Give her another few months and you can take that collar off her because she'll be too heavy in kitt to run." Edwin sneers. "Even you should be able to catch her then."

"Get out of my house before I kill you." Micah snarls and I whimper as I sink down to kneel on the floor. I have nowhere to go except back to that dreadful cage. 

I pull at the chain that is still attached to my collar and feel relief when Edwin releases it and I am able to gather it onto my lap.

"Micah!" Wade growls in warning.

I crawl towards Micah hoping for protection from Wade's displeasure. I am greatly relieved when Micah moves to stand between Wade and me where I crouch on the floor.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Micah I watch in disbelief as Edwin drags Rosy into the quarters on a leash and collar. She stumbles along with her head bowed and shoulders slumped. He is cocky and smart as he all but flings her towards me. I can smell her fear and distress and worry it could not be good for her in her pregnant state.

"You can have her now. Give her another few months and you can take that collar off her because she'll be too heavy in kitt to run." Edwin sneers. "Even you should be able to catch her then."

His taunt sends rage flooding through me, every instinct screams at me to protect her.

"Get out of my house before I kill you!" I warn him savagely. I am horrified when Rosy sinks to the floor and begins pulling at the chain in fear.

"Micah!" Wade growls in warning.

When Rosy crawls towards me I move to stand between her, Wade and Edwin. They brought her into my house, now it is my duty to protect her, even if that means from them.

"And I want you to leave as well! You gave him my, my she-kitt and let him breed her even though we could hear her screaming her refusal from over here when he did it! And now he comes and throws her at me like some discarded toy he doesn't want anymore!" 

"You will remember that I am the Alpha." Wade snaps angrily.

"And that makes what you've done all right?" I demand. "What you allowed him to do?"

"I'll be back to talk to you in the morning." Wade tells me.

"Where's the key to that thing?" I ask angrily as I motion towards the leash and collar.

"It stays with me," Wade says firmly.

"She can't change with that on!"

"Precisely." Wade says and heads for the door.

I can only watch as Sam and Mitchell move quickly to Rosy. She is on her feet almost the instant Mitchell speaks to her, cuddling close like any frightened she-kitt. I want to protest, I want to be the one to hold her but reason dictates I give her time and space. It is a big possibility she doesn't want any tom near her after having Edwin forced on her, not to mention her earlier experiences.

I turn away to send a text message to Baxter Barnes. He'd had to return to his home and job but had asked me if once Rosy was out of the cage could he return and meet her properly. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Rosy "And I want you to leave as well! You gave him my, my she-kitt and let him breed her even though we could hear her screaming her refusal from over here when he did it! And now he comes and throws her at me like some discarded toy he doesn't want anymore!" Micah growls aggressively sounding very angry.




To Love a Stray Ch. 11 Pt. 02



"You will remember that I am the Alpha." Wade snaps.

"And that makes what you've done all right?" Micah demands. "What you allowed him to do?"

I cringe inwardly, even though a name was not mentioned I know Micah is referring to Edwin. I feel my shame increase, I am pregnant and the father of my unborn kitt has abandoned me. 

"I'll be back to talk to you in the morning." Wade states.

"Where's the key to that thing?" Micah asks tightly and I know he means the collar around my throat.

"It stays with me." Wade says firmly.

"She can't change with that on!" Micah snaps.

"Precisely." Wade tells him before turning and heading for the door. I am silent as I crouch on the floor listening to Wade and Edwin's footsteps recede and the screen door shut behind them. I can smell two strangers in among the toms and stay very still trying not to attract attention.

Wade's punishment has instilled into me a sense of how many mistakes I made, the biggest ones being my actions when my uncle had been here. I pointed a gun not only at Wade but also at Micah, Edwin and Dwayne as well as making it clear I would point it at any warrior I felt threatened by. In effect threatening and disobeying the leader of my clan, the most dominant tom and the entire policing force for the clan.

"Rosy?" Mitchell's voice is soft and I scramble to my feet hurriedly. I bury my face against his chest and I am relieved to feel him stroke my hair as he cuddles me against him. Someone is having a closer look at my collar and I tilt my head to the side letting them get a better view.

"Hey Rosy, you okay?" Donovan asks quietly and I feel a hand begin stroking my back.

"There's no way to get a pair of bolt cutters under this thing to get it off." Sam mutters and I turn my head to look towards him. He smiles at me and strokes my cheek with the back of his fingers.

"Take the chain off it." Micah orders and I feel the slight tugging at the collar before the weight of the chain is removed.

"Are you the only one allowed to hug Rosy?" Malcolm asks with a forced laugh.

"That's up to Rosy." Mitchell says quietly and I shake my head as I press my face against his chest once more.

I just want my brothers and the safety and security they give to me.

"You can't stand there all day. Sit on the lounge," Sam orders and I co-operate as Mitchell sits on one end of the lounge, seating me in the middle while Sam moves to sit on my other side. 

The TV is turned on and Mikkarl and a tom I don't know are soon playing a game on the x-box. I relax as I tuck my feet up beneath me and lean into Mitchell's side while he has his arm around my shoulders. I glance around from beneath my lashes noting everyone is here plus the two extra toms I had picked up on.

I find no censure in any of the eyes that readily met mine as I glance at each tom nervously. Even Micah shows no anger towards me and I begin to relax. I need the support of all here if I am to nurture and protect the life growing within me after Edwin's callus abandonment of me.

I glance at Sam and he looks my way as if he felt my gaze. I smile timidly and move to lay down with my head in Mitchell's lap and my legs across Sam. Sam grins at me clearly pleased and places his hand just above my knee to give my leg a quick squeeze. I grab his hand and slip it beneath the shirt I wear and place it over my stomach just below my navel. I hesitate a moment before reaching both hands under my shirt to slip the top of my track pants down so his hand rests on my bare belly.

I am aware of my need to strengthen the bonds I have with my brothers and I start to use their strong paternal-like instincts towards my unborn kitt. I am surprised at the sense of safety and security the contact starts to build within me and I relax against my brothers with a contented sigh.

"Can I have a go?" Donovan demands and I glance his way. Everyone suddenly looks my way and it is all I can do not to roll onto my side and bury my face against Mitchell or the back of the lounge but I do cover my face with my hands.

"Maybe in a little while if you're patient." Micah tells him in little more than a whisper.

"Why did Edwin give Rosy and the baby away to you? Doesn't he want them?" Donovan asks. There is an angry hiss and I hear sudden movement making me jerk with fear but I refuse to uncover my face.

"I want to stay in here, Micah," Donovan protests and I can tell he is being taken from the room.

"Maybe you'll think about how questions like that will make Rosy feel before you open your mouth." Micah says tightly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I watch as Rosy makes herself comfortable on the lounge with her brothers. I notice the way she glances at the different warriors, scared little looks as if expecting disapproval. When she glances my way I give her a smile and she looks away hurriedly only to glance back at me. I meet her gaze as non-threateningly as I can and am relieved when she looks away without any signs of fear.

For the first time I notice the dark marks under her eyes, not bruises but faint shadows telling of tiredness. It had been hearing her prowling the cage long into the night, the loss of appetite and signs of growing depression that had made Wade worried enough to release her from the cage before the official results of the pregnancy test came back.

I watch pleased as she stretches out using her brothers as pillows and I almost hold my breath when she places Sam's hand on her stomach where the kitt is growing. I smile to myself as she acts the way I had seen another pregnant she-kitt act. Seeking the attention of her brothers and encouraging their interest in her growing kitt.

I inwardly curse Donovan as he draws attention to Rosy bonding with her brothers. She whimpers softly and I am surprised when she only covers her face instead of trying to hide away.

"Why did Edwin give Rosy and the baby away to you? Doesn't he want them?" Donovan asks.

The words wound me and I hate to think how they make Rosy feel as I jump to my feet and drag Donovan from the room.

"I want to stay in here, Micah." Donovan protests as he tries to grab onto the door jam and stop me taking him from the room.

"Maybe you'll think about how questions like that will make Rosy feel before you open your mouth." I tell him tightly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Don't make Donovan leave because of me. Edwin did it because he knew I didn't want him. By hurting me he hurt Micah because Micah couldn't stop him which meant he got some revenge for Micah having him kicked him out of his birth clan." I say quietly.

"Donovan being made leave the room is my punishment for his thoughtless words." Micah says firmly. "Don't interfere."

I slowly lower my hands from my face and glance towards Micah uneasily but he only glances my way with a grin before dragging a now silent Donovan from the room.

"Yeah that is it in a neat little package. Edwin has been waiting for revenge since Micah took his place as Beta." Steven agrees.

"Do you think she'll let Kirby and I put our hands on her belly?" a strange voice asks from very near by.

"Rosy?" Mitchell asks softly "Okay if I touch?"

"Ahuh," I murmur. "Everyone else can too but not all at once and let me know before touching." 

Mitchell grins at me and I feel his hand settle gently against my stomach. I glance towards the others nervously when I hear some soft growls, the kind they use when they're fooling around or wrestling against each other. There is some playful shoving going on between several of them and I frown, half worried an argument will break out.

"What's going on?" I want to know.

"Oh they're just working out who gets the first turn to touch your baby belly." Steven tells me with a grin.

"There's not even the slightest sign yet!" I protest.

"The blood test that Doc did came back positive. That's enough for us." Micah says as he comes back into the lounge room and pauses beside the lounge to look down at me. I blink uncertainly when he walks away without even attempting to touch me.

"How are you doing Stray?" Malcolm asks as he slips his hand onto my stomach when Mitchell moves his hand.

"Ok." I say.

"That ugly coot over there is Kirby Lancaster, my new partner for work." Malcolm tells me.

"Hallo." I say faintly.

"Hallo Rosy. May I?" Kirby asks, he waits to place his hand on my stomach when I nod. His touch is light and brief not pushing the new acquaintance.

"Hey Rosy, good to have you back here." Timny tells me placing his hand on my belly. Chris, Dwayne and Justin are next in line and by now I have calmed down to where I am happy to lie back, relax and enjoy their attention.

"This is Callum, Timny's brother. You can see neither of them got the good looks in the family." Mikkarl tells me with a grin as he places his large hand on my stomach. Callum moves to squat level with my shoulders. He grins at me as he makes a show of looking me over closely.

"Sam and Mitchell definitely got the good looks in your family." he tells me with a wink and a friendly grin.

"Oh!" I let out a startled exclamation and give him a slight push on his shoulder, "go away you flea ridden stray!" I say with a straight face only to giggle at the look of mock horror on his face.

"Looks like I better get a feel in while no one's watching." Steven whispers dramatically as he reaches over, places his hand on my stomach and gives it a gentle rub before turning away.

"Oi Donny! You can come back in here now!" Micah says and I hear hurried footsteps coming from the other end of the house. 

Donovan rushes into the lounge room and looks at me hopefully, "Can I touch your belly now?" he asks hopefully.

"You be gentle and move away when Rosy tells you." Micah warns.

"Is it alright to touch your belly?" Donovan asks hopefully once again.

"Yes," I tell him with a smile and Donovan kneels beside the lounge. He stares at my bare belly for several moments before putting his hand on it and rubbing in light circles.

"Do you think the baby can feel us touching your belly?" Donovan asks curiously.

"I don't know. I've never thought about it." I admit. Donovan kneels there looking down at my belly. He glances at my face and I give him a smile. I see something flicker in his eyes before he looks down at his hand once again. I am totally unprepared for his move when he lifts his hand to cup my breast and brush his thumb across my nipple where it juts against my shirt boldly.

"Hey!" I squeal startled as I jerk away from his hand with a mixture of incredulous horror and surprise.

"You randy little bastard!" Sam yells at him as I scramble to sit up pulling my knees up towards my body and crossing my arms over my breasts protectively.

"I'll teach you to keep your hands to yourself." Micah growls as he jumps to his feet from where he was sitting on the floor.

"I didn't mean to! I just saw the way her nipple thing was showing through the shirt and I wondered what it would feel like, and next thing I knew I was touching it!" Donovan protests as he rushes to his feet and backs away as Micah advances.

"You ok Rosy?" Micah asks gently.

"Yeah. He scared me, startled me really. I didn't mind him touching my belly but ..." I break off looking away uncomfortably.

"You want to think about what you just did Donovan? You touch Rosy anything like that again and I will not take into consideration you're just a teenager!" Micah growls angrily.

"I'm really sorry." Donovan says miserably.

"You moved yourself in here, you want to be treated like an adult. Well start acting like one and that means protecting she-kitts not scaring them." Micah snaps before turning his back on Donovan and returning to where he had been sitting.

"You right Rosy?" Mitchell asks me very quietly.

"Yeah," I answer with a nod and settle against his side.

"You seem happy." Sam remarks.

"I'm out of that horrible cage." I mutter and hide my face against Mitchell's side.

"The Stray's happy? Wow! Someone wack me!" Malcolm jokes and I can't resist his teasing and I smile as I peek at him. He sees my smile and his grin almost splits his face in half. He growls softly and begins to crawl towards me up on his hands and feet. I realise with a start he is stalking me like the toms stalk each other in cat form when they wrestle and play. I feel a thrill of pleasant fear shoot through me even though I know he won't hurt me. When he almost reaches the lounge I attempt to push at him with my feet. I don't kick out at him but try to put my feet against his chest and push him off course. Malcolm laughs then growls playfully as he pushes my legs aside easily.

"Kfsst! Kfsst!" I find myself spitting with a faint laugh and the next second Malcolm pounces. I giggle and squeal as he pins me down on the lounge tickling my ribs and burying his face against the side of my neck as he blows loud wet raspberries on any bare skin he can find.

"Enough! Enough!" I finally protest between giggles and he moves away immediately.

"You are in a good mood." Steven sounds surprised and I look his way to see Micah on his feet and heading my way.

"Move!" Micah orders Mitchell and Sam and I barely have time to sit up on my thighs before Micah is kneeling where Malcolm was moments before. "How friendly do you feel?" Micah asks and then he is leaning over me and I cower down against the lounge.

I can hear his breath ragged near my ear as he curves his body against mine. His chest presses against my side as his hands find their way beneath my shirt to cup my breasts and roll the nipples between his fingers. I whimper uncomfortably as he pulls me onto the floor between him and the edge of the lounge, his body presses against my back as he nudges against the side of my neck as his lips work their way across my neck above the collar.

"Rosy! You don't have to let Micah do that!" Sam snaps and I turn my head to look his way uneasily. "Micah is scent marking you, leaving his scent all over you to claim you as his."

I remember how much I had wanted Micah not Edwin, how it had hurt both my cat and I to have Edwin be the one to mate with me. I look away from Sam and concentrate on a spot on the lounge as I permit Micah to continue touching me. Fear and an overwhelming sense of rightness war within me and I tremble as Micah pulls my hips back against his making me aware of his desire for me.

"I won't hurt you, I promise I won't hurt you." Micah whispers huskily against the side of my neck and I turn my head towards him slightly.

I give a startled cry as a hand slips beneath my track pants waistband. I tense but when his hand slips beneath my underwear I spread my legs obligingly as his fingers trace and explore my inner folds leaving nothing untouched. I gasp and jerk when he slips his fingers into my passage, I am shocked to find my body readying itself to accept him. He is gentle and his hand is pulled from beneath my underwear almost immediately. 

I pull away when he releases me and I regard him suspiciously. He grins widely before lifting the hand he had down my pants to his face. He sniffs his fingers and grins before popping them into his mouth and sucking them as he pumps them in and out of his mouth several times.

"Way to go Micah!" Steven yells and there is general cheering from the other toms even my brothers.

"Rosy will smell like Micah everywhere." Dwayne shouts and there is more cheering. 

I feel my face start to burn but I don't take my suspicious gaze from Micah as he takes his fingers from his mouth and I tremble nervously as he leans in close. His lips brush against mine lightly several times before he lifts his head. I'm not sure what to think as he gets to his feet and returns to where he had been sitting. He glances back at me with a satisfied smile before sitting down once again. I watch him a few more moments before moving back up onto the lounge and drawing my legs up against my chest. The sensation of his fingers in my folds still lingers I have no doubt that Micah will mount me some time soon and I know that when he does it will be a lot different to what I endured beneath Edwin.

"You didn't have to let Micah do any of that." Sam tells me gently when he sits down beside me. I expect Mitchell to reinforce Sam's statement but instead he leans in close and makes a big deal out of sniffing me noisily.

"Dwayne's right, you do smell like Micah!" Mitchell declares.

"No one smells me down there!" I deny instantly and I am mortified to hear Micah laugh.

"Micah wouldn't have sucked your taste off his fingers if he hadn't gotten his hand down your pants." Sam laughs. "And you just admitted he did just then!"

"What were you doing with your hand down Rosy's pants?" Donovan asks slightly confused.

"Micah slipped his fingers up Rosy's cunny so it would smell like him." Justin tells his younger brother. I groan and bury my face in my hands knowing my face must be burning brightly. I feel very embarrassed but at the same time some inner sense tells me that what I let Micah do is perfectly acceptable.

"Are you gonna mount Rosy?" Donovan whispers in awe.

"When Rosy is ready to let me." Micah answers.

"You're not going to make Rosy scream and cry like Edwin did are you?" Donovan asks his voice thick with worry.

"Never!" Micah snaps and takes a deep breath. "If I even tried when Rosy said no, Sam and Mitchell would hang my hide out to rot in the sun."

"I'd help them." Donovan declares in a scared voice.

"Good boy," Dwayne murmurs.

"And so you should." Micah says forcefully. "Any tom, no matter who he is, should be punished if he does anything like that to a she-kitt."

"How long before we're allowed to tell others that Rosy is having a baby?" Chris asks. I peek out from between my fingers and see all the toms have their attention on Micah.

"Ray will probably need to be told soon, but I want just us to know for now." Micah says firmly.

"I'd like to be able to tell Lotty sometime soon." Sam says.

"You can be sure Edwin will shoot his mouth off first chance he gets." Malcolm says, and Chris and Timny mutter in agreement. 

"If he does, I want to be a fly on the wall when Micah gets hold of him." Sam grins. I lower my hands and turn my head to look at Sam; he grins at me and brushes his fingers against my cheek. I smile slightly at him and glance around the other toms. Micah is leaning against a chair, his arm propped on the seat looking very relaxed. He glances my way and grins at me before turning his attention back to the others.

"How would you guys feel about turning that large room we are sectioning off in the sun room into a baby room instead of a second lounge?" Micah asks.

"Does that mean you wouldn't be moving out of the quarters and into the main house with Rosy?" Donovan asks.

"I don't intend to take Rosy anywhere near Wade after ..." Micah's voice dies down to a growl and suddenly I have the urge to be close to him as if he could protect me from my fears.

"Sounds like Doc's car," Mikkarl comments.

"Yeah he'll be coming to give a personal delivery of the results of yesterday's test." Steven says and everyone glances my way.

"He can come over here if he wants to speak to Rosy." Micah says firmly.

"I want to stay here where I feel safe." I say faintly. Micah looks at me with surprise. A smile slowly spreads across his face and he looks away without saying anymore. Clearly he is pleased with my remark. I wait tensely and when I hear footsteps outside in the gravel I sit up alertly.

"Someone's coming!" I whisper.

"Rosy, over here in this chair." Micah coaxes very faintly.

"Go." both Mitchell and Sam hiss at once and I hurry to sit in the chair Micah had been leaning on. I am barely seated in it when I hear the screen door open and at least two lots of boots on the tiles of the floor.




To Love a Stray Ch. 12



Hallo readers

Yes I did read all the comments on the last chapter and I have only one thing to say in defense of those contents. It is all about plot.

Read and enjoy, a much happier chapter 

Mygypsy

*********

I glance at the lounge where Rosy lays on her side, a pillow under her head and a blanket tucked around her body. The deep even sound of her breathing tells me she is still asleep. She made herself comfortable on the lounge not long after eating a small supper and was soon asleep.

The dark shadows under her eyes are still clearly visible but she seems to be sleeping soundly while Sam and Mitchell sit in front of the lounge leaning back against it. I study the way one of her hands rests on her lower stomach even in sleep as if to protect the life growing there.

"Where's Rosy going to sleep tonight?" Sam asks his voice tinged with worry.

"Ray will probably try to sneak in to see where Rosy is," Baxter says coolly from a chair on the edge of the lounge room. "He will be hoping to find some evidence Missy here isn't interested in Micah, that it is all just a ruse to keep your sister here against his wishes."

"Rosy will be sleeping in my bed," I state firmly. I have no intention of letting Ray gain any leverage in trying to take her from where she wants to be.

"What about me? I don't like that lumpy old mattress on the floor in the cage room. Besides Rosy is asleep on the lounge. Can't you just leave her here?" Donovan complains.

"We're definitely going to have to take you out one night and get you fixed up with some young girl so you know exactly why Micah wants Rosy in his bed," Steven laughs quietly.

"There'll be time enough to worry about that side of things when we have Rosy back to full health and feeling secure here," I say firmly.

"I've already been out with Beckie Taylor from school. She refuses to do more than kiss," Donny grumbles under his breath.

"Take her to a scary movie at the drive in," I advise.

"Why a scary movie?" Donny asks.

"So you can put your arm around her. If she doesn't want to go, she's not interested in you. Justin, you know any friendly girls with younger sisters?" I ask as I turn my head to look at him.

"Jacinta Perry is real friendly, if you know what I mean," Justin gives a faint laugh, "and her younger sister Mandy always asks how Donny is."

"See if they'll go on a double date to the drive in and you take your girl for a walk during the movie," I mutter.

"Why don't I have a bit of a chat to Celeste? It's time she started trying out toms if she isn't already," Steven says speaking of his own sister.

"You arrange for your sisters to ... that's sick," Rosy mutters.

I look at her to find her awake and glancing between us uncomfortably.

"No. We make sure the tom doesn't hurt them the first time - well anymore than it does at the start. And we make sure the tom wears a condom so there are no accidents. Only trouble is sometimes little sisters take it into their heads to pick out their own first tom and she gets more than she expects," Malcolm says. "The older a tom is the more well developed he becomes. Lotty wasn't expecting to get fully stretched her first time and did a lot of squealing about it when your brother there worked his way into her."

"So the older a tom is the bigger his ... thing is. You're not going to expect me to let you ... I'm already pregnant. That's the aim of it isn't it?" Rosy asks with a nervous laugh as her attention becomes focused on me.

"You won't mind when I've used my tongue and fingers for a while. As I remember it you quite enjoyed that," I tell her. "Maybe I should do it to you again tonight just to see if you like it as much as I thought you did."

"Can I watch when you do it to her?" Donovan asks eagerly.

"Humans don't talk about sex so openly when there are males and females in the room; and little kids don't get to watch that's for sure." Rosy blurts out.

"I'm not a little kid! I been tugging and squirting for over a year now," Donovan denies hotly.

Rosy opens her mouth and eyes wide with stunned disbelief, "You mean you been jerking off!"

"Yeah that's what boys at school call it. I can even get a good sized knot when I try for one," Donny states indignantly.

"That is so not funny! It really hurts when a tom gets one in ... in a she-kitt's cunny," Rosy splutters her voice thick with fear and disgust. "Besides, the traditional beliefs of my father and uncle are that the worst thing a girl can do to dishonour herself and her family is to have sex outside of marriage. It shows a lack of moral fibre and self-respect. The most valuable thing a girl can give her husband is a pure mind and body!"

"You're pregnant and you're not married. Why should your uncle worry? It's not like you weren't on heat," Donny points out.

"What would you ... forget it! I'm going to bed. And don't you dare try anything Micah!" Rosy snaps as she scrambles from the lounge to hurry from the room.

"There'll be trouble ahead for her if she keeps on thinking of herself as human," Baxter says quietly.

"It's just taking Rosy some time to adjust is all," Mitchell protests.

"As long as she is adjusting," Baxter comments. "Well I think I will be sleeping out here tonight, boys. If I sleep in the sunroom, my scent will probably keep her awake all night."

"I'm dragging my mattress up the far end of the sunroom so I can hear Rosy if she calls out during the night," Mitchell says with a hard look my way.

"Sounds like a plan," Sam agrees.

"As long as the walkway to the toilet is left clear," I say firmly. "I don't want anyone falling over mattresses and waking Rosy with a fright."

"Well I am not as young as you lot so if you don't mind, those of you going to your rooms clear out and let the rest of us get to sleep," Baxter orders quietly.

"I'll be on breakfast detail in the morning," I say as I get to my feet.

"What? Not going to lay in bed cuddling up with Rosy?" Steven teases.

"Remember how Rosy often got morning sickness the other time? How she only picked at breakfast when she felt off?" I ask dryly. "I want to make sure there is a wide variety of food for her to choose from. She needs to put on the weight she lost while locked in the cage."

"Pamper that little Miss and you'll soon have a very happy expectant she-kitt," Baxter says with a nod.

"We intend to pamper her," Sam states firmly.

"Good, see that you do," Baxter says making it sound like an order.

"I'm going to my room," I say heading for the doorway.

"Don't you crowd her," Baxter says firmly. "Give her plenty of time to get used to the fact it's not the tom who got her pregnant sticking by her."

Baxter's words keep running through my mind as I head for my room. Does the fact she is carrying a kitt sired by Edwin mean she would be more inclined towards him now?

I hesitate in my bedroom doorway for a few moments then Steven and Donny are right behind me so I walk into the room.

"Do you think Rosy is still awake?" Donny whispers.

"Shhh, leave the poor thing alone," Steven scolds. 

I listen to them whispering back and forth as I strip and climb into bed. I can barely make out Rosy's form where she lies on the far side of my bed. I have trouble locating my pillow and realise with some surprise Rosy has all but one pillow lined up as a barrier between us. I retrieve my pillow then toss the other pillows onto the floor. I don't want Ray accidentally finding out about Rosy's fear of intimacy.

"Micah if I wake up because the mattress is too hard or I can't get to sleep can I get in your bed?" Donovan asks in a whisper from the doorway.

"You can hop in with me now as long as you don't kick or you'll be hopping straight back out," Steven warns quietly.

"I thought you were all grown up now you're eighteen," I comment.

"I am," Donny agrees then yawns loudly.

Soon I can hear soft snores coming from Donny and turn onto my side facing where Rosy lies in my bed. Her heart rate and breathing even out until I am sure she has drifted off to sleep. My eyes are just starting to get heavy with sleep when Rosy lifts her head up off her pillow for a few moments before lying back down. She rolls onto her back and moves around for a few moments before giving a soft sigh of pleasure.

She turns her head towards me and is still for a few minutes before turning her head away and lifting one arm straight up. It hangs in the air a moment before falling onto the covers with a soft thud. She lifts her other hand and appears to be studying it, holding it close to her face for a few minutes before placing it back on the bed.

"Can't get to sleep?" I ask quietly.

I hear the soft gasp that comes from Rosy and become aware of the almost noiseless breathing coming from Steven. Obviously he is still awake as well and as interested in how Rosy reacts to me as I am.

"I'm not taking up much room. You've got plenty of room over there," Rosy says sounding slightly defensive.

"You can come over nearer the middle of the bed. Remember just after Alex was injured? You slept in here and I never once tried to do anything to you that you didn't like," I say gently. "The middle of the bed is more comfortable than the edge."

I hear her heart skip a beat then start racing while her breath seems to catch in her throat.

"Ok, stay there if you're more comfortable there," I concede.

I remain still, I make no move, no sound, and finally I hear Rosy's breathing begin to become much more even and deep. She is dozing off to sleep even though she is alone in bed with me. A faint sound comes from her and her arm closest to me twitches several times before becoming still. A few minutes later she murmurs in her sleep before giving a faint whimper.

I give a slight start as she grabs at my arm with her hand and I lift my head to look at her. I can barely make out her features in the dark but I do recognise the soft sounds of distress coming from her.

"It's okay Rosy. I'm here, you're safe," I say softly as I debate moving closer to her.

Rosy murmurs softly at my words and rolls towards me in her sleep. She ends up lying on her stomach only a few inches away from me, one arm flung over my lower ribs.

I pull the covers up over her shoulders properly and inch a fraction closer so that the forearm of the arm over my ribs hangs down instead of balancing stiffly. I consider trying to coax her off her stomach but decide not to disturb her. It isn't long before my eyes drift closed and I momentarily go to sleep. I wake when Rosy moves and I open my eyes not sure what to expect. My eyes adjust to the darkness after a few seconds and I look at Rosy startled to find she is now curled up with her back to my chest. The sound of her breathing tells me she is asleep and I close my eyes with a smile as I settle down to go back to sleep.

"What the ..." Sam's voice out in the sunroom disturbs me, but it is the bright glare of the bedroom light that brings me fully awake instantly.

I roll away from Rosy, tossing the bedclothes back as I move, rising out of bed to confront the intruder in my room.

"What are you doing sneaking into my house, McIntosh?" I demand angrily as I face Ray.

I see Sam and Mitchell hurrying into the room but give no reaction; I know I have their full support and loyalty. Behind me I am aware of Steven moving to stand beside me and though I long to check on Rosy I don't take my eyes off Ray. Mitchell moves around behind me and I know he is going to his sister.

"Why did yous wake me up?" Rosy complains sounding miserable. "I was having such a good sleep; I was nice and warm and comfy."

"Lay back down and go back to sleep," Mitchell tells her softly. "Cuddle the other pillow until Micah comes back to bed."

"Out of this bedroom now, Ray!" I hiss sharply and take a step towards him.

"Yes, it's real unfriendly sneaking into a cat's den while he's sleeping," Baxter says from just outside the door.

Ray glances behind himself uneasily before edging out of the room sideways. "I was only making sure Rosy is being looked after properly! With Edwin staying at the house instead of here with Rosy I wanted to be sure Sam and Mitchell are doing their duty as brothers!"

"Kindly remove yourself from this building now!" I spit angrily and hear echoing growls from most of the warriors. I follow after Ray as he backs down the sunroom and then the hallway before stumbling out the screen door. I shut the reinforced wooden door after him and head back towards my room in a hurry. Tomorrow I will be investigating how he got into a locked building.

"Is he gone?" Rosy demands anxiously as soon as I walk into the room. She looks away hurriedly and I remember I am naked.

"Gone and locked out," I say and watch as she allows Mitchell to ease her back under the covers. He is talking quietly to her as he sits on the bed along side her brushing the hair back off her face. I realise Rosy handled being woken up so abruptly quite well; there has been no screaming or crying on her part.

"Do you want a drink of water or anything?" I ask as I pull on a pair of boxer shorts.

"I just wanta sleep," Rosy mumbles.

"I'm ..." Mitchell begins to talk to her.

"I'll be right here," I say cutting Mitchell off. "I will make sure you're safe."

"Mhhh," Rosy murmurs with a sleepy glance towards me before shutting her eyes once again.

"Mitchell can stay with you until you're asleep," I tell Rosy. "Then he's going to his bed so he can sleep. I will be right here, and Steven is in the room as well. Both of your brothers will be just outside the door, so no-one can hurt you, okay?"

Rosy gives another murmur as she nods her head without opening her eyes. I climb into bed and make myself comfortable so I don't wake her up once she is asleep. A few minutes later Mitchell leaves the room turning the light out as he goes. I listen to Rosy's soft breathing for a short while before allowing myself to drift off to sleep.

* * * * *

"Rosy, Rosy, are you awake?" Donovan's whispered question wakes me and I open my eyes slowly as I smell breakfast cooking.

Donovan is sitting on Micah's side of the bed with a tray in front of him. He grins when he sees I am awake and picks up the tray with great care and moves it closer to me.

"Micah cooked you breakfast and I asked him if I could bring it in here but he made me promise to take it back out to the kitchen if you were still asleep," Donovan informs me. He grins widely looking a lot like Micah and Dwayne as he picks up a large glass of juice and offers it to me.

"I poured your drink for you," he says proudly.

"Wait a moment. I need to sit up to eat and drink," I tell him and he holds my drink while I move myself into a sitting position against the headboard before reaching for the drink.

"Micah got the bacon out special just for you. Steven told Micah he'd spoil you if he makes you breakfast in bed too often but Micah told Steven that he was only worried you wouldn't make muffins for breakfast again. Steven was worried I mean, not Micah. He just laughed at Steven. Are you going to make muffins again for breakfast? Cause if you do I like chocolate chip muffins, or blueberry, or just any you want to make," Donovan says eagerly.

"Really?" I ask with a straight face and pat the bed beside me. "Want to keep me company?"

"Yeah! That'd be great," Donovan says eagerly as he moves to sit beside me.

I hand him a piece of bacon that isn't as crisp as the rest and he chews on it happily while I eat the scrambled eggs on a piece of toast. I look at the sausages and decide I don't want them before passing them to him on the end of my fork. Donovan eats enthusiastically while I chew on the crisp bacon slowly, enjoying the taste and texture.

"I thought I said you were to come back to the kitchen, not eat Rosy's breakfast for her," Micah says gruffly from the doorway startling me.

"But Rosy asked me to keep her company," Donovan protests.

"I did ask him if he wanted to keep me company," I hurry to tell Micah.

"That's ok then. Donny, go make sure there's enough bacon in the fridge for Rosy to have some at lunch if she wants some. Then see what Dwayne is up to," Micah tells his youngest brother without taking his eyes off me.

"If I must," Donovan sighs, sounding as if he was getting the job he most dreaded. 

I watch as he climbs off the bed and leaves the room slowly, all the while looking as if he is about to be punished for the next month or more. Micah turns his head from watching Donovan leave the room and looks me over slowly.

"Did he stand in the doorway to check if you were awake or not?" Micah asks.

"It is possible he did before he climbed on the bed and asked if I was awake," I tell him with a wide grin. I feel good this morning and I am pleased by the attention Micah is showering on me. Micah seats himself on the edge of the bed and watches as I pick up another piece of bacon and start eating it.

"He is full of good intentions but he's still only a kid and gets carried away a lot," Micah tells me.

"Well I think he's a nice kid. He is really sweet," I say and pick up a piece of bacon to inspect it before putting it in my mouth. I add, "and it was nice to be woken up to a nice breakfast and have company," I say almost defensively as I remember the lonely meals I have endured over the last few weeks.

"Well you got more company waiting out in the lounge room if you want it. And how would you like to go for a drive later?" he asks as he takes my empty tray.

"Can I?" I ask excited about the thought of being outside again.

"Yeah I'm going to pick up a few parts for one of the vans and I thought you might like to come along if I can talk Wade into removing that darned collar," Micah tells me.

"If he won't take it off I can wear a scarf or something. I promise I'll do as you say," I implore him. "I just want to be able to go outside!"

Micah's expression becomes extremely serious for a few moments before he shakes his head, "I'm sorry Rosy but I won't have you getting too far from that key. We can go outside here at the compound."

"I don't care where we go as long as it's outside," I breathe, hardly daring to believe my good luck.

"You won't be able to get too excited or shape-shift with that collar on," Micah warns me.

"I don't care. As long as I can go outside! Please, Micah, please!" I beg as I walk on my knees towards him, "You don't know what it was like being locked in that cage not able to see the sky or feel the wind on my face! It hurt me worse than what Edwin did to me!"

"I'll take you outside Rosy, I promise. Even if we just end up sitting on the grass for a while," Micah tells me gently. "Now why don't you have a shower or get changed?" 

"Ok," I agree and look towards the large built-in cupboard on one side of the room. "Are my things still in the other room?" 

"No I moved them in here, so expect them to have my scent on them," he warns me.

I give an annoyed snort as I go to the cupboard and open the door to look in it. My clothes are placed neatly on racks and in shelves near Micah's clothes, and I can't complain too much if I'm honest about it because he took the time and care to put them in my familiar order. I pick a pair of cut off jeans and one of my favourite tops, make a point of sniffing them and sending an annoyed look his way before grabbing what underwear I wanted and heading for the bathroom.

I don't take long with my shower because I want to get outside as quickly as possible, and when I am dressed I make my way out to the lounge room. As expected, everyone is there and I smile happily as I sit on the floor in front of the tv where Steven and Mitchell are playing an x-box game.

"Good morning. What game are you playing? A martial arts fighting game? Who's winning?" I ask.




To Love a Stray Ch. 12



"I am," Steven manages as he works his controller moving his arms around in the air as if it will help his avatar play better. "No," he groans as Mitchell's avatar decapitates his.

"Foul!" Dwayne cries, "Mitchell used his sister as a weapon to distract Steven. Replay!"

"No!" Mitchell yells, "I won fair and square!"

"That's right," Mikkarl says enthusiastically. "It's not Mitchell's fault if you can't concentrate!"

"Yeah," I agree whole-heartedly. "If I wanted to distract you I'd give you a Wet Willy," I laugh.

"A what?" Steven asks and looks my way.

I stick one of my fingers in my mouth grinning as I make sure it is nicely wet before reaching out and sticking it in the ear of a completely unsuspecting Steven and twisting my finger back and forth a few times. I can't help finding their lack of knowledge of a lot of human things useful.

"Hey," Steven shouts in horror as he ducks away from my hand.

"One of those," I laugh as he shouts and ducks.

"What are you doing?" Micah asks as he and Sam walk into the lounge room from the kitchen.

"Demonstrating a Wet Willy," I say with a happy smile.

"A what?" Micah asks with a frown and several of the toms in the lounge room laugh. 

I study Micah for several moments noting he appears very relaxed and has a slight smile on his face so I know he is in a good mood. I get to my feet deciding to chance the idea that suddenly popped into my head.

"I'll explain it to you," I say and walk over to him as I pop a different finger in my mouth and suck on it moistening it. His eyes are glued to the finger in my mouth and I circle it with my tongue letting the tip of my tongue peep from between my lips as I do it. A thrill passes through me as I see the way his eyes darken.

"A Wet Willy is ..." I say each word slowly and clearly as I move close and place one hand on his chest before reaching up and motioning him closer. Micah is completely unsuspecting and as he leans closer lowering his head, I deftly slip my damp finger into his ear, rotating it slightly. 

"That's a Wet Willy," I shout with glee and jump back as Micah jerks away with a startled shout.

"Oi!"

I giggle at the look of astonishment on his face but my enjoyment quickly dims as a serious look covers his face and he takes a step towards me.

"So you want to play do you?" Micah asks gruffly. "We'll see how funny you think it is when I get my hands on you and give you one of them ... Willy things," he growls. His voice is threatening, but the wide smile on his face belies his actions as he stalks towards me. I blink, uncertain of his reaction for a moment then dodge behind one of the lounge chairs as toms scramble out of the way.

"Don't let him catch ya Rosy," Mitchell yells his encouragement.

"Show her what happens to sassy cats that play horrid tricks," Steven yells his encouragement to Micah. 

Suddenly nearly all of the toms are calling their encouragement to one or the other of us as I dodge around chairs and groups of toms just out of Micah's reach. Finally I make the mistake of trying to dodge the length of the lounge and he snags me around the waist with one long arm. I am hauled up against his chest and he snuffles around my neck from behind before sticking his tongue in my ear making me squeal with surprise before trying for my other ear.

Micah's breath is warm against my ear as he finds it and I suddenly realise his breathing is heavier. His hands have found their way to just beneath my breasts and there is a hard ridge growing against my lower back. I stop wriggling and attempting to escape his hold as I turn my head to the side slightly and watch him over the top of my shoulder. He loosens his hold slightly and one hand slips beneath the bottom of my top to begin to move in slight circles on my ribs. I remain passive as his hand makes bolder circles and it is not until his fingertips brush the underside of my breast that I gasp and push against his arms.

I step away from him as his arms fall away and I turn to glance at him uncertainly. He is watching me intently with dark heavily lidded eyes and I feel a strange empty ache jump to life low in my loins as my breasts suddenly tingle with unaccustomed sensitivity. I smile nervously as I move away several steps but Micah makes no attempt to stop me and I start to breathe easier with relief.

"What are we doing today?" Steven asks as Micah turns away from me.

"I've got to go to town to pick up the parts for the van if I can't talk Wade into letting me send Sam or you," Micah tells him. "If the trailer is taken along, more plaster board can be bought back to finish that room off, then it can be painted."

"I take it you want to stay here," Sam comments watching me.

"I am not leaving Rosy here if Edwin might be here and I can't take her with me if I can't get hold of the key to that blasted collar," Micah growls.

"I understand where you're coming from," Sam says quietly.

"You want to have a turn on the x-box?" Mitchell invites me.

I look at Mitchell where he is sitting in front of the tv again, and I grin as I quickly take charge of the second controller. I lie down on my stomach and prop myself up on my elbows as I begin a game against Mitchell.

"Rosy! Should you be lying on your stomach? Surely it can't be good for ... you," Micah interrupts.

I pause the game before I roll onto my side and look at him. "The baby is so tiny it doesn't make any difference to me," I say before rolling back onto my stomach and glancing at Mitchell before resuming the game. I am not about to tell him that my breasts are tender which is why I am propped up on my elbows.

"I'm going to have a chat to Doc about this," Micah growls low in his throat. A sudden surge of annoyance has me reaching out and pressing the reset button before dropping the controller and getting up to sit in a chair.

"Happy?" I demand angrily.

"No, I'm new to this whole father thing. I'm going to talk to Doc and find out what is safe for you to do and what isn't," Micah tells me firmly.

"Father thing? Just what do you mean? You're going to be an uncle not a father," I snap angrily.

"Uhoh," Steven mutters.

"Tell me she didn't just say that." Mitchell says in disbelief.

"Doesn't Rosy like Micah?" asks Donovan. 

I hear the faint shuffling as all the toms except for Micah head outside. I glance around suddenly nervous to find myself left alone with Micah who is glaring at me angrily.

"I am the closest thing to a father that child you're carrying will ever get unless you're going to hand it over to Edwin the moment it's born," Micah snaps angrily. "Or have you decided you want to go with Ray so he can arrange a marriage for you? I doubt there are many toms out there willing to wait for you to feel comfortable with them touching you before they start mounting you each night. Or maybe that's what you need -- a tom who gets the job done, just like Edwin did."

"You're horrid!" I tell him. "And this is my baby! No one else's!"

"Well who is going to stand between that baby and any tom who decides to drop it in a bucket of water so that he can mount you and start his own baby growing in your belly?" Micah snarls at me. He turns to face the doorway as the screen door opens and the sound of someone hurrying towards us can be heard.

"Wade's coming," Sam says in the doorway before heading back outside.

"So what the hell was all that about this morning since you obviously have decided you don't want me?" Micah demands tightly.

"You were so nice yesterday and you made sure Edwin didn't touch me and I wanted ... you don't try to touch me all the time like you did before I got locked in the cage! I just wanted to play and have fun like we were starting to before I went to that meeting," I mutter and turn my face away.

"So you thought you'd give me cheap thrills by encouraging me to scent mark you again?" Micah demands on a hiss.

"Is that what you did?" I ask startled.

"Yeah and you nearly got marked 'everywhere' in a different way to yesterday," Micah hisses at me. The screen door squeaks as it is opened and I turn my head towards the door to listen to the footsteps. 

Recognising them as Wade's tread, I move well back, careful to keep Micah between me and Wade. The toms file in behind him and move to stand around the room and I note unhappily that no one comes to stand near me.

"I am sure you'll be relieved to hear Edwin and Ray left at four am this morning," Wade tells Micah. "I want you to go pick up those parts for the van today. And a team needs to go out tomorrow and deal with some trouble. I'll let you decide who goes."

"First, the collar comes off Rosy," Micah tells his father. "And secondly Ray managed to get into these quarters even though they were locked securely."

"No the collar stays. It is the only way of ensuring her safety at the moment. I allowed Edwin to go into the cage. He's not here to keep her from running away so it's up to me to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid and jeopardise her health and safety," Wade states firmly. "I gave Ray a key so he could snoop to satisfy himself there was no way Rosy was leaving. It was the quickest way to get him to leave."

"None of us appreciated finding Ray in here in the middle of the night. And Steven can go get the parts for the van. I am not leaving Rosy here and I will not take her out of reach of the key in case she panics," Micah says angrily.

"She has to be kept on the leash," Wade states, "especially if you go outside."

Micah glances at me and I smile and nod my agreement. He turns back to Wade with a frown on his face, "No leash. Rosy can't earn our trust if we aren't willing to trust her."

"No, not yet," Wade says after a few tense moments.

"I came back when I went to get help for Jazzy even though I knew what would most likely happen to me. I kept my word I would do as I was told," I say quietly.

"You disclosed our secret to a human and you threatened us with a gun," Wade tells me angrily.

"Get your facts straight! My uncle already knew of the existence of werecats and if I had been serious about the threat I would have used the pistol in the bag that is used for putting down animals, not a dart gun!" I snap annoyed. I want to scream, shout and throw things at him in my anger, but I have learnt the lesson about what happens if you disrespect or defy an Alpha.

"You really are not helping," Micah snaps without looking my way.

"If you want some peace and quiet you can always lock her in the cage for the day," Wade tells Micah.

"No Micah! Please not that," I beg as fear fills me. I feel the tears begin to run down my cheeks. "Please Micah! Please!"

"I'm sure there will be no need of that," Micah tells his father as he reaches a hand back towards me. I hurry forward to take his hand and let him pull me close against his side while I rub my wet cheeks against his upper arm drying them.

"I guess that's all for now," Wade says after watching me for a few moments.

"Doc still over at the house?" Micah asks. "I want to talk to him about a few things."

"I'll tell him," Wade answers before leaving with a nod towards Micah.

When Wade has left the house Micah lets his arm fall from around me and I miss the contact immediately, even as I realise he is still angry with me over my outburst earlier. 

"Dwayne, Chris, Malcolm and Kirby, you had best be the team to go. I need Sam and Mitchell here at the moment," Micah tells them. He glances towards the lounge, "Sit down, Rosy." 

I do as I am told although I would rather stay beside him. I glance around to find no one coming to keep me company. Uhoh, what have I done now?

Sam appears with the chain and I sit still while he attaches it to my collar. He motions for me to get to my feet and I glance at Micah before I do. Mitchell comes out from the bedrooms and drops a hat on my head before heading outside. Sam follows him and I am left to follow as well or find out how serious this chain thing is.

"Want to tell us why you rejected Micah?" Mitchell asks when we have nearly reached the tree line.

"What do you mean?" I ask confused as I slow and stop.

"This morning in front of everyone, after you flirted with him and let him scent mark you again. Then you told him he's not going to be the baby's father," Sam tells me levelly. He was a very worried look on his face and so does Mitchell.

"You're going to need someone who can keep Edwin away or he will take the baby when it's born. I think Edwin sees it as his way to get back here and get Micah kicked out," Mitchell tells me.

"I rejected Micah?" I ask uncertainly.

"Yeah, you made it clear you don't consider him a suitable father to the baby. I could have sworn you like Micah. And when Jazzy was coming into heat it looked to me like you were starting to consider that maybe you wanted him to be here when you came in," Sam says seriously.

"Oh," I mutter and turn away and take several steps towards the trees as I try to gather my thoughts. Surely Sam and Mitchell have a place in mind where we can sit and talk. They fall into step beside me and soon we are at a small clearing with a tiny spring bringing water to the surface and giving a profusion of wildflower blooms. I climb up onto a fallen tree and go to walk along its length to sit in the shade at the far end of the trunk but both of my brothers frown at me.

"Get down off there before you slip and fall," Sam warns.

"Ok, ok, getting down. The pregnant cat is getting down," I mutter.

"None of us want to see anything happen like ..." Mitchell breaks off and looks down at the ground at his feet.

"Like when I lost the twins," I say quietly as I carefully step down onto firm ground.

"Want to tell us why you don't like Micah anymore?" Mitchell asks as we sit down in the shade. I pull my legs up against my chest, wrap my arms around them and rest my chin on my knees.

"Do you think Micah would come here now so I can talk to him and explain things?" I ask.

"If you want to patch things up with him, yes. If you're about to explain why you don't want him, no," Sam tells me levelly.

"Well can one of you go and get him before I chicken out on patching things up?" I ask.

"I'll go," Mitchell says climbing to his feet and heading off at a fast jog.

"Mitchell's angry with me isn't he?" I say to Sam.

"A bit," Sam admits. "But he is also very worried for you. If you break up with Micah, Ray will try to take you away from here."

I look away suddenly scared. I am still not totally sure I want to be with Micah, but if the alternative is to leave here....?

"Ok. I do like Micah, I like him a lot. So much that I came back as much because he is here as to help Jazzy. And I thought he was being bossy to me earlier about laying on my belly ... my breasts are tender, not my belly. I guess I didn't understand about him thinking of himself as the baby's father because ... he's never once even tried to put his hand on my belly, either now or before with the twins," I say and glance at Sam uneasily.

"Well tell him," Sam says evenly.

"I think I could still manage to stuff up something so simple," I mutter and look away from my brother as I ask my question. "Would just dropping my pants and presenting to him make him realise anything?"

"It would certainly make you realise how much he wants you because I don't see him saying no. Because scent marking is nearly the equivalent, only it washes away easier," Sam says with a relieved sounding laugh. We sit in silence for a short while before Sam clears his throat.

"It might be an idea if you shoved your hand down your pants and got yourself ready for him if that's what you're planning because I don't think he'll be able to stop and make sure you're ready this first time," Sam advises. "Presenting like that drives all thoughts but one from a guy's mind."

"After him scent marking me yesterday and this morning, I don't need to do that," I mutter embarrassed. 

Sam chuckles then stops for a moment, "Okay, I can hear them coming back."

"Good, I'm getting very nervous here," I mumble.

"It won't take long the first time with the length of time he's been waiting," Sam tells me.

I nod and swallow nervously before glancing towards the sounds of someone approaching. I can't help but wonder what sex is going to be like. Before it has always been forced on me. Even when I was on heat, then it was my inner cat deciding she wanted fulfilment. Me, the human part of me, was locked away inside, forced to endure her primal urges.

Mitchell is the first to jog into view followed by both Micah and Steven. I feel my courage waver slightly and look down to look at my feet in my sandals. The image of them stays in my mind. Both of them are only wearing low riding jeans and there are traces of sawdust on their chest and shoulders.

"You wanted to speak to me?" Micah asks as he crosses his arms over his chest. Beneath the anger I hear his hurt and glance at Sam. Sam gets to his feet and moves over to motion Steven aside. 

I feel a throb reawaken high between my thighs as I get to my feet. I kick my sandals off and turn my back on Micah as I unzip my jeans and quickly push them down off my hips and legs taking my underwear with them. I hear his sharply drawn breath and then I am kneeling to drop into position, my butt facing Micah and a cool wind blowing on the dampness in my folds.

"Do you still want me as your girlfriend?" I ask over my shoulder. 

Micah barely gives a grunt in reply as he unzips his jeans and pushes them down. I turn my head towards the front deciding it is best if I don't see him coming. I lower my head and shoulders as I hear him move behind me, one hand clasping me by the hips while the other dives for my slit. I gasp as he shoves his fingers in deep and then he is stretching and opening me as he moves his fingers. I whimper and push back against his hand; just his touch is sending pleasure deep within me. He gives a grunt of satisfaction before pulling his fingers from my passage.

"I'll be as gentle as I can," Micah says softly.

I feel something hard press against my slit and then the burn as he pushes in. I gasp and there is a sudden thrust, and I squeal as Micah slams all the way into my body. 

We should be using a condom, I barely have time to think before his hands move up to cup my breasts for a few moments. He reaches forward to cup his hands over top of my shoulders as he pumps vigorously into to me.

"Oh shit! Oh fuck," I squeal as I press back against him and I hear him chuckle before grunting again. Then he is pounding into me so hard and fast I can only whimper as I press back against him as he stiffens and slams into me savagely.

"Oh God," Micah moans hoarsely and gently pulls me onto my side to lay on the ground with him still in my body as he pants. I whimper as my spasms of pleasure subside almost before they had begun.

"Hell man you really got an overflow of her cunny going there. Did you save it up all week for her or what," Steven asks in amusement and I jerk as I feel something wipe over my moist folds where Micah still rests inside me.

"What the hell," Micah growls as he pushes up on his elbow.

"Just getting a little souvenir from the show," Steven hoots and takes off at a run.

"The bastard!" Micah mutters as he eases down behind me. He runs a gentle hand down my arm and laces his fingers through mine. "I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No, but I think my brothers might have something to say to you though," I say as I laugh softly at my thoughts.

"Yeah you think so?" Micah asks sounding amused. 

"Yeap, it might be a bit early to tell but I think you might have just got me pregnant! You forgot to use a condom," I say and burst into laughter. "Honestly ... that thought ... instantly came into ... my ...head when ...you ... slammed into my ... into me."




To Love a Stray Ch. 12



Micah tightens his arms around me as he joins in my laughter. After a few minutes he gently eases from my passage making me gasp and attempt to push back onto him but he holds my hips firmly as he slips free.

"Shit! I should have done this to you sooner," Micah mutters softly.

"You pair finished?" Sam calls from somewhere not too close but not too far away.

"You should have warned me that was going to happen," I hear Mitchell growl and Sam laughs at him.

"You pair of squeamish old goats can come back but be prepared: your sister hasn't managed to put her pants back on yet," Micah calls and I hurriedly reach for my jeans and underwear.

"I can't find my undies. I'm sure I left them in my jeans so they wouldn't get lost," I mutter.

"What?" Micah asks and I glance at him. 

He frowns then his eyes go dark with annoyance. "Steven! I am going to pound some sense into your head," he yells as he gets to his feet and pulls his jeans up hurriedly before racing off after Steven who I can hear laughing in the distance. 

I am pulling my jeans on while trying to ignore the cloudy fluid running down the inside of my legs causing my jeans to stick to them. Sam and Mitchell come out of the trees just the other side of the spring as I am doing the zipper up and I glance at them self-consciously.

"Gee, you look like you pissed your pants," Sam says and starts laughing.

"Um, don't you think you should tell the tom to use a condom before he mounts you, not once he has you?" Mitchell asks and starts laughing. I look at him slightly confused as I finally finish getting my jeans done up.

"As soon as you finished squealing when he mounted you, you yelled at him that you were supposed to be using a condom," Sam says and laughs even harder.

"Oh!" I say covering my face with my hands. "I thought I'd only thought that! No wonder he laughed at me afterwards!" 

"What did you say to Micah to chase him off so fast?" Mitchell manages to ask between bouts of laughter, and I can't help noticing how happy they both seem.

"It looks like Steven stole my underwear and maybe even wiped them in ... well some smelly stuff," I mutter as I turn my face away in embarrassment and both my brothers start laughing.

"Steven couldn't pass up the chance to do Micah's boasting for him!" Mitchell says gasping for breath. "Micah assumed you had run off or climbed up where we couldn't get you down which was why I returned to get him. He was cussing a blue streak before he even left the quarters and now Steven is going to go and make sure everyone knows what you wanted Micah for! Micah will so get paid out by everyone for his mistake!"

"Oh my gosh," I say hiding my face in my hands. "Everything is going from bad to worse!"

"Why? Because all the toms will be stirring Micah about you finally trusting him enough to let him do what he's wanted from the start?" Sam laughs and shakes his head. "We were all starting to think maybe you wouldn't be able to let a tom do anything ... significant."

"What is it with all you cats being so interested in my love life, or lack there of?" I demand. 

"Who else other than you and possibly Jazzy are going to have babies so we can look after them?" Sam asks.

"Go find yourselves a human woman if you want kids that bad," I mutter.

"And end up having half-breeds who can't change or end up going crazy if they do?" Mitchell demands. I stop walking as I remember how hard of a time I'd had with trying to adjust until the warriors rescued me from some strays. 

"Sorry, bad idea. I didn't think that through before saying it," I admit.

"You are going to have more than one baby aren't you?" Sam asks.

"Not at once, I hope and besides it depends on what Micah ... if we're still together. If he wants more," I mumble suddenly unsure of how things would be for me from now on.

"It's safe to say he'll stick around. He has recently turned down several invitations from different she-kitts to visit while they are in heat, and he has remained interested in you all along, despite Edwin and the cage," Sam tells me. "You really need to try to have a good chat with him, see what he wants."

"Rosy there's one she-kitt. She and Micah were starting to build an understanding between them before we found you. But since then ..." Mitchell explains in a gentle voice but I stop abruptly and turn to face him with a frown.

"Has there any thing going on between them recently? Is he seeing her or something?" I demand tightly.

"No, he stopped seeing her not long after Alex died but before you ran away," Sam tells me.

"So it isn't an issue. She's part of the past," I snap as I start walking once again and pull gently on the chain Sam is carrying. Eventually I manage to have all of it in my hands and hang it over my shoulder to carry it. I don't want to think of the possibility there is someone out there Micah will realise he is more interested in then me and the kitt I carry.

"I think the idea is for one of us to keep hold of one end of the leash at all times so you don't try to run away," Sam tells me.

"Sam, I happen to be pregnant and I am realistic enough to know my best chance of not losing this kitt is to remain here where I can be protected by you guys," I say dryly.

"You want this kitt?" Mitchell asks sounding both hopeful and pleased.

"Yeah, I love the little jellybean already," I admit and frown as a shadow of worry touches my mind. "Everyone is so excited and wants to touch my belly whenever they get a chance, everyone except for Micah. He hasn't touched me once."

"You'll probably find it a very different case now. If he takes this as serious as I think he will, anyone wanting to touch your belly will have to get by him first," Sam tells me.

"Oh great, jealous boyfriend from hell," I mutter with sudden anxiety.

Both my brothers laugh and Sam lifts the chain from my shoulder to drape it over his own shoulder before we reach the tree line of the compound. 

"Well you won't have to put up with being touched all the time except by Micah," Mitchell points out.

"I actually really enjoyed sharing the baby belly with everyone yesterday," I tell them seriously.

"You better believe we all were thrilled especially by the way you wanted us to be a part of it; that's how it's meant to be. The other time it was like letting us touch you was a form of torture for you," Sam tells me worriedly.

"Well then I'm sure you're glad to know I loved being touched yesterday and I think maybe I liked the whole thing more than you guys did, except for Micah not wanting to touch my belly," I say with a frown.

"You'll need to talk to him make it clear to him what you want from him," Sam informs me. "Oh and don't change your jeans or have a shower until everyone has had a chance to smell for themselves what's happened."

"Do you think it bothers him that it was Edwin in the cage with me? I had no say in it you know," I tell them. Instantly both of my brothers growl low in their throats and I can nearly feel the anger radiating from them.

"It took Baxter plus all of us to stop Micah going to the house, defying his Alpha and going into the cage to pull Edwin off you," Mitchell tells me. "Even Donovan knew Wade would have to kick Micah out of the pride for that and Micah needed to be here when you got out of the cage."

"Did you know Edwin would give me to Micah when I was allowed out?" I ask.

"No, but if Micah wasn't here he couldn't challenge Edwin for you," Sam tells me with a level look.

"Oh," Is all I can manage to say.

"Looks like they know we're back." Mitchell says and I glance towards the stone shed where he is looking. Toms are standing in the doorway watching us and I can see the shadowy forms of more of them behind those in front. One tom separates himself from the rest and I recognise Steven. He heads to the quarters at a jog and disappears inside not far ahead of us. Donovan is sitting alone in front of the tv playing a one player game when we walk into the lounge room, and he frowns when he sees us.

"You know it's not nice to run away when all we were trying to do is help you," Donovan snaps at me and I realise he isn't aware of what truly happened. I sit beside him and pick up the second controller. He scowls at me so I put it down and stretch out on my belly beside him.

"Don't lie on your belly! Micah will get mad when he sees and after him having to go catch you," Donovan says with an angry glance. 

The expression is wiped from his face and he takes an experimental sniff. "What is that smell?" he asks wide-eyed. I can see he has a good idea of what it is and I give him a bit of a grin.

"I didn't run away but Micah sure did catch me," I tell him with a wink.

"You let Micah mount you? Oh wow! Wait until I tell the others!" Donovan exclaims excitedly as he drops the controller and jumps to his feet. He hesitates a moment then falls to his knees, grabs me in a hug and presses a kiss to my cheek before jumping up and racing for the door.

"Hey everyone! Hey!" Donovan yells as he runs outside leaving the screen door to bang noisily.

"Well you've certainly made Donny's day, especially letting him give you that cuddle," Micah says and I look towards the doorway startled. He is standing in the doorway leaning against the door jam with one shoulder watching me with a grin and I roll onto my side off my belly.

"It really doesn't hurt the kitt when I lie on my belly," I tell him. 

"So Doc has told me," Micah says quietly. "I had a bit of a chat to him this morning while you went for your walk so that hopefully I don't go upsetting you over silly misunderstandings."

I watch as his gaze shifts from my face to my stomach and his face turns serious as he straightens and walks towards me. I roll onto my back and watch his eyes as he moves to stand over me. He settles on his knees beside me and slowly slips both his hands under the bottom of my t-shirt before unzipping my jeans and pushing them low to expose my belly. His hands skim light circles on my bare skin before his fingers interlace as he covers where the baby rests beneath my navel.

"Yesterday when you didn't touch my belly, I was so scared you didn't want me because of this kitt," I tell him softly as the tears well in my eyes.

"If I had touched your belly I would have done this," Micah moves his hands and presses a kiss where they had been resting. He lifts his head and moves lower to smell me through the fabric of my jeans before lifting his head to look at me. I gasp as he lifts my hips and pushes my jeans down in one easy motion. His eyes don't leave mine as he works my jeans lower and I gasp again as I realise exactly what he intends.

I open my legs wide when he slips the jeans off one of my legs and I watch as he moves to kneel between my thighs. I gasp as his mouth closes over my slit and then I lose all coherent thought as he sets about showing me exactly what he meant.

"You are going to have a lot of company in a minute," Sam warns and I start as I realise that both my brothers are over by the door standing guard as Micah has his way with me. Micah groans as he lifts his head and he meets my eyes. His eyes are dark with desire but he wipes the back of his hand over his mouth reluctantly before moving as if to stand up.

* * * * *

"Oh no you don't," Rosy protests. "They can wait a little longer." 

"They won't, you know," I tell her with a smile.

"Yes they will. They wouldn't dare interrupt. Sam and Mitchell will make them wait outside," Rosy says and rolls onto her belly before getting onto her hands and knees.

I inhale sharply at the sight before me. Rosy's sex pouts from between her upper thighs. I can see the fluids from our earlier session showing wetly where her passage gapes slightly, telling me of her excitement. I can smell her rich spicy scent that betrays her arousal.

"Micah, I'm not finished with you yet." Rosy calls back over her shoulder to me with a smile as I reach for my zipper eagerly. 

I see uncertainty and nervousness flit across her face as I free my cock from my jeans. Rosy makes no objection as I kneel behind her and take hold of her hips; I thrust back and forth slightly making the head of my cock rub against her clit and the slick entrance below it. Rosy gasps and tries to move but I hold her hips firmly as I continue to tease her. She tenses as the screen door opens squeakily but I push gently against her entrance claiming her full attention.

"You sure you're alright with this?" I ask as I stop moving.

"More so than I'd be if you stopped now," Rosy gasps as she attempts to push back against me. I move one hand down and grasp the shaft of my cock so I can guide myself into her passage smoothly. Her passage is tight as the head of my cock slowly disappears from view; then it is past the sphincter muscle and Rosy squeals as I slide smoothly in right up to my balls.

"Oh! Oh!" Rosy squeals as I begin moving deep inside her. 

I know the others are just in the hallway but I don't stop as I begin moving in a steady rhythm. Rosy squeals again and pushes back hard against me as I move making me grasp her hips and guide her into a steady rhythmic movement. Rosy moans and I realise it is with pleasure as she buries her face against her forearms and begins whimpering.

I can feel her inner muscles clenching against me as if they are trying to hold me deep within her passage. I lean forward, reaching both hands beneath her to cup her breasts through the fabric of her clothing. I use both thumbs to brush her nipples into hard beads beneath her shirt before gliding one hand down over her stomach to that place between her legs.

Rosy gasps and squeals as I find her clit with two of my fingers. I tweak it gently and she tenses as she groans and pushes herself hard onto my cock. I feel a familiar pressure build in my balls then it pulses up into my shaft as ripples flow through the muscles of Rosy's cunny. More pressure swells almost to the point of pain from within; an incredible pulsing pleasure races from where I am lodged within Rosy's passage up into my body and fans out until even my fingers and toes tingle.

"Oh shit Micah," Rosy cries hoarsely as she presses back against me. 

I groan as I grab her hips to hold her still as I realise I have allowed my knot to form inside her passage. I remember how she mentioned this has always caused her pain in the past, that it was often the end result of when she was taken against her will. 

I close my eyes as I hope and pray I am mistaken over what has happened only to have another wave of pleasure roll over me as I feel myself throb inside of her.

"Oh God, Oh God," Rosy moans softly and I release her hips. I feel spasms run through her cunny she turns her head to look back over her shoulder at me in surprise.

"You all right?" I ask worriedly. "I'm not hurting you?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be alright after that?" Rosy asks with a huge smile. "You're not squashing me or anything."

Slowly her smile fades and her eyes go wide; she looks away as she pulls against our joined bodies.

"I think we might have a slight prob ..." I stop mid word and groan deeply as another wave of pleasure throbs through my shaft leaving me trembling.

Rosy squeals sharply and pushes back against me even as she twists her body and attempts to look behind her.

"You...?" I hear Baxter ask.

"Yeah I think so. Shit! What the hell do I do?" I mutter to myself. 

I am starting to get an uneasy feeling that Rosy doesn't like what has happened and she attempts to pull away from me by curling her body away from my hips. I gasp as I feel a painless tug so I curve my body to hers and slip my arms around Rosy to hold her gently.

"It's alright Rosy, I promise it'll be alright," I murmur soothingly to her. 

I kneel there with my eyes squeezed tightly closed, afraid to move as I think about what has happened. I wait for Rosy's panic to start but a few moments later I am shocked as pleasure throbs once again leaving me trembling as Rosy groans deeply then squeals with pleasure.

"I'm sorry Rosy, I'm sorry this wasn't meant to happen," I tell Rosy when I can talk again.

"You okay Rosy?" Baxter asks quietly close to my head.

I can't help it; I give a low deep growl and press my hips against Rosy more firmly. 

I hear the slight sounds as Baxter moves away, and I turn my head so I can see him join the toms in the doorway.

"Someone has gone to get Marissa and Doc," Baxter says quietly.

Behind Baxter I can see Mitchell glaring at me over Sam's shoulder as Sam talks to him in a soft intense voice. Steven is watching from around the door jam with a large grin on his face as toms move behind him so all can take turns getting a glimpse into the room. Evidently most, if not all, of the toms have been able to see what has occurred and all of them seem to approve heartily.

"Micah, what have you done?" Marissa asks as she walks into the room slightly out of breath; it seems she has run from the main house.

"I didn't realise what was happening until I went to pull out when we were finished and couldn't." I tell her worriedly. "Is Rosy alright?"

"Steady there Micah," Wade says and I growl and jerk in reaction. I gasp in surprise but it doesn't really hurt when Rosy strains against the joining of our bodies.

"Take it easy son. Rosy seems okay, just more than a little overwhelmed by what has happened," Wade says softly. 

I feel embarrassment hit me; both of my parents are here to witness my lack of control with Rosy. Here I am locked up inside her as if I had never been told what is and what isn't acceptable for a young she-kitt. I feel moisture ease the tightness of Rosy's grip on me and then another wave of throbbing pleasure leaves me trembling against her body.

"Looks like it'll be over in the next few minutes," Marissa says as Rosy shifts pulling one leg up shifting the position of her hips. The new position pulls against my knot and I grimace as Rosy tenses pushing against me where I am lodged within her body. 

"Can someone grab a towel?" Rosy asks as I feel myself starting to become less hard and swollen. I listen to someone hurry to do as she has asked and I watch Rosy as she eases up off her forearms. I catch her eye as she glances back at me and I am relieved not to see fear or pain in her face.

"You alright?" I ask quietly and Rosy gives a slight smile as she blushes.

"Yeah, just ... it only feels ... it doesn't really hurt," Rosy says in little more than a whisper. I stroke the side of her face worriedly and watch as she closes her eyes.

"Mum? Is Rosy okay?" I call anxiously and Rosy opens her eye immediately. "Are you alright Rosy?" I ask once again.

"You mean other than having some big tom locked up inside me because he didn't know what he was doing?" Rosy asks and I grimace with shame. "Like I want to do this again sometime because it feels so bloody good!"

I have trouble believing I am hearing right, Rosy is getting as much pleasure as I am from this? I am not hurting her? I look away from Rosy as Wade and Marissa burst out laughing followed by several of the toms.

"It looks like Micah has some talents Rosy finds rather enjoyable," Doc says with a laugh.

"Where's that towel?" Rosy asks. Someone presses a towel into her hand and she looks at me once again. 

"Pull back, you're going to slip it out of me." Rosy orders, "Now." 

I pull back against my knot carefully; Rosy gives a cry of pain and I feel myself slip free of her passage. Strong hands grab both of my upper arms and I find myself dragged away from Rosy when all I want to do is comfort her.

"Let me go!" I yell at both Wade and Baxter who are still holding me by the upper arms. I look to Rosy; she is holding the towel between her thighs.

"Calm down Micah," Wade yells. "Rosy's okay. See, she's just fixing herself up at the moment."




To Love a Stray Ch. 13



Hallo Lit readers Here is the next chapter in my story.

I look forward to the comments left so plz vote and comment.

If you have any reasonable question about the story include them in your comment and I will try to answer them.

As for the comment that my readers opinions don't matter, well this story chooses to go on its own path. I am merely the one who puts it down in words for others to read.

MYGYPSY

**************************

I glance across at Rosy where she is curled up between her brothers. I frown when I see her eyes are closed and she appears to be asleep. It is not the fact she is asleep that bothers me, rather the fact she seems to be avoiding sleeping in my bed with me.

I walk closer to where Sam and Mitchell sit relaxed on either side of her and catch Sam's eye. I jerk my chin towards the hallway door before heading that way without waiting to see if he follows. I don't stop in the hallway but make my way outside before turning around and waiting for Sam to reach me.

"Yeah, I guess I know what this is about," Sam says quietly as he walks through the door.

"I don't want to push her Sam, but this will be the third night in a row she has avoided sleeping with me," I say evenly.

"Has this talk got anything to do with a concerned phone call from Doc?" Sam asks calmly.

"No," I say with a frown. "He only called to say he informed the Board of Rosy's pregnancy."

Doc called yesterday to let me know he notified the Were Board of Governors of the pregnancy and received confirmation that it was noted in the records as with each confirmed pregnancy for a she-kitt or Queen.

"You got something to tell me?" I ask after a few moments silence.

"Doc phoned me today to ask how you and Rosy are getting on," Sam says quietly. 

"Apparently the Board contacted him asking if Rosy is going to be getting married real soon," Mitchell says as he walks outside to join us.

"Neither of you thought of mentioning this to me?" I ask tightly.

"We don't want to see Rosy pushed into anything she doesn't want," Sam states firmly. "Doc said that when he told the Board she was seriously involved with you, they were satisfied for the time being."

"Either both of us, or one of us, was going to talk to you tonight," Mitchell says lightly. "You beat us to it."

"Rosy needs all the support she..." I start to say but Sam lifts a hand and I stop mid sentence.

"She needs to build stronger bonds with you," Sam states with a nod. "With all of us here. But at the moment I think she's embarrassed over what happened in the lounge room, and the fact everyone was watching is making her hesitant about sleeping with you."

"I didn't mean to lock-up inside her," I say with a glance towards Mitchell. Yesterday morning he got in a few good punches before Sam was able to make him back off. I didn't fight back as I realised it was his punishment to me for locking-up inside his sister so early in our relationship.

"You'll be wanting to sleep beside Rosy in the lounge room or have just you and her in your room tonight," Sam says with a quiet sigh.

"Yes," I admit. "Already there is a matebond forming. I can feel her at the edge of my mind. I can't get into her mind but I can feel her presence. I don't want to have to use our bond to make her let me sleep beside her."

"You sure there is a matebond forming?" Mitchell asks sceptically.

"Yes," I say firmly as I meet his eyes. Matebonds generally don't form so quickly between couples. It usually takes several years before the individuals can feel each other subconsciously - then a shorter time before they can communicate silently.

"Maybe if we back off, Rosy will turn to you for the support and reassurance she seems to need so badly," Sam says with a sigh.

"I'm going to go see if Rosy will wake up a bit," Mitchell murmurs as he looks away from my stare and heads inside.

Sam clears his throat and looks away when I meet his eyes. He is silent for a few moments but I can tell he has more to say.

"Doc warned me it might happen," Sam says gravely after a short silence. He meets my eyes with a shrug as if not sure of something. "Doc thinks that the matebond is formed when a tom locks-up inside his mate."

"Hence the reason we are told never to lock-up inside a young she-kitt when we are playing around before marriage," I say and take a deep breath.

"If what Doc said is true Micah, Rosy might have already formed bonds with another tom. She said nearly every tom that forced her locked up inside of her. If that's so, who is she bonded to?" Sam asks quietly.

I take a deep sharp breath. I don't want to think about that.

"Well I will just have to make sure our bond is the one she wants," I snap and head inside, desperate to be near her. The chance she might already be bonded with another tom worries me. It might be the reason she seems to be reluctant to become involved in a normal boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.

Rosy is awake when I walk into the lounge room. Steven and Malcolm are sitting either side of her and judging by the teasing going on it was one of them that woke her up. I am not surprised Steven has woken her; he has encouraged Rosy towards me every chance he got. While the support of my work partner doesn't surprise me, the quiet way Malcolm has been encouraging Rosy to become involved with me has come as a surprise.

"You okay there Rosy?" I ask quietly.

"These two were being silly and woke me up," Rosy says with a frown looking my way.

"We weren't being silly," Steven says seriously. "You were pulling faces in your sleep so we woke you up because I thought you were having a nightmare."

"How about I sit next to you to protect you from them?" I ask as I come around the lounge to stand near the mattress she was on. It was a new queen size mattress I purchased and had delivered from town yesterday. With an extra mattress, there would always be one on the floor in the lounge room whenever Rosy chose to take a nap in here.

"I just want to go back to sleep," Rosy protests as she lies back down and looks away from me, avoiding my eyes.

Malcolm gets up without a word and I sit down beside Rosy. She moves so she is lying on her side facing me with her back to Steven. I reach out and brush loose tendrils of hair back off her face and tuck them behind her ear. She closes her eyes and turns her face slightly so her cheek touches my hand.

It's been like that since she accepted me - allowing me to mount her not once but twice in a very short span of time. Since then she resists contact with me but once I touch her she leans into my touch, keeping the contact as long as possible.

"Can I touch your baby-belly?" I ask softly.

Rosy doesn't answer; instead she rolls onto her back pushing the blanket down below her hips. She pulls her t-shirt up until I can see the waistband of her sweatpants.

"Someone turn the lights out," I say firmly and stretch out on my side close beside her.

I place my hand lightly on her lower stomach and watch her face. She blinks slowly and turns her face towards me before closing her eyes. The light in the lounge room is turned out followed shortly by the kitchen light.

I pull the blanket up to cover Rosy up before resting my hand on her clothing over her stomach gently once more. I feel Rosy move slightly beneath my touch and then she is lifting my hand and sliding it beneath the waist of her pants. I barely breathe, not wanting to make any kind of movement that might break the fragile trust Rosy is showing.

"Rosy isn't going to let anyone else touch her belly tonight is she?" Donny asks quietly somewhere close by. Someone immediately shushes him and I am relieved when Rosy remains where she is.

I remain motionless with my hand resting lightly on her stomach until I am almost certain Rosy has fallen back to sleep. I lean towards her and brush a kiss against her cheek. I am surprised when she turns her head towards me allowing my lips to brush hers. I lift my head to look at her, expecting to find she has only moved in her sleep but I can see her eyes are open.

Deciding to take a chance I lower my head and brush a light kiss over her lips. Her lips part softly beneath mine so I kiss her again, forcing myself to keep it light. When I rest my head on the pillow Rosy crowds close to me wriggling and pushing against my chest. I roll away from her and onto my back with a sigh of disappointment; I wanted to hold her as she slept. I am surprised when she snuggles up against my side, her head on my chest and one leg thrown over mine.

"Comfortable?" I ask her quietly.

"Hmmm." Her hum of agreement is faint and I realise she is almost asleep.

I close my own eyes ignoring the tv program most of the others are watching and relax, enjoying the warm soft feeling of Rosy against my side. I am still awake when the tv is turned off and everyone but Steven heads for their rooms. I feel Rosy stir against my side and realise she was woken up by the few noises made as the lounge room emptied.

"You want me to go to the bedroom or stay out here by myself maybe?" Steven asks quietly.

I feel Rosy move slightly as if she has moved her head so she can hear my answer better.

"I don't care what you do," I say softly. "I am doing exactly what I want to be doing. Rosy? You want Steven to go away?"

"He's not trying to touch me or hurt me," Rosy murmurs sleepily and finishes with a yawn.

* * * * *

I lie on the bed and look around the bedroom, bored. It is midafternoon and Sam has sent me to Micah's room with orders to lie down for my mid afternoon sleep. 

It is two weeks since I have been allowed to return to the quarters and the relationship between Micah and myself has been getting stronger. Micah has been gentle and understanding in our relationship. When I have trouble dealing with his sexual needs he accepts there are some things I need time to allow him to do. The times I have let him have sex with me, he has been very gentle and made sure I received as much pleasure as he seemed to get from it.

The midafternoon sleep has somehow become routine since leaving the cage, probably due to my normally progressing pregnancy. I know I will fall asleep soon and roll onto my side cuddling a pillow to my chest and pulling the blanket up over my shoulders. I am nearly asleep when I hear soft footsteps and then I feel the bed dip beneath a slight weight. I open my eyes sleepily and smile when I see Jazzy settling down on the bed as well.

Since Micah and Steven left on their job a week ago, it has become a routine for Jazzy to sneak in and lie down when I am supposed to be asleep. We both know that none of the toms will order her out of the room if they think I am asleep for fear of waking me. We use these times to talk about what things will be needed for the coming baby, what colour the new room should be painted, and we get a chance to talk girl talk about the different toms belonging to the clan.

I wake to the sound of footsteps coming down the sunroom towards the room I am in. The angle of the sunlight streaming in the window tells me two or three hours have passed since Jazzy came in to lay down with me. I notice I am alone once again and roll over to face the door before I prop myself up on one arm as I look towards the doorway with sleep blurred eyes.

"Hey Darling, I was hoping you were awake." The sound of Micah's voice sends a shiver of excitement down my spine and I sit up for several moments before speaking.

"Micah! You're back!" I say before lying back down and patting the bed beside me in invitation. Micah needs no second invitation and hurries to stretch out on the bed beside me. One large hand immediately covers my still flat stomach and he moves it in gentle circles.

"How have you been? And how is Jelly-bean treating you?" he asks without looking away from where his hand rests on my belly.

"Good. As you can see I lie down of an afternoon because if I don't Sam and Mitchell get cranky, and Jazzy will sit down and glare at me until I do. Mind you she doesn't say a word - just glares," I say with a happy grin. "All of us usually end up eating outside because I get morning sickness at supper time most days now. I usually manage a tiny bit of food and have the rest of my meal about ten o'clock at night."

"You sleeping well or do you miss me?" Micah teases.

"I sleep pretty good but I usually sleep with Sam. If I sleep with Mitchell Jazzy gets so cranky if she can smell either of our scents on the other when she comes over from the house the next morning. She has even checked his bed once or twice to make sure I haven't slept in it," I tell him.

"Hmmm," Micah says and moves his hand up to cup my breast. His thumb brushes my nipple through the fabric and I gasp as I feel moisture gather between my thighs.

"One other thing," I say breathlessly, "Your father ..."

Micah growls and lifts his head immediately to look me in the face, "What has he done now?" His voice is a tight growl.

"Nothing really. Though he is usually over here at the quarters nearly everyday, mostly when Marissa brings me over some treat she has cooked or something for the baby she's picked up when she's been in town ... although I have noticed a couple of the things have only had Wade's scent on them with your mum's scent on the wrapping or bag they're in," I tell him and Micah gives an annoyed grunt that reminds me very much of the sound Wade makes when I annoy him with my persistence in keeping a good distance between us.

"Give them back if it bothers you," Micah tells me.

"I just thought ... you know if you wanted ... maybe ... if you want to be the father of this baby then maybe you'd better practice the father thing before it gets here..." I am saying but Micah cuts me off abruptly.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Micah's voice rises to a shout in his excitement and I flinch.

"If you want to be the father of this baby then maybe you'd better practice the father thing before it gets here," I say uncertainly now.

"Yes! Yes, yes, yes!" Micah yells and kisses me between each word, "Oh God yes!"

"If you'll hold me nice and tight so I know I'm safe and the baby is safe then your father can touch my belly and say hallo to his grandchild," I tell him quietly as I hear footsteps hurrying towards us.

"Oh he'll love that," Micah says and lifts his head to look towards the door.

"Is everything alright? We heard you yelling halfway over to the house," Sam bursts out as he and Mitchell along with several others skid to a halt in the doorway.

"All right? Of course everything is bloody all right! Now shut my door and get the fuck out of the quarters," Micah yells at them in annoyance.

I peer over Micah's shoulder and watch as Sam shuts the door with a frown on his face. "You sure everything is all right?" Sam calls through the door.

"All right? Top of the world! Couldn't be better! Frigging Won-dee-full!" Micah yells and it is hard to tell whether he is angry or excited without seeing the look of joy on his face.

"You sure? You both still got your pants on so why all the yelling?" Mitchell yells sounding half angry and half worried.

"Get out of the quarters before I get up and come out and hit you," Micah yells back angry now. I hear Mitchell growl low and threateningly and I grab Micah's arm when he goes to get up.

"Can you all just do as Micah says and go? We're trying to sort something out here and you're interfering," I call out. I hate it when aggression simmers between any of the toms. I even hate watching the sparing and training they do to stay in shape and fighting condition for work.

"You're ok?" Mitchell worries.

"I'm fine. Just go please!" I call out when Micah growls and pulls away from my light hold. Thankfully he stands by the side of the bed and faces the door angrily as he listens to the toms leave.

"That tom needs something else to think of besides my girlfriend and our baby," Micah says with a huge grin after an uncomfortable silence.

"Micah, he's my brother, and believe it or not, we are very close even if we didn't know each other a year ago. He's just over protective. He'll make a great uncle," I tell him.

Micah grunts non-committaly as he stretches out beside me to rest his hand on my belly and watches my face. After a few minutes he lowers his head to kiss me gently before lifting his head once again.

"When are you going to start thinking about proper names for the baby? We can't keep calling it Jelly-bean," he tells me seriously.

"Well I don't know how it works in the cat world, but in the human world that is something both parents work out together most of the time," I tell him as I slide my hands up his chest and along the top of his shoulders.

"With cats the mother has final say usually," Micah answers and lowers his head to nuzzle around my neck.

Surprisingly it is not a sexual action but one that werecats use between couples to display affection and strengthen their bond. I close my eyes and moan softly with the pleasure and contentment his gesture causes. I hear him chuckle before tensing and I open my eyes to look at him.

"Who ever it is, fuck off," Micah growls in warning as he glares at the door.

"Micah, it's me partner," Steven says from somewhere close outside the door. "Can I come in?" 

I feel Micah tense for several moments then he slowly relaxes and moves closer to me snuggling me against his body.

"Yeah," there is a trace of annoyance in his voice as he answers.

"I'm really sorry to interrupt, mate," Steven says when he opens the door and walks in closing it behind him, "but there's going to be a problem real soon if you don't bring Rosy out so both of her brothers can see you've stopped yelling at her."

"I wasn't far off waking up from my sleep anyway," I tell Micah but make no move to get up. I am content to lie against his body.

"All right then," Micah says reluctantly. "I got a few people to talk to anyway." 

"Hi Steven, good to have you back safely," I tell him.

"Hey Rosy, behaving I hope," Steven tells me with a grin before he leans down to give me a kiss on the cheek. One perk of being the girlfriend of a warrior I have found is that his partner considers himself like a honorary brother and so I have one more big warm male body to cuddle up to if I get upset.

"Steven, I want you to be the first to know Rosy has asked me if I want to practice being a father so I have the hang of it for when the Jelly-bean arrives," Micah tells him his voice thick with emotion.

My hesitancy to involve Micah fully with my pregnancy up to now has been a thing of concern amongst the toms, and they discuss it frequently when they think I am unable to hear them.

"Shit mate! I'm really happy for you," Steven says as Micah gets to his feet and they embrace in a back slapping hug. "No wonder you were yelling."

"Yeah," is all Micah manages. I get up and snuggle into Micah's arms, resting my cheek against his chest. I can hear his heartbeat and I close my eyes. I open them as I realise Micah hasn't kissed me properly yet and I lean back as I look up into his face.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" I ask. Micah frowns as he looks down at me and I lick my lips making his eyes light up with desire. He grins at me before dropping his head to catch my lips in a hot and steamy kiss. I groan against his lips when he slowly lifts his head and I reach up to drag his head back down to mine so his mouth can work more of it's magic. Steven clears his throat noisily then starts whistling as Micah looks his way and I smile knowing from past experience Steven is looking up at the ceiling like it is interesting.

"Shall we go?" Micah asks. I hold on to Micah's hand as he leads the way out to the lounge room. He hesitates and Steven moves past us to lead the way outside and towards the stone building where the others are standing in a huddled group. Sam and Mitchell move away from the group and I see both of them eyeing Micah with tight expressions.




To Love a Stray Ch. 13



"It's all good now?" Sam asks me with a closed expression.

"It's been all good all along. Rosy was telling me she expects me to start letting her call me Daddy," Micah says with a happy glance my way.

"And you got a bit overexcited," I tell him with a grin.

"I knew you'd realise toms are nothing like human guys," Jazzy exclaims as she rushes over to hug me. 

We'd had a long talk about Micah and the baby and I explained to her how human men often weren't that good when a woman already had children, often thinking of the kids as 'unwanted baggage' or the woman in question as 'an easy lay'.

"What's Jazzy talking about?" Micah asks from where the toms are crowding around him and carrying on as if he was the biological father of my baby. I know now that he will be the best father he can be to this baby and not only because he already thought of it as 'ours' but because he is a genuinely good person.

"I'll tell you later," I say.

"Remember what Cantrell Yates was like when he moved in with Kaytee after Spencer died in that truck crash? The way he treated Christian and Vinnie?" Jazzy asks her brother. "Apparently it's pretty normal with a lot of human guys." 

Micah looks at me surprised and a little hurt but he nods before saying, "No wonder you were so touchy about me and the baby."

"I'm not taking chances with my baby," I say.

"I don't blame you," Mitchell says as he comes over to give me a cuddle.

"Our baby," Micah says quietly.

"Okay, our baby. But I had to be sure I could trust you to treat the baby right. Babies, all babies are too precious not to be treated right," I tell him.

"The way Micah spoils you, how could he not treat the baby right?" Dwayne asks.

"How am I to know what is normal and what isn't for werecats? Most of my education was received running from either strays or clan cats," I point out uneasily.

"That's why you have us to guide you," Sam tells me.

"Let's just change the subject," I say feeling more and more uneasy. Mitchell pulls me close to drop a kiss on my head and I know he is trying to calm me so I lean into his body more thankful of his presence.

"Dwayne I need to speak to you, and Rosy can come with me too," Micah says firmly. "Let's go for a walk."

I am quick to fall into step beside Micah, hopeful that neither tom will think of the chain leash that Wade insists I have attached every time I am outside.

"If we hurry we can pretend we forgot that leash in all the excitement of Micah and Steven getting home, and your announcement." Dwayne says.

Micah growls low in his throat as he catches my hand only to raise it to his mouth for a quick kiss before letting go, but I instantly grab his hand again and walk at his side smiling happily to myself.

"How is he going with that? Let up yet?" Micah asks.

"No, if anything he's worse when you're not here." Dwayne says as he comes up on my other side and catches my free hand to swing it high before letting go. "So what do you need to talk about?"

"We'll talk in the tree line," Micah says and I realise it is something he doesn't want others overhearing. At the tree line Micah makes sure I am seated comfortably and they sit down on the ground facing me before Micah looks at Dwayne with a serious frown on his face.

"Rosy was telling me Jazzy is getting very possessive over Mitchell. Has anything happened there we need to know about?" Micah asks firmly.

"I did come across them once out here. Mitchell had his hand down her pants playing around with her and when she offered to let him do more, he backed off telling her he wanted to do things the right way," Dwayne informs Micah.

"Mitchell never said anything to me about Jazzy," I say instantly.

"Do you have any objections to Mitchell becoming seriously involved with Jazzy?" Micah asks me and both he and Dwayne turn their heads to look at me.

"You are talking about what I think you are? Them having sex?" I ask uneasily. Micah nods and Dwayne regards me seriously.

"But Jazzy is so young," I say horrified.

"Most young she-kitts start after they have become physically mature - around legal age of consent," Micah informs me. " Jazzy is actually nineteen."

"And she is to use condoms to minimise the chances of her ending up pregnant. She seems better after the treatment your Uncle gave her but we need to be sure she is totally well before she considers settling down, getting married and having children," Dwayne states.

"She can't fall pregnant while she takes the medicine to make sure all the heartworms are gone because the medicine will most likely prevent a pregnancy - it would be viewed as a parasite," I say quietly wondering if they should have been told this piece of information before.

"But when she's finished all the medicine, she will be able to have babies?" Micah asks worriedly.

"The medicine will wear off after about a month or two and I know my Uncle wants her to have her heart checked to make sure there is no permanent damage. Then sure – no reason she can't," I say with a shrug.

"So is it all right for her to sleep with Mitchell?" Dwayne asks.

"Shouldn't you be asking Mitchell or Sam this?" I ask uneasily.

"You get to say no if you don't want them being together for any reason," Dwayne explains.

"Well, okay. I don't mind if they get together and ... have sex, as long as it's what both of them want," I say then add hastily, "And you can't bash my brother for it!"

Both Micah and Dwayne smile with relief, "I promise I'll only bash him if he tries to interfere between us," Micah tells me. "Sam's the one I have to watch out for."

"We need you to do something," Dwayne tells me and I look at him. "I got some condoms back in my room. I'll make sure the packet is well covered in my scent and we need you to get Mitchell aside quietly, give them to him and tell him you were told to make sure he uses them. Now make sure you do it; it's real important and it wouldn't hurt to do it in front of Sam so he knows Mitchell isn't about to get killed for what he will try with Jazzy."

"You mean I get to get back at him for all the embarrassing lectures they tried to give me?" I ask wide-eyed for a moment before glancing between the two of them. "How come you're telling me this and it'll be your scent not Micah's?" I ask curiously.

"I'm the oldest brother here so it's my responsibility. If Edwin was here it would be up to him," Dwayne explains. "Jazzy will be invited to sleep at the quarters tonight because Micah's back. We'll all sleep out in the lounge room and watch things happen."

"What is it with the watching?" I ask.

"To make sure Mitchell doesn't get rough or hurt Jazzy. Some she-kitts get scared at the last moment and don't want to keep going once it starts to hurt," Micah tells me. "A she-kitt's passage tissue is very elastic but tight for her first two or three times, so it hurts. After that the tissues stretch more easily, painlessly."

"Even though Mitchell served her while they were cats Jazzy will still probably find it ... uncomfortable," Dwayne explains and I look away as I remember the incident and my reaction to it.

Both Micah and Dwayne remain silent as they watch me absorb the information.

"Your brothers hovered pretty close the first few times to make sure you were okay with me mounting you," Micah says dropping his voice to an intimate level.

"It took four of us and Sam to stop Mitchell going after Micah when Mitchell realised Micah had locked-up in you. Mitchell had forgotten Micah couldn't get away from you when he intended to kick the shit out of Micah," Dwayne informs me.

"Yeah he got me a few good punches the next day before Sam thought it was wise to make him back off," Micah says with a shrug.

"Does Jazzy know what to expect?" I ask uncertainly.

"We've told her the basics but not how much it'll hurt at first," Dwayne admits.

"But she knows it will hurt?" I ask more forcefully.

"Yeah," Dwayne agrees.

"Good. I suppose your ways have a lot to say for them. My father hadn't even had the birds and the ... the tom and the she-kitt talk equivalent with me so when that werecat got hold of me I didn't even understand what he was doing to me," I say and look away uncomfortably.

"But you sure knew what you were doing with me when you hauled down your jeans and presented to me," Micah says with a fond laugh.

"Not really," I deny, "not until you were in me and going for it, and then back at the quarters when I accidentally let you lockup in me. It showed me I still really didn't know what I was doing," I look away from both toms as I feel my face burn brightly.

"But we're working it out together now," Micah tells me gently. I nod my agreement and glance at him shyly.

"So you'll give Mitchell the condoms?" Dwayne checks again.

"Yeah," I agree.

"Okay, my job here is done. I'll go have a word with Justin and Donovan so they know what's going to happen. Micah, I'll let you have a word with Jazzy," Dwayne tells him.

"Will do," Micah agrees. "Well we better get back and attend to our business otherwise I'd be tempted to show you where the best wildflowers grow." 

I blush furiously. This is the secret term Micah and I have started to use when we decide to sneak off into the trees for some time alone that usually ends up in us having sex, or coming close to it. Dwayne and Micah both get up and each take one of my hands to help me stand up before we start back towards the compound. 

Micah walks close beside me and his hand occasionally brushes my hand as if he can't resist touching me. Gathering my courage I catch hold of his hand when it brushes mine and keep hold of it. Micah glances towards me with a grin before looking towards the buildings once again. I know I need to encourage his interest in protecting me and the kitt I carry.

"See," Dwayne says quietly. "Mitchell is over there just inside the doorway watching to make sure Micah behaves himself around you." I glance towards the stone building where the toms are working building onto the structure and see Mitchell just barely visible, watching. He gives a visible start and I hear Micah laugh softly as Mitchell moves out of view.

"What did you do?" Dwayne asks.

"Pretended to brush twigs and grass off Rosy's back and butt," Micah says and I can hear the laughter in his voice.

"Good one," Dwayne says in admiration and I have to bite my tongue not to scold Micah for teasing Mitchell. 

When we are level with the quarters I head towards them and go inside to prepare myself something to eat as I know it is the last I will feel like eating until late tonight. I am in the kitchen making myself a sandwich when I hear footsteps and glance over my shoulder to see Sam and Mitchell come into the room. Mitchell moves to lean against the bench where I am working, picks a slice of tomato from my plate and eats it.

"Hey," I complain as I complete my preparation. 

"You know it's not that long ago you would have snatched your plate away before I could touch it," Mitchell says with a smile as he reaches out to ruffle my hair.

"And that is a good reason for you to torture me by touching my food?" I ask angrily.

"Rosy is everything really ok after Micah yelled at you?" Sam asks quietly. "You got something to tell us?" He glances back over his shoulder and I am aware of him tensing beside me.

"Everything's fine isn't it Rosy?" Dwayne says from the doorway and beckons to me. "Still going to do this for us?" he asks as I turn towards him.

"Yeah," I say quietly as I walk over to him and he hands me a small box I recognise from shops as containing condoms.

"See you later then," Dwayne tells me and heads off with a wave. I hold the box gingerly and feel incredibly embarrassed as I turn around to face my brothers. I grit my teeth and decide to do it immediately before I lose my nerve and decide not to. I walk straight up to Mitchell, grab one of his hands and lift it to press the box into his hand.

"I have been asked to give you these and to tell you to make sure you use them," I tell him before hastily turning away and grabbing my sandwich and retreating to the lounge room.

"What the ... shit! I don't believe it," Mitchell hisses stunned and I hear a low throaty chuckle from Sam.

"Looks like there'll be celebrations in order," Sam says and I hear him walking towards me. He sits beside me on the lounge and holds a glass of juice where I can see it, "You left something behind."

"Thanks," I mutter hoping what I just did won't be mentioned.

"Rosy?" Mitchell questions softly, "Do you have any idea of when?"

"Jazzy will be invited to sleep at the quarters tonight and Dwayne said we'll all sleep out in the lounge room," I say quietly before taking a large bite of sandwich.

Sam and Mitchell move to the far side of the lounge room to talk quietly and I concentrate on the sound of myself eating as I intentionally block out their conversation. I am nearly finished with my sandwich when Mitchell leaves the quarters and Sam comes to sit down and stretch out beside my legs on the floor.

"So you're going to let Micah be the father of Jelly-bean are you?" Sam asks softly.

"Yeah I think we can make this work between us," I tell him.

"You couldn't have got a better tom," Sam agrees. "You are attached to him aren't you? It's not all physical is it?"

"It's hard to explain. Sometimes I'm not sure I understand how I feel myself," I admit.

"So when is the wedding? You'll want to have it before Ray decides to take things into his own hands," Sam tells me.

"Excuse me?" I ask shocked.

"Has Micah set a date for the wedding yet?" Sam queries.

"There's been no talk of a wedding, at least none between Micah and me," I deny uneasily.

"That is why Micah took you for the walk wasn't it? To tell you what date he had decided on for your wedding?" Sam says lightly.

"No, it was about Jazzy and Mitchell," I say and put my plate aside as I get to my feet leaving the last bite of my sandwich untouched. I turn to face Sam uneasily. "Micah hasn't even asked me to marry him, and we're still trying to make things work between us," I say as I begin pacing. 

A thousand confused thoughts try to rush through my mind at once. Why hasn't Micah spoken of this to me? Didn't he want to talk to me about it? Didn't he want me? Was the baby the only thing he wanted from me?

"That's what letting him be the father of the baby is all about. When you are married there will be no doubt he is to be the father," Sam explains.

"We don't have to be married for Micah to be the baby's father, just like he doesn't have to provide the biological material to be the father," I exclaim as I continue to pace. Nerves the sizes of small birds have taken up residence in my stomach and my sandwich isn't sitting well. I feel pressured and uncomfortable.

"I thought Micah would have said something by now," Sam tells me.

"You've already said something to Micah?" I ask in disbelief.

"Yeah, he walked in on Mitchell and I discussing what we were going to do about Wade turning Edwin ... we knew there was a good chance Edwin would walk away from you leaving you with a child with no father. We also knew that if it had been either Steven or Micah in the cage with you, neither of them would just have walked away from you like Edwin did. They would have done the honourable thing and married you. Micah told us he was willing to step up and do the right thing by you," Sam tells me gently.

"So the three of you had it worked out between you before the results of that test Doc took came back ...had Doc even done the tests when all this happened?" I ask in disbelief. I think I know the answer by the way Sam glances away before turning back to me as I continue to pace. 

I feel betrayed by the way my brothers have conspired with Micah against me. The feeling of being trapped and forced to do what someone else wants is no stranger to me and fear begins to build in my stomach.

"It wasn't an issue until Doc needed to do the tests was it?" I demand horrified.

"Rosy, calm down," Sam tells me in soothing tones with a worried look.

"No! I will not calm down! I have been fucked and fucked over," I yell at him, "I remember yous telling me the first time we met that I wouldn't be forced! Well that's a load of fucking bullshit! I have just been too stupid to realise you lot kept out manoeuvring me until yous thought I had no option but to do what you wanted all along!" I whirl to face the doorway as I hear toms running towards the quarters and a savage snarl rises from deep within me as I curl my top lip and wait to see who will appear first.

"Rosy?" Mitchell calls as the screen door bangs violently.

"Keep away from me," I warn as he comes through the doorway in a rush and takes a step towards me. I am standing with my feet at shoulders breadth apart and my head lowered slightly as I breathe heavily in anger. I can feel my heart beat pounding in my chest and hear my blood rushing in my ears as I snarl viciously.

"Whatever's wrong will be okay Rosy, it'll be okay," Mitchell says in his low soothing tone.

"Don't fucking well bullshit to me you piece of dog shit," I scream in rage. I smother a splinter of remorse at the pain that flickers briefly on Mitchell's face before I begin pacing once again. The feeling of being trapped grows is making me edgy and fearful but my fear quickly turns to more rage. 

Calmness tries to fill my mind and I feel myself stagger as I turn to face the door where I can sense something growing, forming.

"Go get the key off Wade. Tell him Rosy has already changed if you have to," I hear Micah whisper to someone before he moves into view around the door jam to take several cautious steps into the room.

"Hey Sweetheart," Micah says softly. 

Just calm down Rosy, calm down. His voice whispers in my head making memories of Jasper's voice and another, more sinister voice, in my mind. Memories of them forcing me to do things I didn't want to do flood back.

My hurt and confusion flares out of control and I grab up a ceramic cup from where it sits on the table and throw it at him in one fluid motion before I realise what I am about to do. 

How did Micah get inside my head?

The cup shatters harmlessly against the door jam brushing Micah's hair as he manages to duck it in time. Behind him toms scatter out of sight and I can hear the scuffing of their shoes as they move nervously. I focus on Micah then visualise darkness, total darkness devoid of all light and sound.

* * * * *

I feel the passage of whatever Rosy threw at me as it sails past my head to shatter behind me. Terror and pain fill my mind as Rosy's eyes dart frantically from me, to Mitchell, to Sam, and then back to me and beyond where I stand poised on my toes. I can hear my blood thundering in my ears and my heart pounding in my chest. It takes me a moment before I realise it's not my body, my emotions I am feeling, but Rosy's.

Sam moves and I watch and feel Rosy turn her head to follow the sound even as she stares at me. She is shaking so hard I can see her body shuddering; it sparks an immense fear for the kitt she carries. I don't know who the fear belongs to but it grows and swells drowning all else.

Come on Sweetheart, calm down.

I mean to say it very softly but Rosy's savage animal like snarl tells me I have tried to use our matebond. Blackness shot through with violent explosions of colour explodes in my face and for a second I believe I am physically seeing it.

I am suddenly aware of all traces belonging to Rosy are gone from my mind. My breath catches in my throat as I see Rosy reach up to tug at the collar that circles her throat.

I hear the sharp intake of breath from Sam and Mitchell, as well as from someone behind me. I see the muscles beneath the skin on her arms writhing and I know for certain Rosy is about to lose control of her change.




To Love a Stray Ch. 13



"Oh God no," I pray as I step towards her knowing the collar will choke her when she changes.

Alarm flares in Rosy's face as she launches herself at me. Her right hand connects with my face even as I turn my head to avoid the blow meant to break my nose.

My arms close around her and the scream that comes from her is barely audible as her body tries to shape-shift while I embrace her in my arms. There is the strong distinct odour of cat as I manage to turn her body in my arms so that her back rests against my front. Her body wriggles and bucks in my arms as it tries to shift to cat form. I close my eyes and let my legs fold beneath me as I sink to the floor. 

My mouth and nose are close to the curve of her neck but all I smell is fear, pain and cat. It feels like she planted her feet flat to push back with her shoulders and arch back, fighting my hold. I allow us to fall onto our sides as her body twists and bucks in my arms.

Pain clamps down on my right forearm like burning pokers and I open my eyes to see she is bitting me. Someone slaps her roughly on the side of the head and I hiss with pain as it pulls on my arm. Again she is slapped but it takes three or four hits before she releases her hold and I see the puncture wounds left by her semi-formed canines.

I feel her body jerk and see her legs kick out wildly. Mitchell yelps and a faint groan comes from Rosy before she slams an elbow back into my ribs savagely. I can't help the grunt of pain that escapes me before I roll my body to pin Rosy to the floor beneath my weight. I don't loosen my grip but she still manages to kick and buck until we are half in a sitting position. 

I can hear her struggling to breathe as I look around frantically. Wade should be here with the key by now, but all I see is fear and near panic in the faces of those who have ventured into the room.

Her entire body jerks as the smell of her cat becomes more pungent. Soft sounds of panic and pain come from Rosy as her raspy gasps become further apart and her struggles become weaker. The collar has tightened so much Rosy almost can't breathe and she arches her neck back as she gasps for air.

"Rosy!" I hear Mitchell's panicked yell. Rosy digs her heels in and arches her back once again but there isn't much strength in her struggles this time.

"Where's that God damned key?" I roar and Rosy jerks in my arms as her struggles weaken to little more than muscle spasms.

I shift my grip on her so I now cradle her body against mine. I can feel her chest working as she struggles for breath but I can't hear any air being moved above the rush of my own pulse pounding in my head.

"I'm not letting you go Sweetheart. I promise I won't let you go. Just hang on, we need you to hang in there," I beg frantically as I press my cheek against the side of her face. I don't know how long I sit there cradling Rosy against me.

"I've got the key! I've got the key!" I hear Mitchell shouting and then he is fumbling around behind the wrist of the hand I use to support her chin.

I don't want to let her go but she is dragged from my arms and I am too exhausted to do more than sit and watch as Malcolm, Mitchell and Sam lay her on her back on the kitchen floor.

I become aware of Steven checking my arm and Dwayne standing near where Sam is working on Rosy. I see the phone Dwayne holds to his ear and I realise he is talking urgently to Doc. Information is relayed back and forth and I slowly raise my eyes to Steven's face.

"Is Rosy alive?" I ask even though I am terrified I was unable to save her.

"She's breathing now the collar is off," Wade says quietly not far from me.

I get to my feet as I turn to face him. "Has she been punished enough for saving Jazzy's life now?" I demand with barely controlled rage.

"Are you challenging me?" Wade demands in a cold voice.

It is only knowing that now is not the time or the circumstances, that I would be forced to leave, that has me dropping my eyes and mumbling, "No Alpha."

"Wade," Dwayne interrupts. "I think Rosy should be okay but Doc says she needs to be put somewhere warm and quiet, away from others for the present."

"Someone clean Micah's arm up," Wade orders. "Dwayne help Sam and Mitchell get their sister settled in the containment room for strays in the stone shed. It should be warm and peaceful there."

"I'll take her over there," I say as I take a step towards her.

"You'll do as you're told, or are you above my orders?" Wade demands.

"No Alpha," I force myself to say. "I just want to do what is best for Rosy."

"You making sure that arm is cared for should be your first priority," Wade snaps.

"Show me your arm," Steven says as he approaches me. He takes hold of my arm and I get a good view of the bite for the first time. It does need some immediate attention.

"Someone grab blankets and a pillow for Rosy," Sam orders quietly. "I'll carry Rosy over there now while she is still completely under the sedatives."

* * * * * 

I lay on my back watching the stars through the small skylight in the roof and I long for the breeze on my face. All I can smell is fresh paint and faint traces of sawdust while I long for the sweetness of forest smells. I hear the slight crunch as several walk on gravel and I roll so my back is to the bars of the door. 

I am locked in the cell in the 'containment room' of the brick shed where I was locked after being sedated when Doc took a blood sample to check my relationship to Sam and Mitchell. 

I hear faint footsteps enter the building and I listen for clues as to who they are. I don't have to wait long as they make their way to where my cell is; I remain motionless hoping they will think I am asleep.

"Just drop the mattresses here somewhere and you can head back to the quarters," Micah says at a normal level.

"Ok, see you in the morning," Mikkarl says and I listen to him walk away. Someone approaches the bars of the front of the cell and I hear the slight rustle of paper. 

"Rosy we bought over your meal for you," Steven tells me

"Just leave it where she can reach it when she wants it," Micah says and I can't help noticing how tired he sounds. "If she's awake she obviously doesn't want to talk to either of us."

I listen to the faint sounds as Steven moves away and then the noises as they prepare for sleep. Soon there is only their breathing and I listen to them as I bite my lip to stop the tears of loneliness from overflowing. There is a hollow ache inside me. I feel abandoned, alone and unhappy. All my energy is gone and it is an effort just to breathe.

I can smell Micah and Steven but there is a distance between us I don't know how to cross. I long to feel Micah's arms around me but now I know what he tells me is a lie. I place a hand over my lower stomach and imagine I can feel a small ember of warmth within me.

I must have drifted off to sleep because I wake up sometime later. I look through the skylight and the stars have moved telling me it is somewhere between three and four in the morning. I sit up slowly and rub my hands over my face trying to dispel the lingering feeling of weariness. 

Reluctantly I ease off the wide bed and walk silently to where a brown paper bag and a bottle of water sit just inside the bars of the cell. In my half asleep state I accidentally kick the bottle of water sending it through the bars and rolling out of reach. I snatch the bag with my food in it and I am just about to return to the bed when Steven tosses his blanket off and gets up to retrieve the bottle of water. He picks it up and carries it back to where I stand and just as I am about to step back away from the bars and out of his reach, he places the bottle where he had put it earlier. He hesitates a moment then moves to sit against the wall not far from where the metal frame of bars is bolted securely to the wall.

I hesitate a moment before moving to sit against the wall back from the bars like Steven. We sit there in silence while I open the bag and pull a cling wrap packaged sandwich from the bag and open it. The sandwich is still fresh and I bite into it hungrily making sure to chew it well before even trying to swallow it. My throat hurts but I ignore the discomfort as I take another bite. I am very hungry and I am aware of the fact I need to eat to nourish the child I carry.

"I guess you don't feel like talking," Steven says to me quietly and my sensitive hearing picks up the slight change in Micah's breathing telling me he is awake as well now. I don't reply or react in anyway as I continue to eat my sandwich.

"I'd offer to open the window and let the breeze in but it's quite cold outside now," Steven tells me. "There's a second sandwich in there if you're still hungry when you finish that one. I wasn't sure if you like mustard pickles on cold roast sandwiches so I only put it on one of them."

I don't answer him but the sound of his voice fills some need in me and I pause to pick up the bottle of water and open it to take a drink before finishing the sandwich. Steven has fallen silent and I guess he doesn't know what to say to me anymore than I know what to say to him now. I eat my second sandwich in silence and tuck the used cling wrap in the paper bag before rolling it closed and putting it against the bars. I take the half drank bottle of water to the bed with me and lay down with my back to the bars once again. I hear Steven get up and go back to his mattress before I close my eyes and try to go back to sleep.

"There's a blanket here for you if you're cold," Micah tells me. My temper ignites and before I even think about it the plastic bottle containing the water hits the bars with such force it breaks open spraying its contents on the two unlucky toms on the other side of the bars.

"Hey! What did I do?" Steven demands as he jumps up to shake the water off his blanket. I turn my face away as Micah gets to his feet slowly. I hear his annoyed grunt and the sound of a zipper before the familiar noises that tell me he is shape-shifting.

"Good idea," Steven mutters and I hear similar noises from him. Soon I hear two cats moving around on the other side of the bars. I pull my own blanket up around my ears and settle down to try to get to sleep. I hadn't meant to burst the bottle wetting the two toms. Heck I hadn't even meant to throw it; I just hadn't realised how much hurt and anger was churning around inside me until Micah had spoken.

I am alone when I wake some time shortly after dawn and I look around the cell as I feel the growing need to empty my bladder. Finally I see a plastic bucket sitting in a corner turned upside down and I hurry to use it before anyone turns up. I only have to wait ten minutes before Steven walks in carrying a covered plate as well as a bottle of water and a small bottle of strawberry flavoured milk. I get up and walk to the bars of the cell to take the bottles of drink then step back as he motions me back further before he unlocks a small door to slip the plate in and place it on the floor before shutting the door and relocking it.

"I hope you're feeling better this morning," Steven tells me quietly.

"Been better, been worse; no use complaining," I say before moving to sit down against the wall like I had last night. A strange apathy seems to be trying to envelope me, as if something is trying to drain all of my emotions from me.

"You scared the shit out of all of us when you lost your temper then lost control of your shift yesterday," Steven says worriedly as he moves to squat at the bars looking through them at me. "I don't know how Micah managed to hold you so you couldn't shift! Wade didn't believe the key was really needed and took his time walking over to the quarters with it. You were barely alive when Mitchell managed to unlock your collar."

"I don't remember much of it - only the pain of my cat trying to break free," I say as I stare at the food on my plate no longer hungry.

"I've heard you don't remember much more than that," Steven says gently. "Do you want to talk about what upset you so much? Was it Jazzy and Mitchell? He's still your brother you know." 

"All of you lied to me. You tricked me into thinking you were my friends and when I came back to help Jazzy, you let Wade lock me up and then send Edwin in to me! You can't say you didn't know that would happen! Now you think you have what you wanted all along - a nice tame she-kitt who is pregnant and with no choice but to let one of you toms rut on me whenever it takes his fancy. Well think again," I yell as I get to my feet and throw the plate of food against the stone wall. My emotions come bubbling to the surface and spill forth like acid. 

"I am not tame! I am not civilised! I am a stray. Not some milk-sop of a clan she-kitt!" I scream almost hysterically.

"You came back and pointed a gun at Wade! A lot of other Alphas would have had you killed for that. You revealed our existence to a human. That carries a severe sentence of at least a year in a cage and then a whipping with a cat-o-nine-tails! As for what happened with Edwin, if we had suspected it would happen Micah would have gotten into a fight with Edwin and been banished from the clan as a result. You'd be with Edwin now doing as he tells you when he tells you! Edwin is totally different to Micah and not necessarily in a nice way. And you're whining because Wade hoped a baby would help straighten your thinking out?" Steven turns away for a moment before looking back at me. "You're right about being a stray. You can't see past how everything affects you. Fuck everyone else! And you think everyone is out to get you. Wake up to yourself! Not everything is about the pathetic little bitch-cat you are!" Steven snaps before stalking to the door angrily.

"Ever stop to wonder what it was like for Micah to hold you like he did, knowing you might die in his arms?" Steven demands. "Or what it was like for your brothers and the rest of us to watch what was happening and know we were powerless to prevent it?"

I am left to stare after him in shock as he storms out of sight. Finally I turn and make my way to the bed where I lay down and face the wall miserably. I am left to think about the punishments I could have been given and suddenly Edwin doesn't seem so terrible. True, I hated him touching me and he had hurt me, but even before today I believed the baby was worth enduring what he had done.

I refuse to allow myself to think about what it must have been like for the others in the building to see me lose control like that. No one cared about me before; I was always just a means to an end.

I try several times during the morning to shape-shift but my inner cat refuses to co-operate and I am left exhausted and shaken. I end up laying down on the bed on my back with one arm thrown across my eyes blocking out the light, and I must have drifted off to sleep because I am woken by a sharp metallic click. I wake with a start and jerk my arm down to look over towards the bars. Micah is relocking the small door and I sit up to swing my legs over the edge of the bed. Steven is standing back several steps and watching with a closed look on his face as I walk over to collect my plate of food. Beside the plate is a dustpan and brush and I glance towards the mess I made earlier. I decide to eat before cleaning up the mess.

"Can you shape-shift yet?" Micah asks quietly. I hesitate a few moments before shaking my head as I keep my gaze fixed on my plate. I find myself wanting to reach out to him but I don't know what to do or say.

"Give it time. Just rest and take it easy for a few days. Give your inner cat a chance to forget being hurt then hopefully she'll co-operate for you," Micah says kindly. I don't answer; I can't find the right words to say to him. And after a few long moments it doesn't matter as he turns and leaves the shed with Steven following him. 

I try to rest after eating and cleaning up the mess I made but it is not until close to dark that I manage to relax and I end up falling asleep. I am woken by the slight noise Micah and Steven make as they return much later with a plate of food and some bottles of drink. I retrieve the supplies and sit on the bed to eat while the two toms shift and then curl up on the mattresses in cat form to sleep.

The next four days pass in an indistinct blur of meals and resting or sleeping. I don't talk; I can't find the words in the vacuum inside of me. Micah and Steven make a point of being quiet and calm around me when they bring my food or come to sleep of a night. I try each afternoon to shape-shift but each time my inner cat cringes away and refuses to even try. I end up exhausted and quickly fall asleep after each session. 

* * * * *

"Good morning Rosy," I say as I get up and begin to get dressed. I can see she is awake and she arches her back as she stretches, reaching her arms above her head. She rolls onto her side and lies facing the bars watching as Steven and I get dressed.

"Good morning Micah, and you too Steven," Rosy says.

"Hey Sweetheart," I say softly as I approach the bars. "Feeling better today are you?"

"Good day Rosy," Steven calls.

"What do you want for breakfast?" I ask.

"Pancakes and honey?" Rosy asks as she sits up. "With orange juice."

"You didn't have any nightmares last night," Steven remarks. 

It is the first night we had not woken to her screaming or crying as she scrambled into the corner at the head of the bed. Each time it happened she cowered into the corner whimpering miserably, even refusing to come to the bars for comfort.

"No I didn't, did I," Rosy murmurs quietly.

"Do you feel up to Sam and Mitchell visiting you later?" I ask and Rosy immediately loses the faint smile on her face. Hurt flickers briefly in her eyes and she turns away to face the wall. 

"No, no I don't," Rosy answers levelly. 

We linger a few minutes to see if Rosy will open up again but she seems to be withdrawn once again. Unable delay it any longer I head for the quarters and the breakfast someone is sure to have started.

"How's Rosy this morning?" Mitchell demands as soon as I step into the lounge room. "Does she seem any better? Does she want us to come visit her?"

"She seems a bit better this morning. She was smiling when she said good morning, plus she asked for pancakes and orange juice for breakfast," I say as I head for the kitchen.

"She just wants to be mainly left alone at the moment," Steven says quietly not far behind me.

"Rosy say anything about what might have caused that the other day?" Sam asks with a quick glance at me, then Steven.

"She hasn't said anything to me," I admit unhappily.

"It's probably trust issues," Steven says and I glance at him before reaching for a frypan and mixing bowl.

"She's pregnant, and there was that damned collar," Steven says as he pulls a box of pancake mixture from the pantry and passes it to me. "And we don't even know if she still wants to be here after what happened with Edwin."

"Damn Wade to hell and back!" I snarl as I fling the box of mixture against the wall. "First he punishes her for saving Jazzy and leaves her in that God damned cage until she is nearly sick! And that collar he put on her nearly finished the job! I am going to kill Edwin for being too weak to stand up to Wade and just giving in to his orders to get Rosy pregnant!"

"Stop it Micah! Just stop it!" Jazzy demands tearfully as she grabs the mixing bowl I had been just about to smash in the sink.

"What would you have done if Wade had ordered one of the toms here into the cage? Steven your partner, or maybe his brother Mikkarl, or even your own brother Dwayne?" Jazzy demands as tears run down her face. "You would have killed whoever it was the moment they walked back in here, that's what you would have done! All because they followed orders."




To Love a Stray Ch. 14



A warning to readers -- Rape is mentioned in this chapter and while it is not included in any of the scenes it does happen. 

# # # # # 

I watch Rosy as she lies sleeping, it is just after breakfast and she is curled up asleep on top of my bed covers. I would go in and put a blanket over her but I know any movement in the room is sure to disturb her, plus the morning is warm.

The last week has been chaotic, phone calls to attend to and several Alphas turning up unexpectedly. The strain on Rosy has made her extremely nervous and she refused to let Doc do the ultra sound to check on the kitt when he arrived with the portable machine.

"She gone back to sleep already?" Steven asks quietly from just behind me and I glance over my shoulder at him.

"Yeah," I confirm as I move away from the door and head for the lounge room so our conversation doesn't disturb her. "She said she wanted to change clothes to go into town about a quarter of an hour ago. I came to see what was taking her so long and found her asleep."

"She wouldn't need to be sleeping now if you two hadn't been going at it most of the night," Steven chuckles softly.

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth and I feel a lightness of mood as I remember how Rosy encouraged my attentions the night before. It was the first time since I let her out of the cage and the sudden change in my status that she allowed me to do more than hold her. 

I explained to her several times that until there was an official engagement, announced to the werecat community at large, relationships were conducted openly in the presence of others. My main concern is how Rosy still insisted on retreating to my room for any intimacy between us as if it was something to be hidden from the others. 

"Rosy nearly ready to go to town?" Jazzy asks eagerly as we walk into the lounge room.

"I'm sorry Jazzy, but Rosy is asleep," I tell her gently.

Jazzy frowns and crosses her arms over her chest, annoyance clear in every line of her body.

"Maybe we can go tomorrow if Rosy doesn't feel up to it later," Dwayne says quietly.

"But Rosy needs new clothes now! Everything is getting too tight, Rosy even said so herself," Jazzy snaps in irritation.

I think about the way most of Rosy's tops now fit firmly over her breasts and I remember how she complained only this morning when her favourite jeans were uncomfortable over her stomach.

"I'm sure Rosy will want to go shopping later after she wakes up," I tell Jazzy soothingly.

"Rosy wouldn't be sleeping now if you had let her sleep last night," Jazzy mutters as she turns away.

I can't help the chuckle that starts deep in my chest and bursts forth making Jazzy turn and frown at me in irritation.

"Don't be so pleased with yourself," Jazzy snaps. "Being pregnant means Rosy needs all the sleep she can get."

"You had better tell Rosy that," I say with a wide grin. I can't help feeling good about the events of the night before. "I wasn't the one who started it and I wasn't the one who couldn't get enough of the touching."

"So things are getting better between you and Rosy?" Jazzy asks hopefully. "You'll be asking her to marry you soon?"

"I'm busy building a relationship with Rosy at present," I tell Jazzy firmly. "Rosy and I don't have years of knowing each other behind us. We need a good solid foundation to grow from."

I don't tell her I have been desperately trying to rekindle a spark of the matebond I was sure was forming between us before Rosy lost control and nearly changed while wearing the collar. I don't mention to anyone that I can no longer feel her presence at the edge of my mind. Every time I concentrate and search for her all I find is a weird nothingness where I am sure she used to be.

"I know all that," Jazzy says rolling her eyes as she turns away. "But there's going to be a baby kitt in a few months."

"All the more reason to build a friendship," I say firmly.

"Well you're stupid if you don't ask her to marry you soon; otherwise Rosy is going to be clearly pregnant in the wedding photos," Jazzy says and walks over to where Mitchell is studying some papers laid out on the kitchen table.

"Do you think the records in front of you are complete?" I ask Mitchell as I sit in the chair I had previously been sitting in before checking on Rosy.

"Some of the addresses and details on the strays living in the clan territory need to be updated," Mitchell says with a frown as he glances up. "These records of Wade's aren't up to date. I bet there is another newer book in his study."

"I can go back over my diary to get the relevant information," I say with a sigh. "I'll get it later; if I go into my room now I'll only wake Rosy up."

"I take it things are improving between you and Rosy?" Mitchell says evenly without looking at me.

"Yesterday and last night were parts of a real good day. Steady progress and no backsliding," I say smiling to myself.

"Just as long as she's coping after nearly freaking out with all the tension around Wade," Sam says quietly as he takes a seat at the table. 

We focus our conversation on the papers in front of us, both Mitchell and I making notes with pen and paper as we talk. None of us object when Jazzy starts asking questions and wanting to know how everything works. I am glad to see Mitchell encouraging Jazzy's interest in traditionally male areas to do with the security of the clan.

"Is it too late to go shopping today?" Rosy's softly spoken question surprises me and I look towards the lounge room to see her. I take in her skirt and top, one of the few times I have seen her in anything other than shorts or jeans.

"We can go shopping and have lunch in town before heading back," Jazzy says happily with a quick glance at her watch.

"Shopping shouldn't take long," Rosy says uncomfortably. "I'm not getting a lot of things."

"Pick out as much as you like. I want you to be comfortably dressed," I tell her with a smile. "I would go with you but your Uncle, Kurt Black will be here in a while to talk with Mitchell and myself."

"I'll make sure Rosy gets everything she needs," Jazzy says happily. "Marissa gave me a list of things in case Rosy didn't know what she would need."

"I'll be there to make sure you don't give Rosy a hard time," Dwayne says as he walks over to pat Jazzy on the head as if she were still a child of eight or nine.

"Don't worry Jazzy, I'll be there to protect you," Malcolm laughs from the lounge room.

A low angry rumble comes from Mitchell as he gets to his feet and I see Rosy visibly flinch at his growl.

"I'll go wait in one of the cars," Rosy rushes to say as she heads outside.

"I'll walk you out to the car," I say as I hurry to my feet and follow her. 

Rosy is waiting just outside the quarters and gives me a slightly nervous look as I come out the door. She glances past me as if expecting others to be following me before turning towards the two vehicles parked close by.

"Which car do you want to ride in?" I ask lightly.

"Rosy's riding with Donny, Malcolm and me," Chris says as he comes out of the quarters followed closely by Donny and heads for Malcolm's restored Monaro.

"That leaves Dwayne, Timny and Kirby with Jazzy doesn't it?" I remark as I work the travelling arrangements out.

"Yeah," Chris agrees as I open the car door for Rosy while he goes around to the other side.

"You pick out whatever clothing you need for yourself," I tell Rosy as she hesitates with a glance my way. "Don't worry about the cost - I can afford to spend whatever it takes to make sure you're comfortable."

"I don't need a lot," Rosy protests quietly.

"Maybe you'd like to pick out something you like so I can have the fun of taking it off you tonight?" I whisper near her ear.

Rosy blushes instantly and ducks her head as she gets into the vehicle hurriedly. She chances a sidelong glance my way with red cheeks only to look away shyly. I glance into the back seat and see the way Donny is watching our interaction with interest but Chris elbows him and shakes his head at my youngest brother.

"Looks like I'm holding everyone here up," Malcolm says as he walks towards his car.

"Keep flirting with Jazzy, and Mitchell is going to kick your arse," I warn him as he opens his door.

"All of us will survive it if he does," Malcolm says lightly and I shake my head with a frown. I worry how Rosy will handle the aggression if it happens.

"I'll see you when you get back," I say to Rosy and lean in to drop a quick kiss on her lips when she glances my way. Her lips part beneath mine and she kisses me back until I ease away. Now is not the time or place for the passion that simmers below the surface of our kiss.

I shut the car door and step back as Malcolm starts the engine; he slips the vehicle into gear and drives slowly along the drive. Dwayne is only a couple of minutes behind in his SUV and follows at a more normal speed. I head back inside to the kitchen and the paperwork we need to straighten out and update.

* * * * *

I look at the top Jazzy holds up for my inspection and I shake my head. It's too girly for my tastes but would suit Jazzy when she starts her own family.

"Hey Jazz want to come look at the x-box games?" Donovan asks. I glance at him where he is standing watching his sister hopefully.

"No Donny, we're here shopping for Rosy not for another game for you to play," Jazzy says sternly. I hear the slight laughter that comes from the five toms near by and I glance at Dwayne, Kirby, Malcolm, Timny and Chris where they are standing by a magazine rack. I don't have to look to know Malcolm would be looking at the latest playboy while Dwayne would have a Four Wheel Adventuring magazine.

I glance at the trolley with maternity bras, loose t-shirts and maternity jeans in it before glancing at Donovan. "I'll have a look Donovan. I got all I need for now picked out," I tell him.

"Wait a moment you pair," Timny orders before putting some magazine back and walking towards us.

"Give me five minutes to run these things through the checkout and pay for them and I'll be right behind you," Dwayne says as he takes hold of the trolley with my shopping in it.

"Meet you at The Eatery in half an hour for lunch?" Malcolm asks.

"Sure thing," Timny acknowledges even as Dwayne adds his agreement. Donovan leads the way out of the shop and I glance across the road at the small café Malcolm mentioned. The breeze is hot and reeks of the smell of exhaust fumes and hot bitumen as we walk along the sidewalk. We pause at a street as we wait for a break in traffic so we can cross the road. I can feel the heat of the road through the thin soles of the sandals I wear and I look around uneasily not liking the smell of so many hot and sweaty humans. The games shop is at the far end of the block of shops and I am glad when we walk in the door. A feeling of unease touches me briefly but Donovan grabs my hand with an excited gasp.

"They've got the latest Alien Invasion style game here," Donovan cries excitedly and rushes towards the display. Behind us Timny laughs and I smile to myself as Donovan lets go of me in his excitement.

"Can I help you?" The salesman immediately descends on us and although his words are directed at Donovan his eyes don't leave my body.

"Yes I want to see what games that have been released this last ten days," Donovan says confidently.

"Certainly, come this way," the salesman says to me before turning and leading the way towards the display wall at the back of the store. "What exactly are you looking for?" Again he looks at me and I notice Donovan frown.

"You'd do better to talk to Donovan. He's the one interested in looking and buying. I'm just here for the exercise," I say and look away trying to convey my disinterest.

"You don't look like you need the exercise," the salesman says flirtatiously.

"My boyfriend said that as well this morning but I did promise to take his little brother shopping," I say without looking his way as I wonder why Timny isn't stopping this.

"He's a lucky man," the salesman says and Donovan clears his throat drawing his attention. 

I frown as I glance around looking for Timny. He is half way to the back of the store and I immediately see the two slightly scruffy looking guys standing in the walk way between him and us. I don't need to smell them to identify them as strays as they take a step or two blocking his path. I turn my head at a faint sound not far from me and fear wells up in me almost stopping me breathing for a few seconds as I recognise the well built form beside Donovan and the salesman. He glances my way and smiles as his black hair falls over his forehead nearly covering his silvery grey eyes.

"This is a top game, you should try it. Big Five they call it. It's about capturing the five most famous animals in Africa. Must be exciting to go after a big cat, don't you think?"

Donovan must have gotten a smell of the tom talking or recognised the veiled hint because he stepped back towards me with a nervous smile not once taking his eyes off the mature tom so close to him. I hear a soft sound behind me and glance back over my shoulder. One of the strays is standing toe to toe with Timny and I see Timny stagger slightly. I move swiftly to grab Donovan by his arm and pull him towards me several steps. 

"We're late for lunch. We will just have to come back," I say firmly without taking my eyes from the black haired tom. Donovan doesn't take his eyes from the tom and I have difficulty guiding him along backwards. 

"Where's Timny?" he whimpers as I jerk at him to lead him towards one side of the store.

"He let one of the strays get too close," I mumble just loud enough for Donovan to hear. Donovan glances around and I feel him start trembling and I know he has started to panic as he realises we are without protection and there are strays in the shop.

"We can't do anything to help him. We need to get out of here," I tell Donovan under my breath.

The two strays leave Timny who slowly sinks in a drunken manner to sit in one of the side aisles between rows of dvd's, games and movies. I meet Timny's eyes for a second before focusing on the two strays heading our way as if they are merely browsing through the goods on sale.

Two strays in front of us, and one behind. The memory of those cold grey eyes from other times crowd into my mind and I would prefer to face the two strays rather than the owner of those eyes.

"The other one's not far behind us," Donovan whispers and I tense as I reach near where the two toms wait to ambush us. I see the gleam of a blade and tighten my hold on Donovan's arm. A fast flick of my other hand sends a row of dvds tumbling onto the floor and I jump to the side as if startled.

"You clumsy clod," I say loudly attracting the attention of everyone in the store. "You knocked those on the floor on purpose! I saw you do it!" Indeed the tom looks guilty with his hand extended towards where the fallen items had rested an instant before. Only the presence of half a dozen potential witnesses keeps the two strays from trying to stop me as I dodge behind two rows of dvds and keep them between me and the strays.

"Come on let's get out of this store," I say as I drag Donovan after me. He has the presence of mind to turn and follow me and I spare one quick glance for Timny who is holding one of his hands tightly against his side while he fumbles for his phone. I know that if I leave Donovan behind to make a run for it by myself he will face the same fate as Timny.

I burst out into the heat of the day to immediately smell the strong scent of a stray close by. I dart to the side as a lanky form straightens from the storefront and I am forced to lead Donovan away from the direction we need to head in.

"Keep moving Donovan," I say between gritted teeth as I walk fast. Donovan manages to catch up to me and I glance around quickly. I catch sight of another form slinking among the people across the road in front of us as well as another on the other side of the road.

"They're hunting us," Donovan gasps sounding terrified as he too identifies the predatory movements of the strays on the street. I grab his hand and pull him along with me as I walk fast.

"I know, I know," I chant nervously. "Follow me and stick close." I reach the roadside curb and hesitate a moment as the tom on the other side of the road steps onto the crossing. I tug on Donovan's hand and turn down the street instead of crossing the road.

"Run," I hiss and take off. Donovan is only a step behind me and I stick to a pace he can manage. A form too stealthy to be human steps around the corner before we reach it and I swerve towards the road. I dart through traffics ignoring the blaring horns but realise Donovan has hesitated. He arrives at my side of the road nearly a minute after I do and I see the toms from behind us on the same side of the road and closing in on us.

"Rosy! They're hunting us," Donovan says sounding close to panic.

"Stick with me," I say and dart back into the traffic. Donovan hesitates and I lose sight of him for a moment as a bus goes between us. When I glance his way again he is struggling between two bigger figures and they both have a tight hold on his upper arms.

A black haired figure crosses the road nimbly and I stand on the centre line of the street watching with horror as he walks towards where Donovan is being held. I take a deep breath of air that smells and tastes of foul exhaust fumes and make my way back to the side of the street Donovan is on. Not surprisingly no one seems to take notice of the drama going on in the street.

"Hey Rosy," the black haired tom says with a triumphant smile. "Long time no see. Looks like your little friend here would appreciate your company. I think he'd like it much better if you were with him than if Terry were to ride in the back of the van with him, don't you agree?"

"You let that pervert Terry near him, Kendal, and I will personally shred your sick pet then come after you," I hiss in a low under tone.

"Don't be like that little Alley Cat. We're old friends remember; we go way back," Kendal purrs at me.

A courier van comes to a halt at the curb near Donovan and the two toms holding him. The back door is slid open and in the blink of an eye Donovan disappears inside. I shift uneasily on my feet and Kendal Darnel smiles.

"Your choice Alley Cat: either you join him voluntarily or we leave with just him and I come back for you later," Kendal tells me. "I've been watching and waiting for you to show yourself here in town for a couple of months now. Word on the grape vine was you were holed up somewhere around here. Though I must admit I thought you would be with Jasper again, not some clan cat."

I remain motionless as I stand staring at Kendal in what I am sure is wide-eyed horror. I know this is where my life returns to the old, familiar nightmare of life as Kendal's plaything.

I hear a horrified smothered sound come from inside the van and a familiar chuckle. I am unable to stop my own furious snarl as I step close and hesitate for a few moments. 

Get in; don't make me wait any longer. 

I know I didn't actually hear the words but I feel the compulsion to do as Kendal wants, and I look his way. The smile is still on his face but fails to reach the cold almost gunmetal grey of his eyes. 

The almost silent sounds of a struggle within the van reach me and I look at Kendal once again. Kendal reaches for the door to shut it but I move fast, slipping beneath his arm to get into the van. The door is slammed shut behind me but not before I see the bulky form bent over Donovan. I don't hesitate as I launch my attack. My knees meet yielding flesh and my fingers curl into long greasy hair as I grip and pull savagely.

"Get off him, you pervert," I snarl. The reaction is instant and I realise he must have been waiting for me as a heavy hand smacks me in the side of the head and a second hand connects with my ribs in a strong punch. I kick out savagely with my feet and have the satisfaction of hearing his gasp of agony before someone else slams me against the side of the van that is now moving. I lay still as I gasp to get air into my burning lungs and I feel a trembling figure huddle down beside me.




To Love a Stray Ch. 14



"He told me he's going to slit my throat," Donovan whimpers in fear and I turn to wrap my arms around his young body. He slips his arms around my ribs and buries his face in the crook of my neck as he begins crying in earnest.

"Looks like Alley has a soft spot for the young tom," Kendal says in the front of the van and I growl savagely.

"You keep Terry away from him," I warn angrily.

"You might want to think about the way you behave and how much co-operation you give us," Kendal warns and turns on the radio turning it up so it covers any noise in the rear of the vehicle. Strong hands pull Donovan and me apart. He is left to huddle against the wall but I am pulled into the centre of the floor and hands reach eagerly beneath my knee length skirt even as I kick out wildly.

"You be a nice little she and open those legs of yours so I can get reacquainted with that sweet cunny of yours and I'll leave the tom alone," a husky voice says near my ear as rancid breath flows over my face.

Strong fingers reach between my clamped thighs and rip at my undies and I have no option but to allow the vile actions as my legs are forced apart. Terry staggers and falls onto me heavily as someone bumps against him, he curses and slams his elbow back hard.

Donovan gives a cry of pain as I crawl from beneath several struggling bodies. I try to scurry out of the way only to throw myself onto the back of some stray as he tries to hold Donovan for Terry to hit freely. I feel my fingernails gorging into his face and he releases Donovan as he tries to remove me from his back. I hit the floor of the vehicle hard and find myself wishing there were windows instead of solid panels in the cargo area of the van.

"Get the fuck away from both of them!" Kendal growls savagely. His voice has taken on a harsh gravely quality and I know from painful experience his cat it not too far away. I hear the stray toms move to near the door of the van and I crouch where I am as I hear Donovan moving away from them.

I crawl over to huddle beside Donovan and lean my head against the side of the van with my eyes closed tightly. I hear Donovan move slightly but I don't open my eyes as I concentrate on checking for any signs that my baby's existence has been endangered. I feel his damp cheek rest against my shoulder and take comfort in the slight gesture.

I open my eyes to find Terry watching me with hooded eyes and I glare back at him silently. He glances at Donovan assessingly and I move fast to punch him in the face when his eyes leave me.

"You bitch! You piece of rotten dog shit," Terry screams and launches his own attack of furious slaps and punches to my head and shoulders. I kick, scratch and punch furiously in self defence, then Terry is being dragged away from me where I huddle whimpering with pain.

"What the hell was that about," Kendal demands angrily from the driver's seat as the vehicle slows and comes to a halt on the shoulder of the road.

I want to get up to try to look out the windscreen or the windows on the rear doors but the looks I catch from the stray near Terry, as well as the stray at the rear door, stops me. 

"The bitch hit me," Terry yells and I hear the sound of a hard slap. 

"Sorry Kendal but she attacked me for no reason," Terry whines.

"In all the years I've known her she has never once attacked. Defended herself, yes, but stage an attack? Never. What did you do?" Kendal demands tightly.

"I was only looking at the tom-kitt," Terry whines and I hear Kendal chuckle.

"Looks like we found a way to control Alley Cat," Kendal says quietly and I feel a shiver of fear.

* * * * *

"The petition I put to the board to have my maternal clan's territory reinstated with Rosy as the female heir has been granted on several conditions," Kurt Black says as he glances between Mitchell, Sam and myself. " Firstly, Rosy is to be married before the birth of the kitt she carries now. Not just a token marriage but in a marriage that is functioning and she is happy in. Secondly, Rosy has to prove herself a competent mother and devoted wife because of Jeddah's desertion of her sons and Ray. Some of the Board members fear that with her unorthodox upbringing she may be inclined to follow in her mother's footsteps." 

"Some on the Board think Rosy could run off leaving any kitts she has behind?" Mitchell asks with a frown. "Rosy seems to want this kitt, as much as any other expectant female werecat I'll heard of."

"Apparently during the last meeting Wade advised against returning Black territory to Rosy as the Black Heir until she has proven she will be present all the time," Kurt says tightly. "He presented a history of her running away from the Williamson Clan."

"I never heard of Wade discussing Black territory on the meeting's agenda," Sam snarls in angrily.

"Wade had a report already typed up to present to several key Board members. The subject was not officially raised at the meeting. He did it all through back doors which prevented me speaking on behalf of my niece," Kurt says darkly.

There is silence for several seconds as we all take in how carefully Wade planned his attempt to keep control of territory placed under his care until either Sam or Mitchell sired a daughter.

"I have also relayed to the Board the fact Jasmine seems to be recovered to full health after her recent illness, which may make the Board reconsider her future as a possible Matriarch," Kurt states levelly.

"Why the support for Jasmine?" I ask curiously.

My mobile shrills a demand for attention and I get out of my chair and move away from the table as I open my phone and put it to my ear.

"Micah, we got strays -- a number of them here in town," Dwayne says immediately in a worried voice before I even speak.

"Get Rosy, Jazzy and Donny to a very public place. You, Malcolm and Kirby stay with them while Timny and Chris do a cautious scout around to see if they can determine how many there ..." The other end of the line goes dead and I frown as I look at my phone in worry. I close the phone to end the call, reopen it and press the button to speed dial Dwayne's mobile.

"Get all the warriors together," I order. "Strays in town," I say as the conversation at the table halts, I look at Sam intently as I listen to Dwayne's phone ring out. I press redial as I begin pacing.

Sam and Mitchell are on their feet almost instantly while Kurt gets to his feet and turns to head outside.

"I'll get my team ready to be at your disposal," Kurt says as he leaves the room.

Dwayne's phone rings out and I hit redial again, I am just about to punch the wall in frustration when the other end of the phone connection clicks.

"Dwayne I ..." I begin on an angry growl.

"It's Malcolm," Malcolm says even as I recognise his voice. I can hear a lot of indistinct voices in the background as he speaks and then takes a deep breath. 

"We need Doc ASAP and search teams," Malcolm says in a clear but rushed voice.

"We'll be ready to leave to meet you in two minutes," I say with confidence.

The voices in the back ground rise and I can hear Jazzy's voice but I can't understand what she is saying her words are so slurred. One thing I do understand is the near hysterical tone of her voice.

"Shut Jazzy up, shut her up!" Malcolm snaps and I growl vowing to make him pay for that order when I see him next.

"We're holed up in a back lane at present ..." Malcolm starts.

"I said get to a very public place," I snap in fury.

"Shut up and listen! We are behind the computer shop in that quiet lane with the bricked off dead end," Malcolm says and takes a deep breath. "I'll be doing recon in the Monaro, searching. Get here fast, Timny has a blade snapped off up under his ribs and we're pretty sure the strays have Rosy and Donny."

"No!" The word leaves me in a shout of rage and pain. Nightmarish images run through my head, the state Rosy was in when she was first found. The horrible corpses left behind when rogue strays managed to get a clan cat by themselves. "No!"

I hear running footsteps enter through the screen door and then Steven is in the lounge room, slowing to a walk. His eyes are searching my face and I turn away as I realise my eyes are burning with tears.

"How...?" I manage.

"Timny was with them, Donny wanted to look at the latest games," Malcolm says and I can hear the stress in his voice. "Strays managed to separate them and ambush Timny in public, in the store. That's all he managed to tell me before he passed out. Jazzy is hysterical, Dwayne is managing okay at the moment. I don't think he has allowed it to sink in. Give me a sec."

There are muted voices on the other end of the phone as I struggle against the pain, terror and panic that threaten to overtake me. I hear the sound of Malcolm's Monaro and I grit my teeth, as all voices are lost beneath the noise before the engine stops. 

"I'm going searching for any sign of them now. Just get here as fast as possible," Malcolm orders. 

I hear the phone being passed to someone else and then the Monaro starts and soon moves away. I hear someone breathing on the other end of the line and take a deep breath myself.

"I need to go so I can call Doc," I force myself to say.

"I'll make sure someone coherent is always on hand," Kirby says quietly. "Chris or me by the looks of things."

"I got to go," I repeat myself and close the phone.

"Who did we loose and who is injured?" Sam asks quietly and I tense as I realise what I have to tell everyone.

"Someone go get Wade," I manage between clenched teeth. "Someone call Doc. Timny has a stab wound with the blade still inside."

"Anyone else injured?" Justin demands and I turn to face the lounge room as I shake my head.

"Malcolm said ... said they think the strays have Rosy and Donny," I manage around the lump in my chest.

"Donny? What would strays want with Donny? He's just a kid, he's not ..." Justin's voice trails off and his eyes go huge as he gasps for air. "NO! No! They'll kill him!"

Justin turns to run for the door but Mikkarl grabs him, wrapping his arms around the younger tom and holds him. Steven is pale as he steps forward but I shake my head at him, the pain and terror is too intense for contact at the moment.

"Oh God," Sam mumbles as tears run down his face. "Rosy, Donny."

"Pull yourselves together!" Mitchell snaps and I take a deep breath as I step forward as well. I can see pain and fear in his eyes that match the emotions churning inside me.

"We need to get moving! Steven call Doc," I say as I meet Mitchell's eyes.

"I'll go speak to Wade," Kurt offers and heads outside leaving a team of four warriors behind.

"I'm guessing this is an organised attack, not a freak occurrence. Malcolm said there were several strays," I say as I look around those in the room. "First off we need to get our wounded and vulnerable back here to safety."

"Then we go after the strays, kill the bastards and bring home whatever they've left of Rosy and Donovan for us," Mitchell says in an ice-cold voice.

I give a curt nod and turn away as I close my eyes and feel inside myself for any semblance of Rosy's presence. All I find is the void left behind when she lost control.

* * * * *

I sit with my back against the wall furthest away from the door and stare at the wall opposite me silently. Donovan is curled up asleep on the few threadbare blankets that have been given to us; he twitches and moans in his sleep and I turn my face away.  

We have been captives of Kendal Darnel, his father Vaygar and their gang of stray toms for a week now. Donovan's childhood innocence has not been stripped from him totally, but he has seen too much done to me to be ever the same again. 

I quickly made a deal with Kendal exchanging my lack of fighting his every touch for protection of Donovan from any who wished to harm him. One benefit of not fighting every whim of Kendal's is that food is delivered twice a day. While it is generally cold and unappealing there has been enough for one normal meal each time. Donovan no longer tries to make me take the biggest half of the food because he has finally met with real hunger and eats his share without protesting. 

The sound of footsteps outside the small dingy room has me shaking Donovan's shoulder roughly before standing to watch the door warily. Donovan wakes quickly, gets to his feet hurriedly. He moves closer to me but makes no sound as we watch the door. A key turns noisily and the heavy door creaks as it is pushed open to allow Kendal to walk in followed closely by an older grey haired version of him.

I am relieved it is not Terry with his taunts about us being locked up in this room never to see the outside world again.

"Well well well, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen you with my own eyes," Vaygar Darnel drawls as he walks in and paces from side to side as he studies me. "Kendal has been telling me you're quite fond of this tom-kitt here."

I make no reply and Vaygar doesn't seem to need one. He approaches me slowly and when he is getting too close for my comfort I growl low in my throat at him. He stops and slowly runs his eyes over me before turning his head to study Donovan.

"Ahhh, now it's beginning to make sense. Found a couple of toms you actually like haven't you?" Vaygar asks with a friendly smile. "Unless I'm mistaken, you've gotten more than a little friendly with one of them."

He raises an eyebrow as his eyes slowly travel down my body, stopping on my breasts and hips for a few moments before moving on. I realise with a start he has recognised my fuller breasts and the slight fullness below my navel as a sign of early pregnancy.

"Kendal, when was the last time they were given food?" Vaygar asks.

"They were given a few scraps this morning. Not a lot, but I'm not wasting good food on the tom there. Although Alley is easier to handle with him around," Kendal tells his father.

"You mean I don't fight when you rape me," I snarl at him. Kendal raises his hand and steps forward as if he is about to backhand me but Vaygar casually raises a hand and shakes his head.

"I don't think you want to be doing that and you might want to ease up on your use of her from now on," Vaygar tells him.

"It won't be long before I've bred her," Kendal says with a glare at me.

"Another tom has beaten you to it by the looks of things. Well never mind, you can either sell the kitt or drown it before it draws a proper breath. Unless of course it's a she - then we keep it and breed it when it's big enough," Vaygar says without emotion.

"No," I scream and lunge for Vaygar with my hands curved into claws for scratching and grabbing. He is expecting this move and backhands me so hard I hit the wall behind me almost knocking myself out. I feel Donovan's arms around me restraining me when I would have attacked again and I struggle briefly, but even he is too strong for me, stunned by my collision with the wall.

"Don't, don't," Donovan pleads when I try to regain my feet from where I have ended up sitting on a lean against the wall. Common sense slowly seeps into my mind and I content myself with a hiss when Vaygar looks my way.

"You'll do well to listen to the tom or we can just beat the kitt out of you here and now," Kendal tells me cruelly. Commonsense returns and I turn my face away from him not wanting to give him any further cause to hit me.

"Are you married to the tom that served you by any chance?" Vaygar asks in a friendly tone that makes me feel uneasy.

"My brother loves Rosy, and they're gonna be married real soon," Donovan spits hurriedly in his anger. 

Vaygar laughs softly and shakes his head as he eyes me with a calculating look on his face.

"So, he's so eager to gain control of the land that is rightfully yours, that he bred you before he wed you did he?" Vaygar asks evenly.

I place a hand on my stomach protectively at the glitter in Kendal's eyes as he curls his top lip. The idea that there is land connected to me swirls uneasily in my mind along with the knowledge that Wade planned the kitt I carry. I fold both arms over my lower ribs as I hug myself in an effort to calm the fear that begins to take form in my mind.

I become aware of Vaygar still watching me closely and I turn my face away rather than allow him to see that what he said is getting to me. I listen as the two leave the room locking the door behind them, and I feel Donovan begin shaking behind me.

"We have to do something. We have to escape so we're not here when the kitt is born," Donovan whispers hoarsely.

A part of me feels relief that Donovan doesn't seem to realise what Vaygar said. I don't think I would be able to handle the questions he would be sure to ask. Or maybe I would be forced to listen to all his claims contrary to Vaygar's assumption, and I know I couldn't handle that either.

"We can't. You can't outrun mature toms in either form. We try to escape, and fail, and they'll kill you outright and they'll beat me so bad I loose the baby. That's if they don't beat me to death doing it," I say dully. I feel Donovan begin shaking again and I hear the little sounds that come from him as he cries.

"If it's a she, I'll kill her myself before I let them take her from me," I vow softly as I remember how I was treated the first time they held me captive.

"You can't," Donovan cries horrified.

"What? Let them raise her and have some tom on her, rutting, trying to breed her before she's even physically mature?" I hiss angrily. I move away from him uncomfortably and he shakes his head as tears pour down his face.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Donovan mumbles and I allow him to approach me. I feel Donovan bury his face against the back of my shoulder and sob brokenly. My head aches and Donovan looks terrible when he finally cries himself out. He moves to sit beside me and we both lean back against the wall too worn out emotionally to talk or try to imagine if and when we'll be rescued. I grow tired in the heat of the middle of the day and I am half asleep when I hear a key turn in the lock on the door. I jump to my feet only to nearly fall over immediately and realise I must have a concussion, judging by the dizziness that grips me.

"Looks like you two are to start getting the royal treatment," the larger of the two stray toms in the doorway tells us as he tosses a plastic bag containing take away boxes on the floor near the middle of the room before carefully dropping a bag of drinks just inside the door. Both toms retreat backwards and shut the door locking it behind them. I glance sideways at Donovan before pushing away from the wall.

"I can get it," he protests but I growl a low warning and he remains where he is. I have drilled it into him time and time again not to get where any of the toms can get a hold on him and drag him out the door before I can get hold of him. He knows I tell the truth when I say they'll kill him if they can separate us, but what he hasn't learnt yet is what Terry likes doing with young boys of both the cat and human varieties.

I brace a hand against the door warily as I bend down to lift the bag of water bottles before moving sideways away from the door and back towards Donovan and the food. He meets me at the food and picks it up before grabbing hold of my arm to help me back to the rear wall. I slide down the wall thankful to sit down once again and allow Donovan to open the boxes of food.

"There's two pieces of chicken in one and three in the other. Chips, mashed potatoes and gravy, two bread rolls in each box ..." he tells me with growing excitement. Until now we have only been getting one meal to share between us.

"You take the three; I'll be lucky if I can eat the two and keep it down," I say tiredly.

"Eat what you can and we'll keep the rest for when you feel better," Donovan tells me and tears fill my eyes at the way he sounds so much like Micah. I pick at one of the pieces of chicken only to find it is rather bland and tasteless as I chew at it slowly. I eat the meat from one piece before I close the box and lean back with my eyes closed.




To Love a Stray Ch. 14



"This tastes like crap," Donovan mutters.

"More like cardboard but it's food," I say quietly.

"Micah and the warriors are so gonna kill these strays when they find them. They'll rip them apart and piss on them," Donovan mumbles.

"There are at least two of them they'll keep to kill slowly if they can," I tell him.

"What make an example out of some them? Show other strays not to mess with our clan?" Donovan asks.

"Revenge, payback, and justice -- whatever you want to call it. It's not the first time they've gone up against the Clan's warriors," I tell him softly.

"How do you know?" Donovan asks idly.

"Their smell, their scent. One scent was all over Mitchell and another all over Dwayne after they were ambushed when Alex was injured," I tell him.

"Which ones?" Donovan hisses angrily.

"You're too young. You don't have the experience; either one of them would shred you before you could blink." I tell him quietly.

"How well do you know these strays?" Donovan asks curiously as he chews on a warm potato chip.

"They've held me captive several times before but I've always managed to get away. There was only ever just myself to worry about. Vaygar won't stuff up and let us escape. Kendal might though," I say softly.

"Were they this nasty to you before?" Donovan asks.

"This and worse," I admit tightly. Donovan stirs his potato and gravy with a chip watching as he mixes the white of the potato through the gravy. 

"Do Micah and the others know what the strays do to you?" he asks in a faint whisper. 

"Remember how bad hurt I was when Sam, Mitchell, Dwayne and Alex first found me?" I remind him.

"Yeah and Micah made Alex ride home with Steven cause you were scared of him," Donovan says.

"Strays had me locked in a cage when they found me, and the guys could see what they'd been doing to me. I was so scared of them all," I mumble, "I even bit Mitchell."

"Why were you scared of them? They'd never hurt you," Donovan says seriously.

"I didn't know that then. All I did know was that every tomcat that ever got near me had hurt me or tried to maul me. I'd even come across strays that had been killed by clan cats. Out in the middle of nowhere with only other werecats to go there and find them, killed in horrible ways that terrified me. And there I was wounded badly, locked in a cage and surrounded by clan cats. I was sure I was about to be killed, or worse," I tell him flatly. 

Donovan is silent for a while and I try eating my potato and gravy. There is no spoon and I have to use a chip to scoop it out of the small container.

"Do you think they'll feed us tonight?" Donovan asks.

"Now you know why I always eat every chance I get. It's scary not knowing if you'll be given food again soon isn't it?" I comment.

"You guard your food because strays used to take it off you after giving it to you didn't they." Donovan doesn't ask just states this. Whenever Terry comes calling with the food, the toms with him do it to us. It is an attempt to separate me from Donovan so that they can get their hands on him without facing my swift and desperate retaliation.

"I wish we were back at the compound so bad. I want to smell like Micah not strays. Hell I'd even let your father touch my belly if we were back home," I say wistfully as I stare at the line of slight brightness beneath the bottom of the door. 

The room is dim; there are no windows and the only light that enters the room come from narrow slits in the brickwork high on the walls. Slits that do little to let the stifling heat out during the day and channel all the warmth out at night without letting the stars or moon be seen. 

We fall silent as Donovan finishes his food and I close my container up. I lie down and curl up on my side to sleep knowing if I don't wake at the slightest sound Donovan will wake me up. We take it in turns to sleep, one of us always on guard.

* * * * *

I watch Wade as he enters the lounge room of the quarters. Lines of worry and grief are etched deeply around his eyes and his mouth, his step has been robbed of some of its lightness and he stops as he faces me.

"Micah." He gives me a respectful nod and I watch him silently. 

I have little to say to anyone these last few days. Finding no trace of Rosy or Donny has been heartbreaking but hearing the description of the 'person' the salesman from the shop saw talking to them was beyond heartbreaking. Kendal Darnel, who to all clan warriors' knowledge travelled in the company of a stray called Terry -- infamous for his homosexual and cannibalistic tendencies. 

"I want to hold a service for Donny," Wade says quietly. "Marissa needs some kind of closure. Hell all of us do."

I hear Jazzy start crying where she is curled up on the lounge in one of Donny's favourite jumpers. I glance her way to see Steven sitting down with her to comfort her while Timny turns his head to look her way from my recliner chair where he is resting. It is the first day Doc has allowed him to be out of bed after cutting him open to remove the wicked blade left in his chest. Blood loss and infection had nearly killed him in the first two days. If it were not for the assistance of Kurt Black's warrior, who was trained as a Saint John's Emergency Medical Technician, Doc would have been unable to save Timny's life. 

"Donny's not dead! Rosy will fight to keep him alive! I know she will," Jazzy protests but her words lack conviction.

"I'm sure you're right Jazzy," Wade says softly as he walks to the lounge to look down at her. "But Rosy will be fighting to keep the strays off herself as well. She can't do both; self preservation will win out." 

It is the first time I have heard my father sound so old and tired.

"We could hold a prayer evening for the both of them," Mitchell says as he walks into the lounge room followed by Sam, Dwayne and Mikkarl. They have been away for the last week searching for signs of the strays that were in town.

"Mitchell! Tell Daddy Donny isn't dead!" Jazzy demands as she jumps up off the lounge to fling herself into his arms and begins sobbing in earnest once again. Mitchell closes his eyes as he holds her close, burying his face in her hair.

"We didn't find any... there was no visible signs of anything," Mikkarl says gravely, stumbling over kind wording for Jazzy's sake. Despite the lack of any signs of violence, we all know it is no guarantee of anything if this Terry is involved. There simply might be nothing left to find.

"A prayer evening where we all pray Rosy and Donny ... we pray we find them soon," I say, my voice feeling gravely from all the tears I have shed in the privacy of my room.

* * * * *

Kendal's physical demands on me lessen and in their place comes the touching, the petting, as he tries to form some kind of closeness with me. Always his voice is there in my head, invading and forcing its way deeper into my mind. Often his sessions end with me having to allow him to scent mark me as his voice repeats 'mine' in my head. I grit my teeth each time and turn my face away from his as his body rubs against mine.

His touch is so different to the way the toms of the clan used to touch me while imparting comfort, company, and simple contact. None of these things are in Kendal's touch. I am only aware of his desire to possess me, to own me. There is no kindness or gentleness in him.

The other strays rarely come near us except to bring us food, though Vaygar visits every few days. He is interested in my pregnancy, using threats to gain the chance to put his hand on my stomach. Donovan is slowly being exposed to all the nasty little ways strays differ to clan cats. When my skirt becomes too small to comfortably fasten over my growing belly, it is Vaygar who brings me a length of material to wrap around myself and tie like a sarong so I can adjust it as time passes. A present I have to pay for by allowing his touch.

The weather cools down and soon Donovan and I curl up together at night for warmth as well as comfort. As weeks pass he is becoming more and more like his older brothers, no longer an over indulged teenager but a very compassionate young man. He rubs my back when it aches and holds my hair back when I am sick because the constant diet of take-away food doesn't agree with my pregnant body. I lose my suspicion of any of his actions as he takes care of me best he can while I keep Terry and one or two other toms from trying to grab hold of him. He holds me when I wake from my nightmares and curls around me draping a hand protectively over my stomach.

Then comes the day Vaygar comes into our room by himself; he paces back and forth silently, clearly upset. Tears sparkle in his eyes revealing he has more softness to him than his son has.

"I always thought it would be some mongrel clan cat that done it," Vaygar tells us harshly without pausing in his pacing.

"Vaygar?" I prompt softly as something rolls uncomfortably in my stomach as if I have eaten rancid food. A deep feeling of unease disturbed my sleep all night driving me to pacing the confines of the room for several hours in the middle of the night.

"Some stinking human bastard shot my boy!"

"Where is he?" I demand urgently. My first thought is that Kendal can't go to human medical facilities or he'd risk exposing us all.

"He's dead," Vaygar says flatly. 

A corpse for humans to examine, our best chance for escaping gone ... 

"Oh shit," I breathe softly. 

Vaygar looks at me through narrowed eyes and I glance away uncomfortably. I don't know what to say to him. His son is dead and while I feel compassion for Vaygar I have no regret that Kendal is dead. Hopefully his voice will now be gone from my mind just like Jaspers.

"Kendal kept insisting he thought you were starting to come around ..." Vaygar murmurs and watches me through narrowed eyes.

"I am sorry your son has died," I mutter, because there went the best chance of escape and survival for my own child. 

"I'm nearly inclined to believe you," Vaygar says suspiciously and I glance his way nervously. "Maybe I'll even let you come out while we bury him ..."

I turn watchful eyes on him and realise he is baiting me to see if I will take the chance to try to escape and I know that to do so while Vaygar is so upset would seal my own death. 

I shake my head. "So one of your toms can sneak in and kill my friend? I don't think so. If you haven't noticed I need him to help me keep warm and to look after me when the crappy takeaway makes me sick," I say bitterly and turn away. 

I can feel Vaygar watching me closely and the minutes stretch out until finally he decides to speak once again.

"You won't be needing him anymore. You will be my mate now," Vaygar says.

"No, no, I need him," I protest. I hear an eager chuckle from Terry who has appeared in the doorway and I swallow desperately knowing what Donovan's fate will be if I can't convince Vaygar. I take a deep breath as I force a smile onto my face. I know it's not very convincing but I keep it in place as I take a step towards Vaygar.

"You let him live and I promise I'll be nice to you," I say and hear my own voice shaking. "I won't fight you and I will do what ever you want."

"You have no choice but to do what I want," Vaygar says in a hard tone.

"You can force me to let you do as you want ... or I can accept what happens willingly. No fighting, no resisting ... anything," I say softly and take a couple more steps forward. "And when this kitt I carry is born if it is male he can take it back to its father. I won't try to stop you taking it from my breast."

Vaygar's eyes darken instantly and I know I have found a bargaining tool for Donovan's life.

"No!" Donovan yells. I hear him rush towards me and I move closer to Vaygar. Donovan's footsteps stop behind me and there is a half sob, half deep breath. "Rosy?"

"You know what I intend to do to you to bond you to me ..." Vaygar begins.

"I'll let you do it," I say softly. "I'll willingly accept you as a mate once my kitt is gone."

"No, it will be now. I will give you a day, two at most to think about it. Then I take what I want," Vaygar announces. He turns swiftly and leaves locking the door behind him leaving only Donovan and me inside.

"Why couldn't it have been Terry, he's a creep," Donovan mutters. There is silence between us for a while before Donovan looks my way.

"What is Vaygar going to do to you?" Donovan asks.

I don't reply, I look away from him and refuse to look back at him as horrible thoughts churn in my mind. I know Vaygar is going to mount me and force me to allow him to lock up inside me, and probably not just the once. He will most likely want to repeat the act several times. 

Then he will be able to get into my mind whenever he wants.

I close my eyes and lower my head as I feel tears creep from beneath my lashes; Terry's taunts about being locked up in the room ring in my head. There is no sunlight, no breeze, and no fresh air. If it wasn't for Donovan's constant company I know I would be crazy by now. I shudder as I gasp for air as the walls begin to close in. I know it is only in my head but it happens more and more frequently as panic hits. 

Bile rises in the back of my throat and I lean against the wall as I retch until there is nothing left to bring up. Finally it stops and I wrap my arms around my lower ribs as I hug myself in a vain attempt to find some kind of comfort.

I become aware of Donovan talking to me. I can't follow what he is saying but I listen to his soft voice. I move closer and cuddle into his side; it is the only comfort he can offer. His arm goes around my shoulders while his other hand rests against my rounded stomach. I feel the baby roll lazily and put my hand over his to guide it to where the baby is moving. He makes a soft sound in his throat and nudges against my neck to bury his face there.

I am asleep when the key turns in the lock. I rush to get to my feet but I am groggy from being woken up and I am clumsy from my advancing pregnancy. I am now getting close to five and a half months gestation. Terry is the first through the door and as two other toms follow him I realise they have come for Donovan. I am snarling as I pace back and forwards in front of Donovan where he has risen to stand with his back to the wall, and Terry laughs as he eyes me.

"You were never game to do more than scratch and run. Why should I believe you now?" He taunts me and heads for Donovan. 

I hesitate but when he is level with me I launch my attack from the side. Terry roars with pain as I cling to him with my legs hooked around his waist, one arm around his neck in an attempt to choke him while I gouge at his eyes with my right hand. He yells and tries to pull my arm from around his neck and when this fails he punches over his shoulder at me blindly. 

My throat is hurting and I realise I am shrieking with fury before I duck my head to sink my teeth into his ear. There are startled yells from the other two toms and yells of anger from Donovan but I am too busy trying to maintain my grip on Terry as he spins around frantically.

"Someone get this bitch off me," Terry screams and I feel the piece of his ear in my mouth tear apart from the rest of his ear. He screams and I spit out the piece in my mouth and go for another bite. I see stars as he slams backwards against a wall and my hold loosens; he jerks and twists wildly and my arms flail as I go flying into a corner. 

White hot agony blossoms in my left elbow and then I am flinging myself at Terry before he can get near Donovan who is putting up one hell of a fight against one of the other toms. Terry meets me with a hard backhand to the side of my head, but I return to attack again and at last I see a flicker of doubt cross his face.

"What the hell is going on here?" I hear Vaygar roar as I am grabbed from behind and thrown away from the fight. 

I land awkwardly on my left arm and scream with pain as I cradle it to my body. I look up to see Vaygar and several of his trusted toms breaking up the fight and Donovan manages to retreat and stand beside me where I sit against a wall. He keeps glancing down at me in concern but he is also aware of his own danger.

"What is going on here?" Vaygar demands angrily once again.

"You sent them after my friend," I accuse as I struggle to my feet cradling my arm. Vaygar glances at my arm with some concern before looking at Terry and the two toms beside him.

"Is that right? Did you come in here after the tom-kitt?" Vaygar asks evenly.

"Yeah, figured you'd want him out of the way so you can have her anytime you want her," Terry says with a leer.

Vaygar moves so fast I barely see the glint of the blade before Terry staggers and clamps both hands to his throat. The tom beside him also spouts a crimson fountain from his throat as Vaygar swings his arm a second time. The third tom steps back hastily but there is a slight move of Vaygar's arm and the blade arcs through the air to land in the centre of his chest. I watch stunned as massive amounts of blood pours between Terry's fingers and his knees give out.

Beside me Donovan gasps and I watch Vaygar, not daring to move; he turns his head slowly to regard us. 

"Are either of you going to give me any trouble?" he asks as if making normal conversation.

"No, we'll behave," I say in a voice barely above a whisper as I glance to where the three toms are dying and look back at Vaygar hurriedly.

"It looks like we understand each other pretty well," Vaygar tells us. "How bad is your arm?"

"I think my elbow is dislocated," I say quietly.

"Mike go get my first aid kit," Vaygar orders and walks towards me. 

I drop my gaze but stand my ground as he approaches me; I am trembling nervously as he takes hold of my left wrist and gasp as he moves my arm slightly as he studies it. Without warning he gives it a savage jerk and I scream with pain as my knees buckle. He lets go with a final little twist and I cradle my arm against my chest as I pant with the pain.

"I believe it is back in place now," Vaygar says smoothly and watches me for a few moments. "What? No thank you?"

"Thank you Vaygar," I say obediently between teeth gritted with pain.

"Now let me see to your young friend here," Vaygar says as he moves towards Donovan and I force myself to my feet hurriedly.

"I can do it, no need for you to bother with him," I say moving in front of Donovan.

"Suit yourself," Vaygar dismisses us and heads for the door. He stops to look at the three dead bodies and glances towards one of his toms. 

"Dispose of the bodies. Take them somewhere and throw them in a hole and cover them over. But first stay here and help Mike to see to their injuries and no harming either one of them. Do I make myself clear?" Vaygar orders with a quick glance my way.

"Yes Boss, crystal clear," the tom replies. 

I breathe easier when Vaygar leaves and I glance at Donovan to check how he is. He has a deep cut over his left eyebrow and will have a black eye as well as a bruise that is forming on the opposite side of his chin. He moves uncomfortably and I am guessing he has sore ribs by the way he moves carefully. I realise for the first time that he is now taller than me, and his shoulders although thin have an impressive width to them.

Mike returns with a cardboard box and hands me peroxide and some gauze. Donovan helps me soak the gauze with the peroxide before I clean the cut above his eyebrow. He winces but holds still under my ministrations; I give him a tight smile before turning and looking in the first aid supplies.

"I need a few butterfly clips or a piece of sticking plaster," I tell the tom guarding it. He grunts at me as if he'd like nothing better than to deny me what I ask for but he cuts three small pieces of plaster and I use them to hold the cut closed. I move back to where Donovan stands against the far wall and we watch as the bodies are dragged out of the room, the door closed and locked once more.




To Love a Stray Ch. 15



Hi lit readers,

Thanks for the many comments you have been leaving on my submissions. Yes I do read ALL of them, I love hearing how readers view my story.

I hope this chapter answers some questions that have been coming up in comments so read, enjoy and hopefully vote.

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Micah

I lay on my side, propped up on my elbow as I watch Rosy sleeping. She dozed off several times only to wake with a start as she reached out blindly or cried out in fear. Doc gave her an injection to prevent nausea and after she managed to drink nearly an entire litre bottle of sports drink, to help re-hydrate her, she allowed him to give her two tablets to help her sleep.

It is nearly 3am and I have woken to watch Rosy to reassure myself she is really here.

"I bet it feels good to be holding your woman again," Steven says from just behind me.

"I almost can't believe she really is here," I admit quietly.

"I couldn't believe it when she walked into the room after her shower and she was still pregnant. Those strays must have known," Malcolm says whisper soft.

"Do you think she really told Donovan she's going to kill the baby?" Justin asks softly sounding distressed.

"Don't worry. I'll be working on that first," Doc says from the lounge. He declined a mattress on the floor saying his scent close to Rosy may unsettle her.

"Maybe Donovan was confused?" Sam says hopefully.

"Well he was hardly coherent when he started talking about what happened while they were held captive, other than repeating it was horrible and they kept trying to get him away from Rosy so they could kill him," Doc says quietly. 

"You can be sure that tom Terry had more on his mind than just killing Donovan. We've had to put a few young strays out of their misery after he'd got hold of them," Steven says.

"What do you mean?" Justin asks uneasily.

"Rape, mauling, even started eating them while he was in cat form and they were still alive," Dwayne says his voice thick with disgust. 

"I said Rosy would look after him," Jazzy mutters. "But no one listened to me."

"Shhh," I breathe quietly as Rosy stirs slightly and begins to whimper in her sleep. I rub her upper arm gently for a few minutes and the worried frown I can see on her face in the glow from the kitchen light eases as the soft sounds stop.

Her eyelashes flutter for a few moments before she opens her eyes; she inhales deeply and slowly turns her head to look over her shoulder at me.

"You okay? Do you need anything?" I ask quietly.

"I need to go to the toilet," Rosy murmurs pushing herself up into a sitting position.

I get to my feet and reach down to help her stand. She hesitates a moment before taking my hands and getting to her feet. I take hold of her uninjured arm and guide her towards the door as she wobbles unsteadily on her feet. When we reach the far end of the sunroom she slips through the door of the toilet and shuts it behind her. I move away several steps to give her some semblance of privacy and wait for her to emerge.

When she heads into the bathroom, she shuts that door behind her as well and I watch it for several minutes as only silence comes from the room.

"You okay? Do you want to go back now?" I ask softly.

"I'll be out in a few minutes," Rosy answers.

"That's fine. Just take your time," I call back. I hesitate for a moment; I know Rosy wants some privacy so I head back to the lounge room alone.

* * * * * 

Rosy:

I look at the dim reflexion of myself in the mirror and grimace before I wash my face with cold water. I hate that they know what type of stray touched me. I hate they will know, if they don't already know, exactly what happened as soon as they have a proper chance to talk to Donovan. I hate that Donovan saw what happened to me. 

I hate that the chances for Micah to experience watching my stomach grow was stolen. I hate he missed feeling the first butterfly like kicks of the baby. Most of all I hate that I am being treated like I am so delicate that I might break at the wrong word or the slightest touch. 

I dry my face and head out to the lounge room. I make my way to where I had been when I woke up and got down on my knees before crawling into the spot between Mitchell and Micah.

Micah rearranges the blanket over me and cuddles up to my back as he slips his arm across my lower ribs. His breath brushes against the side of my neck and I am surprised when it gradually gets heavier. His fingers occasionally move against the t-shirt I wear and when I move to get comfortable there is no mistaking the hard ridge that brushes against my hip. I tense not sure what to do. Part of me wants to melt against Micah while part of me isn't ready for him to touch me in that way just yet. Gradually I relax and sleep creeps up on me. I yawn as I move and Micah groans as he eases me away. I hear someone laugh softly as I turn and snuggle into the warmth of his body.

Soft muted voices and the smell of cooking food wakes me. I yawn and stretch before sitting up and looking around. The spot where Micah was is empty while on the other side of me Mitchell is cuddling Jazzy and they both are asleep. I look around the room and see Dwayne, Malcolm and Chris stirring. Deciding I want the bathroom first I get to my feet and make my way to the bathroom, shut the door and quickly strip off before turning on the water. A knock on the door just as I am about to step into the shower cubicle startles me and I pause as I look at the door uncertainly.

"Rosy, You in there?" Sam calls.

"Yeah I just want a shower," I answer. Even after the shower when I got back last night I feel so dirty, like I'll never get clean.

"I'm just checking you're okay. Anything you need?" Sam asks.

"I know where everything is kept," I answer just wanting to be left alone.

"Ok, enjoy your shower," Sam tells me before I hear him move away and I step into the shower careful to keep my hair from getting wet. 

I know the smell of stray is in my mind and not on my body but I still have a scalding hot shower. I wrap a towel around myself and I head to Micah's room and his closet to look through his shirts before turning to my own clothing. I settle on a pair of comfortable old track pants and a well-worn t-shirt, but when I put them on the t-shirt is firm around the swell of my belly and starts to ride up leaving a patch of skin visible. I tug it down several times but by the time I've walked to the lounge room door my belly is showing again. I make my way to the kitchen, ignoring Mitchell and Jazzy who are deeply involved in some heavy kissing, and I sit down on the first chair I reach self-consciously pulling my shirt down to cover the bare strip of skin once again. 

"Good morning Rosy," Doc says from the other end of the table where he is sitting with a large mug of coffee.

"Morning Doc," I say quietly.

"I notice you slept fairly well. Feel better this morning?' he asks. 

I glance at Micah where he is at the stove cooking what smells like pancakes while Steven is cooking sausages, bacon and scrambled eggs. Sam is making several loaves of bread into toast.

I give a shrug, "I feel okay." 

"Pancakes with honey? Or we have maple syrup, the real kind not the imitation stuff," Micah offers.

"Pancakes with honey would be good," I agree. "Donovan said your Dad was born in America?" 

"Yeah he moved over here to Australia after meeting Marissa," Micah tells me with a smile, obviously happy I am taking an interest in his family.

"You and Donny talked a lot did you?" Doc inquires evenly and I glance his way as something in his tone catches my attention.

"It was either talk about this, that and the other or go crazy wondering when the door would be opened next and who it would be," I say dully before looking away.

"Do you want a big plate full of pancakes or start with a few at first?" Micah asks me.

"Six or so?" I ask. 

Micah quickly dishes up my pancakes and places them in front of me along with a squeeze bottle containing honey. He puts a knife and fork down beside the plate before turning around and retrieving his own breakfast from the stove side bench. 

I hear a strange sound from the lounge room and turn my head to look that way with a frown. Suddenly I catch a good whiff of the scent from the lounge room and turn my face back towards the table hastily as I realise exactly what Mitchell and Jazzy are doing.

I am uncomfortably aware of the fact that Doc, Micah, Steven and Sam are watching Mitchell and Jazzy without any pretence of not doing so. I pick up my fork and use the side of it to cut up the pancakes before drizzling generous amounts of honey on them. I pick up a piece on the fork and pop it into my mouth experimentally before chewing slowly.

"Your elbow still sore?" Doc asks.

"Yeah, it only happened three days before we got rescued," I say around a mouthful of food.

"No wonder it is still swollen. It should be in a sling." Doc says curtly as he gets to his feet. 

The rest of the toms start to descend on the kitchen and there are a lot of greetings directed my way. I don't answer as I busy myself eating but I do look at each tom when they talk to me and I am on the receiving end of a lot of grins.

Mitchell and Jazzy come straggling in a few minutes after the last tom, and when I glance their way, I can't help but notice how happy both of them are.

"Did you make enough pancakes for me too, Micah?" Jazzy asks with a grin. She glances at me with a huge smile. 

"Last night Micah was saying how he was cooking this morning because he wanted to be sure there were pancakes for you," She tells me with a triumphant look at her brother.

"Just looking after Rosy and our baby," Micah tells her.

"You got a name picked out for the baby yet?" Jazzy asks with interest. "Now you know what it is that should make it easier."

"I got several in mind," I admit quietly.

"What are they?' Jazzy demands eagerly.

"You'll have to wait until I have the baby," I tell her.

"That's not fair," Jazzy complains dramatically.

"Calm down Jazz, it's not like it'll be years before we know," Mitchell tells her fondly with an apologetic smile for me.

"Doc, if someone drove Rosy and Donny out to the beef pen, is there any reason why they can't change and have a good feed of fresh meat when we make a kill?" Micah asks.

"No reason they can't but it is possible Rosy is finding it hard to change now. It gets harder as pregnancy progresses." Doc tells them.

"Rosy?" Micah asks with surprise.

"I haven't changed since before ... I haven't felt the need. Well not badly enough to change," I say quietly.

"You didn't feel the need to change when the strays..." Doc let his voice trail off sounding as if he wasn't sure how to frame his question.

"Being naked before or after a change around the strays did not seem like a smart move to me, nor did changing while wearing my only clothes seem like a good idea either," I say levelly.

"Sounds like you put a lot of thought into it," Doc tells me.

"Well Doc, all I can say is that with strays you learn real fast or you end up in a world of hurt," I tell him as I look down at what's left of my pancakes and suddenly I'm not hungry. I push my plate away and reach for the glass of juice someone has placed in front of me.

"Back to the fresh food question : if nothing else the drive in the fresh air would be good for Rosy as long as the drive is steady, not fast over rough ground." Doc directs the conversation away from the uncomfortable subject.

"You've got a real thing about not getting naked around anyone haven't you?" Malcolm comments.

"I was raised to respect myself and treat myself with respect," I say flatly.

"Come on, we're getting off subject here. So Doc, there's no reason Rosy shouldn't change if she can, and feels comfortable doing it?" Micah asks.

"That's correct," Doc agrees. "But I would like to check everything is still fine with Rosy and the baby. I plan on keeping a close eye on how things progress to make sure no problems have been caused."

"I'd appreciate that," Micah tells him seriously.

"I feel as fine as it's possible to feel, and having someone else with medical experience to double check everything is a big relief," I tell Doc with a sincere smile.

"I'm glad I can help put your mind at ease," Doc smiles back and spares a glance for my plate. I barely managed to eat two and a half pancakes. 

"Your stomach has probaly shrunk with constant small meals. Just eat a comfortable amount and you'll soon return to what's normal for a pregnant she," Doc tells me gently.

"With the baby squashing my stomach and all?" I ask with a hint of sarcasm. I don't know where it came from but I do know my pregnancy should be more obvious than it is.

"Did you enjoy your pancakes?" Micah asks and I look his way. He is trying so hard to please me.

"Yes I did thank you," I say softly. I long to tell him how good they tasted, how safe I felt with him hovering close by, but the words somehow got lost between my thoughts and my speaking them.

"Are we going hunting today?" Steven asks.

"We can if Doc says Rosy is up to going," Micah supplies.

"I just want to lie around and relax and eat and sleep. I'm so tired and exhausted," I say. "I know it's not like we did much other than sat around and waited in the room we were locked in."

"My orders exactly : eat, sleep and relax." Doc states. "You need to build your strength back up and then we'll worry about getting some weight back on those bones of yours."

"And I can go outside and sunbake for a little while? Soak up some vitamin D?" I ask eagerly.

"That's a good idea actually as long as you don't get yourself sunburnt," Doc agrees.

"Doc, today when you check Rosy and the baby, do you uncover her belly again like last night?" Jazzy asks with real interest.

Suddenly I am overwhelmed with relief that I don't have to fear the attention being shown for the slight swell where my child lays hidden, and I burst into tears. I feel Micah lift me onto his lap and wrap his arms around me, cuddling me securely to his chest as he nuzzles against the side of my face.

"It's alright, you're safe. It's alright, no one is going to hurt you," Micah murmurs to me and I shake my head wanting to explain to him but more tears come and he begins rocking me back and forth gently. 

When I am finally cried out, I am cuddled against Micah with my face buried in the crook of his neck and my hands clasped behind his neck. I sniffle loudly and rub my cheek against the top of his shoulder. I feel him rub my back and squeeze me very gently as he nuzzles against the hair that covers the side of my face.

"What's wrong with Rosy and how do we make her stop crying?" I hear Mitchell whisper urgently.

"I think she's stopped crying," Steven whispers back.

"Rosy? Can you tell us what was said that upset you so badly?" Doc asks gently.

"Nothing, nothing that was said," I say and sniff loudly before easing away from Micah to look at Doc.

I want to tell all my fears to them, to Micah, but Vaygar's words about land belonging to me play in my mind. Was he right? Am I just a means to an end for Micah? I cover my face with my hands and I turn to Micah feeling sure he'd want nothing to do with me if I wasn't a clan bred she-kitt. 

I can hear the others talking but I can't understand them over my own noise. My tears end quicker this time and I am left lying against Micah's shoulder feeling totally exhausted, drained and unable to stop shaking. I close my eyes, slip a thumb into my mouth and start sucking it as I turn my face towards his shoulder more.

"Take her into the lounge room and get her to try to calm down and relax," Doc orders and I am relieved when Micah seems in a hurry to do as he is told. 

I am placed on a mattress and when Micah can't easily pull my arms from around his neck, he stretches out beside me and holds me close as he strokes my back. I keep my face buried against his neck where each breath carries his scent, and slowly I begin to stop shaking so hard. I become aware that time is passing but I don't know how fast or slowly it is passing, only that Micah is holding me and talking about all the things we will do together when the baby is born. I feel Micah gently pull at my arm and I allow him to ease my arm down and my thumb comes out of my mouth with a little pop.

"See, it's alright," Micah tells me softly. I feel him brush the hair back off my cheek and I turn my head slightly so that I can see him. 

"Ah, there you are. It's alright sweetheart," he murmurs softly. 

The screen door bangs noisily and I jump as I attempt to turn my head towards the lounge room doorway but Micah has a firm hold on my chin.

"Shhh, it's okay. We'll protect you if necessary," Micah tells me gently.

"Micah! Guys," Donovan pants as he runs into the room.

"Donny! Calm down, you are upsetting Rosy," Sam orders.

"Dad sent me! Edwin just turned up and he's demanding to see Rosy to make sure she's all right. He thinks she's in the house for the moment," Donovan explains with a worried glance my way.

"I'll kill the bastard," Micah growls angrily and goes to get up but I grab hold of his arm and he remains sitting when I refuse to let go.

The fear of loosing Micah that rises in me is irrational. I know it is irrational but it consumes me until I am sure something will happen to him and I will have no one to keep me safe anymore.

"Please don't! Please no fighting! I'll go talk to him so he knows I'm okay but please no fighting," I beg. 

Micah is growling deep in his chest and I can feel the waves of anger coming off him but all I want is him safe and uninjured.

"That might be the smartest thing to do," Doc says and I can hear him walking closer from the kitchen but I don't take my eyes off Micah's face. "Neither Rosy or Donny need the stress a fight would cause."

"He does not touch you," Micah growls possessively. "And you will not be alone with him!"

"Just as long as there's no fighting, I don't like fighting," I tell him earnestly as I stroke the side of his face with a hand that won't stop shaking.

"I won't go looking for a fight but if he starts something I won't back down," Micah growls in warning. I whimper in fear and bury my face against his chest. I am relieved when his arms close around me and he holds me close.

"You aren't going over to the house alone," Steven states. 

I turn my head to look past the lounge where all of the warriors are standing watching us along with Donovan, Jazzy and Doc. I nod and rest my head against Micah's chest so that my ear is over his heart and I can hear it beating in his chest.

"You need to go change your shirt to one that doesn't show the baby off every time you move," Micah tells me softly.

"This is my roomiest t-shirt. Nothing else is going to come close to fitting," I tell him.

"Rosy can wear one of her new maternity shirts," Jazzy says brightly. "All those maternity clothes are in bags in her old room."

"You got any problems wearing one of my t-shirts? You didn't seem to last night," Micah says as he stands up and helps me to my feet. "But you will smell like me if you do."

Donovan laughs and Micah glances his way. "Rosy often said she wished she smelt like you, not stray, when we were locked in the room." 

"You little tattletale," I say to Donovan but I can't hide my embarrassed smile or the warmth that flows into my cheeks. I dart a swift glance at Micah to find he has a huge smile on his face and I hear the good-natured laughter from most of the others.

"I know just the t-shirt you should wear," Jazzy announces and rushes off. 

She returns shortly with Micah's high school jumper. It is thick, warm and so long it will reach mid thigh on me. Across the front of the jumper in large letters is 'Property of Micah Williamson'. There is a devilish smile on her face as Jazzy holds it up for me to see. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 15



"Will this do?" She asks as she forces a straight face.

I feel my face burn even brighter but I want to wear the jumper so badly, and I take a step forward as I reach for it. Jazzy hands it to me and I hold it up to my cheek to see if it is as soft as it looks. It feels warm and slightly fuzzy against my cheek and it still smells faintly like Micah. I hear the soft rustle of clothing being removed beside me and I glance at Micah. He has taken his shirt off and when he holds his hand out I pass him the jumper. I watch as he pulls it on, takes it off and then puts it on inside out as well. I try to repress the smile of approval as he takes it off and hands it back.

"You're wicked," I tell him.

"Now all you got to do is put it on," Jazzy informs me happily.

"Where the hell is my daughter?" I hear the loud yell and recognize Ray's voice.

Several moments later I hear the multiple footsteps outside. Swiftly I turn my back on the toms on the other side of the lounge and pull my t-shirt off over my head so I can slip the jumper on. I don't have time to go into a bedroom or the bathroom to change so I must make do best I can. I have no doubt Edwin will be with Ray and I don't want him being able to ogle the evidence of the child I carry or my new enhanced bust. I kick my discarded t-shirt under the edge of the lounge as I turn around to glance towards the doorway uneasily.

"Micah, can we come in?" Wade calls as the screen door opens.

"We're coming out. I will not have Edwin in here," Micah snarls as he moves around the lounge. 

Sam catches hold of my uninjured elbow and guides me outside while Steven moves to walk on my other side. I am aware of Mitchell taking Jazzy's hand as they head out together and then I am in the bright sunlight of the morning. Even walking between Sam and Steven, I feel vulnerable and grab hold of Sam's hand as I long for Micah to be beside me.

Wade, Ray and Edwin are standing back by the tree that stands offering shade at the corner of the building and I look around for Marissa to see her standing well back by the house yard watching anxiously. I am slightly surprised when Donovan puts one of the kitchen chairs in the shade of the tree and Sam and Steven escort me over to it so I can sit down. Edwin is watching Micah warily, clearly expecting to have to fight while Wade and Ray clearly expect trouble.

"Jazzy, go over and keep your mother company," Micah orders firmly.

"Hello father," I say to Ray as Jazzy moves away reluctantly.

"Tawny Rosalind, I am so relieved to see you're okay," Ray tells me.

"Thank you," I say quietly.

"Rosy! I am so glad to see you! I was worried when I heard strays had taken you! I thought for sure you would lose the baby and possibly end up dead yourself," Edwin says with a rush. He is eyeing me with a worried expression and I realise that despite the distasteful manner in which he got me pregnant, that in his own way he does care for me. 

"As you can see I'm alive and still pregnant," I say coldly.

Edwin switches his gaze from me to Micah and anger glows deep in his eyes. 

"I see you just couldn't resist trying to make a statement," Edwin growls with a slight jerk of his head towards me. "But I can't help noticing she's not wearing a ring. Neither an engagement nor wedding, or haven't you had the balls to ask her yet?"

Micah glances my way and I see the worry deep in his eyes before he turns his attention back to Edwin. 

"Right! You've seen Rosy is okay, so leave!" Micah snarls angrily and I notice his hands are clenching and unclenching.

"You have no right to stop me coming here and making sure Rosy is all right. After all it is my kitt she's carrying. I'm the father or did you forget that? Or maybe that's the reason she's not wearing a ring, you can't get past the fact she is carrying someone else's kitt so you don't want to ask her to marry you." Edwin goads Micah cruelly. Micah growls low in his throat and starts towards Edwin.

"Stop it," I cry as I get to my feet. "Micah don't! Edwin you stop it as well!" I yell angrily and rush between the two of them as Micah fails to listen to me. Someone grabs me from behind and drags me from between the two toms as they start to circle each other.

"Micah! Edwin! Both of you back off now," Wade yells but is too wise to get between the two toms. "Edwin! Back off! You do not live here any longer; it is not your right to start a fight!"

"Both stop right now or I am leaving here with Ray and I will never have anything to do with either of you again," I yell almost hysterically at Micah and Edwin and both of them freeze. Both carefully glance my way without taking their full attention off their opponent.

"How dare you come here and start making trouble between Micah and me! Which is it? Do you hate your brother or do you just want to make sure my life is a living hell? You come here pretending to be concerned for my welfare but spout stuff calculated to upset me and try to cause trouble between Micah and me! Do you think a wedding hasn't been discussed?" I demand franticly. I am not about to say it had been Sam who had spoken about Micah marrying me. 

Edwin opens his mouth as if to speak but I hold one hand up and look away. "Don't even bother! I don't want to hear it! As for this jumper I'm wearing, did you stop to think I might be making the statement? Or it could just happen to be something warm to wear that smells like a member of the clan who is capable of protecting me and my baby! And you, Micah! You promised there'd be no fighting," I turn away from both of them and head for the door of the quarters. I want to get somewhere quiet and dark where I can curl up and let the world go by.

"That is my kitt you're carrying," Edwin yells after me and I whirl around to face him so angry I can't find my voice for a few seconds.

"Your kitt? Fucking bullshit! This is my child! I am the one carrying it! I am the one who will give birth to it! And I am the one who will raise it! You gave up all rights to this baby the day you walked away from both of us, as far as I am concerned. Or didn't you notice I had the baby with me at the time? Possession is nine-tenths of the law Edwin, and the other one-tenth happens to be my claws," I snarl furiously.

"I want to know that kitt will be looked after when it is born," Edwin shouts at me.

"So you come here trying to make trouble between me and the tom that is willing to give a kitt he didn't father everything he'd give his own kitt? If that's your attempt to help this child, then walk away Edwin, because frankly we don't need that kind of help," I say tiredly and turn away. 

I pull the screen door open and walk inside to find myself making my way to the lounge room. I find myself at Micah's mattress and I kneel in the centre of it suddenly too tired to lie down as I let my chin fall to my chest. I feel tears trickling down my cheeks as I sit back on the calves of my legs and I listen to Micah stomping into the quarters angrily. I lift my head and turn my face towards the doorway to look at him as he storms into the room.

"Do not ever threaten to leave me," Micah roars angrily as he comes to stand over me. Even though it is anger in his voice, I can smell the fear rolling off him in waves. 

He hesitates a moment before moving swiftly to kneel behind me and cuddle me from behind. He nuzzles against the side of my neck and I close my eyes as I lean my head into his, his lips brush my earlobe and his breath is harsh against my neck. His hands slip beneath the jumper I am wearing and rise to cup my breasts. I realise he is scent marking me and I move up onto my knees to make it easier for him. 

His hands trace patterns down over my rounded stomach and I feel the baby roll over and move as if it is pressing against the front of my womb trying to get closer to Micah's hands. I place my hands over his and move his hands so he is cradling our baby from outside my body causing him to take a deep breath and hold it as the baby lies still, not moving under his touch.

"See, he wants you to hold him even while he's inside me," I tell Micah softly.

"God I love you," Micah groans against the side of my neck, "I don't know what I'd do if you ever left me."

"Good one, hand her your balls on a silver platter," Steven says dryly as he walks into the lounge room.

"Well I'll know where they are when it's time for a playmate for this little one," I say and turn my head to glance at Micah. His gaze is intense and he catches my lips in a demanding kiss making me smile against his lips as I kiss him back.

* * * * *

Micah

"Doc, I'm worried about Rosy," I say as I approach Doc where he is sitting at the kitchen table with Donny.

"She's been sick again?" Doc asks with a frown.

"Yeah," I admit as I pull a chair out and sit at the table. The only reason I am out here instead of resting on my bed with Rosy while she sleeps is because of the serious concerns I harbour for her health.

"She lost her breakfast as well, most if not all, of what she drank," I tell him.

"Rosy has been sick since before we were rescued," Donny tells us with a worried frown. "I can't remember her being able to keep food in her stomach since Vaygar Darnel told her she was going to be his mate, not his son's."

"How many days ago was that?" Doc asks as he leans forward with a worried look on his face.

"We were rescued yesterday," Donny frowns as he stares at the table top in front of him. "Before that ... and ... five? Maybe six days? I think it got real bad after Terry and his friends came in to get me just after we heard Kendal Darnel was shot."

"Who was this Kendal Darnel to you and Rosy? Did he ever come near you when you were locked up?" Doc asks with a frown.

"He said Rosy was his mate. Told most of the other strays he would kill them if they touched her," Donny says looking away from us both. "He used to ... Rosy would cry and cry after he left when he came to do things to her." 

"That's it!" Doc exclaims excitedly getting to his feet. "I am pretty sure I know what is making her sick!"

"Then you can fix whatever it is, give her some medicine or ...?" My voice dies and refuses to be heard as the excitement dies from Doc's face to be replaced with a carefully blank expression.

"Remember Rosy almost went insane after Alex died, just a few days after the stray Jasper was accidentally killed? Wade says he claimed to be the father since Rosy was pregnant, even though her pregnancy wasn't mentioned to Wade's memory?" Doc says in careful measured tones. "There would have been a matebond for him to know for sure. His death destroyed the bond. And if Darnel was..."

"He kept saying they were mates," Donny exclaims jumping to his feet with fear on his face. "Rosy's not going to go crazy and run away again is she?"

"I hope not," Doc says quietly. "But now I think I know what's wrong with her, I might be able to help her both mentally and physically."

Doc watches me silently for a few seconds before glancing towards the lounge room, then back at me.

"Did you notice earlier when Edwin was here Rosy's reaction seemed out of proportion, inside before anyone even went outside? That to ensure there was no fight she used the one threat sure to stop everyone involved?" Doc asks only to continue without pause. "Rosy isn't acting like herself. From what Conner and Lance said she kept clinging to Donny, alternating between being defensive and outright aggressive. A matebond with the younger Darnel wouldn't keep her balanced but he would have been able to control her if he was close enough to assert his will. If there was a matebond, it's gone now and Rosy would be feeling its loss. She is probably feeling very alone and vulnerable, disconnected."

"How would he have been able to control Rosy?" Donny asks in a strained voice. "He mostly didn't say much to her after the first few days. He'd just come into the room and shut the door, and then he'd stand there staring at Rosy. Rosy would be shaking her head and trembling but she always walked over to him so he could ..."

Donny's voice trails off and I turn my head away as he takes several deep breaths; obviously the memories trouble him deeply - as does my knowledge of what Darnel would have done to a female he claimed as his mate.

"Did he ever scent mark her?" Doc asks quietly.

"Every time, just before he left the room," Donny mutters close to tears.

"Rosy needs to change to her cat form," I state firmly. I know she always copes better when she has been a cat for a while.

"Yes, that would most likely help her, but first I want to explain about matebonds to her," Doc says with a thoughtful frown. "She probably doesn't understand what happened. She probably feels she is going crazy. So I will try to explain it to her, and give her something to stop the vomiting so she can rehydrate, eat and get some strength to change to her cat form. Then we see what she needs from there."

"Doc," Donny says sounding hesitant.

"Yeah Donny?" Doc asks gently as Donny looks away from both of us, uncertainty clear on his face.

"Rosy said she was going to kill her kitt as soon as it was born. Can you fix that?" Donny asks as he turns his face towards Doc. Tears are trailing down his cheeks but he doesn't make a sound, making his pain all the more horrible to see.

"Some young first time mothers will reject their kitt when it is born if the pregnancy was hard or the birth particularly difficult, but few actually try to kill their own baby," Doc says gently. "But after the trauma Rosy has gone through we won't take any chances. I'll make sure I am here when she gives birth and if she shows the slightest sign of wanting to harm the kitt, there are measures we can take."

I remember Rosy's tears only this morning when Jazzy asked if Doc would be uncovering Rosy's stomach again. Were her tears because she felt she had to kill the baby when it was born?

"Did the ones who held you prisoner pay a lot of attention to Rosy's pregnancy?" I ask with an uneasy feeling.

"Both of the Darnels did. They were always touching her belly even though she didn't like them doing it. And Terry used to go on and on that he wanted to be the one the baby was handed to when it was born. Well he did go on about it when he wasn't telling Rosy how she would never see outside of the room again." Donny falls silent as he looks down at his hands where he is gripping the edge of the table tightly. "I thought she'd go crazy before someone rescued us. Sometimes when he left she'd start mumbling that the walls were closing in on her."

"That Terry was a nasty bastard?" Doc asks evenly.

"Yeah," Donny says with a sigh. "I think he hated Rosy as much as she hated him."

"Donny did any of the strays touch you?" Doc asks quietly.

"No," Donny says between gritted teeth as he looks away from us.

"Donny, it's nothing to be ashamed of if they did," Doc tells him gently.

"They didn't," Donny yells jumping to his feet and running from the building.

"I'm going to check he didn't just wake Rosy," I say as I get to my feet. Donny's reaction doesn't look promising and I have to wonder what both he and Rosy were forced to endure see being done to the other.

I hear someone enter the quarters and I meet Dwayne and Justin in the lounge room as I am about to head out into the sunroom.

"Should someone go after Donny?" Justin asks worriedly.

"It might be an idea," Doc says behind me and I can hear him talking to my brothers as I head for my room.

Rosy is still asleep when I reach my room. She is curled up in the middle of my bed in the foetal position and I pause in the doorway as I drink the sight of her in. I make my way to the chair beside my bed as silently as I can, but Rosy sits up with a start and looks around startled before she focuses on me.

"Hey Rosy," I say quietly, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Micah?" Rosy mumbles sleepily and I realise she isn't awake properly.

"You thirsty? Want something to drink?" I ask her quietly as I sit on the edge of the bed.

"What time is it?" Rosy asks as she lays down facing me.

"Nearly eleven-thirty. Someone will be starting to get lunch ready soon. You hungry?" I ask hopefully. "Doc can give you some more of that stuff so you don't loose your lunch."

I watch Rosy as she frowns for a moment before giving a slight nod. I reach out to brush a few stray strands of hair back off her face but she jerks as if I went to strike her.

"Sorry," Rosy mumbles against the pillow she has turned her face into and I content myself with stroking her hair lightly instead of touching the side of her face. I don't say anything to acknowledge or deny her apology; I know she didn't mean to flinch from me but she did. I let it slip by, hoping the less I make of it the less it will upset her.

"How about I go ask Doc to come in here?" I say gently.

"Mmm," Rosy mumbles against the pillow.

"I'll go send Doc in and I'll make you some poached eggs with toast," I say getting to my feet. 

I pause in the doorway to glance back at her; she is still in the same spot but not curled up as tightly as before.

"Rosy is awake and is agreeable to you giving her another injection to stop her vomiting," I tell Doc as I walk through the lounge room to the kitchen.

"Okay, I'll also have a bit of a chat with her," Doc says.

"I'm making poached eggs and toast for her for lunch," I tell him as he retrieves a bottle of medicine from the fridge and a syringe from the cupboard where we keep medical supplies.

"Give me about half an hour for this to start working so she doesn't bring the food straight back up," Doc says firmly. "And that will also give me a chance to explain what I think is making her so sick as well."

"I'll come back in with you then," I say as I turn to head back to my room.

"No, I think this might be something Rosy will need a bit of time and space to process," Doc says as he shakes his head.

"Is Rosy okay? Or should I ask will she be okay?" Dwayne asks with a glance between us.

"Where's Justin?" I ask in avoidance of his question when Doc doesn't answer. 

"He's gone to see if Donny wants some company for a while," Dwayne answers. He glances at Doc with a worried look, then at me before settling his gaze on Doc once again.

"Rosy's going to loose the kitt isn't she?" Dwayne asks softly. "Look I know you want the kitt just as much as if it were yours Micah, but maybe it would be kinder for Rosy if she lost it now. None of us know what she really thinks or feels about having been forced into having a kitt by what ever tom ..."

"What the hell do you mean forced?" Doc snaps sharply cutting Dwayne off. 

"Shit!" Dwayne swears softly under his breath.

"Wade decided Rosy should settle down and start a family, that it would stop her running off or doing things like bring outsiders here," I say tightly.

"We could hear Rosy screaming the day Edwin went into the cage with her," Dwayne informs Doc. "As far as we know Rosy didn't ask for him; Wade ordered him to go into the cage and get her pregnant."

"Why the hell didn't you tell me what happened?" Doc demands in a hiss. "This should have been reported to the Board for disciplinary action. It sounds like it was nothing more than rape!"

"No one think to tell me you were telling Doc?" Mitchell asks as he walks in from the hallway followed closely by Sam.

"I accidentally let it slip," Dwayne says apologetically. 

"It sounds like Edwin raped Rosy to me," Doc snarls in disgust. "Are you okay with some clan cat raping your baby sister? Mitchell? Sam?"

"Are you trying to turn us against each other?" Sam demands quietly with an uneasy glance behind him. "Is Rosy awake? Is she likely to overhear us or walk in on us?"

"Rosy is curled up on my bed," I tell them, "she was awake a few minutes ago."




To Love a Stray Ch. 15



"What could we have done that didn't tear the clan apart?" Mitchell demands. "It was already too late to prevent what happened to Rosy. Jazzy just had a near fatal attack of her illness so the Board would refuse to acknowledge her as Matriarch of the clan if Wade and Marissa were thrown out or killed."

"If Edwin ever comes on this property and Mitchell or I get a chance, he's dead," Sam says in a low deadly tone that tells me he is speaking the truth.

"So Rosy walked out of the cage and straight into a relationship with Micah?" Doc asks sceptically. "You expect me to believe she wants to be with a tom?"

"At times she seems to want a relationship," I say between gritted teeth. "Other times she tries to hide it and acts like she's ashamed of what goes on between us. She sets the physical boundaries. If she doesn't want me so much as touching her, I don't." 

The admission tastes bitter in my mouth and I look away from everyone. Outlined so simply my relationship with Rosy seems little more than what she briefly shared with Chris Inness for a while - an alliance for sexual satisfaction.

"It might be nothing more than the hormonal drive of her pregnancy," Doc states firmly, "an instinctive drive to make the strongest, most dominant male protective of her."

I turn my head to glare at Doc; his words voice my biggest fear about the relationship between Rosy and I. I want more than to be the choice she was forced into; I want her to be with me because she wants to be.

"Frankly I think this situation is sick and twisted," Doc says tightly. "I will need to think about what I will tell the Board about this."

"Think about how it'll affect Rosy and Jazzy," I say quietly. "They're the victims in this, and maybe Marissa."

"I'm going to try to talk to Rosy," Doc says dismissively before heading towards the lounge room and the door on the far side.

"Doc," I say and he pauses as he glances back over his shoulder at me. "None of this is Rosy's fault. Please don't upset her asking her a heap of questions at the moment. Let her get better first."

Doc doesn't say anything only turns away and heads towards the bedrooms.

* * * * *

Rosy:

"Rosy, hey Rosy, you awake?"

The voice startles me awake out of a half doze and I snarl as I roll over to face whoever has come to harass me this time. I realise with horror I can't smell or hear Donovan and force myself into a sitting position before trying to get to my feet. My body feels heavy and clumsy and some part of my brain tells me it is because I need to eat and drink.

"Rosy, you're safe remember. Rosy you're home and safe." The voice sounds familiar and I stare at the figure in the doorway. 

It takes me several seconds before I recognise Doc and the room I am in. I let out a shaky sigh and ease myself back down to sit with my legs curved beside me. I feel my unborn baby stretch and kick his protest at my abrupt awakening and I look down as I rub the slight swelling where he lies.

"Your baby moving, is he?" Doc asks quietly as he walks into the room.

I glance at him and nod before looking down as I feel the baby roll before becoming still once more. Its movements are still strong but less frequent and I am sure my inability to keep food down is starting to affect it badly.

"Does he move a lot?" Doc asks gently.

"Not as much as before I got so sick," I admit.

"You're dehydrated which will make you tired, weak, and unable to keep food or drink down easily while it makes the baby weak and inactive. I can give you another injection to stop the nausea so you can keep what you eat or drink down," Doc says and I look at him as I remember Micah telling me something similar.

"It seems like you're always wanting to inject me with something or other," I tell Doc with a half smile. I mean it as a bit of a joke but it comes out almost like an accusation.

"Want to? No, I'd prefer not to but sometimes - like now - it is in the best interests of the health of the individual," Doc says gently. He holds up one hand to show me the disposable syringe and vial of medication he holds.

"Maxalon to help stop the nausea," Doc tells me softly.

"And I get to eat and drink in a little while?" I ask hopefully even as I stretch out on my side and bare the top of my hip for the injection.

"When Wade told me you decided to use condoms instead of the injection this last heat, I figured it was because you disliked others jabbing you with a needle," Doc says once he has completed the injection.

I can't help my jerk of reaction as I turn my head to look at him. My stomach does a weird flip-flop and I look away hurriedly. My mind is suddenly filled with a million and one thoughts and questions. What can I safely say to him? How much of what was done to me is public knowledge? Will saying anything at all get us both into trouble?

"Ever heard of a thing called a matebond?" Doc asks when I don't say anything.

"No," I answer cautiously.

"But you understand what werecats call mates? Married couples," Doc says quietly. 

"Strays don't marry as a rule," I say as I look away. "The tom just has to be strong enough and mean enough that no other tom tries to touch the female involved. Only the strong get any choice in the matter,"

Even I can hear the bitterness in the words I utter. They come out in a low almost snarl from between clenched teeth.

"Married couples who have been together for several years, usually five, six or more years, they are so close they seem to be able to read each others minds, finishing sentences for each other or saying what the other is thinking," Doc says quietly.

I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and I turn my head to watch Doc uneasily as I wait for his next words. I suddenly know he has more to say, that he's building to a point.

"There's more to it than knowing their partner real well," Doc says gently. "When a couple become mate-bonded they have this connection, they can feel how the other is feeling and even speak telepathically to each other..."

Suddenly my mind is flooded with the memories of Kendal, Vaygar and Jasper's voices, the wrongness of the feeling of them being inside my mind. Only now their voices and presence feel disjointed and out of focus, blurred and distorted as if I am drunk.

Mine, mine, mine...

The words echo in my mind, a faded mockery of Kendal's voice ringing in my ears.

"I'm not going crazy! I'm not going crazy! I'm not! I'm not!"

I realise I am in the far corner of the room with my hands over my ears as I scream the denial. I grit my teeth and swallow my own screams as I realise I am once more the scared child my father found after he came home that fateful day to help me after a large black cat changed into a man before raping me. I was left doubting my own sanity when I fled the crash most believed killed my father. I remember thinking I was going insane as I ran from the shadow-cat at the scene of the accident.

I struggle up past my memories until I am no longer that traumatised child but a strong individual. I know now that werecats are more than science fiction and that bad things do happen to good people. But I am strong; I can run fast and far to remain free. And when my demons invade my mind I know how to make them disappear into a dark void, far from the coherent thoughts in my mind.

"I'm not crazy," I say between clenched teeth as I glare at Doc.

"No, you're not crazy at all," Doc says very gently as he sits on the far corner of the bed I had been on. "But someone either tried to make you believe you were going crazy or he made you feel like you were."

"Doc?"

I turn my head slightly to see Micah and Sam just inside the door. Suddenly I don't want to see them or have them near me. I feel like my mind and emotions are spinning out of control and I don't want them witnessing the moment I crash and burn.

"Get out! Get out!" I scream almost hysterically. I watch them back out of sight and I listen as they hesitate a moment before moving away down the sunroom.

"Rosy," Doc says softly, "it's Kendal Darnel's voice you think you hear in your head, isn't it?" 

I look at Doc hurriedly and narrow my eyes as I glare at him in suspicion.

"You learnt to cope when he could force his way into your thoughts, and you will learn to cope now he is no longer in your mind." Doc says calmly. "You need time to adjust."

"You make it sound as if it is as simple as having an arm or a leg removed," I say disdainfully.

"No," Doc says with a grin, "more like having a large benign tumour removed."

"How do I keep from letting some other arsehole crawl into my head?" I ask tightly.

"You only get involved with honourable toms who would never harm you in any way," Doc states evenly.

I look away as I bite my tongue to stop my words. I never intended to get involved with Kendal or Vaygar, and Jasper had been kind and loving until he met the Darnels. I close my eyes and give a tired sigh; it's all too hard to try to figure out at the moment. All I want to do is have something to eat and drink and go back to sleep.

"Rosy?" Doc's softly enquiring voice makes me jerk my head up to look at him as I realise I have been sitting motionless for several minutes trying to work out what I believe of what he has just told me.

"Is Kendal Darnel the only one who you heard in your head?" Doc asks gently. "Or was he the strongest one?"

"It didn't matter how strong he and his father were when I was on heat or how hard they fought with the others," I mutter under my breath as I look away from him.

"I hope what I've told you helps you in some way," Doc says and I look his way to find he is on his feet and has moved closer. "I've been told that when one of a pair dies that the matebond will fade out quickly. But obviously it isn't very pleasant."

"At least now I know I am not crazy. I just hear voices in my head," I mutter. "And I can't exactly say I see ghosts but I do hear them..."

I stop muttering to myself as soon as I realise I am doing it. I hunch forward to rest my forehead on my drawn up knees and begin to rock back and forth as I wish for that strong but gentle presence I still associate with my father. I haven't felt that safe and secure since ...

"When can I eat?" I demand of Doc as I hurry to stop my thoughts. "Micah said he would make me poached eggs on toast."

"You feel up to eating?" Doc asks gently.

"I need to eat and sleep to get my strength back," I say more sure of myself when he doesn't refute my claim.

"I'll go tell Micah you're hungry," Doc tells me as he moves back to the end of the bed. "What do you want to drink? Juice, warm milk, cup of tea?"

"Juice, whatever juice they have cold," I say with a glance towards the doorway. I am fairly sure someone would be lurking out of sight as they listen to make sure I am not about to go crazy at Doc or something.

I stay where I am sitting when Doc leaves the room, and out in the sunroom I hear the soft murmur of voices near the hallway and begin to relax. The feeling of being out of control is fading and I lean back against the corner as I let my feet slide forward on the floor until my legs are stretched out in front of me.

I rest the back of my hands on my thighs as I slip into the deep breathing exercises I learnt in therapy. In through the nose, and out through the mouth; in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Breathe in the calm; exhale all the bad memories. Breathe in all the scents of my clan; exhale all the harm the Darnels planned for me.

"Rosy? Rosy, I've got your food for you," Micah's voice cuts into my concentration, startling me and I jerk back against the wall with a startled hiss.

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest from fright and I take a deep breath as I try to calm myself. I am relieved when Micah makes no attempt to move closer and my feeling of being cornered begins to subside.

"I poached some eggs like you wanted," Micah says evenly.

"And toast?" I ask hopefully as I suddenly become aware of the hunger gnawing at my stomach.

"And toast, and juice," Micah says with a relieved laugh and half smile.

It strikes me that I have been distant and prickly with those who only want to help me. I give a tired sigh and climb to my feet laboriously. I climb back onto the bed and settle myself comfortably before glancing back at Micah. He is still standing just inside the doorway and I attempt a smile for him.

*****

Micah: 

I sit on the end of the mattress and watch as Rosy eats hungrily. Two entire days have passed since Doc started treating her nausea to try to help her recovery. 

"Do you feel up to going hunting in a few hours?" I ask her quietly.

Rosy looks up at me as she chews on a mouthful of stir fried vegies before glancing towards the kitchen. We are sitting on a mattress in the lounge room and several others are in the kitchen getting their own lunch as we eat.

"It'll be great if you could," Jazzy says as she comes from the kitchen carrying the last of the food Mikkarl prepared to tempt Rosy's appetite.

"I don't feel up to changing yet," Rosy says as she looks down at her plate.

"That's okay," Jazzy says before I can say a word. "Don't let any of us make you feel you have to change before you feel you can, or you want to."

"Maybe you'd like to go outside again like you did yesterday," I say gently.

"That would be nice," Rosy says as she looks my way with a hopeful smile. "And I can stay outside for several hours like yesterday?"

"We can put a tent up in case there is some rain in these clouds, put a mattress and blankets in it so you'll be comfy if it turns cold," Mitchell says as he comes in from the hallway.

"Good idea," I agree with a glance toward Mitchell before looking back at Rosy. I am pleased to see she has eaten all that was on her plate, but when Jazzy goes to put more on the empty plate Rosy shakes her head.

"I'm comfortably full," Rosy says moving her plate aside.

I resist the urge to ask if she feels sick. Doc not given her medication before this meal hoping her body was recovered enough to prevent her being ill.

"Cantrell Yates is due to arrive in half an hour," Mitchell reminds me as he heads for the kitchen followed by Sam, Dwayne and Justin.

"Mal Inness, Kurt Black and Dan Doctrill should get here any time now," I tell him.

"Kurt Black contacted me just before I came in. He and Danny were about fifteen minutes away," Mitchell calls over his shoulder.

"Kurt Black is Jeddah's brother isn't he?" Rosy asks.

I look her way and notice she seems much more relaxed today then the last two days, plus the prospect of visitors doesn't seem to worry her.

"Yeah, he's your uncle," I confirm. "Dan, Danny Doctrill is a new Alpha. His wife Kaytee had her third son two weeks after the meeting you went to."

"Will Kaytee and the kitt be here today?" Jazzy asks hopefully.

"Not today," I tell her and she pouts as she looks at her half finished food.

"It's not fair," Jazzy grumbles, "I haven't seen him yet."

"Any reason why Jazzy and Rosy can't come to the meeting?" Mitchell asks as he walks into the lounge room with a plateful of cold roast sandwiches.

"Other than the fact Wade and Cantrell won't like it?" I ask with a grin. "No reason at all."

"I'd rather sit outside in the sun," Rosy insists and I catch a glimpse of unease as she looks away.

"Okay, Rosy will be lazing around in the sun. Mitchell and I have to attend," I say glancing around those gathered close. "Sam, you had best come as well since you're now Head Warrior. Jazzy, you're welcome to come if you like."

"Justin and I can stay around here in case Rosy wants something while you're at the main house," Dwayne says from the kitchen.

"Might not hurt for Dwayne to come as well. He is the oldest son left here," Mitchell says. I glance at him and give a slight smile. I am glad he thinks for himself.

"You got a good point there," I tell him. "Anyone else you think should come with us?"

"Steven, your partner," Mitchell answers as he glances around. "Mikkarl, Justin, Malcolm and Timny can stay and make sure Rosy has anything she needs. Everyone else can find odd jobs to do close around the buildings."

"I just want to lie in the sun and be left alone," Rosy mumbles beside me and I look at her in concern.

She doesn't look as if she is going to be sick, and she's not pale; a healthy pink has returned to her complexion. Still, I don't like the way she is still seeking solitude as a werecat often does if ill.

"They can stay far enough away that you don't have to see them but they can hear you if you need them to get something for you," Jazzy says brightly. "Sometimes the way they all fawn over me annoys me too."

* * * * *

Rosy

The sensation of being watched pulls me from a light sleep and I sit up to look around. At first I see no one and no movement, but when I get to my feet and move to one end of the outdoor recliner I was using I am startled to find Edwin standing just a few feet away.

"Edwin..." my voice is shaky as I stumble over his name.

"I didn't mean to scare you Rosy," Edwin says softly and glances around uneasily. "I just want to talk to you by yourself."

My mind is foggy from my interrupted nap and some knowledge is niggling in the back of my mind trying to break through. I frown as I watch Edwin nervously; he glances around and licks his lips uneasily as he looks back at me. I suddenly remember he isn't supposed to be on Williamson land or near me and I take several steps backwards as I take a deep breath intending to start screaming for some of the warriors.

"No Rosy," Edwin's words are a hissed plea as he moves swiftly to clap a hand over my mouth while his other arm slips behind my back to hold me firmly against his body.

I scream beneath his hand but he only presses it against my mouth harder as I struggle to escape his hold. I only manage to bring my arms up between us and prevent my breasts being squashed against his chest.

"I'm not gonna hurt you Rosy, I promise! I just need to talk to you," Edwin whispers desperately near my ear. "I won't hurt you, I promise."

I can't help the whimpers of fear that escape me as I stop struggling. I don't want to waste my strength and not be able to fight if he tries to do anything to me. I am surprised to feel the solidness of the wall of the quarters at my back and try to twist away from Edwin's hold. Memories of Kendal holding me against the wall as he took his pleasure surface, I struggle to remember that Kendal is dead and it is Edwin holding me.

"Calm down Rosy, please calm down," Edwin demands. Knowing the voice belongs to a clan cat helps me calm down, but panic still tugs at me as I try to pull his hand away from my mouth. Edwin speaks once again but the words are lost in my haze of terror and I realise I can hear fear in his voice as well.

I manage to stop struggling and try to quiet the whimpers that still come from me. After what seems forever but is probably only thirty seconds Edwin moves so he is no longer using his body to pin me against the wall.

"Will you listen to me?" Edwin asks worriedly. 

With his hand still over my mouth and his other hand against my right shoulder holding me against the wall, as he stands close by, I can only give a slight nod as I swallow the desperate sounds that try to come from me. 

"I want to apologise for what I did to you. I don't expect you to forgive me but I need to apologise and I'd like to explain to you why I acted as I did," Edwin says on a long rushed breath.

I can hear his heart pounding and smell fear coming from him as he looks into my eyes. His focus flits back and forth between my eyes as if searching for something before a soft sigh escapes him. 

"I really liked you, you know? Cared about you," Edwin's words come out sounding regretful. "I hoped that if ... I could see you were falling for Micah and it felt like he was always stealing everything from me. I hoped if we were together while you were on heat then maybe you'd get to know me and start to like me."




To Love a Stray Ch. 16



Hi

Sorry about the wait for this chapter. I have to say a big thanks to my friend/editor who I will always think of as TheKittiesMama. Thanks for encouraging me to post this story when I first showed it to you.

Thanks to Cannd for pointing out the huge holes in this chapter.

Mygypsy

************

Rosy

I wait patiently as Doc checks my pulse and blood pressure before he listens to the baby's heartbeat and I have to smile as Micah eagerly lines up for his chance to listen to the heartbeat as well. I grimace as Doc feels my stomach gently pressing to feel the position of the baby.

"Okay, now the scales." Doc tells me. I stand up and kick my shoes off before stepping onto the scales, we watch as the numbers steady then flash and Doc nods.

"Not bad, you've put on the recommended weight gain but I would have liked for you to have put some weight on yourself," Doc tells me seriously.

"I'm feeling much stronger and I don't tire near as much," I offer.

"That is good but you are going to need every bit of strength when that little fellow decides it is time to arrive and going on his size now, he isn't going to be so little when he's born," Doc warns.

"I plan on being as active as is safely possible," I say, "that helps with the delivery doesn't it?"

"Yes it does," Doc agrees. "A well balanced diet is essential as well even if your weight gain isn't as much as I'd like."

"Diet?" Micah frowns, "Shouldn't Rosy eat as much as she wants?"

"Yes, but she also needs plenty of fresh fruit and veggies to go along with her daily intake of protein," Doc explains. Micah looks at me as he nods to himself before glancing at Doc then back at me.

"Why don't you go check the pantry and freezers and write out a list of anything you want from town? I'll send a couple of the guys in to do some shopping," Micah tells me.

"I take it that's code for you want a cup of coffee?" I say with a smile.

"Uhh, yeah," Micah smiles relieved. 

"Doc?" I ask as I pause in the doorway of the room.

"Yes, Rosy?" Doc answers with a smile as he looks my way.

I glance towards Micah for a second before I focus my attention back on Doc, I know the question I intend to ask will not sit well with Micah but I ask anyway.

"Have you heard how Edwin got on after he left here?" I query. Edwin left the morning after Sam beat him up because he was unwilling to stay on clan land any longer than completely necessary.

"He isn't here where he can bother you any longer Rosy, so no need to worry about him," Micah says gently.

"I want to know how he got on with the operation he needed," I insist with a determined frown.

"There's no need for you to worry about him," Micah says firmly.

"There is a good chance he will need further surgery some time in the future to remove the remaining testicle," Doc tells me in an even tone. 

I grimace slightly as I give a faint nod before turning away. I'm not sure how I feel or if I even feel anything about Edwin's injuries. It doesn't upset me anymore but neither do I feel any compassion for him.

"Rosy, I will be sending a report to The Board about Wade ordering Edwin to force you while you were on heat. What happened is nothing more than rape. Wade must be held accountable for his actions," Doc says firmly.

"No," I turn to face him. "I don't want others knowing what they done to me!"

I can feel my face burning with shame and look away unable to meet Doc's eyes. I can't stop thinking I should have been able to turn away from Edwin, instead of just scream my refusal at him. My body shouldn't have wanted the release it knew he could provide.

"Rosy, you are in no way to blame for what happened. What Wade and Edwin done is completely unacceptable," Doc says gently.

"I don't want everyone knowing," I protest as I glance towards Micah hoping for his support on this.

"I am sure The Board will treat this in the strictest confidence," Doc says soothingly.

"I don't believe you," I tell him as I retreat to the door. "Everyone will know what happened!"

I move through the door in a hurry and out into the sunroom as I head for the kitchen but pause at the lounge room door and listen intently as I hear Micah's voice.

"Doc, I've wanted to ask you ... how long before Rosy can safely ..." Micah sounds uncertain and I hear a faint laugh from Doc.

"You're wondering when you can do more than just sleep with Rosy?" Doc asks levelly.

"Yes. I haven't tried to do anything with her this last week other than try to make her know she's safe," Micah says sounding slightly pained.

I listen intently, interested in the answer myself. My body is eager for Micah's touch and memories of Kendal rarely surface when I can feel Micah's aroused body against mine of a night.

"Okay, anytime Rosy is inclined to be interested. All I can suggest is follow your instincts with her," Doc explains. He continues to talk but I shake my head with a faint smile and head for the kitchen on silent feet, I put the coffee percolator on and put several mugs on the bench. One benefit of having Jazzy in residence is we now have ceramic mugs with our names on them and they are rinsed after use and washed up properly each night after supper. No longer is the sink filled with dirty used mugs.

I hear the screen door slam and light footsteps as several of the toms head inside, I turn to face the lounge room and watch as Steven leads the way in followed by Sam, Dwayne, Mitchell and Justin.

"Where's Jazzy got to?" I ask. It is rare to see Mitchell and Jazzy apart.

"She has decided to drag Malcolm, Chris, Mikkarl and Timny to town to go shopping," Mitchell says with a shrug. He hates shopping and is clearly relieved to escape Jazzy's expedition.

"What has she decided she needs this time?" I ask with a grin.

"She is checking to see if the baby sling she ordered for you is in, plus she declared you have no decent clothes to cover 'The Bump'." Sam tells me with a grin. All of the toms find it amusing that Jazzy has changed the baby's name from Jellybean to 'The Bump'.

"I will scream if she brings back a collection of clothes covered in frills and bows." I say as I shake my head.

"Maybe she'll pick out a nice little two piece swimsuit for you," Steven tells me with a leer.

"You and your skimpy swimsuit fantasy. You need to go take some poor unsuspecting girl out for the evening," I tell him with a shake of my head.

"And ruin her for a normal man? How cruel are you?" Steven teases me. I poke my tongue out at him and he laughs as he walks into the kitchen and looks in the percolator. The toms retrieve their cups from the draining rack and line them up along the bench with the three cups I have out.

"Who else is here?" Sam asks idly.

"Doc, he's in chatting with Micah. Micah is probaly trying to find some way to make me eat more," I grumble.

"You had your check up? Everything's fine?" Sam asks anxiously.

"Everything is good but Doc said he would have liked it if I had put on more weight, on me and not just with the baby growing." I say calmly. It is no use trying to hide the fact from my brothers. Doc or Micah will tell them for sure.

"I'm going to have a few words with Doc myself," Sam mutters. I frown at him. He crosses his arms over his chest and gives me his no-nonsense, stern look. I ignore him as I look through the pantry before checking the two different freezers and finding a pen and paper so I can write out a list of food I want bought from the shops in town.

"Whatcha doin'?" Steven asks as he reads the list over my shoulder.

"Shopping list," I tell him.

"But we don't eat spinach or broccoli or mung bean sprouts, sounds nasty." Steven tells me with a shake of his head as he pulls a face as if he has tasted something terrible.

"I notice you're not complaining about the sweet corn on the cob or the baby potatoes, sweet potato or Zucchini." I remark.

"They taste good," Steven points out to me patiently.

"The others are good for you or more importantly good for me and Jellybean," I say levelly.

"Oh, that's all right then. We can get those for you." Steven is quick to agree. I roll my eyes at him and he moves away to pour the freshly brewed coffee into the waiting cups. 

"You don't have coffee do you?" He comments as he goes to the fridge for the milk. I grin as I see he has his large bottle of flavoured milk and is about to pour me a cup. I accept the drink gratefully and I am sipping it when Micah and Doc walk into the room.

"Coffee, just what I need," Doc announces as he reaches for a cup.

"Did Rosy check out all right?" Sam asks seriously with a stern glance towards me.

"Everything seems fine and hopefully will continue to be," Doc tells him.

"Rosy said you're not real happy about her weight or something?" Mitchell says with a reproachful look my way.

"You should see what she put on the shopping list. She's trying to poison us," Steven grumbles as he pushes the list towards Micah. Doc picks it up and studies it for a few minutes before nodding his approval and glancing at me with a grin.

"Rosy seems to have it covered. Now if you actually manage to get these guys to eat this stuff, you will have to let me know how you do it?" Doc smiles widely. 

"Broccoli? You expect us to eat broccoli?" Micah asks with disbelief.

"It's good for you. It'll put a shine on your coat," I say with a shrug.

"We'd better stock up on tomato sauce then because I intend to use an entire bottle to hide the colour and taste of the broccoli," Micah informs me.

"Well ... if you feel that strongly about it, I suppose we can give it a miss," I say sounding regretful.

"And the spinach? And the sprout thingies?" Steven asks hopefully.

"If we must," I answer with a long-suffering sigh.

"No," Doc protests, "Those foods are rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for you while you're carrying the baby!"

"It's too much hassle to cook up enough for just one person," I say with a shrug and turn away to help myself to an orange.

"We all can eat them. It won't hurt us." Sam says firmly, "If Rosy has to eat food she's not fond of, it won't hurt us to eat it as well." 

"Well that's settled then. They stay on the shopping list." Micah announces. I remain silent as the toms grumble. It is just another example of me outsmarting them. I move to a chair and sit down as I rub my stomach with one hand.

"You okay?" Doc asks and I realise I have moved from rubbing my swollen stomach to rubbing my back.

"Just a backache," I dismiss it but Doc moves to where he can place a hand on my stomach. He leaves it there for a while before moving away.

"Nothing to worry about just Braxton-Hicks. At six and a half months, they're normal," Doc tells me.

"Braxton-Hicks, what are they?" Micah demands in concern.

"Practice pains," Doc says.

"Is Rosy having the baby early?" Mitchell demands in a panic. "I thought you said things can be done to stop that kind of thing these days!"

"Mitchell! Stop! You got it wrong," I try to calm him but Mitchell grabs one of my hands in a hard grip and squeezes as he pats it roughly.

"It'll be all right Rosy. You won't lose this baby like the others." Mitchell tries to reassure me in a panicked voice. I instinctively lash out with my free hand hitting his wrists hard with one slam down of my fist causing Mitchell to give a startled yell and look at me accusingly.

"Let her go. You're hurting her," Micah growls as he pushes Mitchell backwards stopping him recapturing my hand.

"I'm fine Mitchell. The baby is fine. They're practice pains. So my body knows what it has to do when the time comes," I tell him earnestly.

"You were in pain," Mitchell worries as he looks down at my stomach before looking me in the face, distress clear on his features.

"Mitchell, back off," Micah warns with a hiss of fury.

"Not even Mitchell! It just feels weird like the muscles in my belly and back go tense," I tell him with a frown as I turn away from the others.

"They are similar to a very mild muscle cramp. The muscles just go tight," Doc explains.

"They really don't hurt?" Micah asks with concern.

"No, they do not," I snap as I start to become annoyed with the over protective behaviour of the toms. I glance from one face to another and see the concern on all of their faces. Irritation rises within me and I turn to face all of the toms.

"I promise that if it hurts, I shall scream long and loud so you lot know. Is that a deal?" I demand angrily at the end of my patience.

"I suppose," Mitchell says sounding uncertain. His recently developed composure and calm steadiness obviously does not extend to matters concerning my impending motherhood.

"Would a backrub help?" Micah offers.

"Well it wouldn't hurt. It should help Rosy to relax," Doc answers before I can say a word. "With a couple of pillows to help make her comfortable, there is no reason why Rosy can't lay on her stomach," 

Micah eyes me doubtfully and gives his head a shake.

"Maybe Rosy can use one of the new beanbags," Doc offers. "Some human women use them when they are having their baby,"

"And maybe if Rosy can't be trusted to know what hurts and what doesn't, she can miss out on the backrub." I snap as I get to my feet and turn to leave the room. Micah catches me by the wrist and pulls me around to face him very gently. He smiles at me apologetically.

"It's just that we care about you," Micah says with a rueful smile.

"Well credit me with some commonsense," I mutter as I look away uncomfortable with the turn in the conversation.

"Our every instinct is to protect you and the baby. We can't help it if we go overboard." Sam tells me with a good-natured smile.

"So it's okay if I follow my instincts to give whoever a good swift kick in the shins when they annoy me?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. I hear Doc laugh but I don't pull my gaze away from Sam as he looks uncomfortable with my question. Finally, he gives a shrug.

"That wouldn't be too much fun," he informs me.

"True. I'd end up with a very sore foot because it seems like every time one of you open your mouth you annoy me," I say levelly. 

"You never say anything," Dwayne tells me.

"Yeah, I know you have the best of intentions so why bash you over the head with the little unimportant things?" I ask with a shrug.

"Maybe you all need to find a happy middle ground," Doc offers.

"We're getting there," I admit. "They're getting better at listening to me and I'm learning new stuff all the time. It's not as if I grew up in a clan so everything is very different for me," I tell Doc.

"We try to explain things to her so she understands things better," Sam admits and I send him a grin.

"Sounds like you have things under control. Have you worked out what made you lose control when you were wearing the collar? What upset you so badly you couldn't force your cat back under control?" Doc asks curiously. 

I look away uncomfortably. I don't want to hear Micah is only with me because the kitt I carry has a Williamson sperm donor. I don't think of Edwin as the biological father. He is nothing to my baby or me. It is just a twist of fate that it was Edwin who provided the genetic material.

And, I refuse to think about the clan lands Vaygar mentioned. If that was the real reason behind... I allow my mind to go blank. In this case, ignorance is bliss because there is a tiny suspicion at the back of my mind telling me - if you don't like the answer -- don't ask the question.

"I'm still willing to chat with you about it if you want to, if you need to," Doc tells me gently. I can almost feel the waves of tension coming off Sam and Steven as I shrug uneasily.

"Not really Doc," I say as I shake my head. 

"It's not good for you to keep something that upset you so much bottled up inside," Doc insists. I remain silent and Micah brushes his thumb gently over my wrist. I twist my arm free and cross my arms over my lower ribs defensively as I avoid his gaze.

"Whatever is upsetting you Rosy, we can work it out. I promise I'll find a way to help you fix it," Micah tells me.

"Don't push her Micah; Rosy will talk when she's ready." Sam tells him. Micah takes a deep breath and I glance his way. He is watching me with a frustrated look on his face and I look away quickly.

"Do you want to have lunch before you head off Doc?" Micah asks.

"Might as well," Doc agrees.

"Well I'm going to be lazy and sit in the lounge room while you lot make lunch," I declare with a grin and head for the lounge room. I know that if I remained in the kitchen that one of the toms would end up carrying me into the lounge room out of harms way while they goofed around. I sit in the middle of the lounge before giving a shrug and moving to put my legs up and lay down knowing that Micah will sit me up so he can sit down and have me lean against him.

I close my eyes tiredly. I'll just rest them for a few moments since lunch won't be long. I yawn and stretch as I make myself comfortable on the lounge. Just a few moments of peace and quiet before everyone comes in here to eat their lunch.

"Rosy, Rosy come on you got to wake up." Micah's voice disturbs me and I open my eyes reluctantly. "Doc said you can't afford to miss meals and we have to wake you up so you can try to eat."

"Jus' a minu'e," I murmur sleepily and rub my eyes.

"Take your time," Micah says gently before easing me into a sitting position. He sits on the lounge then lifts me backwards onto his lap securing me with an arm around behind my waist while his hand rests on my hip.

"What's to eat?" I ask as I rest my head against his chest. The sound of his heart beating is directly beneath my ear and I listen to the soothing sound.

"I heated up some left over roast and made you warm meat and gravy buns," Micah tells me.

"Hmmm," I murmur with approval as I reach eagerly for the plate Sam passes to me. I hesitate as I go to pick up one of the buns that are overflowing with warm aromatic meat and gravy. 

"What do you want?" I ask suddenly suspicious as I glance at Micah before lifting the lid of the bun off and beginning to eat my lunch one juicy gravy moist chunk at a time. 

"Nothing, I just want you to eat your food," Micah growls sounding annoyed. "Why does every kind gesture have to mean we want something?" he asks with a frown.

"You just said you want me to eat my food," I point out before I lick gravy off my fingers and Micah growls in annoyance.

"You okay with Micah wanting to take care of you?" Doc asks calmly. I glance at Doc where he is looking very relaxed in a chair while he eats his lunch. One good sniff has already informed me I am the only one who has warm filling in the buns.

"I'm eating aren't I? And more importantly Micah isn't wearing my lunch," I say with a shrug.

"Rosy you're just being nasty," Mitchell tells me with disapproval.

"No Mitchell. My instincts have kept me alive for years, and if I'm not sure about something with you lot I ask outright because right from the start something told me I'd get straight answers. Most of the time," I say and glance at Micah. He's watching me as if not sure what to make of me and I return to eating the chunks of roast.

"So who stole my crackling?" I ask with a wide grin. Several of the toms laugh and Steven slaps one of my feet gently.

"It's roast lamb. Only pork has crackling," Steven says with a laugh. I poke my tongue out at him before resting my head against Micah's shoulder for a few moments.

"Don't you want that second bun?" Micah asks gently when he sees I have finished half of my lunch. I rub my stomach gently and glance up at him.

"I want it but I don't think there's enough room for all of it," I tell him.

"Just eat what you can manage," Micah says and rubs my back gently. I begin to pull the bun apart eating the meat with some small pieces of the bun. This bun is a mix of wholemeal and whole grains and tastes delicious with the gravy on it. I listen to the conversation of the toms as I eat and when I am full there is only the base of the bun and a scattering of meat left.




To Love a Stray Ch. 16



"I'm gonna go curl up on your bed," I tell Micah and he gives a nod before returning to the conversation with the others. I make my way to the room we share with Steven and crawl onto Micah's bed, I use pillows to make myself comfortable as I cuddle one before closing my eyes with a contented sigh.

* * * * *

Rosy

"Rosy! Rosy wake up," Steven tells me and shakes my shoulder firmly bringing me out of a sound sleep. I frown as I blink dazedly then turn my head as the sound of Sam's angry voice reaches me.

"What?" I ask as I force myself into a sitting position.

"Lotty has gotten engaged to someone else. There is to be a wedding almost immediately," Steven says with a glance at my stomach and I catch on to what he means. Lotty has gotten pregnant by some other tom. 

"Sam is talking about leaving the pride. Micah and Dwayne are over at the house. They don't know yet. Mitchell is trying to talk to Sam but he's hit Mitchell several times and just keeps pushing him out of the way," Steven explains quickly.

"Sam can't leave," I protest as I climb from the bed. Steven grabs my upper arm to help me and stops me for a moment.

"He's hurting real bad Rosy," Steven tells me soberly. "Not many will be willing to take him into their Clan after the beating he handed out to Edwin."

I hurry out towards where I can hear Sam in his and Mitchell's room and pause in the doorway before walking over to where he is throwing his clothes in two large duffel bags. I immediately begin to throw the clothes back out tossing them onto the floor behind me before tossing one empty bag out the door.

"What the hell?" Sam snarls as he turns around and hesitates a moment as he sees me. "Get out of that!"

"No! I won't let you walk away from us Sam," I tell him.

"I have just lost everything that matters to me! Everything! I have no future anymore! Some other tom has my future," Sam yells at me.

"Well make something new from what you have left! Lotty is not worth you throwing everything away for," I tell him angrily.

"Don't you even say her name! You're nothing but a nasty little bitch intent on drawing every last drop of blood from anyone who gets near you." Sam yells at me and I am shaken by the fury in his voice.

"Sam," Steven growls in warning and I hear movement in several places behind me.

"You can't even take responsibility for your own actions! They are what got you locked in the cage with Edwin! But no! You blame us! Reckon we tricked you into it! You fucked up and got caught for it! At least have the guts to admit it and stop blaming us for what happened to you." Sam yells at me angrily.

I am stunned into silence for several seconds before I lower my head slightly as I glare at him. 

He wants to make this personal does he? He thinks he's the only one ever to be betrayed and hurt?

"Oh, I knew what would probably happen when I came back to help Jazzy but I came back anyway! I didn't have to! I could have stayed away and she would have died! But that is not me! And running away is not you! You have family who care about you here! Not to mention your fellow warriors! Yes, you lost a lot losing Lotty but there is other stuff you can fill your life with." I snarl back at him.

Sam moves so fast I am not aware of my danger until he has hold of me by the upper arms and gives me a short hard shake.

"Sam," I'm not sure which toms roar at him but I know that at least Mitchell, Steven and Donovan are drawing closer. I keep looking into his eyes refusing to look away as he glares down at me, his fingers biting into my arms viciously.

"If I could rebuild my life when I was only twelve after having everything ripped apart and turned inside out then, you can rebuild your life now. You still have everyone who loves you enough to stick by you," I tell him softly.

"Everything I had planned for myself included Lotty," Sam denies.

"And everything I had planned centred around the fact I believed I was human! I had no-one to help me those first few weeks but we are here and willing to help you if you let us Sam," I tell him desperately. I don't want my brother to walk away from me -- it seems like I only just found him and got to know him.

"You don't know what it's like to have someone you love turn their back on you! Betray you! So don't give me some crap," Sam says as he shakes me again.

His words touch something deep inside me, something I have kept hidden and guarded from exposure. To think about it, to remember, only brings back the pain. Now that pain fuels my desperation and colours my words.

"Poor god damned Sam! He's the only one who has ever had someone walk away from them. The only one who knows what it's like to be betrayed? She didn't just walk away from you she took your balls," I snarl back at him. "You two weren't married. Hell yous weren't even engaged. Did you ever care enough to ask her?" 

"What the hell would you know about it? By your own admission you had spent your life running from everyone, even humans, for years before we found you," Sam yells at me.

"I wasn't always alone. I wasn't the only one who ran from other cats," I tell Sam in a tight voice. "And if there's one thing I have learnt Sam, is you can't run away from the shit life hands out. Because, no matter where you try to hide, it will find you and is always worse the second time around."

Sam's grip tightens on my upper arms and he moves so close I can feel his breath wash over my face as he glares down at me. I can even smell his inner cat he is that angry but I refuse to look away from his intense blue eyes. He is angry and hurting but so am I, and I have had much longer to hoard my pain.

"Steven ..." I take a deep breath and release it before continuing. "In my side of the wardrobe there is a small wooden chest that has a padlock on it. Could you get it for me?"

"I'm staying right here unless Sam lets you go," Steven growls low in his throat. "Justin or Donny can get it."

"Someone had better do something because I am sick of her trying to interfere in stuff she knows nothing about," Sam growls low and savagely as his grip tightens convulsively. "You know nothing about what I am going through and once you realise that, you are going to wish you had kept out of this."

"Let me go Sam," I tell him firmly. My hands are twitching unintentionally from the force of his hold on my arms as he compresses nerves in my arms.

"As your brother I have every right to discipline you if you step out of line and believe me you have jumped way over the line this time," Sam snarls and I suddenly realise he wants to lash out and make others hurt as much as he's hurting. I lower my head and turn it slightly as I narrow my eyes making it impossible for him to read my expression.

* * * * *

Micah

I leave Chris behind as I race for the quarters. Chris' breathless message has my heart pounding in fear. Sam has just found out Lotty Inness has to marry someone else and he is tearing his room apart in a rage as he packs his belongings. And Rosy is trying to stop him leaving. Rosy is in a room with a very upset and hurting werecat.

The screen door offers no resistance as I wrench it open. Behind me it slams noisily and makes a sound as if it has actually come off one of its hinges as I race through to the bedrooms.

My heart nearly stops beating as I take in the scene with one glance.

"Someone had better do something because I am sick of her trying to interfere in stuff she knows nothing about," Sam growls low and savagely. He has Rosy by her upper arms and is snarling the words down into her face.

"You know nothing about what I am going through and once you realise that, you are going to wish you had kept out of this." He informs her.

"Let me go Sam," Rosy says firmly without flinching even though I can see her hands and arms twitching from his savage grip on her arms.

"As your brother, I have every right to discipline you if you step out of line and believe me, you have jumped way over the line this time," Sam snarls in an enraged, hoarse rasp.

"Get your hands off Rosy or I will rip your arms off," I snarl savagely in warning. If he hurts her I will make him pay.

"You told him yet Rosy? Told him what made you lose control?" Sam demands sounding almost pleased. "Our little stray here, she doesn't like the idea of getting married. When I let it slip you'd be asking her, she ended up going ballistic. Totally lost it. Seems you're not good enough for a stray, Micah," Sam taunts. 

The pain his words cause is unbelievable as I catch the pitying glance he sends my way. I grit my jaw and grind my teeth as I swallow the cry of pain that wants to rise in my throat. I see the shadow of guilt that flickers across Rosy's face.

"Ok Sam, you just had your pound of flesh. Hell you managed to get several of us with that little gem without a doubt," Rosy hisses venomously at him. 

"I am sick of you pushing me away when all I want to do is help you and now you figure you've pushed me into a corner where I'll just sit down and shut up and take my medicine for daring to interfere? My only regret is what I am about to do is going to hurt probaly everyone in this room ... you and your damned Clan mentality, Sam. You're hurting. I hear that but don't you ever sharpen your claws on me again," Rosy snarls up at him even as she hits him in the centre of his chest with both clenched fists.

She takes several steps back before holding out one shaking hand to the side.

"Whoever has that chest had better give it to me," Rosy says between gritted teeth. 

I watch as Justin pushes a small wooden chest into her grip and she cradles it almost gently against her chest for a moment before I hear the metallic click of a lock opening.

Rosy glances back towards us all watching before she lowers her gaze to the floor and reaches into the box. She passes Sam a dog-eared piece of paper before reaching into the box again to retrieve what might be a photo. Rosy hesitates a moment before holding it out towards Sam with a shaking hand. She looks like she might grab it back when he fails to take it from her hand. He is too busy studying the piece of paper with a stunned expression on his face to take the photo.

"You're already married," Sam explodes as he looks up from the piece of paper.

"Try widowed, brother dearest. We were living very separate lives for a couple of years because he had betrayed me in a way I could never forgive. And as I'm sure you can testify - just because they hurt you, you don't stop loving them," Rosy says bitterly as she slaps the photo to his chest. 

"Pass it around," Rosy sneers at Sam. "Share the joke. Now tell me why clan cats are so much better than strays. And start with this clan!"

The photograph flutters to the ground to land picture up and I can see the two figures on it clearly. One is Rosy, looking up into the face of the guy holding her. The expression on her face wrenches painfully at me as I see the way she is gazing enthralled at the stray called Jasper, a stray that died at the hands of this clan.

"Oh shit!" I hear Steven mutter and there are slight sounds of movement. 

I can only watch as Rosy turns away from Sam and pushes past several toms to get to the bedroom door.

"Why is Rosy so upset?" I hear Donovan ask with dread.

"Show me that damned picture," I demand as Sam picks up the photograph. 

I hear the faint shuffle of feet as Sam hands me the photo. I stare at it hoping the faces will have changed, that it isn't Rosy looking at another tom like he is her entire world. His face stays the same, still that of the stray who died in a pool of his own blood after being caught and hauled back to the compound for disciplinary action.

"I killed Rosy's husband," Timny says in a hollow sounding voice. "And it's my fault her and Donny were snatched by those strays."

I hear the screen door grate protestingly and I look around as I realise Rosy has left the room, maybe even the building.

"Show me that damned piece of paper!" I demand as I stalk towards Sam. He releases his hold on it when I grab it and pull on it.

There is a roaring in my ears and the words on the paper waver in my vision as I recognise one of the signatures at the bottom of the document. I have seen Rosy sign her name like that several times and I take a deep breath as a strange feeling begins to grow inside me.

Emotions churn inside me and impotent rage boils to the surface as I lift my chin to glare at Sam. I feel the urge to tear into him, rip him apart but I grit my teeth as I turn away. Savaging him won't change the fact Rosy belonged to another tom.

It hits me -- belonged. Past tense. They were no longer together when he died! My satisfaction is short lived as I remember the pain in her eyes and in the tone of her voice.

And, as I'm sure you can testify, that just because they hurt you, you don't stop loving them.

Rosy's words run through my mind and I turn away from everyone as I look for something inanimate to hit. My fist goes through the wall near the doorway and I am dimly aware of several toms moving away from me.

"What the hell is going on here?" Wade's voice pulls me from my dark thoughts and self-pity as I turn towards the doorway to face him. "I saw Rosy running off towards the tree-line by herself. She seemed upset so I sent Donny and Mikkarl to follow her at a distance,"

"You what?" I demand angrily. "You are no longer in a position to go around giving orders!" I growl aggressively as I take a step towards him.

"Micah! Wait!" Mitchell orders sharply and I turn my head towards him to eye him with a mixture of anger and wariness.

"We need to sit down calmly and discuss this," Mitchell says evenly and I realise what he is saying is true.

* * * * *

Rosy

At the swimming hole, I sit against the trunk of a tree in the shade cast by its leaves and stare out over the water. I'm not surprised when a black cat steps from the trees on the far side of the swimming hole and walks to the waters edge to lap thirstily. It only takes me a few moments to recognise Donovan by his gangly appearance and I realise he will probaly get nearly as large as Micah before he finishes growing. A second cat appears out of the trees and stands beside Donovan for a few seconds before drinking as well. His tail twitches as he drinks and I see the little kink halfway along his tail that tells me it is Mikkarl. Donovan lifts his head and calls to me before watching me hopefully but when I don't respond other than to look away, he whines faintly and returns to the tree line to lay in the shade.

I feel raw inside and there is an ache in my chest. The baby moves restlessly and I keep one hand against my side where he kicks intermittently. Donovan calls to me at intervals but I have no wish for company and don't respond to him or react when Mikkarl moves into sight at times as he moves around. 

It is nearly dark when I get to my feet and head into the trees looking for a place to relieve myself. I hear Donovan call to me several times urgently and realise he has lost sight of me. I am nearly tempted to call back to him but I need my own space, and if I answer, I know he will think it is an invitation to join me.

As the sunset paints the sky a kaleidoscope of colours, I realise how cool it is becoming and decide that heading back to the compound would be a good idea. It is silent except for the faint noises of the night creatures. I stop and listen hoping to hear Mikkarl and Donovan but there are no sounds from them and I realise they must have headed home. I have to slow down to be able to walk without stumbling over anything in the darkness under the trees. When I finally reach the tree line around the compound, I breathe a sigh of relief. I lengthen my stride as I walk over the smooth even ground and I am soon close enough to hear the muddle of voices coming from the quarters.

"Calm down! One at a time," I am uneasy to hear Wade's voice coming from the quarters.

"We can't leave Rosy out there overnight! She needs to eat and keep warm," Mitchell protests.

"We can't force her to come back. I don't think any of us want to chance her accidentally getting hurt because we all know that if she gets chased she will run," Malcolm says.

"I'm taking food and warm clothes out to the swimming hole and one or two other places," Micah announces.

"We put them up out of reach of normal animals. We all know Rosy climbs. I think she'd find them if she's still around." Steven puts in.

"I should have followed her but I thought she was going to the toilet. I didn't think she was going to run away." Donovan says sounding very close to tears.

"It's not your fault Donny," I hear Micah say as I ease the screen door open carefully. "We all will do whatever we can to try to make sure Rosy is okay."

"Rosy knows how to look after herself and I am sure she won't take any chances with the baby. She seems to want it, really want it." I am relieved to hear Sam's voice.

"I wish I hadn't woken Rosy this afternoon. We should have just knocked you out and tied you up," Steven mutters. I've heard enough and don't want to hear anymore so I make the screen door squeak and rock my foot on the loose board before heading down the hallway.

"Rosy! I bet it's Rosy," Donovan yells and races out the lounge room door to stand in the hall. He stares at me as if he's afraid to believe his eyes for a moment then grins widely. "You came back!" He nearly knocks me off my feet but catches hold of my shoulders and steadies me.

"Steady on there Donny, don't get too rough with Rosy," Micah cautions from the doorway. I hesitate a moment before easing away from Donovan and heading into the lounge room. Micah moves aside for me at the doorway and I walk by already looking for Sam. I spot him by the far end of the lounge and walk up to him to wrap my arms around him and rest my head against his chest. His arms go around me and I breathe a soft sigh of relief as he rests his cheek against the top of my head.

"You should have told us Spotty One," Sam tells me gently.

"At first I was too scared I'd get kicked out or something worse. Then later, I just didn't want to talk about it," I tell him quietly as I rub my face against his shirt.

"Life's given you more than your fair share of hard knocks," Sam commiserates softly.

"Yeah, it removed Jasper from my life so I could finally move on. Gave me two brothers, a clan, a second father and this baby ... get past that first hard slap to the side of the head and you're generally too dizzy to notice the pain," I tell him as I pretend to grind one of his feet beneath mine.

"But that first hard slap is the kil ... kicker hey," Sam says and eases me away from him. "You eaten?"

"Not yet. I didn't feel up to changing," I admit.

"Sit down and I'll get you some food. There's plenty left," Sam orders.

"Where's Jazzy?" I ask. All of the toms are watching me almost warily and I suddenly feel as if I need moral support.

"Jazzy is making use of the secure room," Dwayne informs me and enlightenment dawns on me as I realise she would be coming into heat. I nod and make my way to the lounge and sit in the centre of it. The room seems unnaturally silent with the TV off and no hum coming from either playstation. Donovan settles himself at my feet and leans back to look up at me while Wade makes his way to Micah's favourite chair to sit down. I dart several uneasy glances his way as I keep track of where he is in the room.

"Next time you go off by yourself, you are to be back before dark," Mitchell tells me firmly. "And there'll be someone not too far away making sure you're all right."

"It was Donovan and Mikkarl today," I say levelly with a glance their way. "Thanks for giving me my own space." 

Mikkarl gives a brief nod and Donovan grins up at me. Mitchell sits down on one side of me while Micah sits on the other side. The rest of the toms, except for Sam, make themselves comfortable around the room. It isn't long before Sam comes in with a plate of warm food and I take it eagerly as the aromas remind me of how hungry I am.




To Love a Stray Ch. 16



Even as I eat, I am aware that Micah sits stiffly beside me without touching me. I knew that my secret would have an impact on our relationship.

"Rosy, would you tell us about Jasper? We'd like to know about him, how you met him, how long you were together?" Sam asks quietly. I stop eating as I stare at my plate. Different memories of Jasper rush back and I lift a forkful of crunchy skinned roast veggies. I put the food in my mouth and chew as I remember back to my first knowledge of Jasper and what happened between us.

"I'm not real sure how long or soon after Harry dying I met Jasper. I only know that I woke up one morning cold, thirsty and too weak from hunger to try to find food. But there just outside the bush I was under were several bottles of water, a cardboard box of food, a couple of blankets and some old worn clothes roughly my size ... They smelt like werecat but I was so desperate I didn't care ..."

"The food and water started to appear every two or three days. The clothes when I needed them and always that same scent on them," I sigh softly and eat several more mouthfuls before continuing. Remembering is awakening old feelings and it isn't easy to continue but I do.

"Then I started seeing this werecat around where I was. It never came close and if I was a cat he'd run off. I took to watching him. That's how I really learnt to hunt in cat form. Then one day he cornered me in a dry creek bed but didn't attack me. I was scared of him but curious about him as well and started following him. Soon we started hunting together when I was a cat." 

"And when I told him I had an uncle he encouraged me to go back to my uncle when I was human. I was always sneaking off to be with him. Being a cat was easier for me than trying to deal with being a person who could turn into a big black cat. By the time I was sixteen, I was totally wild about him. I loved him so much and believed he felt the same way about me so I lied about my age on my birthday and we got married." My voice trails off for a moment and I clear my throat before continuing.

"Jasper didn't ... he never touched me - he knew I didn't like being touched. We had an argument about six months after we got married. I ran away then came into my first heat ... well the first I am aware of, and Kendal Darnel and his buddy Terry managed to run me to ground. Jasper found us about maybe three or four days after they caught me. He didn't protect me from them ... he ..." I shake my head and look away. Jasper's betrayal is still too painful even after the years in between to talk about. He'd broken my heart and very nearly broke my spirit. 

"He joined in with them before he left me with them. It took me close on seven months to escape. We came across each other by accident a few weeks after I got away ... I knew I couldn't trust him to protect me ... so I ran. It took me nearly a week to lose him even though I was in cat-form but he'd taught me too well and I was able to keep running long after he gave up..." I sigh as I look at the food remaining on my plate. I'd heard the bitterness creeping into my voice and pause as I force the hurt back under control.

"We crossed paths a few times since then ... he knew how to find me when he really wanted to ... knew my preferred places. I think he even knew where I lived in human form, but he never came close to me there. I think Pete's presence was a major deterrent ... we'd crossed paths not too long before you first found me but before that it had been over a year. It was easier for me to avoid him than deal with him," I admit as I try to ignore the hollow, empty ache in my chest.

I don't look up from my plate and I only push the food around my plate instead of eating. Someone takes my plate but I don't look up to see who it is. I hear Micah move and I take a deep breath as I try to work out how close he is to me. I see his hand come into my view, and for a moment it looks as if he is about to touch one of my hands, but he withdraws his hand nearly out of my sight.

"We already knew he fathered the babies you lost. He made sure he let us know that." Micah tells me gently, "Did you arrange to meet him?"

"He must have known enough to keep track of my cycle ... heck, Jasper would have worked out how to or asked the Darnels ... I must have formed a pattern in my movements or something. He found me and tracked me down." I say bitterly.

"He knew the Darnels?" Micah asks tightly.

"There ain't a stray that isn't associated with them or on the run from them." I say scathingly. "Other than clan cats, they are the highest cause of death in strays ... well were."

"I hope you can understand why Jasper was executed. He'd been careless and been seen in cat form a fair bit just before he was brought in. He was continuously trespassing and he admitted to mistreating you, trying to turn you totally against clan cats. He was also believed to be stalking human women. When that type of thing starts either rapes or murders are not uncommon." Malcolm tells me gently.

"How much trouble am I in?" I finally find the courage to ask.

"Did you ever do anything like kill stock or let yourself be seen when you were in cat form?" Mitchell asks gently.

"No! Never," I deny in horror.

"Did you tell the truth about Jasper just then?" Mitchell asks evenly.

"Yes," I confirm.

"Maybe you left a few details out?" Sam asks.

"Not the important stuff," I admit to him

"Why did you reveal that about Jasper today?" Mitchell asks in the same even tone. I glance up at his face trying to read his expression but it is blank, totally closed off. I glance at Micah but he isn't looking at me. He's staring down at his hands. His forearms rest on his knees and his hands hang between his knees, clasped together so tightly his knuckles are white.

"I couldn't let my brother throw away everything because he'd been kicked in the guts by the girl he planned his future around. I just wanted him to know he's worth more than her," I say miserably.

"You spoke up even though you believed you would get in trouble?" Mitchell asks raising one eyebrow before glancing at several of the others.

"I wanted to help Sam," I say my misery increasing, "I figured he has as much, if not more, to offer the clan than I do."

"Rosy, you didn't do anything wrong," Mitchell says firmly. "You associated with this Jasper before he started breaking our laws. Even if you were married to him when he was breaking rules, unless you did as well you are innocent. This belief of yours that you would be in trouble is from the lies he was telling you, isn't it?"

"Do you understand now why he was in trouble?" Sam asks. "Not because he was a stray, but because of the things he done." 

"Why didn't you say something about Jasper before now?" Micah demands.

I shrug and look away avoiding the question, the one I really don't want to answer.

"Why didn't you say something about Jasper before now?" Micah repeats tightly.

I remain silent and keep my eyes averted from Micah. It's the only way I know of possibly having a chance of avoiding answering the question. I know I owe Micah an explanation but I want it to be just the two of us when I apologise to him. Micah grasps my chin firmly and forces me to look him in the face.

"I expect an answer to my question ... now," Micah says tightly. I close my eyes and swallow hard before looking at Micah again. He raises his eyebrows and I lick my lips nervously.

"Because I never wanted to know for sure if I was sleeping with Jasper's killer," I answer softly. I see something flare to life deep in Micah's eyes but I can't read his expression.

"You're not," Malcolm says evenly and I try to turn my eyes enough to see him but Micah still has hold of my chin and he lifts it slightly making me look at him once again.

"And that's the only reason you never said anything before now?" Micah asks flatly.

"I didn't want anyone feeling bad thinking they had done something that hurt me when all they were doing was their job," I admit very faintly.

"You accept it was their job even though it hurt you?" Micah asks coolly and I manage a faint nod. He releases my chin with a gentle rub of his thumb as if to ease the feeling of having firmly gripped it. I am not game to take my eyes off him as he slowly straightens to stand after sitting beside me.

"We're not going to punish you. You didn't do anything wrong. Yes you associated with a stray that later broke laws - but that was him - not you. Also you did the right thing when you could have stood back and just let Sam walk out on this clan," Micah tells me. 

I drop my gaze to the floor before immediately looking him in the face once again. He gives a faint nod and I chance a quick glance at Mitchell. He gives me a quick smile and pats one of my hands. It is then I realise I am gripping my legs just above my knees tightly.

"I want to ask Rosy a question or two," Doc says quietly. I glance his way, slightly uncomfortable but make no protest.

"Did you ever fall pregnant while you were with Jasper?" Doc asks.

"Jasper didn't try to ... it was only when I was on heat. I think there might have been a miscarriage when I was sixteen but I was so naive and I didn't know anything. Kendal, Terry and Vaygar used to belt me and starve me so I was too weak to run away if I did get away from them," I say quietly with an uneasy glance his way.

"Is it okay if we turn the TV and PlayStation on now?" Donovan asks. I glance his way but his attention is directed at the TV while the older toms move restlessly.

"It's fine by me, but you had better check with your brother as well," Mitchell tells him.

"Yeah turn them on," Micah agrees. 

I turn my head slightly to listen to Micah but he doesn't say anything to me. I imagine I can feel his eyes on me but I'm not game to look at him.

"I'm going for a walk anyway," Micah says and I look up to find him holding a hand out to me. I hesitate a moment before placing my hand in his and letting him help me to my feet before following him from the room. Micah pauses to grab a discarded jacket in the hallway and after a quick sniff hands it to me. I pull it on crossing the front sides across my belly as best I can before folding my arms to hold it in place. The scent of Jazzy drifts up from the jacket as I fall into step beside Micah.

"We're not going far, just somewhere we can sit down out of this cold breeze," Micah tells me. He sounds strained and I have to wonder why he is taking me away from the others to talk to me. My steps begin to drag as I realise we are headed for the stone shed and when we reach the door I halt unable to follow Micah inside.

"Come on, it's warmer in here," Micah tells me as he glances back at me.

"There's a cage in there," I say faintly and Micah turns back towards me.

"I promise I am not going to lock you in the cage," Micah tells me gently, "If you want you can wait here while I go and bring the mattress off the bunk out into the outer room so we can sit on that,"

I hesitate a moment before giving a brief nod and stepping just inside out of the breeze. Micah disappears into the dark inner room and returns shortly with the mattress and a blanket. He puts the mattress on the floor against the wall and gestures towards it.

"How about we sit down? I even found a blanket in there," Micah invites and I take my time sitting down. When Micah sits near me facing me, I glance away uneasily as I cover myself with the blanket he handed me.

"All that stuff you told us came as more than a bit of a shock. Although I did suspect there was something you hadn't mentioned, I didn't imagine it was ... a marriage," Micah says quietly. "I have no idea of how you feel or what you're thinking in regard to us so I decided to just come straight out and tell you ... I still want you and the baby. I don't believe there is anything that could change that. I love you, I want to marry you and help you raise this child."

I glance at him where he sits watching me then look down at the blanket beneath my fingers where I am plucking at it nervously.

"I swore when I ran away from Jasper that I'd never let anyone that close to me again because that way they couldn't hurt me," I tell him. "But I know you're different to Jasper, you're not like him ... he was a stray and living the way he had to ... he and I never had a chance. But we do, you and me," I try to explain but end up feeling like I've only managed to make more of a mess of things. I don't tell him I'll never let him be that important to me, not like Jasper was. I know there are some things you can't say when you care about a person.

* * * * *

Micah

I walk into the inner room and grab the mattress and folded blanket from the bunk. Rosy's words are still ringing in my ears and burning in my chest. She had been afraid I was about to lock her in the cage. Hadn't I said I wouldn't be punishing her?

I put the mattress on the floor against the wall and keep hold of the blanket as I look at Rosy but she is looking at the mattress and avoiding my eyes.

"How about we sit down? I even found a blanket in there," I say trying to sound friendly and inviting.

I wait nervously for Rosy to sit down before I sit down facing her. She looks away as she pulls the blanket over herself and I feel my heart sink a little bit more.

"All that stuff you told us came as more than a bit of a shock. Although I did suspect there was something you hadn't mentioned, I didn't imagine it was ... a marriage," I say quickly and quietly. "I have no idea of how you feel or what you're thinking in regard to us so I decided to just come straight out and tell you ... I still want you and the baby. I don't believe there is anything that could change that. I love you, I want to marry you and help you raise this child."

I take a deep breath and watch her face hoping for some sign of how she feels but she looks down at the blanket and fidgets with it nervously.

"I swore when I ran away from Jasper that I'd never let anyone that close to me again because that way they couldn't hurt me," Rosy says with an uneasy glance my way and my heart plummets deep into my stomach. 

Here is where she'll tell me she is still in love with Jasper, a part of my mind whispers.

"But I know you're different to Jasper, you're not like him ... he was a stray and living the way he had to ... he and I never had a chance. But we do, you and me."

Her voice is so soft I almost miss her words but as they sink in. I begin to feel some hope.

"I brought you out here thinking I was about to find out you don't want me in your life, or at least not in your bed," I tell her seriously. Suddenly scared I will lose her if I don't push for a commitment from her here and now, I rush forward. 

"I'm going to take the chance of pushing you too far, too fast ... Will you marry me Rosy? I can't promise to never hurt you but I will never do it intentionally or without good reason. I can promise to love you. I can promise to love this baby like he is mine. I can promise to love any other child you wish to have. I can promise to try my best to make you want to run to me instead of ever running away from me. I love you, Rosy. Will you marry me?" I ask earnestly.

Rosy stares at me for a few moments, her mouth softly parted and her eyes startled. 

"Yes, oh yes," She says and flings herself into my arms and kisses me hungrily.

I find myself pressing her down onto the mattress, my hands slipping beneath her clothing as I kiss her deeply mimicking with my mouth exactly what I want to do with her body. She gasps and arches beneath me as I kiss down the side of her neck before pushing her jacket open and pulling at the front of her shirt to lift it and bare her breasts cradled in her bra. My lips find her nipple through the thin fabric and I feel it harden as I suckle eagerly.

A cold gust of wind comes in the half open doorway and Rosy shivers even though she is mostly shielded from its force. I raise my head reluctantly and begin covering her body up so she doesn't catch a chill. Our lovemaking can wait until we are inside and Rosy can be kept warm and comfortable.

"We need to go back inside so you don't catch a chill," I say regretfully as I sit up. I glance down at her where she is straightening her clothing before sitting up.

"Do you want to set a date?" I ask eagerly. Now I have proposed I can't wait to be married to Rosy.

"As soon as possible? I know it takes a month to get the marriage licence," Rosy asks with a glance towards my chest.

"That's no problem. I snuck into town the day before the strays ... I got a licence back then and it's still valid for another two or three months," I say happily.

"Let's make it for the second weekend after Jazzy is back in the quarters so her and I have some time to do girly things for the wedding," Rosy says and leans back to smile at me.

"That gives us just over three weeks. You sure about this?" I ask cautiously.

"You had better not be trying to back out on me," Rosy says running her hands up my chest.

"No use me even trying to - you can run fast enough to catch me if I tried running out," I say with a faint laugh. My breath catches in my throat as she runs a hand down to where my jeans sit low on my hips.

"I been thinking about baby names," she says quietly as she rubs the front of my jeans.

"I noticed you've been looking in that book of names Jazzy got before you got stolen away from me," I say softly.

"There are several I like, Alejandro ..."

"Spanish form of Alexander, Alex," I say quietly as I remember my brother. I allow Rosy to turn in my arms.

"Nikolai, Dieter, Sebastian, Tangwyn," she says as she leans back against my chest and moves my hands to rest on the swell of her stomach.

"Tangwyn means blessed peace," I murmur against the side of her neck before pressing a kiss to the skin there. I'd spent time looking through the book and the name seemed to leap off the page at me.

"Wynn for short. Tangwyn Alejandro ... hmm, how does that sound?" Rosy asks quietly and I lift my mouth away from her neck where I had been kissing.

"You're really serious about letting me have a say in naming this baby?" I ask with a mixture of surprise and hope.

"As long as you don't want to call him Hephzibah or Hebabkia or Zechariah or something else equally as bizarre," Rosy answers happily.

"Tangwyn. I've wanted for you to able to find peace from the first time I saw you at Pete's when you took one look at me and looked like you wanted to make a run for it," I tell her softly.

"Tangwyn, only it is pronounced Tan'w'nn. Tangwyn Alejandro because Alex is looking out for him from heaven," Rosy says firmly snuggling back against my body.

"Hey in there Wynn, how you doing little man?" I ask softly as I rub her stomach gently, tears burning at the back of my eyes. "Damn but I love you Rosy."

"It's a shame it's so cold here," Rosy says mischievously.

"Why's that?" I ask lifting my head from the side of her neck where I had been nibbling my way up to her ear. Rosy takes hold of one of my hands and guides it beneath the waistband of her track pants and moves slightly to allow my fingers between her slick folds.

"It's too cold out here for you. We had best head inside so I can take care of that problem for you," I tell her huskily when she moans as I stroke her teasingly. 

I ease away before getting to my feet and reaching down to help Rosy up. I slip an arm around her waist and hold her against my side as we head back to the quarters. I stop just outside the quarters and pull Rosy close before kissing her on the lips, and she responds eagerly. I find myself pinning her against the building wall as I lift her so her legs can slip around my waist.

"We had better go inside," I tell her reluctantly when I finally manage to drag my lips from her mouth. I lick my lips as I follow behind her. I can still taste her on my lips and I crave more as I follow her to the lounge room. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 17



Rosy 

I glance towards the doorway as Wade walks into the room followed by Micah, Sam and Mitchell. All of them have sober expressions on their faces. The sounds of joking and laughter that usually fill the quarters soon fade away, leaving only the faint sounds of the toms moving expectantly.

"We just got some important news," Micah says, "I'll let Wade tell everyone since he took the call."

"Everyone take a seat," Wade says levelly and all obey even Marissa. 

Micah, Mitchell and Sam move to stand among other toms and I glance their way with uneasy curiosity.

"That was Stephan Willoughby ... Steven, Mikkarl, straight out ... Celeste and Andy are still alive and should recover." Wade says firmly.

"What's happened?" Steven demands getting to his feet and I glance his way slightly alarmed. Micah has him by the upper arm either restraining him or steadying him I can't tell which. I glance at Mikkarl and see Mitchell by his side as Mikkarl leans forward with a strained look on his face.

"As you know Andy is visiting your parents for a few days with Celeste turning eighteen. There was a car accident, the car Andy and Celeste were in blew a tyre and went off the road rolling several times. Lucky for them Conner and Kell were right behind them and were able to get them out of the car." Wade explains.

"How bad are they hurt?" Steven breaks in urgently.

"Both have broken bones, bruising and Celeste has some deep lacerations and a concussion but she should totally recover. Andy might have a limp or limited use of one leg but he is alive ..." Wade stresses and stops to take a deep breath. "Kell was turning the engine in the rolled car off when it went up in flames ..."

"No," Kirby yells and I look his way uneasily but Sam and Malcolm have a hold on him and are trying to calm him down.

"Conner?" Timny asks worriedly.

"He managed to pull Kell out of the car. Both are burnt ... Kell real bad, Conner all up one arm and shoulder and across that side of his face." Wade tells us calmly. "Stephan wants you back home at least for a while Steven, and Mikkarl too for a few weeks. Kirby, Timny, Callum if you want to go see your brothers by all means go." 

"This is only temporary, until Andy is back on his feet or Dad gets someone to replace him." Steven states as he gets to his feet and heads for the bedroom. Mikkarl follows Steven from the room and I glance at Timny and Callum who are getting to their feet along with Kirby with Malcolm at his side.

"I'll just be a few days if Conner isn't too bad," Timny says glancing between Micah, Wade and Mitchell.

"Me too," Callum adds.

"We all agreed you can take as long as you need," Wade tells them as he pats each of them on the shoulder before turning to Kirby. "You stay as long as your brother needs you."

"Thanks," Kirby says and glances between Micah and Mitchell before he hurries for the door.

Silence fills the lounge room and I look down at the muffin on my plate, I am no longer hungry and I glance around the room noting most of the others haven't finished their breakfasts either.

"I'm making sandwiches they can take with them so they have something to eat, they won't stop for food." I say scrambling to my feet.

"I'll help," Donovan says getting to his feet along with me.

"I'll do some thermoses of coffee," Justin announces as he too stands and follows us into the kitchen. I begin buttering slices of bread while Donovan pulls an assortment of cold meats from the fridge along with cheese, pickles and tomatoes. We soon have a large range of sandwiches made and in plastic bags while Justin adds boiling water to instant coffee in thermoses. I grab several heavy plastic mugs and sit them by the thermoses with containers of sugar and powdered milk.

"You rippers," Steven says as he comes into the kitchen and puts an old esky on the table to pack the food and drinks in.

"You take care of yourself Rosy, make sure you eat well so you're nice and round and cuddly when we dance after the wedding, you hear." Steven orders firmly before dropping a kiss on my cheek.

"You'll be back for the wedding?" I ask in surprise.

"Can't let my best mate get married without me," Steven says then gives a bit of a laugh. "Besides, I want to be there in case you come to your senses and marry me instead."

"You driving?" I ask rolling my eyes and ignoring his teasing remark.

"Yeah, Mikkarl and I will take turns. I don't think the others would do more then some low flying," Steven says with a crooked grin.

"Well you be careful," I tell him as I throw my arms around his neck in a hug, he gives me a gentle squeeze and pats my back before stepping back from me.

Mikkarl and Timny are finishing up packing the sandwiches in an esky while Callum grabs several large packets of chips from the pantry. I watch as Steven turns and leads the way out of the quarters with Mikkarl just behind him. Timny, Callum and Kirby fall into step behind them and the five toms file from the building heading for the shed where all of the vehicles are generally kept. Donovan puts a hand on my shoulder and I glance towards him, he is watching the others leave and I wonder at the closed expression on his face.

"Everything okay?" I ask Donovan as we head back inside when the vehicle is gone from sight.

"You really should have a shower before you go visit Jazzy," Donovan tells me seriously and I suddenly wonder where the spoilt but charming teenager I had come to adore has gone.

"Sure," I mutter and head for the bathroom.

It is not until I am in the shower that I remember Sam talking to me about taking me to see my Unca Dunka – Donald Caruthers who is a vet. I realise he may have some information I can check through to see if I can get any tips to help me gain weight, then I remember five of the warriors have just left, and Jazzy is coming into heat. I sigh and turn off the shower knowing my likelihood of visiting my uncle is probaly now non-existent. 

"I'm going over to the house to see Jazzy," I call to Donovan, Justin and Malcolm who are in the lounge room.

"See you when you get back Stray," Malcolm calls bringing a smile to my face.

I walk to the main house slowing with apprehension when I open the yard gate and walk up the footpath, I can't help but remember the last time I walked these same steps. The gun I had hated wielding, the choking fear I would be shut in a cage and the mind numbing terror that I was already too late to be able to help Jazzy. 

I raise my hand to knock on the door and freeze as I slowly turn my head to look at the shady spot at the end of the house enclosed by green leafy hedges. I immediately spy the motionless figure leaning back casually in one of the patio chairs, a laptop across his thighs.

"Marissa is in with Jazzy, just go on in." Wade tells me levelly. I inhale sharply in surprise but manage a slight nod before all but bolting into the house. I walk through the house guided by memory and halt outside the solid oak doors that seal the secure room from the rest of the house. I open the door and step inside trying not to remember my own seclusion here months ago.

"Rosy! You came! Mum told me you and Micah are getting married," Jazzy gushes with excitement as she jumps up out of the armchair and rushes over to hug me.

"Of course I came to visit," I tell her with a grin. "And yes Micah and I are getting married. Three weekends from now so it gives you and me a little bit of time to do stuff for the wedding once you're out of here,"

"I'll leave you two to chat together," Marissa says as she gets to her feet. I watch as she leaves the room but I can't control the shudder that goes through me when she locks the oak door behind her.

"You okay?" Jazzy asks with a worried frown.

"Yeah," I give a shrug and head for one of the chairs, my legs feel weak and shaky.

"You sure? Cause you've gone all pale," Jazzy tells me in concern.

"Last time I was here wasn't so pleasant for me," I mutter as I look down at my feet.

"I should have realised! Do you want to go back to the quarters?" Jazzy asks and I can hear the disappointment in her voice.

"I'm okay for now I think," I say with an uneasy smile.

Jazzy pulls the other chair close and sits in it, she watches me for a moment then gives a nod.

"Doc said I'm well enough to invite someone into the cage if I want," She tells me with a wicked little smile.

"Don't tell me you're going to corrupt my brother," I tell her with a laugh.

"Me corrupt him? Mitchell has had me thinking naughty thoughts from when I was nine." Jazzy says with a laugh.

"You've liked him that long?" I ask curiously.

"Yeah, I went on my first run as a cat and while everyone else treated me like a sick little kid he treated me like I was normal." Jazzy recalls with a faraway look on her face. "Don't get me wrong I've had crushes on other toms but with Mitchell it was different and he stayed there at the back of my mind even when I liked others."

"Which other toms, if you don't mind me asking?" I say with a direct glance and Jazzy gives a self-conscious laugh.

"Loci Francis, but he never gave me the time of day after I refused to let him mount me first chance he got. And there was Leon, Malcolm and Chris's brother. We kissed a few times, he wanted to go further but I wasn't interested. I was only mucking around with him trying to get Mitchell to take notice. You remember Robby Inness? He got really friendly a couple of times I stayed in the quarters until Micah told him to keep away from me ... there are a couple of others I had crushes on but I never let them know," Jazzy tells me with a shrug.

"So what finally caught Mitchell's attention?" I ask.

"You tell me when you first decided you liked Micah," Jazzy counters with a grin.

"At my house, near Pete Willoughby's place. I had worked all night helping my Uncle with some cattle mauled by strays and came home exhausted. Pete, Micah and Steven dropped by and stayed for a while. On the way out when I wouldn't have been able to hear if I'd been human Steven made some guy comment about my looks and Micah hit him." I laugh softly as I remember. "That's when I knew liked him more than just thinking he had a hot body."

"That was when no one knew you were a cat isn't it?" Jazzy asks.

"Yeah," I admit.

"I remember Steven giving Micah heaps because he liked a 'human' female," Jazzy laughs. "Steven said something about Micah kissing you, did he?"

"Yeah, after supper at Pete's, Micah walked me to my car and kissed me like he wanted to eat me starting with my mouth." I take a deep breath and shake my head as my body tightens with memories. "My inner cat just about went crazy ... about to come into heat and him so male ...it totally scared the shit out of me."

"So which of the toms have you kissed other than Micah?" Jazzy asks.

"Chris, we played around a bit. Conner Stephan and Kell Lancaster, the two of them and me played around quite a bit when I was away at that Alpha meeting." I say.

"Who else?" Jazzy asks curiously.

"That's all the cats I've let near me," I admit to her. "So who are the other toms you had crushes on?"

"Don't laugh at me," Jazzy tells me defensively. "And you got to tell me if you ever considered any toms the first time you were on heat here or if there were any you liked last time," 

"Nothing either of us says leaves this room," I tell her. "And you tell me how you caught Mitchell's attention."

"I had 'crushes' or probaly more correctly, I lusted after Timny and Malcolm. I watched them a few times when they shifted. Pretended I'd found it hard to shift," Jazzy laughs as she blushes slightly. "As for how I caught Mitchell's attention ... a group of us went to the swimming hole, Sam, Mitchell, Malcolm, Timny and Chris were there ... we were swimming and mucking around, Malcolm was picking me up and tossing me in the air while we were in the water and when Mitchell went to try it I type of rubbed myself against him ... he went all wide eyed and got the message real quick and easy. He was kissing me and had his hand between my legs while we were sunbaking afterwards. The others had decided to go hunting,"

"How long ago was that?" I want to know.

"About two and a half years ago," Jazzy admits. "So you ever consider any of the toms when you were in here?"

"Considered yeah, trusted them enough to even consider inviting them in, no. Micah, Edwin, Steven and even Malcolm and Chris were thought about that first time but I was petrified of them, felt sure they'd only want to hurt me." I say and shrug as I look at my hands clasped over my stomach. I stroke my belly for several moments before continuing. "Last time I had meant to get Sam and Mitchell to invite Conner and Kell to the compound while I was in here but I had already decided I wanted to invite Micah in here if he was at home, otherwise my next choice would have been Steven." I admit.

"What about Edwin?" Jazzy asks. "Weren't you going to ask he be here when you were on heat?"

"No, Edwin manipulated that for himself." I tell her.

"Did you really mean it when you told Donovan you were going to kill the baby?" Jazzy demands and I look at her with shock and surprise. "Would you have been really able to do it like you reckoned?"

I take a deep breath as I cradle my stomach in my arms until I finally force myself to look at Jazzy. Suddenly I want to explain to her, make her understand exactly what a she-kitt would have faced.

"Vaygar Darnel said if the baby was a girl she would be kept for breeding. He wasn't the type of werecat to wait until a she-kitt was old enough to be mature or even interested in toms, as soon as she was big enough for a tom to..." Tears fill my eyes and I swallow hard. "He didn't want a she-kitt, he wanted a womb he could control. Even if it was a bit young ... he once said to me 'a field has to be well ploughed before it can be used to grow a seed in'."

"I'm glad clan warriors executed him," Jazzy declares.

We sit in silence for several minutes before Jazzy clears her throat and moves to kneel in front of me, I move my arms and lean back as she strokes my stomach.

"I let your father touch my belly this morning! Micah held me and I was able to let Wade put his hand on my belly," I tell her with sudden excitement.

"Everyone is scared you will try to kill the baby if anyone tries to touch you too much," Jazzy says quietly.

"But no one here will do all the horrible things the Darnels would have," I say upset.

"Don't get upset Rosy! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you," Jazzy says getting to her feet hurriedly and moving away from me uneasily. I take several deep breaths trying to calm down, it takes me several minutes but I manage it and give Jazzy a nod when I am in control of myself again.

"Would you be Maid of Honour at my wedding?" I ask quietly.

"Yes," Jazzy squeals in excitement as she jumps up and down clapping her hands. "I'd love to be!"

I hear rapid footsteps approaching the door, the key turning in the lock then the door swings open and Marissa looks in guardedly.

"Rosy asked me to be Maid of Honour," Jazzy tells her excitedly.

"How lovely! Would you two girls like some cold lemonade and snacks?" Marissa asks.

"That would be wonderful," I say with a smile. Marissa leaves and Jazzy turns to look at my stomach longingly.

"Dad ordered Doc to make sure I had the injection but I want to have a baby too." Jazzy says wistfully.

"Oh Jazzy, I'm so sorry you have to wait but it is the best thing really. I'm finding it really hard at the moment being so thin and weak. I'm tired all the time and not just tired but exhausted like I been running and running from werecats and I can't run anymore." I tell her softly. Jazzy is watching me intently and I smile sadly at her.

"I was enjoying being pregnant so much before when I was healthy but now ... I still enjoy it, when I'm awake to." I give a self-conscious little laugh and a shrug. "If I have my way next time I'll be fat and healthy all the way through the pregnancy."

"You're willing to let Micah get you pregnant? Wow, that is great! Maybe we can work it out so we can have babies around the same time." Jazzy gushes.

"You got to be pregnant by yourself for at least a few months so you can enjoy the toms hanging around just to put their hands on your belly." I say with a laugh but I sober quickly as I remember they no longer do that with me. I look up to find Jazzy watching me, she gives a shrug and moves to kneel in front of me and I uncover my stomach eagerly. Jazzy rests her cheek against my stomach and I feel the baby move to press against the slight pressure.

"He's trying to get closer to you," I say with a soft laugh as Wynn moves slightly.

"Of course he is! He loves his Aunty Jazzy," Jazzy exclaims with a smile.

"Yep, who doesn't love their crazy old cat woman aunty?" I laugh happily.

"What did you call me?" Jazzy shrieks with laughter and tries to tickle me but I twist and turn as I giggle. One of her hands accidentally brushes my breast and she stills as she looks up at me, I narrow my eyes and shake my head in denial.

"Don't," I warn her.

"Nothing wrong with playing around with another she-kitt," Jazzy purrs softly at me. "Some of us do it whenever we get together at meetings. Besides, Justin told me you once had a girlfriend, "

"I am not interested," I say between gritted teeth. "You're like a sister to me. You're supposed to be marrying my brother. Besides both Micah and Mitchell would get really mad at us,"

Jazzy gets up to sit in the other chair, she hooks her legs over the side and leans back over the arm of the chair letting her long hair fall down behind her looking like a little girl.

"I'm gonna ask Momma to invite Mitchell in here tomorrow or the next day," She says sulkily.

"I guess I'll have to wait until you get back to the quarters to let you put your hand on my belly again then." I say as I straighten my clothes.

"Micah won't like it you know. He'll stop me if he catches us. He gave everyone orders not to bother you." Jazzy tells me uneasily.

"Well he'll be bothering me if he stops you," I say and look towards the door as I hear a faint sound, a few moments later Marissa opens the door and walks in carrying a tray with a plate of sandwiches, cakes and a bottle of lemonade with condensation starting on the outside.

"Have you got any of those spice cakes there?" Jazzy demands as she sits up to watch her mother.

"Yes and the orange cake with ginger icing," Marissa says as she puts the tray on the small table in front of the chairs.

"Good! I'm starving," Jazzy exclaims and grabs several pieces of cake. Marissa looks at me and gives a rueful smile.

"Looks like my daughter turns feral," Marissa says as Jazzy growls as she glances at us as she eats. I give Jazzy a no-nonsense look I have perfected on the toms and frown at her.

"You be nice to your mother Jazzy, or she just might leave you go without food for a day." I warn her. Jazzy looks at me silently for a moment then looks at her mother.

"Thanks Momma," Jazzy says dutifully. I help myself to a sandwich and chew hungrily.

"Are you eating four or five times a day yet?" Marissa asks.

"No just the three times with everyone else," I tell her.

"I found it more comfortable to eat lots of small meals when I got to about your stage of pregnancy, especially with Micah, he was so large. The baby squashes your stomach making it hard to eat much at once." Marissa says helpfully.

"I'm hungry all the time it seems like but nothing seems to be what I want to eat." I say.

"I mainly ate what we hunted right up until about a week before I had Justin and Donovan, people food didn't appeal." Marissa admits.

"Micah did say he would take me hunting today," I say with a smile.




To Love a Stray Ch. 17



"Wish I could go hunting," Jazzy says. "I know exactly who I'd be hunting." Her eyes are dark and she licks her lips as she glances towards the door, I smile to myself and shake my head and Marissa laughs softly.

"What?" Jazzy demands.

"Nothing dear," Marissa says in a calm tone.

"Looks like guarding my food is catching," I say and Jazzy stares at me a moment before understanding shows on her face and she laughs self-consciously.

"I just feel so grumpy all the time," she admits.

"That's fairly natural," Marissa reassures her.

"I just wish this was all over so I can get back to the quarters and back to Mitchell! I hate being away from ... Where did you sleep last night Rosy?" Jazzy asks suddenly with suspicion.

"With Micah," I tell her without hesitation.

"Why should I believe that?" Jazzy asks with narrowed eyes. I smile at her and lick my lips before taking a bite of sandwich; I chew it thoroughly before swallowing. I am sick of her jealousy over Mitchell and I am starting to feel irritated even though I know it is because of the hormones she is giving off.

"Because my name is Rosy, not Lotty." I growl low in warning.

"Come on now girls, no arguing." Marissa says firmly and I reach for another sandwich. I rub my stomach where Wynn is kicking energetically and smile to myself as I feel the small hand or foot connect with the palm of my hand.

"The baby is strong, healthy and very active?" Marissa asks with a warm look towards my stomach.

"Yes it seems he never stops kicking this last week," I admit.

"I got to touch her baby bump before," Jazzy says almost defiantly as she glares at her mother.

"Jazzy I am sure the last thing Rosy wants is to have others bothering her all the time," Marissa scolds with a guarded look my way.

"It's okay, I enjoyed it. And the baby seemed to as well, he pushed against where Jazzy was touching." I say with a fond smile at Jazzy.

"As long as you weren't bothered by it," Marissa says gently. I glance her way but Marissa is looking at the sandwiches closely before selecting one.

"Did your Mum tell you about what happened with Lotty?" I ask.

"No she hasn't. Did Sam finally ask her to marry him?" Jazzy asks excitedly.

"No Miss Carlotta Inness got herself trapped in her own little web." Marissa says coldly with a glance for both Jazzy and I.

"What happened?" Jazzy demands. "Did someone catch her rutting with a tom? Someone she wasn't supposed to be with?"

"No, apparently she didn't come into heat when she was due to and her father forced her to name who was responsible. Lance Baxter. Mal called Stan, Lance's father and told him, either Lance marries Carlotta, or he and his sons were going to hunt him down and castrate him. Well there is to be a marriage in two months," Marissa tells her with an amused smile.

"It's about time she got her come-uppence! Oh! Poor Sam! Does he know?" Jazzy asks suddenly worried.

"Yeah he was told yesterday just before lunch," Marissa tells her. "And from what I've heard he took it hard. There was some talk about he was just walking out and leaving the clan but Rosy managed to talk him out of it thank goodness."

"Good! I'm glad we didn't loose a high grade tom because of some little alley she," Jazzy spits before looking at me. "Both Momma and I don't like Carlotta Inness. She has encouraged so many different toms to mount her not to mention she has tried to tempt several married Alphas as well. I bet Lance will not put up with any of her games and he will breed her every year or second year until they get a she-kitt. Momma do you think she'll be a good mother? Or will Stan and Lance have Lauren raise the babies for a couple of years?" 

"Jazzy," Marissa warns and I glance her way to find her carefully avoiding looking at me. I look at Jazzy only to find she looks away uneasily and glances back at me but looks away again when she sees me watching her.

"You said neither of you like Lotty?" I say to break the uneasy silence. There is obviously something going on and I have the uneasy feeling I know what it is because as a veterinary assistant I had helped hand raise kittens and pups rejected by their mothers at or soon after birth.

"Yeah, not long after Lotty and Sam started seeing each other she and her parents came here for a visit. When Sam went away on a job, she started chasing after all the toms in the quarters and got spiteful when she was turned down. I know she even presented to Justin and tried teasing Donovan but Micah, Dwayne, Alex and Edwin soon put a stop to her games." Jazzy tells me with her chin jutting forward belligerently. I'm not sure if she is annoyed with Lotty or me. 

"I heard you got on well with her at the meeting," Marissa says quietly trying to gauge my reactions.

"I haven't been raised the werecat way, and as long as Sam was happy then I had no problem with Lotty. But I must admit she is one she-kitt I would keep very close and not turn my back on. I'd want to be able to see her all the time," I say with a shrug. "Some times in the human world a family tolerates and is nice to the person their family member is with so they don't hurt their own. So if Sam was to find someone else and I didn't like her I would still be friendly and polite as long as she done the right thing by him." 

"Werecats aren't like that. Any tom I end up with has to be liked and respected by my family," Jazzy tells me. "He will become ... or would ... it doesn't matter. I'm not getting married yet," she says with a nervous laugh.

"You must want to go have a morning rest Rosy," Marissa says with a smile and I sense the tension beneath it.

"Not really but since you would like some time with your daughter I'll go see what Micah and the others are doing." I say with a smile.

"Don't forget Mitchell is mine," Jazzy says sharply.

"Okay Jasmine Williamson, my brother Mitchell is your tom. But Micah is mine," I say making it sound like I obviously thought I was getting the better of the two.

"Nasty, nasty stray," Jazzy says with a laugh.

"Crazy aunty Jazzy, the cat woman," I say with a smile. Marissa laughs at both of us and I head for the door, she follows me outside when she opens it and once we are out of hearing of the room I stop and turn to face her.

"You really don't like Lotty do you? Just a guess but did she ... try something with your husband?" I ask evenly.

"Yes she tried but Wade would never lower himself to the likes of her. Miss Carlotta doesn't have the moral fibre most of her brothers have and fortunately none of our sons were tempted by her, she was merely trying to cause trouble because both Edwin and Micah refused to play her games." Marissa tells me 

"Is she likely to try anything once she's married?" I ask suspiciously worried for Sam.

"If she thinks she can get away with it," Marissa says with a nod.

"I've already ground her face in the dirt, I can just as easily do it a second time," I mutter to myself. I go to turn away but stop as a question I meant to ask pops into my mind.

"Marissa, do you know if ... um ... if it's normal to have sex a lot when pregnant?" I ask in a rush once I find the courage to put it into words.

"Is Micah asking you to let him make love to you?" Marissa asks levelly.

"No. In fact last night was the first time Micah has done more than just hold me since ... since Donovan and I got back and I was just wondering," I say lightly as I look away.

"You had best talk to Doc first but Wade and I were very active sexually during all my pregnancies." Marissa admits with a quiet dignity. Marissa gives me a thoughtful look before giving a slight shrug.

"You don't mind Micah mounting you after the strays mounted you?" Marissa asks quietly. I take a deep breath as I go to deny it and I realise she wouldn't really understand my reply so I take another breath as I search for the words to explain.

"They are two totally different things. The strays used violence to control me, it was about their power over me or so they thought. They abused me and used my body but they couldn't touch me, not my inner cat. Not me the being," I say quietly and give a soft sigh. "With Micah it's different, it's like when he touches me he makes ... he heals all the wounds life has left on my soul and he makes me complete again. He takes away my pain when all others seem to do is cause it,"

"Well I'm glad you're happy being with Micah," Marissa tells me. "I'm glad my grandbaby will be staying here and not being moved to another clan,"

"Don't toms usually move to the clan that the she-kitt belongs to?" I ask curiously.

"Yes usually but our clan territory is big enough for two she-kitts as well as the fact that most of your mother's territory was given to us by Ray when we took in your brothers," Marissa tells me.

"Who will end up being Alpha? Micah or whoever Jazzy ends up with?" I ask.

"Jazzy will end up with Mitchell, Wade has been training him for the position for the last year when we realised there was something growing between them. When you and Micah are married you will be able to move into your mother's homelands if necessary." Marissa explains. The way Marissa subtly avoids my eyes yet looks directly at me warns me there is more to this than she is telling me and I tuck the knowledge away for exploration at some later occasion.

"I might head back to the quarters, Micah promised to take me hunting for lunch." I say. We walk to the front door but I stop in the hallway and tense as I lift my chin and sniff the air experimentally.

"Marissa? We have visitors," Wade calls from the living room and I walk to the door so Marissa can get to Wade.

"Wade darling, you should have called me. Mal, Angela, Carlotta," Marissa greets all of her visitors politely.

"Marissa, so nice to see you again. We're just on our way to Stan Baxter's compound and Lotty wanted to stop in here to see Rosy, we'd been told she was expecting but it looks like we were told wrong." Angela says quietly.

"Rosy and I are expecting our first child in a couple of months," Micah surprises me as he speaks and I step into the room to glance along the wall to where he, Doc and Dwayne are seated facing the visitors.

"Sorry! I'd thought I heard Rosy was more ..." Angela breaks off with an embarrassed sound and I glance her way. 

"I'm expecting as well Rosy, maybe we're due around the same time?" Lotty breaks in with a friendly smile as she pats her still flat stomach.

"When are you due?" I ask with interest.

"I'm nearly four months along so I'll start showing soon. My jeans are too tight already." Carlotta says with a smile. "Just wait until you start loosing your figure, it's very trying."

"Sounds like your not enjoying it too much," I say my voice thick with sympathy as I smooth a hand down over the material of the very loose t-shirt I am wearing. The swell of my stomach becomes evident and I see the flare of irritation Lotty quickly hides at the sight.

"Oh wow," Lotty enthuses as she gets to her feet and approaches me. I flinch away from the hand she extends towards my stomach and repress the low snarl forming in my throat.

"You'll have to excuse Rosy Lotty. She hasn't been feeling like herself since she returned home to us." Micah says as he gets to his feet and comes to my side.

"I seem to remember Rosy being a bit ... unusual at the meeting," Lotty says making it sound like she is being kind to me.

"Yeah that sounds like me," I say with a smile. "Unique, one of a kind. More stray than clan,"

"That's not what Conner and Kell seemed to think," Lotty purrs almost inaudibly with a glance Micah's way from under her lashes.

"What can I say," I smile widely at her as I resist the urge to pluck every hair from her head one at a time. "I was coming into heat, need I say more?"

"Isn't it time for your morning rest?" Micah asks me as he meets my glance levelly.

"I'll go lay down then," I tell him as I nod slightly.

"I'll come with you. I could do with a nap as well," Lotty says as she links her arm through mine. I see the way both Micah and Dwayne suddenly narrow their eyes.

"We've got spare rooms here you can use if you want to lay down Carlotta," Marissa cuts in.

"Rosy and I have sooooooo much to talk about," Lotty says enthusiastically as she urges me towards the door.

"Rosy tell Mitchell I need to speak to him immediately," Micah orders.

"Yes Micah," I say with a glance his way before letting Lotty lead me from the room. Once we are outside the house Lotty lets go of my arm and sends me a closed look.

"I need to talk to Sam, explain to him what happened." Lotty tells me and I detect a note of something forced in her voice. She breaks into a jog and hurries towards the quarters ahead of me and I frown as I hurry my steps but refuse to break into a run. I arrive at the door of the quarters a few minutes behind her and I can hear her feminine tones as I open the door and walk in. I head towards the lounge room where I can hear the voices and pause in the doorway taking in the scene before me. 

Mitchell and Sam are in the kitchen facing the lounge room and Sam's face is a mask of anger and pain. Lotty is just inside the lounge room from the kitchen doorway with both of her brothers trying to stop her going after Sam. Justin and Donovan are standing between the lounge and the TV clearly unsure of what to do.

"Come on Sam, let's go to your room and talk. You know you want to," Lotty tells him as she pulls one arm free from Chris.

"I have nothing to say to you Lotty," Sam snarls, "Everything is over. Finished. Nothing left between us to talk about."

"Come on Sam, we need to talk. I can explain everything," Lotty tells him.

"You heard what he said. He doesn't want to talk to you or has pregnancy made you deaf?" Mitchell asks coldly.

"Shut up Mitchell! Just because you're sniffing around Jasmine doesn't mean a thing. None of the Alphas and their Queens will recognise her as a possible Queen. She'll probaly drop dead before she can have a kitt," Lotty snaps disdainfully. "You know why the Williamson's are keeping your sister here don't you?"

"Do enlighten us Carlotta," I invite evenly.

"Don't listen to her Rosy," Donovan implores as he comes around the lounge and puts an arm around me protectively.

"Lotty, leave Rosy out of this. We can go for a walk, I'll talk with you." Sam tells her quietly, his voice thick with defeat.

"Yeah get her out of here," Justin mutters as he comes around the lounge and tries to lead me to a seat on the lounge.

"No, I'm waiting to hear what the Princess has to say," I tell them evenly.

"Enough Lotty," Malcolm growls at her as he tries to pull her away from where she is staring at me.

"Why? You said yourself they're keeping her as a ..." Lotty breaks off with a startled cry as Malcolm shakes her roughly.

"Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about," Malcolm tells her.

"Malcolm, don't treat your sister like that," Sam growls as he stalks over to where they are. Malcolm releases Lotty and takes a step away from her as he eyes Sam warily, Lotty smiles as she steps forward to run her hands up Sam's chest possessively.

"Carlotta Inness get your dirty hands off my brother," I growl as I step away from both Justin and Donovan. "I will not have the likes of you consorting with my brother!"

Lotty turns and eyes me assessing, and I bare my teeth in a mockery of a smile. Her eyes settle on the shirt that hides the swell of my stomach and I can almost see her trying to work out how vulnerable I am. She glances around the toms and I growl low in my throat as I take another step towards her.

"Don't go worrying about them, I'm the one who is about to get in your face. You do not come onto my territory and play fucking mind games with any of the toms here let alone my brother!" I snarl as I advance another step towards her. 

"Ever stop to wonder if this is on MacIntosh clan territory or not? Hell why even worry, Jazzy's not here now and besides, I am bigger than her and a hell of a lot tougher and meaner than she is. Do you want to try your luck?" I ask in a low snarl of a tone as I advance on her. Lotty stands her ground, her top lip curling in a snarl and I launch my attack as I leap the last few steps to be within reach. 

My right hand catches the side of her head as she tries to duck my blow and then I am straddling her upper body as I knock her backwards onto the floor. I deliver a flurry of blows, hard stinging slaps to her arms and shoulders as she tries to protect herself from me. She digs her heels in and tries to buck me off but I twist my body keeping my balance, and grab two handfuls of hair as I lean forward and snarl down into her face.

"Let me go you bitch," Lotty protests as she tried to pull my hands from her hair but she only succeeds in making me pull her hair. "Malcolm! Chris! I am your sister, help me!"

"Can't handle me by yourself?" I yell at her and stand up dragging her to her feet by her hair, she screeches in pain and I let her go to deliver a hard stinging slap to her face. I glance around quickly to make sure neither of her brothers is about to interfere before I let loose with a volley of slaps that catch her mainly on the arms and shoulders with the occasional one connecting with her face. I grab two handfuls of hair and begin to drag her towards the door out to the hallway, she struggles but I stop and pivot to pin her against the wall with my shoulder for a few seconds as I glare into her face.

"How about I mess that pretty face of yours up so your husband doesn't have to worry about you luring any toms into your bed when his back is turned?" I ask in a snarl and her eyes go wide in fear. I release her hair and rain slaps down on her meaning to leave my mark on her, I feel skin break beneath my fingernails and I hear her cry of pain before I step back.

"Get the hell out of my building!" I snarl and I stalk her as she makes her way along the wall leaving bloody smears behind as she goes. She has her chin tucked down against her chest, both shoulders hunched giving the full impression of submission. At the screen door, she fumbles to open it and I take a step forward to reach around her and jerk the door open. 

I almost miss the slight narrowing of her eyes and fear I am too late as I twist away desperately. Her elbow skids across my stomach then along the top of my hip. If I hadn't managed to twist my body, she would have delivered a hard blow to the swell of my stomach. A screech of rage and pain escapes me and I take her down in a full body tackle in the doorway regardless of the hard surfaces around us, this time my hands are clenched into fists as I hit her. 

* * * * *

Micah

"Micah! Micah!"

I hear Justin yelling even before the kitchen door slams against the wall and he runs into the house.

"Micah there's big trouble!" Justin yells as he runs through the house.

I step out of the living room and see Justin hurrying towards me with a worried look as he breathes heavily.

"Lotty and Rosy are fighting!" Justin bursts out. "Not arguing but fighting! Slapping and punching," he calls loudly then turns and heads back the way he came from in a hurry.

"We need to get them away from each other," Doc says worriedly as he pushes past me, and then heads after Justin.

"Dwayne," I call before rushing after them.

Outside I overtake them as we run towards the quarters. I can see the two she-kitts struggling on the ground while the toms stand around uselessly. Sam is running both hands through his hair agitatedly and while both Mitchell and Malcolm make moves to step forward and grab one of the struggling pair both toms back off uncertainly.

I am relieved when I see Rosy get to her feet but my relief turns to frustration as she reaches down and hauls Lotty to her feet by her hair and drag her further away from the quarter's door.




To Love a Stray Ch. 17



"Enough! Stop! I'm sorry! Please stop," Lotty screams and sobs but Rosy only releases her to grab another grip on her hair and jerk roughly.

"Rosy! Enough! Rosy! Stop it," Sam is yelling at his sister but doesn't seem game to get close to her as she snarls and I pushes her face close to Lotty's tear and blood stained one.

"You get the hell out of my building and keep away from my toms! If I so much as think you might have been near any of them I will gladly finish what I started and just for your own good ... do not ever try to do anything to my unborn child again," Rosy almost screeches in anger.

"Micah! Get Rosy away from Lotty now," Doc yells.

At last I am close enough to grab Rosy around the lower ribs and lift her feet from the ground as I head inside the quarters.

"Let me at her," Rosy yells as the wooden door is closed behind us.

"Calm down sweetheart," I tell her as I carry her into the lounge room despite her wild struggles to get free.

"Where the hell is Doc? Why isn't he in here with Rosy? Lotty slammed her elbow back into Rosy's belly," I recognise Edwin's voice and wonder what the hell he is doing on Williamson land as Rosy screeches with rage and struggles wildly in my arms.

"Shit! Someone go tell Doc," I roar and Rosy tenses in my arms. 

I nuzzle against her neck as I sit down and I feel her take several deep breaths as I tighten my arms around her. My anger continues to bubble just beneath the surface and I lift my head to look around the room. Dwayne, Mitchell, Sam, Justin, Chris, Malcolm, Donovan, Edwin and his new partner Jacob are crowded around where I sit holding Rosy.

"You okay Rosy? Where did Lotty get you?" Edwin asks worried as he moves to squat down in front of her. I frown at him for a moment before shaking my head and pushing Rosy's hair back off her face. Sweat has dampened her skin and I can smell blood though it doesn't seem to be hers.

"What are you doing in here Edwin?" Rosy demands, her tone barely more than a growl. He manages a slight smile then looks nervously towards me before meeting my eyes.

"Making sure my soon-to-be sister and the baby are okay. Where did Lotty ram her elbow into you? I heard you give a yell of pain," Edwin's voice is coarse with worry.

Rosy immediately begins to pull at one side of her t-shirt trying to expose side but one of my arms are in the way pinning one of her arms to her side.

"She got me on the hip, I managed to turn but it hurts like hell now." Rosy mutters and flinches when Edwin reaches out to touch her.

"Shit! You're going to have one hell of a bruise there," Edwin says even as I growl possessively. Rosy is my fiancé, how dare he touch her! Edwin lifts his hands shoulder high and moves well back from us, and a part of me notices he moves stiffly as if to avoid pain.

"Now might be a good time for you and Jacob to go outside. You can send Doc in when you do," Sam tells them in a hard voice beating me to it.

"Yeah we should be making sure our she-kitt is alright," Jacob mutters and I can tell by the tone of his voice that he does not like Lotty.

"Dwayne go get my mattress, Rosy is going to lie down in a moment." I say firmly and I glance at him to find him watching Edwin with narrowed eyes. Clearly all of my clan warriors are on edge with Edwin being inside the quarters.

"Get the hell out of here," I order tightly, "and I will be out shortly so you can explain to me what you are doing on Clan territory uninvited. You know you aren't welcome here,"

"Come on Ed, looks like we'd better go." Jacob says as he places a hand on Edwin's biceps. There is silence as the two leave the room and I don't look away from the doorway until I hear the doors close behind them.

"Rosy was provoked Micah," Malcolm says stepping forward.

"I know, Lotty was snipping at her before they'd left the house. I meant to get away as quickly as possible but it looks like it wasn't quick enough." I say cuddling Rosy as I watch her closely.

"Chris, Malcolm if either of you have something to say about what happened here say it now in front of everyone." Dwayne warns on a low dangerous note.

"Lotty deserved it," Chris says with a shrug.

"Rosy should have used her fists from the start, not bitch slapped her," Malcolm says with a grin. "And that was a neat touch going for her face. Lance isn't going to have to worry about other toms for a good while now,"

"No Malcolm," I say sternly before softening my voice as I look down in Rosy's wary eyes. "That was very naughty of you Rosy, you don't fight."

"The way Lotty was trying to get to Sam she's lucky Rosy didn't go straight for her throat," Justin growls.

"It's a good thing Rosy didn't walk in when she was all over you Mitchell," Donovan says and Rosy growls low in her throat as she tenses in my arms once more.

"Calm down Rosy," I say soothingly and she starts at the sound of the front doors opening and hurried footsteps come into the quarters.

"It's okay Rosy, shhh, it's okay. You're safe," I murmur to her but she is growling in a low savage tone.

"Micah! Edwin says Rosy took a hit to her stomach," Doc calls and appears around the door. Doc hurries to come around to the front of the lounge and Rosy twists in my arms as she turns to keep an eye on Mal, Lotty's father as he walks into the room behind Doc. Clearly she doesn't want anyone she doesn't know in the quarters or near her.

"I'm sorry about this Micah. If I had known Lotty was going to start trouble I would not have stopped here." Mal says as he glances at me. "Doc?"

I watch Doc lifting Rosy's t-shirt to examine her stomach and sides but I am busy keeping a firm hold on Rosy as she moves uncomfortably and flinches at Doc's probing.

"Dwayne, get my mattress," I order and I glance towards Dwayne as he hurries from the room.

"Any pain? Tightness?" Doc asks.

"No," Rosy growls as she continues to watch Mal.

"You should think about locking Lotty up until she's safely married Mal. She came in here trying to lure Sam off so they were by themselves," Malcolm tells his father tightly.

"I'm as aware of what my daughter is like as you," Mal tells him and I glance between the two of them noticing Malcolm looks away from his father's stare. "You can be sure Lotty is not going to get away with disgracing her family in such a manner. I am only glad Rosy decided not to go for Lotty's belly, from the look of Lotty's face Rosy wouldn't have missed."

"There much damage?" I force myself to ask out of curtesy. 

"With just a quick examination there appears to be only superficial scratches and bruising. Though the scratches will undoubtedly leave visible scars for several years if Lotty doesn't shift several times to heal them," Doc says soberly.

There is silence for several minutes as Doc takes his time checking Rosy for injuries. Rosy watches Dwayne put the mattress on the lounge room floor and when I finally release her at Doc's ok, she sits in the middle of it to at Mal silently.

"I'll go and let Wade know Rosy is alright at present. Doc, I'd appreciate it if you could see your way clear to come finish tending to Lotty." Mal says before heading back outside.

"You are to take it easy for the rest of the day and no more fighting with Lotty while either of you are pregnant." Doc orders Rosy.

"I was not about to let her play her twisted little games with Sam, or any of the toms here." Rosy spits angrily.

"A natural instinctive drive to protect the toms of your clan plus Lotty is an intruder on your clan territory," Doc explains to her softly.

"You think I'm going to reject my baby," Rosy states without breaking eye contact with him. 

Her remark catches us all off guard pulling sharply drawn breaths from the toms around us and I lean forward in my seat on the lounge as I watch her worriedly.

"Some young she-kitts will reject their first baby especially if the pregnancy has been trying or the delivery hard. Some just don't like their off spring near them until they are older." Doc says gently. "And you've already talked about killing your baby,"

"So someone will watch me closely and be with me all the time when I'm close to giving birth?" Rosy asks without looking away from him.

"And afterwards until we know the baby is safe," Doc says cautiously. Rosy purses her lips with a slight frown as she considers his words before giving a slight nod.

"Sounds reasonable," Rosy says after some thought. "But I got one condition..."

"There are no negotiations on this Rosy," I tell her firmly and reach out to rest my hand on her shoulder. Idly I begin rubbing my thumb back and forth on the back of her shoulder.

"You have to start letting me share the baby with you all more. Before I was taken by the strays you always wanted to touch my belly and now no one even wants to feel the baby move." Rosy says quietly.

"But you started crying when Jazzy merely asked if I would have to uncover your belly to check on the baby's health. She hadn't even mentioned wanting to touch your stomach." Doc explains.

"I was always so scared the strays were going to do something, or hurt the baby in some way. Then here I was and I knew no one wanted to hurt me or the baby and I was so relieved," Rosy stops talking to take a deep breath and I notice the vulnerability in her eyes. "I could stop being brave and strong and cry because I had been so terrified."

I take a deep breath and realise I have tightened my hold on her shoulder. I slip down off the lounge and kneel behind her as she turns her head away from me with uncertainty.

"Okay, more touching when I'm with you," I murmur softly as I slip my arms around her waist from behind to hold her.

"Exactly what did you mean when you told Lotty not to worry about Jazzy that you're bigger than Jazzy and a hell of a lot tougher and meaner than her?" Justin asks tightly. I switch my gaze to him and watch him as worried thoughts race through my mind. Was Rosy starting to feel some kind of aggression towards my sister?

"If Lotty wants to come around causing trouble she can start with me," Rosy says tightly. "Lotty is not going to hurt my friend Jazzy,"

I glance towards Chris and Malcolm half expecting them to side with their sister.

"Somehow I don't think Lotty will be doing that," Malcolm says with a grin. 

"Dad's likely to take her home and lock her in the secure room until her wedding day after this." Chris adds.

"So what was this she was saying about Jazzy never being? ..." Rosy begins to ask a question.

"She's trying to stir up muck and trouble," Malcolm growls as he cuts Rosy off in mid sentence.

Rosy eyes Malcolm for a few moments before lifting her chin and continuing to glare at him, he continues to hold her gaze. Rosy shift slightly before giving a huff and moving so her back is to him.

"When are we going hunting for lunch?" Rosy asks.

"Doc said you're to rest for the rest of the day," I tell her gently.

"So what? You going to starve me?" Rosy asks coolly.

"No, we can cook something or make sandwiches." I tell Rosy calmly.

"Apparently we're working on a need to know basis here. Obviously I don't need to know the answer to the question about Jazzy I tried to ask. Well you only need to know I only intend to eat what I've hunted!" Rosy says abruptly as she moves away from me, stretches out on her side and picks up the remote control to the tv.

"Rosy," I growl in warning. I am not in the mood to put up with her temper.

"You know you might not really want to growl at me at the moment. I am really pissed off and I don't play nice with others when I am pissed off." Rosy says dryly as she changes channels on the TV. I snatch the remote from her hand and she turns to glare at me through narrowed eyes.

"Temper tantrums will get you nowhere," I warn her tightly.

"Temper tantrum? You think I am throwing a temper tantrum? Ha! You wouldn't mistake it if I did throw a tantrum!" Rosy snaps angrily before getting to her feet and heading for the bedrooms stomping angrily as she leaves the room. 

* * * * *

Rosy

I find myself in the bedroom Micah and Steven share where I have been sleeping since being rescued from the Darnels. I feel edgy and unsettled, unable to sit or lay down to relax. Finally I open my side of the wardrobe I share with Micah and look at the jumbled mess that is usually neatly folded and stacked. On top of it all is my little treasure box containing my most valued pieces and I lift it into my arms to cradle it gently as if to erase the foreign touch from yesterday. 

I open the lid and look down at its contents thankful to see my photo and wedding certificate tucked neatly inside. As I look further beneath them, I find more photos. Harry's face looks back at me and I swallow the loneliness and loss I always feel when I see his picture. The straight black hair and deep liquid black-brown eyes with a sprinkle of russet around the irises, his smooth caramel skin over high cheekbones above a crooked smile that shows white teeth.



Underneath are more photos and I study the picture of me that Harry had snapped on one of our camping trips. I am in the act of climbing onto a thick limb. I am stretched out along the branch in the act of pulling my second foot onto the branch, long hair tumbling around my shoulders and face but not quite hiding the predatory gleam in my eyes. Another shot shows me laughing around an orange, juice dribbling down my chin and arm as I look towards the photographer. 

Next is a photo of several women sitting in rocking chairs on a front porch, one is blonde with short hair cut in a pixie style framing a delicate face. The other has rich auburn hair so dark it is nearly black and I realise that in her face I can see both Mitchell and more strongly Sam. In her arms, she is cradling a small blanket wrapped form, cradling it against her chest and looking down at it enthralled.

The next photo is of me on Donald Caruther's knee holding a gaily-wrapped present and wearing a party hat, I was clearly only four or five with long hair blowing wildly in my face. There are more pictures of me with the odd ones of Harry and Jeddah mixed in but right at the bottom is a picture I had long forgotten about, creased as if it had been folded into a wallet and yellowed with age I smooth it open and look at the two childish faces it contains. The older child sits behind the baby holding it upright. Both are dressed in blue and I recognise my brothers even in the childish faces.

As I sit studying the picture, I have to wonder about the woman who had left behind these little boys and their father yet clearly carried the picture of her sons with her. And if the state of the photo was anything to go by, she looked at it often. I turn the picture over and see on the bottom right hand corner a date only five months before my birth date then below that Mitchell and Sam's names and ages. I frown as I realise Mitchell is under twelve months older than I am and I have to smile wryly, he had seemed so much older and more mature than me when I first met him.

I look at the rest of my belongings in the wardrobe and set about returning them to the neat and orderly manner I prefer. I come across my books and study material from my university course and leaf through it idly before putting it aside and picking up a box of odds and ends sorting through it curiously. I smile as I come across several old phones and I plug a recharger in and put my uni phone on to charge. It soon begins to emit the beeping signal that tells me I have received a text message and I laugh but ignore the phone as I continue sorting through my belongings.

"Rosy?" Donovan calls from the doorway

"What Donovan?" I ask and glance back over my shoulder at him.

"We got lunch ready, are you coming out to eat?" Donovan asks quietly.

"No Donovan I'm not," I tell him levelly before turning back to my belongings.

"You're going to make Micah mad," Donovan warns in a worried tone.

"Yeah, let's not make Micah mad. Doesn't matter who else gets upset or pissed off just as long as it's not Micah." I mutter angrily. I hear Donovan walk away and turn my full attention back to my belongings, it's not long before I hear Micah's familiar tread coming up the long room and I reach for another small box of loose papers.

"Lunch is ready," Micah tells me and I can hear the thread of annoyance running through his voice.

"Well go and eat it," I return flatly.

"You need to eat as well," He says evenly.

"I'm not hungry," I tell him.

"You have to eat whether you're hungry or not, for the baby. He needs nourishment," Micah says tightly.

"I had some sandwiches your mother made when I visited Jazzy." I tell him.

"That was a couple of hours ago," Micah says evenly.

"It was? I didn't realise so much time had passed," I admit with a start.

"I get that you're mad at us, just come out with me, okay?" Micah asks and I can hear the strain in his voice. "Don't refuse to eat just to punish us."

I glance at him and see the tension in his face but I shake my head before turning back to my belonging.

"I'm not hungry," I tell him again.

* * * * *

Rosy

I open my eyes and blink sleepily as I try to work out were I am then it comes back to me. I am on Steven's bed in the bedroom but I have no recollection of covering myself with the blanket off Micah's bed, I frown for a moment as I remember dreaming Micah had spoken softly to me and stroked my arm and I know he must have came in to cover me up while I slept accidentally disturbing me slightly. I yawn and stretch before tossing back the blanket and sitting up slowly, I look around and get my bearings before swinging my legs off the side of the bed to stand up.

I use the toilet before heading out to the lounge room and pause to look around, Malcolm and Chris are playing the x-box and Donovan has stretched out in a chair asleep but there is no sign of anyone else.

"Where is everyone?" I ask and rub at my eyes.

"Hey Rosy, you woke up. Micah and Mitchell are talking to Wade. Dwayne, Sam and Justin are off on some errand." Malcolm says with a grin as he moves so there is a space for me between them but I shake my head as I glance around.

"What time is it?" I ask.

"It's after four," Chris says.

"Hey Rosy," Donovan's sleepy voice comes from the chair and I glance his way with a smile.

"I'm going to get myself something to eat since Micah isn't here and there's no chance of going hunting." I say as I head for the kitchen.

"We left you some flavoured milk if you want it," Donovan calls as I open the fridge. I study the contents for a few moments before taking out a container of salad mixed with pieces of chicken, take the cling wrap off the top and drizzle creamy dressing over it. I am sitting between Malcolm and Chris before I realise I forgot to get myself a drink and grimace before concentrating on my food. The salad is still fresh and contains my preferred mix of ingredients. I spear a wedge of tomato with my fork and lift it to my lips and catch a faint whiff of Micah's scent, I refuse to smile as I pop it into my mouth.

"Good?" Donovan asks as he squeezes in between Chris and me making Chris move over.

"It's food," I allow and I hear the tiny groan of frustration from Donovan.

"You're not cranky with us anymore?" Donovan asks.

"I was not cranky with you Donovan, I just wasn't hungry." I tell him but I can tell by the look that he gives he doesn't believe me. I spear a piece of cucumber and nibble at it before grinning at Donovan and allowing myself to fall sideways against him.

"You all right Rosy?" Donovan demands startled.

"No, my pillow has started talking to me," I say and laugh. Both Malcolm and Chris laugh as well and Donovan growls softly.

"Funny," Donovan frowns at me. I smile back at him and move so I am reclining against him as I eat, I keep glancing up at him but he is clearly exuberant to have me using him as a pillow and makes no complaints.




To Love a Stray Ch. 18



Hi,

please take the time to vote and leave a comment. Your comment are greatly appreciated and I do read each one.

Mygypsy.

*******

I wake to the feel of a hard warm male body behind mine, an arm rests around my lower ribs and a hand cups my breast. I tense for a moment, not sure where I am before I identify the smell of the clan toms around me, I move slightly and the arm around my waist tightens.

"Shhh, it's okay." Micah murmurs to me. "You're safe Rosy."

"Micah," I murmur softly as I roll to face him and bury my face against his chest. His hand rubs my back soothingly and it would be very easy to go back to sleep but my body has different ideas as I become increasingly aware of his hard male body against mine. I slide my hands up his chest as I press close inhaling his scent and lift my top leg to hook my thigh over his, he groans softly and reaches down to ease my leg off his.

"Micah," I murmur and trail kisses across his bare chest. I flick one of his nipples with my tongue and slide my hand down over the well-defined muscles in his upper arm.

"You awake Sweetheart?" Micah asks quietly. I tilt my head back until I can feel his breath against my face and I nibble at his chin.

"Yeah," I breathe faintly. 

Micah brushes several light kisses over my lips and when I don't object his kisses become longer and firmer. I press against his body trying to encourage him to continue and I am rewarded when his hand begins to reach lower with each downwards caress until he cups my butt and presses me against him. There is no mistaking the hard ridge in the front of his boxers and I lift my upper leg to hook my heel behind his calf as I press my hips against his. 

His hardness presses into the cradle of my femininity and I moan softly as I wriggle against him. His hand slips up under the edge of my t-shirt to find the waistband at the back of my knickers and he hooks his fingers in it to begin working my knickers off as he continues kissing me. The feel of his hand on the bare skin of my thighs as he pushes my knickers down my legs makes me shudder and he pauses to kiss me deeply. 

"You okay with this?" Micah asks his voice raspy with arousal.

"We go to your room?" I whisper against his ear before nipping his earlobe then soothing it with several quick licks.

"My blankets and pillows are out here," Micah groans. I reach between us to run my hand up and down the hard length in his boxers.

"It's nice and private in your room ... I'll let you take all my clothes off ..." I say trying to tempt him as I close my hand around his shaft and squeeze gently. 

I make the offer knowing Micah prefers to have me naked beneath his body as we have sex. He seems to delight in exploring my bare skin with his hands and lips as if he can't get enough of the feel and taste of me. I know I'll never get enough of the feel of his body under my fingertips, the way his muscles slide under his smooth skin with each movement.

Micah groans once again as I rub my thumb over the head of his cock through the silky material of his boxers. His mouth is hard and forceful as he kisses me and I whimper as he leans over me, his weight pressing me down into the mattress. His hand finds its way beneath the hem of my t-shirt and to my naked body beneath it. I open my legs wide as he trails his fingers up the inside of my thigh before his fingers dance and tease around my opening.

His lips trail down the side of my neck as his hand strokes up and down my inner thigh, I groan and run both my hands over the taunt muscles in his arms and shoulders as I arch up into his body. His hand slips beneath the small of my back to pull me up against his body and I moan in pleasure against his shoulder. I feel him let go of me with a reluctant groan and ease away from my body. I gasp in several deep breaths before getting to my hands and knees to crawl off the mattress and reach for the end of the lounge to use it to help myself to get to my feet.

I hear Micah growl softly behind me and I know he is watching me as I make my way down the mattress. Someone beside me moves their legs out of my way and I feel my face heat in embarrassment but I crawl off the mattress and reach for the arm of the lounge. Micah growls low in his throat as he catches me from behind and I giggle softly as he nuzzles against the back of my neck as he slips his hands beneath the front of my t-shirt to reach up and cup my breasts. I duck my head down giggling softly as the brush of his lips through my hair tickles the back of my neck. I push back against him to prevent him pinning me against the front of the lounge as he teases my already aroused body.

"Impatient tonight are you?" Micah groans as he tightens his grip gently to stop me wriggling against him. "Are we only going to make it into the hallway like last night?" He breathes against the back of my neck softly as I press back against the hard ridge in the front of his boxers.

It is the third night since Lotty and her parents were here, the second night since Mitchell had went to the main house in answer to Jazzy's invitation. Each night we have all went to sleep in the lounge room. Part way through the night either I wake Micah and lead him into his room, or he would wake me and follow me there. Last night we had only reached the door from the hallway to the long sunroom when I had stopped on my hands and knees allowing Micah to do a quick scent marking that had ended in a hot session of sex.

His hand slides down over my stomach to slip beneath the hem of my t-shirt, I open my legs wider as Micah strokes the inside of my thighs and I gasp softly as I rub against the hard ridge pressing against me from behind.

"You like fingers and tongue don't you?" Micah says softly and suddenly I find myself turned and lifted onto the lounge. He spreads my thighs as he pushes my shirt up and then he is licking and kissing the inside of my thighs where they are damp from the moisture coming down from between my folds. I open my legs willingly and lean back against the lounge as his lips close over my clit and his fingers find my passage. I whimper and thrust my hips towards his mouth and a low chuckle vibrates against my clit, I whimper and grab at the cushions beneath me.

"Micah ..." I gasp breathlessly, "... too fast ... Micah!" I end on a squeal as I climax beneath his mouth and fingers. I don't protest as he turns me over onto my chest even as I try to catch my breath, I tilt my hips obligingly as he moves behind me and then he is sliding into my slick passage with ease. I groan with pleasure and lift one leg to pull my knee up onto the lounge. He grasps my hips firmly in his hands and then I am gasping and moaning with pleasure as he begins to move within me.

"You okay with this?' Micah asks huskily and I groan as I press my hips back against his.

"Yes ..."

"You don't mind?" Micah asks with a soft grunt.

"Shut up and do it," I demand then whimper. Pleasure builds quickly and I make no effort to muffle the noises I am making. I am no longer aware of the toms around us as the pleasure and the need to have Micah inside me over rides all else. It even overrides the fact that I can smell Wade where he is occupying a mattress in the lounge room rather than be in the main house where his daughter is in heat. The pleasure intensifies as Micah continues to pump into me enthusiastically then I loose all awareness of anything else except for the growing swell of pleasure building low in my stomach.

"Oh God, Oh fuck ... Micah, Oh, shit ... Ohmmm ... please Micah, Micah!" I finish on a scream as he thrusts hard against me with a shudder. I feel the liquid warmth that flows into me in a series of rhythmic surges as I press my hips back against Micah. His large body trembles for several moments before he begins to relax against me, his warmth soothing against my back.

Slowly I become aware of our surroundings once again, and the awkward position I am in against the front of the lounge. I ease my leg down and Micah groans softly as he eases from my body. He climbs to his feet and before I can move he picks me up in his arms and carries me back to his mattress where he lays me down gently and covers me with the blanket before easing down to join me beneath the blanket.

The room is quiet, too quiet and I am suddenly aware that the other toms have been woken by our activities and heard what just transpired. I feel my face begin to burn hotly and I groan as I pull the pillow over my head in embarrassment. I don't want to know what they thought as Micah pinned me against the lounge while I acted little better than some animal in heat.

* * * * *

Micah

"Rosy, you all right?" I ask softly as Rosy groans and turns away from me.

"Leave me alone," Rosy mutters.

"Hey," I say gently and attempt to ease the pillow from over her head. "What's the matter Sweetheart?" 

"Leave me alone," Rosy protests as I try to cradle her against my body. 

I feel Rosy push against my chest and turn her face away from me as I move the pillow aside. I can feel her body respond to my nearness, her nipples pebbling into hard nubs as her breasts rub against my chest.

"Rosy. What's wrong Sweetie?" I query softly as I lean over her.

"Stop it. Leave me alone. I don't want to do it in here. I didn't want to before," Rosy says miserably as she pushes away from me and scrambles from the mattress. 

Rosy climbs to her feet and hurries from the room, my face burns with humiliation. Already she regrets my touch and my heart feels heavy at her rejection. Increasingly it is like this, I make love to her and she spurns my touch afterwards. More and more it seems like she is only after physical gratification and not the simple pleasure I find in her nearness. I'm scared our bond will fail to grow beyond this, only the physical release of sex and not the depth and richness of a true relationship.

I get to my feet and follow her slowly. Hopefully she will calm down enough to come back into the lounge room to sleep. I walk along the large sunroom and go into the room we share with Steven. I am saddened when I fail to find her there and head to the doorway of the room she had claimed as her own.

"Rosy?" I call softly. There is no answer, only total silence. My heart feels heavy as I turn and head for her brothers room.

"Rosy? You in here?" I ask softly and I hold my breath so I don't make a noise. There is nothing, only total silence fills the room.

I know she has to be in one of the three rooms and turn the light on expecting to see her. The room is empty and I switch the light off before heading for the small bedroom she had claimed. I turn the overhead light on and see her sitting in the far corner at the head of the bed wrapped in the quilt off the bed, she turns her face away in the bright glare.

"I called you before why didn't you answer?" I ask with an irritation. I don't need the answer, not really. The way she avoids me after we are intimate tells me all I need to know.

"Leave me alone," Rosy says barely above a whisper.

"We need to talk about what is going on between us," I say as I move around the end of the bed. I am desperate to reach her, to fix this in some way.

Rosy gets to her feet, she hugs the blanket close but avoids looking me in the face.

"I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone," Rosy protests.

"We're going to talk," I say forcefully and catch hold of one of her wrists. Even as I touch her I know this isn't a wise choice.

"Leave me alone," Rosy protests and pulls against my hold. "Let me go Micah. I don't want to talk to you. Let me go," 

I am aware of her voice rising in distress but I can't make myself release her as she struggles against my grip on her wrist. I can almost feel the chasm between us opening wider and wider.

"Micah let her go! You are scaring my sister and probaly hurting her as well. Let her go now," Sam growls aggressively as he stalks into the room.

"Shut up and keep out of this, this does not concern you Sam." I warn on a low note. I need to clear the air between Rosy and myself. I need to know she wants me as much as I want her. 

"Anything to do with my sister concerns me," Sam snarls aggressively as he rolls his shoulders and steps towards us.

"Let me go Micah. I don't want to talk with you," Rosy protests as she struggles to free her wrist.

"Let her go Micah," Sam orders, his voice taking on a dangerous edge.

"Keep out of it Sam." I warn on a low snarl and I can feel the aggression rising in me for this tom that would keep me away from Rosy. She pulls at her wrist and whimpers before trying to twist it free of my grip.

"Let me go. Micah, let me go," Rosy's voice is rising with panic but I am sure she would calm down if only Sam would leave us talk this out between us. If there was just the two of us I could let go and back up a step or two so Rosy calmed down but with Sam here I am worried he will whisk her out of the room.

"That's it," Dwayne says angrily as he stalks into the room. "You may be chief among the warriors Micah, but I am still your elder brother and in charge in this building and I order you to let go of Rosy!"

I growl but release Rosy's wrist. With both Sam and my one of my own brothers against me I have the choice, let Rosy go or get into a fight. I watch impotently as Dwayne, Sam and Malcolm pass her across the room to Chris who is in the doorway. He slips a gentle arm around her shoulders and guides her from my sight.

"Stop crowding my sister Micah," Sam snarls. "I don't care if you're an Alpha, you're not coercing Rosy into anything she doesn't want."

"Micah," Dwayne says calmly. "You know what she's been through, just give her time and space."

"That's alright for you to say," I hiss angrily. "It's me who she refuses to let touch her unless she decides to throw me a bone and ... I need to talk to her and work this out between us."

"She lets you get a hell of a lot more friendly than she ever did with Chris," Malcolm cuts in almost dismissively.

"I want a hell of a lot more than your brother ever did," I snap tightly. "I ..."

I take a deep breath as I clamp my jaws shut and turn my back on them. I wish Steven were here so we could change to cat form so I could run off most of my humiliation and frustration.

"Go make sure your sister is alright," I say tightly with a glance Sam's way. I hear him move slightly as if hesitating before he turns and leaves the room followed by Dwayne and Malcolm.

I take several steadying breaths before following them and pausing in the doorway between the hallway and the lounge room. I can easily identify individuals on their mattresses as the large window provides plenty of light from the full moon. Plenty of light for the toms to have seen Rosy turn away from me, spurning my affection and wanting nothing more than sexual gratification.

"Rosy okay there?" Sam asks quietly as he walks into the room and pauses for a moment just above the mattress where Rosy is curled up between Donny and Justin.

"Yeah, she just wants to be left alone." Donovan says quietly.

"Yeah well ... you know where I am if you need me Rosy," Sam says sounding unconvinced but he moves away. Dwayne and Malcolm make their way to their mattresses as I watch from the doorway.

"Rosy I'm going for a run, want to come and we can hunt?" I ask softly. 

I hope we can talk so I can understand where her head is. Maybe this is some kind of misunderstanding we can sort out. It's a slight hope; no hope at all in reality but it is all I have to cling to. The alternative is something I'm not willing to accept, not yet.

There is only silence from her. No acknowledgement or rejection of my offer. I am aware of several toms shifting uneasily. Anger wars with hurt at Rosy's snub. It's becoming painfully clear she wants nothing more to do with me tonight.

"Right then. You don't have to worry! I get the picture. I get it real clear," I snap tightly and storm from the building in humiliation. I slip from my boxers as I go. They are all I bothered to pull on when I followed Rosy from the lounge room.

Outside I ignore the cool nip of the night air as I drop onto my hands and knees and begin my change to cat form. The hurt of knowing Rosy only wants me physically burns deep and I can't help but remember all the times I have told her I love her over the last few days. Not once can I remember her saying those words back to me. Rosy doesn't love me.

Once I am in cat form I give a low rumbling snarl before loping away from the buildings, I need to run far and long to cool this pain burning inside me. I head along a track that will take me on a hard run, I head where the hills are steep and covered in shrubs and rocks. I speed up and feel the burn in my chest and legs as I head up the first slope. I want the physical pain. I want to be able to forget the hallow ache in my chest, forget my arms are empty when they ache to hold Rosy.

* * * * *

Rosy

"Rosy okay there?" I hear Sam ask quietly.

I am curled up beside Donovan trying to work out how I feel. Embarrassed, no, mortified that everyone saw what happened between Micah and I. Then for them to have witnessed, heard what was said between us.

I close my eyes tightly in shame and pray that sleep will take me quickly. Both Sam and Mitchell have told me it is normal for couples to have sex with others in the same room, even Micah has told me this, but it still feels wrong to me.

I am aware of Sam and Donovan talking but I block the words out, I don't want to know what they are saying as I pretend to be asleep. If only I were asleep.

"Rosy I'm going for a run, want to come and we can hunt?" Micah asks in a soft strained whisper. I can hear the pain in his voice and it hits me with a jolt that I am hurting him - that I have hurt him. 

I'm sorry. I don't mean to act like this, but I don't know how I want to act. The words run through my mind but I can't bring myself to say them. 

"Right then. You don't have to worry! I get the picture. I get it real clear," The words from Micah startle me into opening my eyes and I stare at Donovan's dark form as I listen to Micah leave the room.

I realise in two breaths Micah is walking away from me, or is it from us? The knowledge sends a bolt of pain through the centre of my chest and I feel the tears start as the screen door slams behind him. I choke back a sob but more rise in my throat. And behind that more, and more, pouring from me in a torrent.

It takes me several minutes to get my tears under control. I can't help thinking of Micah outside thinking that maybe I don't care about him, unable to stand it any longer I scramble from beneath the blanket and head for the door.

"Micah would be a fair way away now," Dwayne says from just inside the doorway. I glance back over my shoulder at him startled then glance around looking for some clue to which way Micah headed.

"Hey Rosy ..." Dwayne calls after me.

"Leave me alone. Can't everyone just leave me alone," I shout back at him tearfully. My inner cat surges forward with a rush and I give a cry of pain as I shape-shift then I am racing for the trees at full speed.

I slow my pace as I drop my head and trail my nose just above the ground hoping for some sign of which way Micah went. A bush holds his scent and I slow to take several sniffs before loping off along a faint trail. His scent clings to the occasional bush beside the trail and I continue further and further from the buildings into the night.

I run but I can't outrun the thoughts that flit through my mind - so I run – not sure if I am running away from, or towards, that which I don't want to face.

I long to keep to myself, alone, always alone. The knowledge he can't hurt me when I am like this makes me miss a step and I stumble. I catch myself and shake my head as I regain my stride before picking up speed. I weave through the trees in the moonlight - a dappled shape in the broken shadows.




To Love a Stray Ch. 18



I have travelled a long way when I finally stop on the crest of a hill. I stand in the shadows of a large tree as I take the time to catch my breath. I haven't caught a scent or any trace left behind by Micah for some time and finally admit to myself I have lost his faint trail.

My pregnancy weighs heavily on me and I give in to the need to lie down and rest for a while. I curl my tail around to rest my chin on it as my ears swivel back and forth listening for any sound in the surrounding bush. I am heavily pregnant and alone in the bush at night; some deep need demands I get to my feet and head back the way I came.

I give a harsh snort and lift my head to listen as something small dashes from the undergrowth a few feet away. I am hungry but I am too tired to hunt as I lower my head, hesitate a few moments then give a long low coughing call to my clan members. I listen eagerly but no one answers, no one is around to catch the food I need but am too tired to catch for myself. 

I rest my chin on the ground and close my eyes, just a few minutes rest. I need a few minutes rest before I head back to where my brothers are sure to be waiting anxiously. Just a few minutes I tell myself.

It is close to midday the following day before I wake. I am stiff and irritable when I get to my feet. The need to hunt and feed myself urges me into action, I get to my feet reluctant to hunt in the heat of the day but my body demands the food. I find a herd of feral goats at the edge of the trees and a fat nanny falls prey to me. I drag the carcase out of sight into the trees and after a few moments hesitation I climb a tree dragging my kill up with me. I feel vulnerable by myself in my present stage of pregnancy; I gorge myself before leaving the tree and trotting a short distance to a stream for a drink.

I stand at the edge of the stream water dripping from my chin as I scent the air blowing into my face. I hesitate for a moment as I make certain of my direction before heading for home.

I find myself back on Williamson home grounds and I stop to sniff where someone has scent marked against a tree, I can smell both Dwayne and Justin and I prick my ears as I look around eagerly. I give a long low coughing call then wait motionlessly as I listen for a reply, hearing none I begin a steady trot towards the home compound stopping every so often to call. I am just past the entrance to the stock paddock when I hear the first distant call and I reply eagerly. I chirp excitedly at several replies and break into a lope only to I stop at the edge of a small clearing and call again. This time the replies are much closer and I am able to identify individual calls, I can hear Micah, Sam, Justin and a couple of others further away.

I wait impatiently and I am rewarded by the faint sounds as cats rush through the bush, I raise my head and call again as I tremble with eagerness to see them again. Micah is the first to burst into the clearing and I cower against the ground and chirp frantically as he races towards me. He slows quickly and approaches at a fast walk. I stand up nervously and sniff towards him with soft little murrs. He extends his nose and I chirp as I move closer to him, he barely sniffs my nose before moving down my side sniffing noisily. I flick him with my tail but submit to his inspection even when he sniffs beneath my tail thoroughly. Then Sam is in front of me claiming my attention and I greet him eagerly, Justin pushes his nose forward and I chirp as I rub my head against his cheek.

I blink as I see Mikkarl just behind Justin and I press back against Micah where he is still sniffing my shoulders. I chirp shrilly and cower against Micah and he rubs his head against me somewhat roughly before licking around my ears. Mikkarl crawls forward on his belly making soft little whimpers at me when I extend my nose nervously. He sniffs it briefly before backing away and purring loudly.

Micah moves off slightly then turns and calls to me, I follow him several steps before stopping and he moves a bit further away before calling to me again. I eye him a moment before trotting to his side and rubbing my head against his shoulder, this time when he moves off I trot at his side and move along with him. Micah continues to huff and grumble as we travel and I am happy to see we are heading back to the compound. When I slow to a walk Micah slows as well but even in cat form, I can tell he is anxious to get me home.

I pause at a stream to hunt some fat frogs and the toms stand back watching as I snap up the tasty little morsels without difficulty. Further on Micah catches a hare for me and I pause to eat it before cleaning his face for him. As I trot along beside him, my shoulder brushes his and when we finally reach the clearing, he turns his head to look at me for several moments. I purr and press closer to his side as I let him lead me across the cleared ground.

I can see toms in human form standing around outside the quarters and press closer to Micah's side as we slow to a walk, he looks back at me and I am sure I glimpse pleasure in his eyes before he leads the way inside. I baulk at the doorway and swing aside to avoid going inside, I hear Sam grunt as he comes up beside me but I shy away from him then stop and call to Micah. It's not long before Micah comes outside in human form adjusting his jeans on his hips prior to zipping them up. He stops and looks at me with a shake of his head.

"Come on, inside with you. I'm sure you'd like to change back to human so you can have a warm shower. We can talk, that is if you want to," Micah is quick to tack the last bit on. There is a distant tone to his voice and I tilt my head to one side as I study him for a moment.

Sam growls behind me and I glance over my shoulder at him but he is looking at Micah and not me. I hesitate a moment before walking through the open door and trotting along the hallway to our room. I jump up onto the bed and lay down before relaxing so I can change forms. Micah is in the doorway watching me when I finish changing and I glance his way before reaching for an open fronted shirt of his on the end of the bed.

"I'm glad you're back," Micah tells me quietly as I shrug into the shirt.

"I didn't mean to run away," I say softly as I avoid his gaze.

"You might not have meant to but it doesn't change the end result," Micah tells me stiffly before walking from the room leaving me to stare after him a few moments before heading for the bathroom.

The shower is refreshing as I run over in my mind how I will apologise to Micah for the misunderstanding last night. I don't stay in the shower long once I am clean and I dry myself quickly before getting dressed in a roomy shirt and loose boxer shorts and head for the lounge room.

"Rosy, you're back," Donovan exclaims happily and gets off his mattress to come and sit beside me on the lounge. I glance towards the kitchen where Micah is busy cooking some meat and I know that he will bring food to me shortly expecting me to eat.

"Of course I'm back Donovan, you should know by now I come back." I tell him softly.

"Well you shouldn't run away," Donovan says hotly as he moves back to his spot on the floor clearly annoyed with me.

I stare at him shocked into silence for a few moments. I did not run away, I had gone trying to follow Micah. I know my own past behaviour has been to run away, giving myself time and space to deal with hard situations. But last night instead of running away I had been trying to catch Micah so we could try to talk to each other privately. 

Didn't Donovan remember everyone hounding me last night? Sam, Dwayne and even Chris wanting to talk to me about what had happened between Micah and I. Last night I had thought Donovan had known I was going after Micah. Was he going to start with the questions today?

"You remember what it felt like when those strays herded us the way they wanted us to go Donovan. Do you, well tha..." I begin angrily. I know I can make him understand how hounded I had felt by their constant questioning.

"That is enough Rosy," Dwayne says tightly as he comes to stand over me. "Do you think Donny doesn't have nightmares? You think he's forgotten what happened?"

"Back off and leave Rosy alone," Sam snarls as he comes over to face Dwayne.

"Well you tell your sister to leave Donny alone and stop torturing him," Dwayne snarls back as he gives Sam a rough push backwards. I cower against the back of the lounge drawing my legs up closer to my body as the two large and mature toms square off against each other.

* * * * *

Micah

The atmosphere in the quarters is tense as I head into the kitchen to cook some food for Rosy. I know she will be hungry after changing back to human form. The growing kitt needs nourishment even if she did hunt while she was away.

After arriving back from my run last night to find Rosy gone I immediately told Sam off for letting her go off by herself. Dwayne came to his defence and the heated argument nearly ended in blows before I ordered everyone to their own rooms and out of the lounge room. Even as I done it I knew I was being irrational.

The unsettled and hostile atmosphere lingers and everyone seems affected but I am surprised when Rosy starts on Donny. The result is almost instant as Dwayne rushes to Donny's defence sparking more aggression from Sam. I glance into the lounge room to gauge the volatility of the situation and see Wade getting to his feet.

"Problem solved," I announce as I stalk over, grab Rosy by the upper arm and urge her to her feet. I have no patience at the moment and Rosy has no choice but to follow me as I march along the sunroom to the small bedroom she claimed as hers.

I don't allow myself to consider the consequences as I push her through the doorway before pulling a door made of metal bars along the tracks top and bottom of the doorframe.

"Micah," Rosy's face looses all colour and her voice is thick with alarm as she calls out to me. 

I don't shut the door completely, it is just short of being locked into place and a simple pull will open it. I turn away and head back towards the kitchen shocked by my own actions.

"What the fuck are you thinking?" Sam demands in a hiss as he glances past me with a worried frown.

"Work it out for yourself," I growl back at him. Gradually I become aware that the entire building is unnaturally quiet. Sam pushes past shoving roughly, not bothering to step around me as he heads up to the door of the bedroom where I left Rosy. I see him reach through the bars and guess he must be comforting her.

"Micah locked me up Sam, Micah," Rosy says. Her voice is choked with tears and I can hear her soft little sobs.

"You mustn't pick at Donny about what the strays done Rosy, he feels real bad that he wasn't able to protect you. He thinks a lot of what happened to you is his fault," Sam says gently.

I turn away and head for the kitchen, Dwayne is just inside the lounge room and he glances back the way I came.

"Did you just lock Rosy in that cage?" Dwayne demands tightly.

"It is not a cage, it is her bedroom and she is not locked in." I snap angrily.

"Does she know that?" Dwayne growls.

"That door isn't locked Rosy," I yell back along the building. I should have known she would assume the worst.

"But you are to stay in there until I say you can come out, understand?" I add after a few moments thought.

I head into the kitchen, glancing around those in the lounge room as I go. Nearly everyone avoids eye contact, only Wade meets my gaze and I walk into the kitchen with a frown.

Mikkarl has saved the stir-fried vegies from burning and I give a nod of acknowledgement as I take the tongs from him. I finish by adding some more sauce to the vegies and stirring it in before placing a frypan on the stove and readying a medium sized piece of steak.

As I wait for the frypan to heat so I can sear the steak on both sides I think on how it isn't easy to make the right decisions as Alpha. Had I done the right thing in regards to Rosy? I couldn't leave her there and have a fight erupt, but now in hindsight my actions seem harsh.

Rosy believed I locked her in the cage, I'd seen the horror in her eyes as I slid the door all but closed. I know I need to make it right between us, make her understand.

I close my eyes for a few seconds as I put the steak in the hot pan and listen to it sizzle furiously.

"Talk to her," Mikkarl says quietly startling me. I look at him and he gives a slight nod, I am surprised to see the same quiet intelligence in his eyes as Steven hides with his female chasing remarks.

"Just sit down with her and explain it to her. It doesn't matter if she doesn't seem to be listening; Rosy takes everything that is said in. It just seems she needs longer to sort through it all," Mikkarl says. "Say it to her plain and simple."

"What makes you think you know how she works?" I ask dryly. 

Mikkarl is only nineteen, a few weeks older than Jazzy, to my twenty-eight and yet here he is with more commonsense than me at the moment.

"I got three older brother who think they're pretty smart and don't mind spreading their so-called wisdom," Mikkarl says with an easy-going grin. "And besides, I tend to watch the way everyone acts and reacts more so than having my say."

I am silent for a few moments as I turn the steak over and take my time to consider what he said.

"Yeah, your brothers tend to think a lot of themselves," I agree with a slight smile. I'll have to mention to Mitchell when he returns from visiting with Jazzy what an astute individual we have in Mikkarl.

I turn my attention back to the piece of steak and use the tongs to lift one end to check the colour underneath.

"Yeah, that's how Rosy seems to like it," Mikkarl says quietly and I glance his way to see him holding out a plate. I take it and put the steak on it before adding the stir-fried veggies.

* * * * *

Rosy

I sit on my side of the metal bars leaning into the cuddle Sam is offering through the bars. My nose is stuffy and my throat hurts from crying, I can't get past the fact Micah has put me in a cage.

We are silent for a while and it is not until I hear the faint sounds as someone moves along the sunroom towards us that I lift my head and listen intently for a moment. The slight trace of Micah's scent has me getting to my feet and retreating to the corner once again.

"How is she?" Micah asks as he halts near Sam. I don't look his way but I can smell the plate of food he holds, my mouth waters and my stomach grumbles.

"You shouldn't have put her in there," Sam says in a hard voice and I hear Micah growl. There are the faint sounds of someone moving but I refuse to look towards the door.

"I'll be back later Rosy," Sam says softly and I squeeze my eyes tightly shut against the fresh rush of tears as I hear him walk away leaving me behind and locked in the room. I know the door isn't locked, that it isn't even shut properly but in my heart it feels like it is.

"I got a meal for you here. Some of those stir fried vegies Mikkarl makes that you like so much and a nice thick steak barely seared on each side. Now don't tell me you're not hungry, I heard your stomach from over here." Micah says quietly. 

There is the metallic noise of metal sliding over metal and I look his way hurriedly, sure it is some kind of a trick. The bared door is now wide open and Micah is just outside the doorway holding the plate of food. I get to my feet nervously and watch as he comes into the room.

"Where do you want your food?" He asks softly.

"Out in the kitchen or lounge room," I say desperately.

"Sit down in here, I want to talk to you and then we can go out to the others." Micah says firmly.

"I don't trust you. You'll lock me in here again," I protest as I shake my head and back into the corner.

"Dwayne and Sam were just about to get into a fight, if I hadn't bought you in here you probaly would have accidentally have gotten hurt. Neither of them was about to back down and at least with you here Sam walked away from Dwayne to come up here to you. They would have fought until Sam knocked Dwayne down that many times he couldn't get up again," Micah tells me quietly. "And the door was not locked."

I fold my arms above the swell of my stomach and turn my face away from him but quickly look back at him as I hear him move closer. I can see the muscle below his right eye twitching and know he is under nearly as much stress as I am but I was the one left in here, in this cage.

"I get that you don't appreciate being put in this room," Micah tells me gently.

"Bad things happen when I get locked up in a cage," I protest and turn my face away.

"What like meeting your brothers? Even though you didn't know they were your brothers. Or being kept safe from all toms when you were on heat - even though some of us wouldn't have done anything you didn't want us to. And you had been in a locked room when you and Donny were rescued weren't you? Wasn't any of that good stuff?" Micah asks softly. "Finding family, being safe, being rescued?"

I give an annoyed snort as I realise what he is saying is true, there has been good mingled in with the bad. However, for me the bad still over shadowed the good.

"So ok, let's see what bad things will happen today from being locked up ..." Micah says softly and I look towards him in sudden unease. "Firstly, you're not upsetting Donny without meaning to. Secondly you're not right beside two large toms fighting and thirdly you get to leave this room ... this cage when you tell me why you were so upset with me and everyone else that you ran away last night." Micah tells me.

"You all kept asking me what was wrong. I had just let you mount me like a bitch in heat where everyone in the room could watch. The way I was raised sex between couples in a relationship is supposed to be something private and beautiful between the two of them. It's not supposed to be like something out of a porn movie." I burst out then turn away appalled.

"There's more to it than that isn't there?" Micah asks. "Cats don't have much privacy. Most of them turned their heads away last night so they were not watching, that is how we give privacy. Justin got off the lounge when he realised what was about to happen, so he wouldn't accidentally interfere, he sat with Donovan who was watching because he was scared I would hurt you." 

"Apparently, he's seen all the bad stuff, none of the good. Oh, he was here for Jazzy's first time but she's such a little thing and Mitchell is nearly fully mature now so Donny heard Jazzy squealing and crying even though she wanted Mitchell to mount her. It took her three days before she was game to let him do it a second time. Today Donny kept looking at me funny until he finally admitted to me he had watched, he was embarrassed he'd trespassed in our private activity. Sam told me that apparently Wade put his pillow over his head even," Micah says soberly.

"No-one was watching?" I ask doubtfully.

"Well I didn't hear Sam or Dwayne get up to hit anyone. I've slapped Malcolm a few times for watching Mitchell and Jazzy." Micah explains. "You ready to go out to the lounge room now so you can eat this food?"

"You're not going to make me stay in here?" I ask uneasily.

"No, unless there's something you'd rather do ..." Micah tells me with a grin as he glances at the bed, the grin fades quickly and is replaced with a sober expression.

"We need to sit down and have a serious talk about what is happening between us," Micah says quietly, almost hesitantly. "About you and me and ..."

"I want to go to the lounge room," I say hurriedly. I'm not ready to discuss our relationship, I feel unbalanced and vulnerable for some reason. I head for the door keeping a wary eye on Micah as I go, he smiles but something seems to be missing from his eyes. It's almost as if he is forcing himself to be nice to me.




To Love a Stray Ch. 18



"Maybe later we can go to our room," He says on a soft intimate note. I look over my shoulder at him as I pause in the doorway and the glint in his eye makes heat course through my body, I frown at him in annoyance before hurrying out to the lounge room. Sam grins as he spots me and I hurry to sit on the lounge next to where he leans against the front of it.

"Want a glass of something cool to drink?" Sam asks getting to his feet.

"Yes please," I say looking up at him. I bite my lower lip as he walks towards the kitchen before I glance towards Micah. I find he is watching me with a closed expression on his face and he forces a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"Here, eat up." Micah tells me as he places the plate on my lap and hands me a knife and fork.

I am cutting the steak into small pieces as I eat and the shrill tone of a cell phone playing a familiar tune makes me look towards the sound, Sam lifts a small phone from one of the kitchen benches and holds it up so I can see it.

"I take it this is your phone," Sam says as he shows me before pressing the button to answer the call.

"Hallo. Tawny's phone, Sam speaking." Sam says evenly.

"Give it here," I protest as I put my food aside and get to my feet.

"Oh so it's you again hey stud?" I instantly recognise the sarcastic feminine voice on the other end and cringe internally as I hurry over to Sam.

"Hallo again Elisabeth, looking for my sister are you?" Sam asks sounding slightly amused.

"It's a shame I know for a fact that Tawnz doesn't have any brothers or sisters hey Sam-boy?" The feminine voice asks sweetly.

"How about I just hand the phone to Tawny and let her set you straight," Sam asks with a wide grin.

"Give me my phone," I snap as I snatch at the phone but Sam keeps hold on it and I tighten my grip even though his fingers are beneath my hand. "Don't know what you were doing touching it in the first place."

"That you Tawnz? Tawnz?" I hear Elisabeth call out.

"It's rude to snatch," Sam tells me as he relinquishes his hold on the phone. I glare at him before turning away as I lift the phone to my ear and heading outside but Sam beats me to the door into the hallway and I glare at him as I come to a halt.

"Hey Ellie, how are you? Sorry I missed your call but I was out." I say brightly before turning away to make my way to the kitchen only to find the back door there guarded by Micah.

"Hey chickie-babe. You found yourself a guy have you? I been trying to call you several times a month and usually your phone is out of range or switched off." I hear the trace of censure in her voice and move to sit at the kitchen table.

"Actually Ellie, Sam is my brother. Apparently, my Mum had two kids before she ... before she ended up with my stepfather. We type of came across each other and found out we are related later, strange hey?" I ask wryly.

"Oh," Elisabeth managed sounding shocked, and then comes the question so typical of her. "You weren't banging him were you? Nah. Silly question hey. So what you got planned? When are finishing your degree?"

"It's not good timing Ellie ..." I close my eyes extremely aware of my audience who are able to hear every word of the conversation. I open my eyes reluctantly and glance first at Micah and then at Sam before taking a deep breath.

"Things are ... complicated, I type of ... okay, mind blowing factor here – I'm type of a little bit pregnant," I say and wait for a reaction on the other end of the phone.

"Type of?" There is disbelief in her voice. "I always thought it was either you are or you're not. I always thought it was Lilly who was the maternal one." Ellie says surprised.

"I happen to be engaged to the baby's Daddy," I say and glance at Micah. I catch his intense gaze and look away hurriedly.

"Well the university needs to know if and when you intend to finish your degree. The results of your assessments on the units you completed the last semester that you attended are all Honours. Your final results in exotic feline studies were so outstanding that you have been offered a scholarship in zoological studies," Ellie babbles.

"I don't believe I'll be completing the degree," I say reluctantly and glance at Micah. 

"Tell her you'll ring her back," Micah says softly. He is shaking his head and holding one hand to his ear as if he holds a phone. "Ring her back."

"That would be a real shame, are you sure about that? You always seemed so passionate about your degree," Ellie urges me.

"How about I think about it for a day or two, talk to my partner and ring back ... say Monday?" I ask as I watch Micah. He nods with a smile and I bite my top lip as I listen to Ellie scribbling on paper.

"Okay, I can give you to Wednesday but we must have an answer by then. If you don't want to continue with your degree now or later we do have other students who would be glad of the chance to fill your space in classes." Ellie tells me firmly.

"I don't mean to be rude Ellie but I really should go and finishing eating the meal I was having before you rang," I tell her.

"Oh! I am sorry, I guess you eat when you're hungry or when you feel up to it being pregnant and all. How far along are you by the way?" Ellie asks excitedly.

"Past the morning sickness stages now thank goodness. I really must go Ellie, bye." I say and quickly hang up before she can ask more questions.

"Would you care to tell us more about your studies?" Micah asks and I glance his way uneasily.

"I already told you I was doing veterinary studies, mostly by distance correspondence and study weekends at different campuses." I say with a shrug.

"Exotic feline studies. All results Honours," Wade says with raised eyebrows.

"My Dad taught me if you're going to do something you do it to the best of your abilities, a job done half heartedly is a job only half done." I say defensively.

"I think it would be a very good idea for Rosy to finish her studies," Micah says watching me closely. I glance his way as I lay a hand protectively on the top of the swell of my stomach as I give a nervous shake of my head.

"I need to concentrate on this baby; I still have a long way to go before I deliver it." I say uneasily. Micah smiles and gives a faint nod of his head.

"Yes, and we'll all do what we can to look after you to give you the best chance to get healthier before then and afterwards we can help you look after him when you start studying again. I'm sure no one will say no to baby sitting duties," Micah tells me with a grin.

"No one's going to take him away from me," I say in alarm.

"No, no, no, no," Micah tells me in a low soothing voice, "We'll just help you. Pick him up and give him to you when he's hungry, rock him to sleep if he's unsettled ... that type of thing."

I give a jerky nod knowing that I will have no choice in the matter of around the clock supervision for the first few days, weeks, maybe even months. I take a deep breath as I try to calm myself and look around uncertainly.

"I guess I should eat," I say after a few moments silence.

"Want it heated back up?" Sam asks as he moves to pick up my plate from the lounge where I left it.

"Just the meat," I tell him with a forced smile. "Why isn't everyone else eating?" 

"We hunted earlier when we were out looking for you," Donovan tells me, "I brought down a big feral goat all by myself, took three of us to eat it all." He flashes a wide grin and I can't help smiling back at him.

"Cool, wish I had been there to see it," I tell him.

"Rosy," Sam says to catch my attention and I turn my head to look his way. "If we do have to take the baby away from you for his safety we will be trying to get you both together again as soon as possible. Kitts do best with their mothers, even just for short visits. It is best if we can keep you both together, for both of you." 

I look at Sam uneasily for a few moments before giving an uncertain nod, I'm not sure if I should believe him or not. He motions at my plate and I glance down at it slightly surprised that I hadn't spilled it having forgotten I held it.

"I cooked the vegies special for you," Mikkarl says and I look his way in surprise.

"When did you get back Mikkarl?" I ask curiously. I spear a piece of carrot with my fork and pop it into my mouth as I move to the lounge to sit down.

"I got back late yesterday afternoon. Steven ordered me back again saying he can handle things at our parental clan. Our brother and sister will be fine with time. Andy will take some time to heal and Celeste definitely will have some scarring but they're going to be fine. Timny and Callum should be back tomorrow or the next day, Kirby will be a bit longer. Both Kell and Conner will recover, it'll just take Kell a lot longer because of how bad he was burnt." Mikkarl tells me.

"Steven figured we needed Mikkarl here to help keep you eating properly and taking it easy," Sam tells me levelly.

"And I got back to find out you had run away," Mikkarl says and I glance up from the plate of food on my lap to frown at him. I bite back an angry retort and turn back to the plate of food reaching eagerly for the piece of steak Sam has reheated slightly.

"Well I didn't run away," I mutter and take a large bite out of the steak as I hold it in my fingers.

Micah takes a deep breath and I hear him move away several steps as an uneasy silence seems to fill the rooms.

"Is there any more meat?" I ask Sam before pulling a piece of meat free from the bone.

"No more steak, but there is sausage or bacon that we have out for breakfast," Sam tells me as he gets to his feet from where he had been sitting on the floor.

"Bacon is good, bacon is always good." I tell him with a grin.

"Bacon it is then," Sam tells me as he heads for the kitchen and soon the smell of cooking bacon fills the air. I am nearly finished all the food on my plate when he returns with the bacon he has cooked for me, I turn so I have my legs up on the lounge and can lean back against the pillows on the other end. I balance the plate of cooked bacon on the swell of my stomach and nibble slowly on a piece of bacon enjoying the taste and texture. Micah settles himself on the floor by my shoulder and I glance at him before offering him the piece of bacon I have been nibbling.

"You eat it," Micah tells me and I look away with a frown. By the time I have finished the bacon all the toms are seated close by and I catch several of them glancing my way eagerly. I put my plate aside and smile at Micah who is watching me with a closed look on his face, I pull my shirt up exposing my stomach and reach for his hand. Micah grins as he settles his hand against my stomach in what is quickly becoming a ritual and I begin to pur softly as I turn my cheek to the pillow and half close my eyes.

I'll straighten out the misunderstanding that I ran away last night once everyone has their turn touching my stomach, I tell myself silently.

* * * * *

Micah

I watch as Sam moves to place his hand on Rosy's stomach. She is stretched out on the lounge with the skin of her stomach exposed as we all take turns to feel the baby move beneath our touch.

Her eyes are closed and there is a soft dreamy smile on her face, she lies there motionless except for the slight rise and fall of her chest as she breathes.

"You sure this is okay?" Mikkarl asks as he lines up to take Sam's place.

"It's fine. I like you guys touching my baby-belly," Rosy say murmurs quietly. When his hand settles lightly against her skin she gives a contented sigh and gives herself over to the almost trance-like state. Slowly hand replaces hand and she becomes even more relaxed at the light touches and soft murmurs from those in the room.

"Your mother often got like that when anyone touched her belly when she was pregnant with all of you." I hear Wade murmur softly.

"So it's normal?" Justin whispers back.

"Certainly was for your mother." Wade confirms quietly.

I can't help myself, I have to touch her and I brush my fingertips against her cheek before dropping a light kiss there. Rosy opens her eyes looking almost as if she has been drugged.

"You doing ok?" I ask softly and she closes her eyes with a smile and gives a faint nod.

I skim my hand across her stomach and I give a low growl of pleasure as her body arches into my touch. I rearrange her shirt to cover her stomach and then I slowly work lower until I am checking her ankles and feet for any signs of injury from her run as a cat.

"You'll wake Rosy up if you keep touching her," Sam warns. 

The shrill demand of Rosy's phone jolts her awake and she reaches for it where she had placed it on the floor in front of the lounge. She is too slow and I already have hold of it, she is glaring at me as I open the phone and lift it to my ear.

"Hallo Tawny's phone ..." I start to answer with a smile. 

"Give the phone to her! I know she doesn't let it out of her sight," A tense voice snaps in my ear and I raise my eyebrows as I blow Rosy a kiss.

"Tawny can't come to the phone at the present ..." I begin.

"Tell her its Lilly," The voice orders arrogantly and Rosy jumps to her feet to grab the phone from me and move away quickly. 

Lilly, the name sounds familiar and then it hits me! The ex-girlfriend! Or maybe not so ex the way Rosy is almost cuddling the phone to her ear! Anger and something else I don't care to name, race through me and I feel my jaw begin to ache as I clench my teeth.

"Lilly," Rosy acknowledges softly.

"Tawny, I just got a long call from that gossip Ellie Rhymer from Admin. She was gabbing on about you being with some guy and being pregnant. I told her she must have her facts wrong because I know you would never let some guy touch you not after what that bastard Jasper done to you. Him and all like him should be shot," The voice on the other end of the phone gushes hatefully.

Rosy glances my way at the slight hiss of my sharply indrawn breath and I see something flare to life in her eyes as she turns away from me slightly as if to hide the phone from view.

"Calm down Lilly," Rosy says soothingly. 

I take a step towards Rosy with one hand outstretched for the phone. She turns her head to look at me and frowns at me before heading towards the kitchen. She retreats into the furtherest corner with the phone close to the wall and holds it against the side of her head when Sam blocks the way to the little back door.

"Is it true my beautiful Tawny one? Are you with someone else?" THAT voice asks sending more rage burning through my veins. 

Rosy glances my way, I guess my hiss of rage caught her attention. She looks right through me as if I am not there and I hear movement behind me. I turn my head to see Sam making frantic hand signals at her. He keeps motioning with one hand across his throat warning her to kill the phone call. Rosy shakes her head before sending a 'don't mess with me' glare my way.

"I'm sorry ... I should have told you before this but ... shit just type of got in the way," Rosy says into the phone ignoring my out stretched hand.

SHIT? I'm shit?

"Oh shit Babe. Fucking shit," There are soft sobs from the phone and something clouds Rosy's eyes even as she watches me as she listens to HER. "So you're ... this is so fucked up!" There is a harsh sob from the other end of the phone then sudden silence.

"I take it this is not a good time for you to talk to me. Is he there? Does he know about us? Our history?" SHE asks tightly.

"Yes, and yes, Lilly," Rosy answers as she steps back against the wall as I take several steps towards her.

"Tell him to fuck off and let you have some privacy for our call Tawny, you owe me that." SHE says quietly.

"I'm going outside for a bit," Rosy says lifting her chin defiantly.

I draw my lips back from my teeth in a silent snarl as I take a step closer. Rosy will hand the phone over to me!

"Hang up," I order tightly.

"Shit Tawny! What have you gotten yourself into? I just heard that! He sounds like a nasty piece of work." SHE exclaims on the other end of the phone and I take my chance to move closer while Rosy is distracted.

"Where are you Tawny? I want to come and meet this guy and see for myself he is treating you properly...." HER voice interjects.

"Hang up the phone Tawny," I order tightly once again. I growl in a low tone knowing Lilly won't hear me.

"I am going outside for a while Micah," Rosy says firmly but I am too fast for her and get between the door and her.

"Don't be stupid," I growl back at Rosy. I have had enough of Rosy talking to a human who obviously knows about Jasper and 'those like him'. "Give me the phone! We need to have a talk about a few things."

"After I finish my phone call," Rosy says tightly and retreats to the corner once again.

"I hope your not staying with him just because he got you pregnant," SHE says on the other end of the phone making my blood boil and freeze at the same time. 

Rosy gives a tight laugh as she glances my way once again. 

I have had enough. Rosy is going to hand over the phone. I will not put up with her defiance much longer!

"How about I call you tomorrow and we can have a long chat?" Rosy asks turning her shoulder towards me as I get within touching distance.

"Give me the phone," I order angrily.

"If I don't hear from you by 9pm tomorrow I'm going to the cops, you tell him that." SHE threatens on the other end.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Rosy promises hunching her shoulder.

"Give me the phone now," I growl savagely as Rosy leans away from me.

"Tawny, are you okay?" SHE demands frantically.

"I'm fine Lilly. Micah wouldn't hurt me ... I promise I'll call tomorrow..." Rosy says hurriedly into the phone. She hisses angrily as I snatch the phone from her grip and snap it shut forcibly.

"What the hell do you think you are doing talking to her? I will not have you having anything to do with her! And why does she talk as if she knows you're a werecat? Jasper and all like him? What does she know about werecats?" I demand angrily. 

Rosy tries to move away from me and out of the corner but I crowd close frantic for an answer as I keep her contained in the corner.

"I will speak to whomever I want, you will never dictate to me who I can or can't speak to," Rosy shoots back defiantly.

A low growl rumbles in my chest silencing Rosy for a few moments as I battle for control of my temper. I want to hurt someone, preferably the person on the other end of the conversation I just overheard.

"Exactly what did you tell her about werecats?" I demand in a low dangerous tone.

Rosy has her shoulder to me, her upper body leaning away as she hugs both arms around the swell of our child. Does she imagine I would hurt her? Her? She doesn't answer my question or move other than to lower her head slightly and assume a more submissive stance.

Damn!

"I have never told her a thing about werecats or being one! As for her remark about Jasper she saw us together in human form one time and when she saw me nearly a week later I was battered and bruised after encountering a stray I didn't manage to avoid ... I let her believe it had been Jasper. That was easier than explaining the truth," Rosy says quietly but I can hear a thread of defiance in her tone.

"Why should I believe you?" I demand angrily.

"Why shouldn't you believe me?" Rosy asks curling her top lip as she turns her head to look me in the face.

This can't be happening, this cannot be happening. Don't defy me Rosy and don't openly challenge me in front of the others!

"Because, she sounded as if she was talking about werecats. Who knows what passes as pillow talk between two female lovers?" I growl angrily at her. Sheer fury blazes in my veins. 

Why isn't she saying she has no intention of calling HER tomorrow?

"Why would I want someone who was that important to me at that stage to know I was some kind of freak?" Rosy demands hotly.




To Love a Stray Ch. 19



Hallo to all my readers, 

Sorry this has taken so long to get done but I have had some things I had to deal with in real life. I have already got started on the next instalment. 

Please take the time to comment and vote. 

Mygypsy 

************** 

The shrill ring of my mobile phone had woken me instantly. I had swung my legs around so I could sit on the edge of the bed as I sat up to answer the call. 

I remember glancing at the illuminated screen in my hand to check who the call was from even as I was preparing to answer it. The name Sam showed clearly on the screen causing me to groan. This predawn call surely heralded trouble. 

I suppose I should introduce myself before I go any further. I am Kurt Black, Alpha to my wife's clan and I rule over the territory in partnership with my wife. 

Why do I tell this part of the story? Because I don't think either my niece Rosy MacIntosh or young Micah Williamson would be able to give an accurate account of what took place in those forty-eight hours. There's too much pain on both their parts to be able to give an unbiased view. 

I am no stranger to troubled phone calls at odd hours, but they usually come from the mobile phone devoted solely to my counselling work. I am an Australian werecat but I make a good living working as a counsellor helping families learn to communicate or to reconnect after tragedy. 

With my enhanced physical senses I can help people connect with their true feelings. Usually anger clouds and confuses the mind, masking the deeper emotions beneath it. Anger can be caused by a lot of other emotions; guilt and loss often generate anger and confuse the individual. 

Once a person understands why they feel anger, understand the emotions fuelling the anger, then they can begin to heal. 

Like for instance this argument between my niece and her fiancé and her wanting to end their engagement. Having spoken briefly with both parties involved I have an idea of what is causing the argument between them and hope I can help them begin to heal the rift. 

"Yeah hallo," I say as I identify the caller, my nephew. 

"It would be good if all of you could get here as soon as you grab some breakfast," The voice on the other end says without a greeting. 

I get to my feet and move to the door that joins two hotel rooms. I open the door and walk into the other room as I talk. 

"Trouble?" I ask as I glance around taking in the sight of my security crew in various stages of waking and getting to their feet. 

"Yeah, we just had Micah here demanding to come in and talk with Rosy," Mitchell says with a tired sounding sigh. "Fortunately she's still sleeping off a pain relief injection for her wrist." 

"We're on the move now. Call if you need us to hurry," I say before ending the call and glancing around. 

"Do you want me to go and wake Ray MacIntosh?" My oldest son Dave asks as he approaches me. 

Dave is the head of my security team, my band of warriors. I give a quick nod pleased to be relieved of having to face my brother this early in the morning. I don't look forward to the drawn out disagreement that is sure to resume between us. 

Ray has been making no secret of the fact he would like to see Rosy leave the Williamson Clan and settle somewhere else. I had often got the impression Ray had long held the suspicion that Jeddah's friendship with Marissa Williamson had contributed to Jeddah walking out of their marriage. I push my concerns about Ray aside and watch my son leave the room heading for where Ray has rented a room by himself. 

"Everyone on your feet and ready to leave in five minutes," I say firmly as I glance around. 

There are seven husky toms left in the room, all of them are trained security staff at a large entertainment centre where international bands come to perform. Considering Micah Williamson's persistence in trying to speak to Rosy despite her reluctance to see him I am glad they will be with us today. 

"We stopping for food on the way?" 

I glance at the guy who spoke and refuse to smile as Blake, my third son, meets my eyes for a second. If he isn't eating when I see him he has either, just finished eating or is just about to eat. 

"We will get something to eat before leaving town," I announce. "And since I neglected to tell anyone of the presence of so many of my warriors here it might be an idea to get something to take along for lunch as well." 

"So we go in expecting trouble," Blake says loosing his ever-present smile. 

"Yeah," I say with a faint nod before returning to where I slept. I have my few belongings packed before there is a brief knock on the wall beside the open door and Dave steps into sight. 

"Ready to hit the road," Dave tells me quietly. 

Within minutes we are in a vehicle heading out of town while I leave the car carrying Ray to collect the food items I ordered and paid for to provide my crew with lunch. 

"So what is the exact situation?" Blake asks from behind me. 

Dave is driving the econovan with me sitting in the passenger seat while five toms sit in the back of the van. 

"Your cousin Rosy has had an argument with Micah Williamson and wants to break off their engagement," I state without going into more detail. "I'm hoping that if I can get them talking they can work things out." 

"I heard a rumour Mitchell is engaged to Jasmine Williamson," Dave says evenly. "This would make things ... delicate," 

"Yes, things are more than a bit strained for both couples." I admit remembering Jazzy's attempts to lure Mitchell away from his sister's side the previous evening. 

"And we are along to keep Micah Williamson from preventing our cousin from leaving if she decides to?" Blake offers from behind me. 

"I doubt Rosy will leave him. I doubt she will even break up with him once she calms down and has a proper talk with him." I say as I meet Blake's eyes as I glance over my shoulder at him. 

"I hope she decides to come visit with our family for a while," Blake declares. "I want to get to know this mysterious cousin of ours that appeared out of nowhere." 

"She didn't appear out of nowhere," Dave says even as he keeps his eyes on the road. "From all accounts she has been raising hell in several Clan territories for a few years but staying just out of range of sight and smell of clan warriors." 

I listen as conversation flows between the warriors in the vehicle. There are several different theories as to why a she-kitt would choose to avoid the company of another cat. 

The multiple conversations that flow between the warriors stop me dwelling too deeply on the fact I am bringing a strong force unannounced into the home compound of the Williamson clan. 

It's not to long before conversation turns to the individual toms that live at the Williamson compound and I listen to the comments made by the warriors of my clan. 

Everyone falls quiet as Dave slows the vehicle for the turn into the driveway that leads to the Williamson clan headquarters. I already have my phone out of my pocket and I am press the button to speed dial my nephew Mitchell and the call is answered almost immediately. 

"Just turned in off the highway, be there in a few minutes," I say without ceremony. 

"Good, not a minute too soon," Mitchell says tightly. 

There is a loud thud in the background, a frightened squeal that sounds feminine, and then I hear both Mitchell and Sam swearing clearly. 

"Back off! Now is not the time for talking!" Mitchell says angrily. 

"Everything okay?" I ask. 

"Yeah. Just be aware that Micah is leaving the quarters as I speak and he's not in a pleasant mood," Mitchell warns. 

"I'll warn you now -- I got six warriors with me and there are another two somewhere behind us with Ray." I say evenly. There is a moment's silence on the other end of the phone and then a soft grunt, almost like a sarcastic laugh. 

"That will just top off Micah's morning," Mitchell says sounding tired. "See you in a few moments," 

A few minutes later the vehicle was stopping near the building where I knew I would find my two nephews and my niece. As I got out I turned my head to watch the group heading back towards the main house. 

There was no mistaking the tall, solidly muscled tom as he turns to face our vehicle. Standing about six foot ten inches, in the old measurement, light brown hair shot through with gold and a few hints of ginger, he is very similar to his maternal grandfather. His face is made up of hard planes forming strong masculine features and even from this distance I can see the whiteness around the clenched mouth. There is no other tom as large or uniquely recognisable as Micah Williamson. 

"You're not taking my mate away from here!" Micah yells angrily and takes several steps back towards us but a figure nearly as large as his moves in front of him blocking his path. 

"Calm down boyo," I recognise Baxter Barnes and am somewhat relieved when his voice confirms my first glimpse. 

I hear the soft, almost whispered conversation between them but most of it is too low to understand. I turn my back on them and head for the door to the building. 

"I'll come inside with you," Blake says falling into step beside me and I know that Dave will stay outside with the other warriors from our clan. 

"Alpha Kurt Black coming in," I call as I give a brief knock on the screen door. 

At the end of the hallway I glance in the entrance into the lounge room and kitchen beyond, I give a quick nod to Dwayne Williamson as he stands silently watching us. 

We walk past and head for the bedroom where I had left Sam, Mitchell and Rosy the previous evening. 

"Kurt, Blake," Mitchell acknowledges us as he opens the door and lets us into the room. 

"Mitchell ..." even as his name leaves me the tension in the room hits me almost like a physical kick in the stomach. 

Mitchell is at the door, one hand on the doorknob, Sam is back a few feet from the door as I walk in but it is Rosy who immediately draws my attention. 

I feel my inner cat rouse alertly as I take in the way she stands by the far window. She is turned to face us yet her eyes dart continuously between us, never settling on any one of us for longer than a moment. Her chin is slightly higher than normal, just a fraction, and her breathing almost unnaturally even. I sense rather than see a slight flaring of her nostrils as I realise she is continuously sifting through the scents in the room. 

Her injured arm is held up against her chest, the wrist shoulder high while her other hand rests on her lower ribs diagonally across from the elevated wrist. The rest of her body stands loosely; with her feet shoulder width apart and seemingly at ease. 

I almost don't catch the slight shudder that shakes her body and it is then I am shocked to realise she is poised as if for flight without it being obvious. 

"Does your sister always act like this?" I ask abruptly. 

"Like what?" Both Sam and Mitchell say in unison. 

"Like prey," Blake says from just behind me and I hear the tension in his voice. "She's over there poised ready to run. Looks and smells more like prey than predator ..." 

I hear the angry hisses from both Sam and Mitchell. 

"Micah was just here demanding to talk to Rosy, plus Edwin was in the quarters as well," Sam tells me tightly. 

"Apparently Micah took it on himself to invite Edwin onto clan territory without consulting me, claims Marissa had some kind of mini break down last night." Mitchell snarls. 

I see the way Rosy flinches and wonder why neither Sam nor Mitchell is comforting their sister since she is so clearly upset. Also concern over the claim Marissa isn't well preys on my mind, I doubt either of my nephews know the full details of her fragile health. 

"Marissa hasn't been well?" I ask hoping for more information. 

"Marissa has been ... delicate since Alex was murdered by strays," Sam says with a sigh and glances towards Rosy with a worried frown. "She was definitely not doing well when Donovan and Rosy were kidnapped by strays, but she has been doing much better since they returned." 

I don't know if my niece and nephews know the story of how Marissa's mother and two youngest brothers were murdered in an attempted Clan takeover when Marissa was barely a teenager. Through my own sister Jeddah, Marissa's best friend, I had came to understand how witnessing the murders of part of her family in such a savage way had came close to destroying Marissa mentally. After that Marissa had not been very strong mentally or emotionally until she had met Wade. 

Deciding not to go into that history I turn my attention onto Rosy, she is still overly alert and I force a smile to prevent the frown that hovers in my mind. 

"Good morning Rosy," I greet her brightly. I don't miss the slight start or the way she watches me from the corner of her eyes. 

"I haven't introduced my son Blake yet, have I?" I say gesturing towards Blake where he stands between Sam and Mitchell. 

I am struck by the strong family resemblance between the three toms. All three share the same body type. Tall and strongly muscled in the upper chest with slim waists, narrow hips and strong thighs. Even the difference in colouring has little effect, Sam has dark blonde hair and the dark blue eyes that run in the Black family. Mitchell has light brown hair and the same eyes while Blake shares the same inky black hair and dark blue eyes as his brothers, his sister and myself. 

Sam has his long hair pulled back in a tidy manner and secured with a band showing the high cheekbones and solid jaw line that make up his strong features. Mitchell's face is very similar but his lips are slightly fuller and he has a slight cleft in his chin the same as his mother had when she was alive. 

It is not surprising Blake is nearly a mirror image of Sam except both he and Mitchell favour the short back and sides' haircut that is almost military. Blake and Sam stand around the six foot five mark while Mitchell might be a fraction under six-feet. His solid muscular build destroys any illusion of not yet being fully-grown. 

"G'day Rosy, pleased to finally meet ya," Blake says with a smile as he steps forward. 

"Sam! Mitchell!" The scared, almost panicked cry comes from Rosy and I look her way startled. 

I am shocked by the way Rosy moves nervously at the edge of the barred window, the way her eyes flick frantically around the room. 

"It's okay Rosy. You know Kurt, and this is Blake. Our cousin," Sam says quietly as he walks over towards her. 

I am disturbed by the way Rosy watches him. Clearly she is highly stressed and her wariness and distrust is overlapping to even those she knows. 

Rosy lifts her chin as she continuously sends nervous glances around the room. She turns her head slightly and suddenly I catch my breath. It is like I am once again seeing my sister's face in profile. The straight hair that falls back over her head and shoulders, not onto her face, the elegant curve of the eyebrows above large darkly lashed eyes. A small slightly upturned nose, but I see the gleam of deep violet eyes instead of dark blue, yet they are above the same sculptured cheekbones. The same full, lush lips that many toms had claimed were just begging to be kissed are above that firm chin that hinted at stubbornness. 

It takes a couple of seconds for me to realise Rosy's hair is so blonde it appears almost white instead of black with burnished copper highlights like her mother's. Then Rosy moves slightly and the sunlight coming in the window catches the strands of pale burnished copper under the top layers of blonde making her hair shine and sparkle. Rosy's soft milk coffee coloured skin is a different hue to Jeddah's rich mahogany skin tone and I give a soft sigh as I remember it is not my sister I see. 

Rosy turns her head with a jerk to look directly at me. All I see are the two large black pupils lined with a thin line of purple. Her eyes appearing too large in her face. Her lips are slightly parted and I am surprised to find I can hear her breath coming in soft pants. She shifts from foot to foot uneasily and I see the same liquid grace my sister had had when she was alive. 

The shape of her face, the long straight hair and the graceful body -- so similar to Jeddah's but with the MacIntosh colouring. There's a life, a vitality about her that draws attention to her in a way my sister never had. 

"When I look past the different colouring and skin tones you look so much like your mother, but so different," I tell her with a smile I know must be tinged with sadness and echoes of my memories. 

"I think I'll go wait outside with Dave," Blake interrupts and I realise he is uncomfortable with Rosy's behaviour. 

I turn and walk back to the door and watch as Mitchell opens the door to let Blake out. 

"We'll come in when everyone else does," Blake tells me softly. 

"Someone come let me know when Ray gets here," I order quietly. Blake nods and I watch the close behind him before turning around to glance between Sam, Rosy and Mitchell. 

"Micah has been causing some hassle?" I ask quietly. 

"He keeps coming over and insisting he wants to talk to Rosy by herself," Sam says with a glance at his sister. 

"You really should sit down with Micah and talk," Mitchell says sounding as if it is something he has been repeating. 

"No! I'm not talking to him!" Rosy denies on an almost frantic note. She turns away to look out the small high window and rocks back and forth on her feet uneasily. "He wants to hurt me, I don't trust him," 

The tone of her voice, the way her words come out, worry me. 

"Come on Rosy," Mitchell says in a strained voice, "Micah just needs to talk to you. To hear it from you if you want to be with him or not, at least have the common decency to talk to him." 

"I don't trust him! I wont talk to him! He'll hurt me again!" Rosy protests with a frantic edge to her voice. 

"We have already explained Micah never meant for you to get hurt, he's upset and sorry about what happened Rosy!" Sam snaps then clearly regrets his harsh tone as Rosy flinches into the wall with a whimper. 

"He'll hurt me," Rosy protests once again in a pathetic voice. I hear the nearly inaudible exhalations of frustration from her brothers and I glance between the two toms. 

"He's already hurt me once!" 

I am shocked by the tone of Rosy's voice as I swing my head to face her way. She is no longer cowered against the wall but moving towards us, or rather her brothers, with narrowed eyes, chin almost on her chest and her uninjured hand clenching and unclenching against her ribs. She is no longer the scared she-kitt cowering against the wall, she is in full fight or flight mode and obviously she has chosen to stand and fight. 

"Micah will hurt me, I know he will, I don't trust him!" Rosy spits out frantically. "I won't be alone with him, I don't want to talk to him and I don't want to marry him!" 

Her voice has risen to nearly a hysterical scream when she finishes what she has to say and halts to stand panting in agitation. 

"Mitchell I need to talk to you outside, Sam are you okay to stay in here with your sister?" I ask in little more than a whisper. 

"I might wait just outside the door, give Rosy some privacy," Sam says with a shake of his head. 

"No! Don't leave me alone! Yous are my brothers! You're supposed to protect me!" Rosy demands frantically. 

I glance between the three of them. Sam and Mitchell are clearly puzzled and worried by her behaviour while Rosy is in a near panic in a mixture of fear and desperation. 

"I won't leave the room," Sam says soothingly. "I'll keep you safe," 

"I'll be back as quick as I can," Mitchell says firmly and Rosy starts crying silently as she shakes her head slowly. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 19



"Just one of you won't stop Micah!" 

"Micah is over with Wade and Marissa, Baxter Barnes is there as well. Baxter believes in doing things correctly and that means Micah has to wait, Micah won't get past Baxter." I say firmly. "We'll be back soon, Mitchell shall we go?" 

I open the bedroom door and step out of the room with the strong hope Mitchell will follow. I hear Rosy's crying retreat to the far side of the room and then it is muffled as the door is closed. 

"Outside?" Sam asks quietly and I glance at him in surprise. 

"Rosy will settle better for Mitchell," Sam says firmly but there is no way he can hide the worry on his face. "Besides his word carries more weight than mine if any of the others try to go into the room." 

I follow his glance to the end of the room where three toms stand just inside the room at the lounge room doorway. 

It only takes me a few moments to recognise Dwayne Williamson and one of his brothers. All of them look very similar, six foot plus in height with the thick chest and well muscled shoulders they inherited from their father. 

Dwayne has the soft sun bleached, almost strawberry blonde hair of Marissa. His brother is very similar in colouring to Micah, only younger, fairer. If memory serves me correctly he is ... Donald? No, Donovan, both are handsome toms that no doubt get a lot of attention from human females and our she-kitts alike. 

The third tom I recognise instantly. Easily mistaken for one of the many farmers whose photos can be seen in country papers and magazines. He is lean and rangy standing over six-foot two. The t-shirt over his chest and upper arms fits snugly, clearly showing the muscular body beneath. Shaggy brown hair that has a slight curl to it hangs over his forehead as if to hide his eyes. Eyes that are the same startling clear, intense blue, as his father's - Mal Inness. Definitely the oldest Inness son, he is a younger version of his father. 

"What's wrong with Rosy?" 

Surprisingly it is the youngest Williamson tom that asks the question in a demanding tone that makes it clear he expects an answer. 

"The way Micah has been demanding to go into the room has upset Rosy," Sam says firmly. 

"You and Mitchell need to butt out and let Micah and Rosy settle this between them!" Donovan hisses angrily. "As soon as Micah can talk to Rosy he will sort everything out and they will both be happy again." 

"Donny," Dwayne's voice is firm as he cautions his brother. 

"Everyone is to stay away from the room," Sam orders evenly. "Rosy needs to calm down," 

I lead the way outside, I don't want Rosy to be able to overhear the conversation and become more upset. I am a little surprised when Dwayne Williamson and Malcolm Inness follow behind Sam and myself. 

"I want to talk to my nephew in private," I say as I turn to face the two who follow us. I am aware of Dave and Blake heading over to join us as I scowl. 

"Micah is my brother and I know you won't get any reasonable conversation from him until this mess is sorted out," Dwayne says in a calm manner even as he glances towards the warriors that came with me today. 

"Micah is my boss, a work mate, but The Stray... pardon me, Rosy, is my friend." Malcolm says sounding troubled. "This isn't going to end well," 

"What did you call my niece?" I demand tightly even as I realise the term fits her behaviour almost exactly. 

"It's a nickname I started calling her before we found out she is a clan cat not a stray. Rosy likes it, identifies with it," Malcolm says sounding apologetic. 

"Rosy needs to talk to Micah," Dwayne says as I am storing what Malcolm just said in my memory along with what I know of Rosy's history. 

"If she is serious about breaking up with him, SHE needs to tell him." Dwayne's tone is forceful, as he holds my gaze, not bothering to look at Sam. "It's only common decency. Plus Micah is not going to take anyone else's word she wants out of the engagement." 

"Yeah, that's about the long and short of it," Baxter Barnes says as he comes up behind my sons. I glance his way startled, I had not heard or seen his approach. 

"Kurt," Baxter says respectfully with a nod as he steps forward with his hand extended. 

I hesitate a moment before I shake his hand and give an answering nod. 

"For some reason she is scared of him. No, scared is too mild of a word." I say with a frown. "Rosy is terrified of Micah for some reason. She claims he hurt her, yet last night she was unable to say when or how." I say to Baxter. 

I hear the sound of a vehicle slowing on the highway and recognise the sound of the car Ray MacIntosh hired as it starts along the driveway. 

"You think it's some kind of ploy for sympathy?" Baxter asks. 

"Rosy's not like that!" Sam snaps angrily. 

"I agree with Sam," Malcolm puts in. "Rosy seems to see things differently to us, maybe in a more simplistic way. She might have found Micah isn't how she imagined him to be, or though he was. The hurt she's talking about might be some kind of embarrassment or bruised feelings caused by something like that." 

"Maybe she's worried he will want visiting rights to his kitt?" Blake offers. 

I study Malcolm for a few moments, what he said is interesting. In the last five or so years I have came across him I have often thought he would do well in a profession like my own. He is very sensitive to the emotions and behaviour of others. 

"I don't think that will be an issue between Micah and Rosy," Sam says quietly and an angry hiss comes from Dwayne. 

"That kitt has Williamson blood remember! He will have every right to know his father's clan!" Dwayne snaps quickly. 

"I'm not disputing that," Sam says tightly. "And you know as well as I do Micah didn't go into the cage with my sister, HE'S not the one that..." 

"Calm down both of you!" Baxter snaps. "Now is not the time or the place to rehash old mistakes." 

The sound of car doors being slammed drowns out the hissed conversation as Ray exits the car with an angry scowl on his face. He strides over towards us ignoring all but Sam and I who he glares at angrily. 

"Where is my daughter and why aren't you with her?" Ray demands. 

The new information I have learnt is swirling around in my head as I try to make sense of it. Is Micah or isn't he the father of Rosy's unborn kitt? What mistakes does Baxter mean? 

"We are out here trying to work out a calm solution to this," Sam says with a quick glance my way. 

I feel like I am missing some important piece of a puzzle and want to ask questions but the way Ray pushes past Dwayne and Baxter makes me follow to try to avert trouble. 

"Ray! There is no need for rudeness," I tell Ray sternly even as I am slowed by Baxter's hand on my shoulder and I turn my head to look at him. 

"She needs to speak to Micah," Baxter says quietly but firmly. "Just the two of them." 

"I agree, but I doubt Rosy will do it. She seems scared of him," I answer with a slight shake of my head. 

"Micah needs to see her face to face," Dwayne cuts in earnestly. "Rosy keeps hiding behind one of her brothers or a closed door. Micah would never hurt her, he loves her and the kitt she's carrying too much." 

"They don't have to be alone," Malcolm cuts in with little more than a whisper. "Just a few moments for Rosy to look Micah in the face and her tell him what she wants or doesn't want." 

"I'm here to support Rosy," I say firmly. "Not to force her to do something she isn't comfortable with." 

I walk quickly after Sam and Ray, I notice the superficial likeness between them from behind but it is only skin tone and hair colour. There is little else to hint they are related. My inner questions about Micah and Rosy's unborn kitt slip away unnoticed as I take care to absorb as much visual information as possible as well as what is said. Body language often tells me much more than words in these tense and emotional situations. 

* * * * * 

It is getting close to midmorning when Mitchell and Sam have Rosy calm enough to agree to go out into the kitchen. Rosy has made it clear she wishes to remain with her brothers but she still refuses to talk to Micah without anyone else present. Mitchell has finally got her to agree to be there when he and Sam talk to Micah. 

Ray has been no help, he is more intent on getting Rosy to leave so he can introduce her to some werecats he considers suitable possible matches for her. After an hour or more of Ray making Rosy's distress worse Mitchell had ordered him from the quarters. Mitchell had made his point clear - leave the room and wait outside or be escorted from the property. 

When Sam finally opens the bedroom door and leads the way out towards the kitchen Rosy trails behind, only keeping moving with encouragement from Mitchell. Rosy hesitates as she reaches the lounge room but Mitchell puts a hand in the small of her back to urge her forward and they follow Sam towards the kitchen. 

I take in where everyone is as I walk past the entry to the lounge room and the kitchen beyond. It is easier to identify everyone by sight rather than smell with so many bodies in close quarters with emotions running high. 

There's a darkly tanned tall tom by the window of the lounge room, the light from the window picking up a blue-black sheen in his curly hair. Broad shoulders taper down to a lean waist and narrow hips and though it is difficult to clearly see his face I recognise the youngest Willoughby tom, Mikkarl. 

In the room with him is a tall lanky dirty blonde tom, he lacks the solid build of a clan cat but smells full-blooded even though he has the build of a stray. He would be Chris Inness, sired by a stray that works as a master builder for Mal Inness. I can see Dwayne and Malcolm in the kitchen and I guess Micah has yet to be allowed to return to the quarters. 

"I'll only be a minute," I say over my shoulder to Sam and Mitchell before heading for the front door. 

Outside Dave heads towards me from where he waits with Blake, Ray and the rest of our warriors by our vehicles. 

"We're just about to sit down in the kitchen and have a cup of coffee while this mess gets sorted out," I tell him, "Someone go let Baxter know we are ready..." 

My words are cut off by a frightened feminine scream and I swing around to face the building startled. 

"They're already inside!" Dave says and I hear the sounds of those behind me running as I rush inside. 

I round the corner into the lounge room to find Baxter and several others including Dwayne blocking the entrance way into the kitchen effectively keeping Sam and Mitchell in the lounge room. 

"What's going on?" I demand as I come to a halt just behind Sam and Mitchell who are both trying to push their way into the kitchen but are facing five toms. Baxter, Dwayne and Malcolm, along with Mikkarl and Chris, who are now in the kitchen. 

"Micah managed to get between us and Rosy when we went to go into the kitchen!" Mitchell growls. "Get out of my damned way!" He snaps as Baxter wedges himself in front of Mitchell effectively barring him from the kitchen. 

"If Micah hurts my sister in any way at all I am holding you lot personally responsible!" Sam roars with a touch of desperation. 

I look past the tangle in the doorway and manage to get a glimpse into the kitchen. Marissa and Jasmine are standing back against the wall to the left with Aaron Farlow, the clan medic. Marissa is starting to show her age since I last saw her. There are grey hairs showing in her once bright strawberry blonde hair and fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and mouth. Her eyes are still the same pretty brown colour as autumn leaves, her skin softly tanned but she lacks the glow of good health. She still looks as delicate as a child's porcelain doll despite the warm, thick jumper around her thin shoulders. 

There is no mistake that the young woman standing beside Marissa is her daughter Jasmine. They share the same slender build but where Marissa is skinny her daughter Jazzy is lithe, the same nicely curved feminine body with full breasts and small waist. Jazzy is a bit taller than her mother having inherited some of Wade's height without the bulk that is commonly seen in our American cousins. 

Aaron Farlow is tall and lanky. While he has a typical clan cat build he lacks the well-developed muscles of a warrior but is slickly muscled. He looks slightly nerdy with shaggy brown hair that curls over his ears and against the back of his neck. There are faint lines at the corners of his eyes as if he is constantly squinting while he reads his latest medical book. His hands look soft and well cared for and a quiet intelligence fills his grey eyes. 

Wade is standing at the corner of the kitchen table between where his wife and daughter stand and where Micah is trying to talk to Rosy. By his side are two of his sons. Edwin, eldest of the Williamson sons is closest to him. At close to six foot, maybe six-one, he isn't as tall as Dwayne, Donovan or Micah. But he does have the thick, heavy upper body like his father, making him look like a rugby league player. Light auburn hair with sun bleached top layers and the pale skin of a redhead but without the freckles make him stand out from his more tanned brothers. 

I recognise the last Williamson brother standing beside Edwin. Same stocky build and brown-hazel eyes but the younger tom lacks the almost pasty paleness of Edwin. It takes me a moment to remember his name, Justin, yes Justin. Alex was the son who had died of injuries from fighting strays. 

Wade stands near his two sons, I'm sure he is three or four inches taller than my own six-foot one. He carries his age well, maybe a slight softening in his body but no sign of grey in his light honey-brown hair. He catches me looking at him and stiffens as he rolls his shoulders. I feel a slight smile tug the corners of my mouth upwards, clearly he is unsettled by the presence of my warriors and I. 

I am aware of the soft murmur coming from Micah and the faint whimpers from Rosy but I have kept them pushed to back of my mind as I look around the room. Lastly I give Baxter a quick once over. The tall six-eight height with well-muscled large shoulders and brown hair with a little bit of grey just above his ears make him hard to miss. 

"I'm not going to hurt you, I'd never hurt you. I love you. I know I messed up but I can fix it, I promise, I'll do whatever necessary to fix it. I love you Rosy, please sit down and talk to me. We can work this out," Micah is nearly begging Rosy. 

He has her by her uninjured wrist and seems to be holding it loosely but firmly as she attempts to twist it free as she backs away from him and those at the doorway. Rosy is darting frantic looks around the room clearly searching for an escape route and I wonder how Micah could possibly miss seeing her distress or ignore it. 

"Please Rosy, I am not going to hurt you. I'll do whatever it takes to fix things. You tell me how you want things to be between us, I'll do whatever you say just don't leave me. I love you, I need you to be a part of my life," Micah keeps talking quietly, desperately. 

Rosy continues to back away and try to twist her wrist free as she whimpers. She looks around Micah, clearly searching for her brothers behind him. She stops backing away and jerks at her wrist but Micah keeps his grasp on it. 

"Sam! Mitchell!" Rosy sobs as she stops fighting Micah's hold. 

"Just give them a minute to talk!" Baxter implores hopefully. "Let them work it out. She needs to talk to him," 

"Rosy please, I'll do whatever you want, whatever you say," Micah murmurs quietly, a touch of fear in his voice. "I know I messed up big time but please give us a chance! I love you. I'll do whatever you want to make this work between us. Please Rosy, please," 

"Let me go!" Rosy cries and her voice rises as she repeats herself. "Let me go! Let me go!" 

"Sit down so we can talk," Micah begs as he turns her towards the chairs at the table before releasing her wrist. 

Rosy immediately tries to dodge away from him but Micah lifts his arm as if to turn her and Rosy stops in her tracks flinching away from him. 

"Please Rosy, let me fix this. I love you. Don't walk out on me. Give me a chance to make this right! I love you so much! I love you Rosy, I love you," Micah says frantically. His voice breaks slightly and I can tell by the sound he is very close to tears if not crying. 

"No," Rosy's voice is very faint, almost inaudible as all other spoken noise ceases. 

"Rosy?" Micah's voice trembles and I watch the shirt tighten across the back of his shoulders as he raises one hand and runs it through his hair pushing it back off his face. "Just tell me what to do and I'll make it right," 

"I ... no, I ... I ... no I can't, I can't. I don't ... I can't ..." Rosy's voice is very faint and trails off as Micah leans forward slightly as he turns his head as if to hear her better. I see her lips move but I am not sure if she is saying anything as she glances around as if avoiding looking at any one person. 

"I'll love you enough for both of us," Micah whispers hoarsely. 

Rosy shakes her head and takes a cautious step backwards. She has both arms folded across her lower ribs over the swell of her stomach in a way that is often in self-protection. 

"I can't," Rosy repeats in a shaky voice. 

" Why? Just tell me one good reason why," Micah says thickly. 

Rosy fixes her gaze on one spot and I glance that way to see who she is looking at but there is no one there and I glance back at her to see her open her mouth soundlessly only to close it again. She glances at Micah and I see the sheen of tears in her eyes before she turns her head and looks away. 

Micah stiffens and turns his head slowly. I look also and find Edwin shaking his head as he looks at her before glancing between the two of them uneasily. 

"Hell no!" Sam snarls just in front of me and I turn my attention back to Rosy and Micah hurriedly as I hear a low savage snarl rumbling deeply from Micah. 

"Do not say it! Don't fucking well say ..." Micah yells and his words turn into a roar as he turns away. He glances towards where Wade, Edwin and Justine stand and his lips curl up exposing his teeth in a vicious snarl. 

"I am out of here! I'm gone! Make sure neither of them are where I could see them when I come back to collect my belongings!" Micah yells furiously. 

Micah looks back at Rosy. She has both hands up over the lower part of her face as tears trickle down her cheeks. She flinches and stumbles backwards as Micah takes a step towards one side. 

"I would never ... oh what the hell! I don't fucking matter to you anyway!" Micah roars in a voice thick with pain. 

The mass of toms in front of me begins moving forward as Micah storms out of the small door at the end of the kitchen. Rosy is backed up against the wall by now, both hands still to her face as pain filled whines come from her. 

"You keep away from my sister Edwin!" Mitchell snarls as he manages to push past Baxter. He advances towards Edwin and I watch shocked as Sam moves to his side. 

"I don't want any trouble," Edwin says raising both hands and taking several steps backwards. "I don't even know what that is all about," 

"And you ain't about to find out!" Sam snarls aggressively. 

"I'm going after Micah to make sure he is okay," Baxter says as he hurries in the direction Micah went. 

"Micah is leaving?" Jazzy demands in the din as everyone talks over top of each other. 

"She should have told him that in private," Dwayne snaps angrily. 

"That's it I am taking my daughter away from here!" Ray says tightly somewhere behind me. "There are much more suitable clans than this one for her to marry into." 

"Micah is the one who forced Rosy into speaking to him!" Sam snaps whirling to face Dwayne. "He should have known he wouldn't like what she had to say!" 




To Love a Stray Ch. 19



"Everyone calm down," I say as the tension in the room elevates. 

"I always said it was a bad idea for Rosy to remain here," Ray growls pushing past several of the Williamson clan warriors. 

"Back off Ray," Mitchell growls low in his throat as he turns and faces his father. 

"Don't take my Grandbaby away," Marissa starts sobbing. 

I glance her way worried at the near hysterical tone to her voice and watch as Wade quickly moves to take her in his arms and comfort her. 

"We can work this out," Wade insists. "Rosy, I give you my word of honour Micah won't hurt you or interfere with what you want in any way." 

"Your..." Mitchell gives an angry snort but is cut off by the enraged shriek that comes from Rosy. 

I turn my head to look her way in shock and I am once again struck by how much she resembles her mother but yet, seems so different with her unusual and exotic colouring. 

"Your word of Honour? You have no honour! You are the one who locked me in that bloody cage and then ordered your son to come in, rape me and make sure I ended up pregnant! But you weren't content with that ..." Rosy is screaming her accusations at him as she points her good hand at him, her entire body shaking. 

Outrage at what she is saying begins to boil furiously inside me and I hear several angry growls come from my warriors at my back. 

" ... You made sure I knew Edwin would be coming into the cage! You knew I wanted Micah but you sent Edwin in after I'd had days for it to prey on my mind. It become one horrible nightmare I knew was going to happen! And you had the gall to tell me it was my own fault! That I deserved it! Well I didn't do anything wrong! All I done was got YOUR daughter the help she needed! And what thanks do I get? YOU DESTROYED MY LIFE!" 

I watch Rosy in stunned rage for a few moments as the last of her words sink in. I am aware of Marissa sobbing brokenly in the background as I watch Rosy crying. She wraps both arms across her swollen body and rocks back and forth on her feet as Mitchell moves towards her murmuring in a soft tone. 

"Yous told me clan cats would protect me! At least I always knew exactly what to expect from strays!" Rosy yells. 

"I say kill the bastard right here, right now!" Ray roars as he glances back at my warriors and myself. "Him and anyone of his clan who had a hand in it!" 

"Nonononono," Marissa starts screaming and sobbing as Wade braces himself, keeping himself on his feet and upright even though his wife is clinging to him limply. 

I grab hold of Ray preventing him from rushing towards Wade and Ray growls as he turns towards me. 

"We do this the right way," I snarl from behind the red curtain of rage that veils my sight. 

"They go before the Board. Wade, Marissa, Edwin, Micah, who else?" I ask looking towards Rosy, Sam and Mitchell as I try to ignore Marissa's crying. 

"None of it is Marissa's fault," Wade says hoarsely. 

"Yeah," Edwin agrees. "Marissa was begging Wade not to send me and I doubt Micah even knew. Hell, if he had he would have killed me before I had a chance to do anything." 

There is regret in Edwin's voice but I ignore him as I glance between my nephews, I am fighting to contain my outrage that this has occurred, that my own niece is a victim of such a hideous crime. 

"Rosy? Do you know if anyone else was involved?" Mitchell asks quietly. 

"How the hell should I know?" Rosy yells, "I'm the one who was locked in a cage for weeks on end, remember!" 

"We all chose to deal with this internally," Sam says quietly. "We had to do what was best for the clan's survival." 

"What are the charges?" Blake asks as he and Dave move to stand beside me. 

"Edwin Williamson, you are charged with rape. You will be facing the Board to answer the charges and account for your actions." I say formerly and watch as both Blake and Dave move towards him. 

"No! Not another one of my boys! No," Marissa screams hysterically and Wade presses her face against his chest. 

Edwin turns to face the wall putting his hands against the wall at shoulder height and spreading his feet apart. I am silent as Blake handcuffs Edwin's hands behind his back and leaves him standing facing the wall. 

"Wade Williamson, you are charged with soliciting, ordering and condoning rape." I say tightly. 

Dwayne and Jazzy step forward and ease Marissa off of Wade and physically hold her up as Wade receives the same treatment as Edwin did. 

"Oh my God, they'll kill my husband and my son!" Marissa sobs brokenly. 

"Don't worry Momma. I'll take you to be with Daddy for as long as possible," Jazzy murmurs softly to her mother. 

I take a deep breath before speaking, "Marissa Williamson, you are charged with condoning rape by standing by and doing nothing to prevent it from happening." I can't keep the pity or compassion out of my voice but it does nothing to lessen the shock on Jazzy's face as she looks at me. 

"You can't do this! You're destroying our clan! Wade, Edwin, AND Marissa?" Jazzy sobs in disbelief. "Are you going to charge Micah with trying to cover it up by overthrowing Wade, threatening to kill his own brother if Edwin ever came back here uninvited and trying to do the right thing by standing by Rosy?" 

"You can't do that to Marissa!" Wade yells and takes a step my way only to be slammed back against the wall by Blake and Dave. 

"I don't think anyone will hold Marissa accountable considering her history," I say quietly. 

"You are not destroying my family and my clan!" Jazzy says swallowing her tears and continues between gritted teeth. "You take your niece with you when you leave because Rosy is no longer welcome here. With her gone Micah will stay and our family will be strong, we will survive this!" 

I can hear the tremble in her voice as she speaks and I watch her turn her head and lift her chin. 

"Mitchell, choose. Your sister or a future with me," 

I have to admire the courage of the young she-kitt in front of me. With Micah gone and her other brothers probably more used to following than leading she instinctively stepped up to pull her family together and try to save her clan. Now she is trying to secure the clan by claiming her own partner. 

"Jazzy I can't just abandon my sister, Sam and I are all she has." Mitchell protests. 

"I have to survive too Mitchell," Jazzy snaps even as tears overflow from her eyes. 

"Jazzy please don't make me choose," Mitchell says hoarsely as he glances back and forth between his sister and his lover. I see him stiffen his spine, his choice shockingly clear as he turns his face towards his sister. 

"You and Sam were part of the team that found me," Rosy says shakily as she stares at her brother. "You dragged me back here even when I begged you not to. How far does the blame for what was done to me go back?" 

"Rosy?" Mitchell sounds confused as he stares at his sister. 

"I never asked to be brought here. I never asked for anyone to check to see if I had family and I sure as hell didn't ask to be made a part of no stupid clan! Yous tricked me into it! I hate you! I hate all of you! I never wanted to be one of yous!" Rosy's voice rises once again as she yells viciously. 

"Well if that's how you truly feel don't let the fact we care about you keep you here!" Mitchell hurls back in a hurt yell. 

Rosy steps back involuntarily. Opens and closes her mouth soundlessly before dashing for the same door Micah had left by. 

I am stunned by her outburst and as I glance around I see others are as well. Both Sam and Mitchell seem totally blindsided by what she said, while several of the Williamson warriors are looking towards the door with shocked frowns. 

"I'll make sure she doesn't run into any trouble," Malcolm mutters and follows her at a walk. 

"I ..." Mitchell says and swallows hard before speaking again. "I'll call Micah, no Dwayne you do it. Let him know what's happened and that one of us will call him and let him know when Rosy has left so he can avoid seeing her again if that's what he wants." 

Mitchell looks around at the members of his clan in the room and gives a slight nod before looking at me. 

"Sam will go with you for the hearing, it will be held quickly I hope." Mitchell says with a compassionate glance at Marissa. 

"It will probably be all over by tomorrow night," I confirm quietly. 

"Dwayne, you will accompany Marissa," Mitchell announces as he glances at Dwayne who is texting on his mobile phone. "Jazzy, you, Micah and I need to sit down and talk through a few things and I think we need to set the wedding forward to this weekend. That gives us two or three days to fix everything up." 

"Doc can you make sure Marissa is okay?" Jazzy asks worriedly. 

Marissa is almost hanging limply between the two youngest Williamson brothers and Aaron 'Doc' Farlow quickly directs them to a kitchen chair. 

"I'd like to give her some light sedation," Aaron says after several minutes with Marissa. "If someone could get my medical bag from my car," 

"Mikkarl you get that for Doc," Mitchell orders. "Sam, work out what vehicle is to be used. Dwayne, once you're finished that get a few things together for yourself and Sam." 

"Micah's run his car off the road a few clicks down the road. He's unhurt but the car's down for the moment. Baxter is with him and is trying to calm him down." Dwayne says calmly. 

"Micah's really okay?" Jazzy demands with a touch of panic in her voice. 

"Yeah. I asked Baxter twice," Dwayne says soothingly. 

"Dave, Blake, work out with Sam how everyone will fit in the vehicle. I'll go and see if I can find out where my niece has cleared out to," I say levelly. 

"Head for the bush, she will," Mitchell says sounding wounded. 

I head outside and take a deep breath of clean air. Inside I had not realised how badly the aroma of everyone's emotions were tainting the air. I look around for any sign of either Rosy or Malcolm Inness. I spot a small form sitting on the ground by the shed furtherest from the living quarters and head that way at a steady walk. I try to work out what I am going to say to my young niece who is trapped in a situation she apparently does not want. 

As I get closer I see it is actually Malcolm sitting on the ground with Rosy cradled forcibly against his chest as he rocks back and forth. Soon I can hear the gasping sobs coming from her even though her face is pressed firmly against his chest. 

"It'll be all right, it'll be all right," Malcolm is repeating quietly. 

"I ... couldn't ... let ... him ... do ... it," Rosy sobs raggedly. "He ... was gonna ... choose me!" 

I watch silently as Malcolm kisses the top of her head and rubs her back. 

"You're a good sister. You done the right thing," Malcolm reassures her softly. "You know you can survive without your brother, and as much as he loves you he loves Jazzy too." 

I am stunned by what I hear and feel my chest tighten. Malcolm looks up at me aware of my presence and I look away as I see his wet cheeks. I move away a few steps and look out towards the trees for a few minutes before clearing my throat. 

"I'll have someone come get you when we're ready to leave," I say evenly before walking away. 

* * * * * 

I glance at my watch, it's barely ten-thirty am but it seems like the last hour and a half have extended all day. I am currently in the large living room of Don Curtis' home. It had been chosen as most central to enable a speedy hearing by five members of The Werecat Board of Governors. I look up to take in the five werecats seated along the long table we were using, all had paper or note books in front of them but no one was looking through the notes they had made. 

"I still have trouble believing such a crime took place and no one was any the wiser," Cantrell Yates says shaking his head in disbelief. 

"No Alpha who had done such a thing would go around speaking of it. And they would not tolerate any of their clan mentioning it either," Don Curtis says quietly. 

"Does anyone need more time?" Mal Inness asks evenly. 

As closest werecat neighbour to the Williamson Clan, and employer of Edwin Williamson he had been automatically put in the five to announce judgement for the crimes. 

One by one Don Curtis, Cantrell Yates, Maurice Donnelly and Martin Francis give replies indicating that they have reached a decision. 

"What do you think with Edwin Williamson and the charge of Rape?" Mal asks. "Sam MacIntosh, do you have any last minute words you want us to hear?" 

"No, he has admitted he done it," Sam says with the slightest of shrugs. He glances at the empty seat between us and I know he is worried about his sister. So far she has refused to be in the room except when she was ordered to come in and answer a small number of questions the five Alphas had had for her. She had been very quiet and depressed, barely answering the questions when they had been asked. 

"Edwin Williamson is guilty by his own admission," Cantrell says firmly. 

"I'd be surprised if he would have done such a thing if he had not been ordered to," Don says quietly as he leans back in his chair. "We've all seen how that tom was always trying to win his father's approval. How has his behaviour been around your daughter Mal?" 

"He's always behaved very correctly and I will be one of the first to admit my daughter is quick to try to lead most toms astray," Mal says gruffly. "His partner did come to me and tell me there was some very bad blood between Edwin and Micah Williamson over the kitt Rosy MacIntosh was carrying. And Sam here has admitted it was connected to that savage beating he dished out to Edwin," 

"Yes, I remember witnessing it. Seemed totally out of control at the time, now I understand why," Cantrell says firmly. "Sam MacIntosh, as the eldest brother, do you wish to see further punishment given to Edwin Williamson?" 

Sam is silent for a few long moments before shaking his head and shrugging at the same time. 

"I done some serious permanent damage to him when I gave him that beating. He's lost his family clan - he'll never be welcome there as long as Micah, Mitchell and I are there. He has a kitt on the way he should have to support and there is no way either Mitchell or I would ever allow him to be in a relationship with our sister." Sam says firmly. 

"Castration and exile him from all clans?" Cantrell asks. 

"The one ball he has left gives him a lot of pain on occasion, castration would be doing him a favour. But exiling him from the clans would be taking an excellent 

warrior from my clan," Mal puts in. "Surely a long extended period on probation would suffice?" 

"Leave out the castration so he is reminded of what was done to him whenever the weather changes or whatever sets the pain off. And leave him where he is," Sam says with a glance at Mal. "We're better off knowing where he is, but I would need to ring Mitchell and Micah to see what they think." 

"Okay then," Cantrell says with a nod. 

There is almost total silence as Sam makes the phone call back to the Williamson home compound. The conversation is short and to the point with Mitchell doing most of the talking for the two toms on the other end. Within a few minutes Sam is ending the call before looking to the five sitting at the table. 

"Mitchell wants it put in that Edwin is never to be allowed near our sister without an impartial third party present," Sam says firmly. 

"In reality he means someone who will beat Williamson to a pulp if he gets too friendly with your sister," Cantrell says levelly. 

"No, Mitchell just doesn't want Rosy messed around with any more than has already happened," Sam informs them in a flat, hard tone. 

"Additional condition agreed on?" Mal asks. "Agreed here," 

"Agreed," Cantrell, Don, Martin and Maurice say in unison. 

Don writes in the large record book recording the end result and looks around when he is finished. 

"Shall we stop for a cup of coffee?" Maurice Donnelly asks and Martin Francis gives a long sigh. 

"Yeah, I need a good strong cup of coffee," Martin agrees. 

All five are quick to agree and I am glad of the break, the task of deciding what is certain to be a death sentence isn't something to rush or take lightly. 

"I'd like to go and check on my sister," Sam says quietly as we get to our feet. 

"I'll go and see if she will talk to you," I tell him gently as we head for one of the two doors out of the room. 

We pass through the kitchen and Sam pauses for a few moments to talk quietly with Dwayne Williamson who is there making three cups of coffee. I notice that Dwayne looks as if he has had little sleep overnight and I can't help feeling slightly sorry for the tom. From the information Sam had told me about the entire situation regarding his sister it seemed like a lot of basically honest, good intentioned werecats had been caught in the fallout of Wade's mistakes. 

"I'll go ahead and see if Rosy is ready for visitors," I tell Sam. 

"I'll be there in a minute," Sam answers distractedly. 

I find Rosy curled up in a recliner chair in Don Curtis' study facing the wall. Across the room from her Alan Cummings sits in a straight-backed chair, he had been watching her but turned his attention to me when I walked into the room. 

"Who was it who called you?" I ask quietly. 

"Both Don and Cantrell, they figure I have enough experience having handled Darcy for nearly ten years to be able to deal with this one," Alan says mentioning his late wife who had been a stray she-kitt he had rescued when he worked as a warrior. 

"I won't be 'handled'," Rosy snarls angrily. 

I had diagnosed Alan Cummings' wife Darcy with Post Traumatic Stress from her time as a captive of strays. Unfortunately after their first son was born she had developed Paranoid tendencies. With some research by Alan Cummings' medic a drug cocktail had been used to keep her functioning relatively normally until a few months ago when she had managed to stock pile her medication instead of taking it and commit suicide. 

"She's usually jumpy around strangers," I say as I glance at Rosy thoughtfully. She is still sitting with her back to Alan but I notice she is watching a glossy wall so I guess she is keeping track of him by his reflection and her hearing. 

"When I first came in to introduce myself she was crying, apparently her arm was hurting so I got the Williamson medic to give her something for the pain." Alan says with a slight shrug. 

"Exactly why were you asked to come here?" I ask when both Alan and Rosy offer no comments for several minutes. 

"I need a wife who can give me a daughter if I want to remain in control of the clan," Alan says quietly. "From what I have been hearing she needs a husband." 

"I don't need a husband!" Rosy snaps without looking at either of us. "If this kitt needs a male role model I got two brothers!" 

"I told you," Alan says in calm even tones, "if you're not facing me I can't understand a word you're saying." 

"And I told you, fuck off and leave me alone!" Rosy yells without turning around. 

I hear steps outside the door and turn to look as the door is opened. Sam walks into the room with three steaming mugs and hesitates as he spots Alan. 

"I wasn't aware you were in here," Sam says as he kicks the door closed behind him and walks over to hand me a mug. 

"You must have been in a sound proof room then," Alan says with a shrug. "Your sister there must be having a bad day." 

"If you call having some Neanderthal Cave-Werecat coming in and announcing he is willing to marry me and give me a place to live having a bad day then yes! I am having a fucking rotten arsehole of a day!" Rosy yells. 

"Rosy! You know better than to go swearing in front of an Alpha!" Sam snaps, as he turns red in the face. 

I am about to say Rosy's behaviour is caused by her fear but Alan clears his throat noisily making Rosy flinch and give a startled exhalation. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 20



Hi readers 

Here is the next chapter in the story. Sorry it has taken so long to be posted but I do this in my spare time and my hobbies and grandchildren take up a good deal of my time. 

This chapter is once again from Kurt's point of view 

Mygypsy 

***** 

The rich coppery aroma of blood does nothing to hide the smell of rage, pain and fear as I straighten my back and roll my shoulders to eliminate some of the tension in my body. Before me the naked, bloody body of Wade Williamson is tied spread-eagled and face down to a wooden bench. I still hold the bloody knife in my left hand as I watch him for a minute or so to ensure he is still breathing. 

Wade's back is a raw mess from the top of his shoulders down to just beneath where his trousers would sit. I doubt there is any skin left beneath the blood covered area. Sam had systematically plied the whip not only to sliced away skin but also in heavy slashes that laid open Wade's back down into the muscles. 

Between his legs his scrotum still remains but it is collapsed in on itself, a red slit either side evidence it is empty. Due to blood loss I have been forced to stop short of removing the empty scrotum but his two testicles rest on the bench inches away from his face. I had made sure he saw them before heavy blood loss and pain rendered him unconscious. 

A werecat is capable of enduring a lot of pain and abuse before passing out or dying and both Sam and I had pushed Wade very close to his limits. 

"Is he still alive?" Cantrell asks as he steps forward. 

I turn my head slowly to look at him, he is pale and I catch the slight smell that tells me he is one of those I heard retching when I had used the sharp knife I held. I take a deep breath and give a sharp nod. 

"He's alive," I confirm, "But he's gonna take one hell of a long time to recover from this." 

I glance past Cantrell to where Mal, Don, Maurice and Martin stand not far in front of Edwin Williamson who is chained to the wall to watch the punishment. 

"It's a shame he's still breathing," Maurice Donnelly mutters under his breath. 

Almost instantly I am standing in front of Maurice snarling as I glare into his face, I can feel my hand clenching around the knife I hold as I choke down my rage at this tom who wants to interfere with the punishment. 

"What? Did I deprive the Board of a spate of nice clean executions to sweep this sorbed business under the carpet and from their minds?" I snarl savagely. "What would have been enough?" 

I step back and glance around the five who felt they held some kind of power. 

"Wade and Marissa dead? Him," I jerk the knife I hold in a motion towards Edwin Williamson, "killed by friendly claws on some work assignment? Micah Williamson and the rest of his brothers ambushed and murdered? What of Jasmine Williamson? Kill her too? Or would it be the hysterectomy some of the Board have been pushing for because of her illness?" 

I fall silent as Maurice Donnelly drops his eyes slightly to avoid my stare. I can hear Sam growling deep in his throat. An angry, rage filled sound at the threat to the clan that accepted him and his brother as young kitts and raised them. Rage fills me and I fling the knife behind me as I take a huge breath. 

"Nooooooooo!" The word comes out more of a roar than a yell and all five toms take at least several steps back from me. Some part of my brain even notes Edwin pressing back against the brick wall behind him. 

"You will not ... circle like vultures!" I snarl as I step forward, my head tilting forward slightly and my eyes narrowing as my inner cat demands to be released. 

"You will not do a single damned thing to hinder that Clan! You forget to what family nearly half of that land actually belongs! I will stand behind Jasmine Williamson and whatever tom she marries. The Board will make no further moves against any of them!" I warn as I pace from side to side. 

"Kurt, we are concerned ..." Cantrell begins in a serious voice. 

"DO NOT PUSH ME ON THIS!" My yell becomes a roar as my inner cat surges forward and into control. 

I feel my clothes ripping and my body feels as if it has been blown apart from the inside. The gasps from those in front of me fill my ears and through the blur of my changing sight I catch the slight movements as three of them turn their heads away from the sight of me. My front feet hit the floor and I arch my back slightly as I dig my claws into the wooden floor beneath me. I fling my head up and roar my rage. I wait until all remnants of my roar have faded before I roar again, and again and again. 

"You won't get any arguments from me," Don Curtis says when the room is finally silent. 

"It is Mitchell McIntosh who will be marrying Jasmine," Mal Inness says with a faint smile. 

"There a problem Dad?" Dave asks from the doorway. 

I glance that way to see Blake and several of our warriors behind him, they must have heard my roars from outside. I give my head a brief shake before glancing at Wade then turning my head to look at Dave intently. 

"I'll go get a medic," Dave says interrupting my look correctly. 

"Well, since all matters before the Board have been settled we might as well go home." Martin Francis says quietly as if to avoid drawing attention to himself. 

I huff slightly and trot to the doorway to stop anyone leaving the room. I take a deep breath and begin the process to change back to human form. Even while I change the speed with which I had became a cat drifts through my mind. I have changed fast before, but always in private and never in front of anyone outside of my own family. Still the speed of my transformation had never taken just a few seconds like it had just minutes earlier. Never. But then my inner cat had never seized control before. Always I had kept a balance between both sides of my nature. 

When I am once again on two feet and in human form I dust my hands off and glance between the five that had formed the representation of the governing board. 

"I trust gentlemen," I say quietly, "that there will be no problems from here on with any members of the Williamson clan. And oh, I'll give you fair warning now, my niece will not be railroaded into some ... convenient marriage." 

"Arrangements have already been made between Ray Macintosh and Alan Cummings in regards to Rosy MacIntosh," Cantrell says in an attempt at firmness even though his voice trembles slightly. 

"Samuel, do you remember either your opinion, or that of your brother, being asked before this ... arrangement was made?" I ask as I smile coldly and curl my top lip without breaking eye contact with Cantrell. 

"No," Sam answers in a hard voice. 

"She needs guidance and support to raise her kitt, plus she needs to learn proper and correct behaviour." Mal says quietly but firmly. "It is obvious she needs experienced help, not just help from those with the best of intentions." 

"I don't dispute my niece needs help. I am sure Alan Cummings is doubtlessly more than able to provide the help," I say with a slight nod. "But that does not make her have to marry him. The choice is hers," 

"What young tom is going to be willing to get involved with a volatile, psychotic she-kitt who is either pregnant or who not long gave birth?" Cantrell mutters beneath his breath. 

I don't react to his remark even though he sends me a nervous glance. I have to admit to myself I honestly don't know if my niece can be helped. I don't know what is causing her to lash out verbally in such a vicious manner when she becomes upset. It could be that the abuse she has suffered at the hands of strays, and then being forced to become pregnant, has unhinged her mind. 

"I was told you wanted to see me Kurt," 

I look towards the doorway to see Aaron Farlow who had travelled with Marissa to sedate her if necessary during the hearing. I glance at Wade and am reassured when I see the slight movement of his breathing, it is very weak but he is still alive. I welcome the interruption, hopefully it will keep the others from thinking about my ability to change forms at such a phenomenal speed. I don't want them asking questions to which I am not sure of the answers as yet. 

"He's been punished," I say, "he's still alive. Patch him up best you can before Marissa is allowed to see him." 

"Just his back?" Aaron asks as he walks towards where Wade is. "He wasn't whipped on his chest and stomach?" 

I'm not surprised to see he is carrying a sizeable gym bag that would contain his medical equipment and supplies. 

"I castrated him as well. Tied things off so he wouldn't bleed out," I say levelly. "He only gets pain relief if it is necessary to keep him alive, and that's only for Marissa's sake." 

"What punishment does Marissa receive?" Aaron asks quietly. 

"Marissa was deemed not responsible due to her ... stress over her daughter's illness at the time," Mal Inness cuts in when Cantrell would have spoken. 

"And him?" Aaron asks with a jerk of his head to indicate Edwin Williamson. 

"He will financially support the kitt he fathered but will be allowed no contact with it or the mother," Martin says calmly. 

I watch as Sam stalks over to stand in front of Edwin and glare into his face. 

"That means you will never hold your son, you will not get the chance to watch him grow up. You don't get to hear him call you Daddy," Sam snarls into his face. "And if you ever attempt to so much as glance towards my sister, what Mitchell and I shall do to you will make Wade's punishment look like a slap on the wrist!" 

A sense of pride fills me as fear clouds Edwin's face and I smile as I glance at my nephew. 

"Don, I hope you don't mind Sam and I making use of your shower," I say as I turn my head to look at him. "I don't wish to upset my niece any more than she already is." 

"I'll take my leave now since everything is settled," Cantrell says stiffly. 

"Yeah, sure," I agree amicably. "Just don't forget that I've made myself clear on a few things," 

I wait until only Mal is left out of the five who composed the committee and follow him from the building knowing Sam will come as well. 

"So Mal, what young she-kitts would you recommend for toms like my sons to be interested in?" I ask casually knowing Sam is close enough to hear what is being said. 

"Martin's daughter Adriana," Mal says after a moment. "She's quiet but sensible, not stand out pretty but she has a nice sweet personality. I had to step in and stop Lotty being a bitch towards her recently." 

"Any others?" I ask. 

"Donna Stephan is still single but I wouldn't be surprised if she starts chasing Micah Williamson now your niece isn't involved with him. They were an item once before. Young Celeste Willoughby is of age, and Laurie Baxter," Mal says with a laugh. "Last week Angela and I were visiting Stan and Lauren, had Edwin and his partner Jacob with us as security. We stayed the night and young Laurie decided to stay in the quarters with her brothers and the warriors. She tried snuggling up to Edwin but he isn't recovered enough for what she wanted ..." 

Mal breaks off with a laugh and shakes his head before glancing back over his shoulder at Sam before continuing. 

"Apparently Jacob wasn't backwards in taking the chance, we could hear her squealing from inside the house. First she was squealing it was too big, it wouldn't be able to fit ... that soon changed to shocked squeals. That didn't last long, and about an hour later she could be heard moaning, Jacob must have mounted her beneath an open window. She was acting real shy when she came out the following morning to say goodbye to Jacob and Edwin." 

"Edwin shouldn't be allowed near any of the she-kitts," Sam growls behind me. 

"After news of what has happened gets about I doubt he will be welcome on quite a few territories," Mal says soberly. "I'm not too sure if you done me a favour leaving one of my best warriors alive or if you handed me a liability." 

I have to admit to myself that Mal has a valid point with what he said, not too many of the Alphas and their wives are going to want Edwin near their daughters in the future and the younger Alphas will not want him near their wives. 

"Where do you stand on this arranged marriage?" I ask Mal in an even voice. 

"Your niece definitely needs guidance raising her kitt but I am not sure being forced to marry will make for a satisfactory solution. From all Wade has said of her, and what Malcolm, Christopher and Robby have mentioned trying to force her to do anything she doesn't want to do could send her running for the hills. But certain members here are very old fashioned and believe marriage is the answer." Mal answers after a few moments hesitation. 

"Do you mind if I take the first shower Kurt?" Sam cuts in. "I want to get back to Rosy as quick as I can." 

* * * * * 

I am lathering the shampoo thickly through my hair wanting to eliminate all traces of the smell of blood when heavy pounding on the bathroom door makes me rinse my head hurriedly before stepping from beneath the spray from the shower head. 

"Yeah, what is it?" I demand in annoyance. 

"There's big trouble Boss," Dave calls through the door to me. "There's been some kind of a disagreement and Ray is giving Sam a thrashing!" 

I curse under my breath as I step beneath the spray only to turn the shower off before stepping out of the cubicle and reaching for a towel. 

"Just give me two minutes and I'll be there," I yell. "I hope someone is trying to stop it! Do you know what started it?" 

I only dry my lower body enough to be able to pull a pair of jeans on without to much resistance and don't bother with a shirt as I yank the door open and hurry out of the shower room. The shower is attached to the main garage and I exit the building facing the house. 

The sight that meets my eyes does little to reassure me, Ray and Sam are standing toe to toe trading blows. Ray is clearly on the attack launching a flurry of blows at his son but Sam is holding his own. 

I break into a run ignoring the fact I am bare footed and dressed only in a pair of denim jeans. I take in those gathered around the two combatants and several figures hurrying towards them. 

"What the hell is going on here?" Maurice Donnelly demands as he and Don Curtis reach the fight a few moments before I do. 

"Ray! Samuel! Back off now!" I order as I step towards them. 

"I'm about to give this whelp the beating he deserves! Disrespect me will you!" Ray yells in barely controlled rage. 

"After what I witnessed I have no reason to respect you!" Sam snarls as he takes a step back only to have Ray charge wildly. 

They go down in a wild tangle. Ray is well known for his dirty street fighting tactics and is using them against his younger, fitter son. 

"Come on! Break it up!" I yell as I move forward knowing my warriors will back me up. 

I grab hold of Ray and know without looking that both of my sons will be catching hold of their cousin. I glance sideways to see both Maurice and Don catching a hold of Ray along with me. It takes all three of us to pull him out of reach of his son and he only stops struggling when Maurice gets a hold on him from behind, one arm around his throat while he twists one of Ray's arms up behind his back. 

"I want charges brought against him!" Ray yells. "Assault for a start!" 

"The way I remember it, it wasn't the tom from the Williamson clan who threw the first punch," A deep husky voice says with a touch of irony. 

I glance towards the speaker and recognise Alan Cummings' chief warrior Jakob Perkins. Tall at close to six foot seven, Perkins is heavily muscled and unusually thick through the body for an Australian werecat. The sunlight catches a blue glint in his curly black hair and his eyes are a rich, almost golden amber, startling in his darkly tanned face. His teeth flash white as he bares them in a sardonic grin. 

"You're lucky I was at the other end of the room or I would have done more than call you a lying mongrel bastard," Perkins states. "I would have seen if I could knock your teeth down your throat in one hit." 

"What is this all about?" Maurice, Don and I demand almost in unison. 

"If he," Perkins jerks his head towards Sam, "won't press charges of Cruelty to a She-kitt I will," 

"I was only stating the facts! It is high time someone set Tawny Rosalind straight!" Ray snaps in indignant anger. "She has been fed sugar coated lies for long enough!" 

"I was not lying to my sister!" Sam roars in anger. 

I am aware of more werecats arriving at the scene on foot and I can hear the faint murmur of Martin and Cantrell's voices, followed by deeper tones from Mal. 

"You know damned well she isn't welcome on Williamson soil," Ray snaps. 

"Would someone care to explain what this is all about?" Don demands sternly. 

"I was trying to explain to my sister I was going to be gone tonight and tomorrow, that I would be back with her Sunday morning," Sam says looking towards Don, then glancing towards each Alpha present. 

"Then Ray butts in saying I was going to my brother's wedding but Rosy wasn't invited. She got upset and I was in the middle of trying to explain to her why when Ray butts in again ..." Sam continues in a strained voice. 

Perkins steps between father and son to give Ray a disgusted sneer. 

" 'Your brother doesn't want you at his wedding, his bride doesn't want you at her wedding, Micah Williamson doesn't want you to so much as set foot on Williamson 

land. Hell! None of the clan want you there! All of them would be happy to never see you again.' I believe those were the exact words the bastard used." Perkins cuts in sharply. "That poor little she-kitt, she just stood there. She stopped trying to get her brother to take her with him, stopped arguing it was all a misunderstanding and stumbled to a chair where she just sank into it. Every shred of fight gone out of her." 

"Take him straight to the shed," Maurice growls amid the sharply indrawn breaths from different toms gathered around. 

"No matter the provocation that was an extremely cruel thing to say!" Mal spits in disgust. 

"As her father I got every right ..." Ray begins furiously. 

"You have never been a father to that girl," Cantrell says tightly as he moves into my field of vision. "If I remember correctly it took the Board ordering you to submit to a blood test to prove she was your daughter, and since then you have been scheming to use her to your advantage. Once we have dealt with you we will be looking closely at the arrangements you have made with Alan Cummings." 

"I need to go and check on my niece immediately," I state sharply and Cantrell gives a curt nod. 

"Five, no more than ten minutes or we start this hearing without you," Don warns. 

I head towards the front door trying to ignore the cold feeling of dread that has formed in my chest. Perkins description of Rosy's reaction doesn't sound good. 

I don't have to look behind me to know that one set of the footsteps following me belong to Sam. I pause outside the door to the room where Rosy had been left while Wade was punished and glance over my shoulder at Sam with a grave face before turning the handle and opening the door. 

Rosy is sitting sideways in an armchair, her legs pulled up onto the seat and her face buried against the back of the seat. Alan is squatting beside the chair talking in a low murmur but he stops as we step in the door. I watch as Alan gets to his feet stiffly, takes one slow glance at Rosy and then moves towards us as I hear the door shut behind me. 

"How is she?" Sam demands before either Alan or I can say a word. 

Alan glances back at Rosy as if expecting her to make a reply but there is no reaction from her and he looks back towards Sam and I with a worried frown. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 20



"I think it would be accurate to say totally withdrawn," Alan says with concern. 

"Rosy, you can't believe the fucking bull..." Sam begins upset only to have Alan move quickly to grab him by the upper arm and spin him around and shove him towards the door. 

"Stop it!" Alan orders firmly. "Outside now!" 

I catch hold of Sam as he goes to swing around and face Alan and jerk my head towards the door as my nephew looks at me startled. 

"Outside." I say firmly. 

Sam jerks free of my hold but heads outside and the three of us stop not far from the door when Alan clears his throat. I turn to face him and Alan glances between Sam and I with a very serious look on his face. 

"It is no good trying to talk to her at the moment," Alan says firmly. "Either mentally or emotionally she has taken all she can and her mind has just went 'Enough, I'm not listening anymore'." 

"Rosy will pretend not to listen when it suits her, she will ignore whoever is speaking to her or refuse to react." Sam snaps tightly. 

"I wish I could say it was something like that," Alan says sounding tired. "But there's not even the slightest physical reaction when I speak to her, or when I put my hand on her shoulder. Nothing. No involuntary reaction even." 

"She always assumes the worst when things don't go her way," Sam snaps with a touch of anger. 

"Listen to what I have to say before you say anymore," Alan says firmly. "Listen and think about it." 

He takes several deep breaths before glancing back at the door as if weighing up his words. 

"Something happens, like this argument and she begins with you can't do this to me or something like that?" Alan asks. 

"No she always reacts like she expects the worst to happen to her," Sam says sounding annoyed. 

"So she accepted being sent away from everyone she knows, trusts and cares about," Alan states. 

"Rosy blamed her brothers and the rest of them to a certain degree for finding her, rescuing her and making her feel at home. All against her will from her point of view," I tell him. "She was quite vocal about it." 

I suddenly realise what Alan must have seen the moment Rosy started reacting the way she did. 

"She can be so stupid a lot of the time!" Sam says in disgust. 

"Think about it. She didn't expect to be rescued, or to find her rescuers would treat her right. It's easier to expected to be mistreated and find out she had it right, than to expect only good things and be let down in a big way." Alan says firmly. "So it follows she doesn't expect to be allowed back with her family. She said some terrible things I take it, insults hurled in the heat of the moment ..." 

"No," I cut in sharply and Alan looks at me with a frown. "Mitchell, her closest brother from what I've heard, was about to choose to remain at her side rather than with Jasmine Williamson..." 

"Mitchell chose his fiancé!" Sam snaps. 

"No Sam, Rosy saw what he was about to do." I tell him gently. 

"As for what set her into this total shut down, I don't doubt that Rosy expects both you and your brother blame her for the trouble that has occurred. That of course Micah Williamson has custody, so to speak, of his friends and home after their break up. But there's this little part of her that, while it still expects the worst, has started to hope for something good. All along she has expected the worst, and sometimes, only sometimes, things have worked out for the better." Alan says and gives a tired sounding sigh. "Now when she is at her most vulnerable, and needs that good the most, Ray tells her she has no chance or hope of anything good happening." 

"Rosy expects only bad things, that way when the bad happens it's not a shock and she's not let down. And when good has happened instead it's a bonus, a very pleasant surprise." I tell Sam in simple turns. "Ray just destroyed any shadow of a doubt in her mind that nothing but bad will come to her. He told her no one wants her, no one loves her and she believed him." 

"That's not right! Both Mitchell and I care about her! Mitchell even wanted her to be able to stay but he needed time to smooth things over with Jazzy and to convince Micah not to walk out on his sister!" Sam says distraught. "I'll explain it to Rosy, make her understand!" 

"The kindest thing you can do for her at the moment is back off, but keep telling her you love her, and will support her in whatever she decides to do." Alan says firmly. "Don't go making promises that circumstances might make it impossible for you to keep. And don't tell her she's silly for thinking or imagining the worst. You'll probably find life has dealt her a pretty rotten deal on being a female werecat with no clan growing up." 

"Alan's right Sam," I admit reluctantly. "We can't make promises for other people. Just keep letting her know you will be there for her if she needs you," 

I glance at my watch, I don't want to miss having a say in the charges against my brother. 

"Sam, we need to go see to this with Ray," I say with a glance at my nephew. "We will come back here." 

Sam looks towards the door to the room where his sister is, worry pulls his brow down in a heavy frown and finally he gives a reluctant nod. 

"I'll be back to see my sister," Sam mutters tightly, "and she had better still be here." 

I lead the way back outside and head for the solidly constructed brick shed where Ray has been taken. There are toms and warriors in small clusters standing close to the main doorway and they move aside as I approach. I can hear Ray arguing as I walk inside and make my way to a large room. 

"Do you deny the things Jakob Perkins told us are true?" Don asks coldly. "Are you denying you spoke to your own daughter in a harsh and needlessly cruel manner?" 

"Someone had to tell her the cold hard truth!" Ray snaps angrily. "He is making it sound a lot harsher than it was! I simply didn't sugar coat the truth or try to fool her into thinking she could get away with going to a wedding where she was not invited and the bride had in fact forbidden her to trespass on the family property!" 

"Samuel MacIntosh," Mal says with authority. "Would you care to give us your version of the event? Who said or done what?" 

Sam clears his throat and steps forward. I watch as he takes his time looking from Alpha to Alpha, and taking time to look at each individual in the room except for his own father. When he begins to speak I can picture what happened according to him from his words, gestures and body language as he speaks. 

In my mind I see Rosy pleading with Sam, wanting to be allowed to attend her brother's wedding. Then Ray intervenes, his words harsh and cutting as he stands close to Rosy glowering down into her face as he berates her. Ray shrugs Sam off when Sam tries to stop him and as a parting shot Ray reaches out to grasp Rosy's by the lower jaw. He steps close as he growls 'Hell! None of the clan want you there! All of them would be happy to never see you again,' into her face. 

"I admit I called him a lying mongrel bastard," Sam says tightly, "and I would have said a lot worse if he hadn't started punching." 

"Both Jakob Perkins and Samuel MacIntosh's versions match," Maurice states. "And MacIntosh wasn't here to hear Perkins speak," 

Mal, Don and Martin murmur agreement along with several high-ranking warriors. 

"What punishment would you recommend for someone who has done this to your sister?" Cantrell asks evenly. 

"For a start look at the agreement he made with Alan Cummings and revoke whatever conditions he set to his agreement with him. Don't let him profit in any way or form from the arrangement, in fact make it null and void." Sam says with a nasty sneer towards Ray. 

"I have a few questions for you before punishment is decided," Cantrell says seriously. "Wade Williamson raised you and your brother as if youse were his own blood, is that not true?" 

"Yes Sir, he did," Sam admits after a moments thought. 

"And how would you say he treated you two within the clan? Did you receive the same support as his own sons or did he support them more than he did you and your brother?" Mal asks. 

I glance at Mal but he has his gaze fixed on Sam and I look at my nephew as he clears his throat. 

"Wade supports us all depending on our strengths. When Micah defeated his oldest brother for Chief warrior Wade supported Micah's request I be made his second in command. Wade agreed with Micah that I was better suited to the job than either of his two eldest sons Edwin and Dwayne, both of who are older than me." Sam replies evenly. 

"And I understand when your younger brother became more dominant than those same warriors Wade supported that as well?" Mal asks with a lift of one eyebrow. 

"Yes, that is true," Sam confirms. "But when a new surveillance expert was needed Wade looked to his son Dwayne who is better in that area than both myself and Edwin who also applied for the position." 

"Was this before or after you and your brother rose within the ranks?" Cantrell asks and I wonder where this line of questioning is heading. 

"It was before Edwin became Chief Warrior, Dwayne was promoted over his older brother." Sam admits with a quick glance towards me. Obviously he feels this questioning is leading towards something as well. 

"So it is fair to say Wade has been a father figure in your life as well as Ray MacIntosh?" Cantrell asks. 

"Wade has been more of a father to us than Ray ever was," Sam says without hesitation. 

"So it's okay to nearly kill the tom who raised you as one of his own, and let the tom that sired you get away with mental cruelty that is nearly on an equal to what was physically done to your sister?" Cantrell asks mildly. 

"I recommend a flogging that will leave MacIntosh with physical scars as bad as the mental scars he inflicted on the She-kitt he now has seen fit to claim as his daughter. Though it does strike me he is not interested in her as a daughter so much as a way to gain more power or influence for himself," Don says with a glance each for Mal, Maurice, Cantrell, Martin and myself. 

"Seconded," Martin says firmly. 

"You can't do that..." Ray starts yelling in indignation and fear. 

"Someone shut him the hell up," Mal says sounding bored. 

There are the sounds of a scuffle and Ray's voice is quickly reduced to a faint series of muffled yells. 

"Anyone opposed?" I ask glancing around. 

All ready several toms are preparing restraints to hold Ray while punishment is given. 

"Perkins do you want to swing the whip?" Cantrell asks. 

"As much as I would like to, I think I'd best go and see if Alan needs any help," Perkins says regretfully. 

"Kurt, do you think you are better qualified to help your niece than Cummings is?" Cantrell asks. 

I glance at Sam and find him watching me hopefully but I have to shake my head. 

"Unfortunately I have to admit Alan Cummings seems much more attuned to how Rosy is thinking and why she acts the way she does than I do." I say with regret. "He undertook extensive studies to help his late wife and has a lot of practical experience to back up his education. My expertise is in grief and reconciliation counselling." 

"So Rosy MacIntosh is best staying with Alan Cummings at this stage?" Cantrell queries. 

"For the time being," I agree, "but this does not infer her brothers or I agree she should marry him." 

"She needs to be in a stable and supportive relationship to raise that kitt she carries." Cantrell says in a tone that defies argument. 

"Rosy is very strong willed and has a mind of her own," Sam says firmly. 

"So did your mother young man," Don cuts in with a frown. "But there is no knowing what happened to her or what she went through in the time between her leaving your father and her death. A female werecat by herself generally has a hard and short life." 

"I don't believe being forced into a relationship will help my niece," I state firmly. 

Both Cantrell and Don make slight noises in their throats but neither have anything further to say. 

"Who is willing to swing the whip for this punishment?" Mal asks changing the subject. 

"I'll do it," Blake says stepping forward. 

There is silence for a few moments as glances are exchanged between Mal, Cantrell, Don and myself. I give a slight nod to indicate my approval and Mal clears his throat silencing the low murmurs of conversation between toms. 

"The whip used earlier is in here I believe," Mal says solemnly. "It has been washed and hung up to dry. Is that whip suitable for your use?" 

"Yes I am familiar with the whip," Blake says seriously. "It is one borrowed from me to be used earlier." 

Ray struggles and screams behind his gag as he is dragged to the wall where Edwin Williamson is still chained. The toms hesitate for a moment as they eye Edwin but Sam quickly steps forward to release him from his restraints. Edwin moves aside stiffly, it is clear he is in some pain in the groin region but he makes no complaint and waves his partner aside when he offers a helping hand. 

"No, the other way," I order as Ray is moved into place facing the wall. 

One of the toms reaching for a chain and manacle glances over his shoulder at me. 

"String him up facing the room," I order firmly. "The lashes go on the front of his body where he will be able to see the scars every day to remind him of what he done to his own flesh and blood." 

I watch as Ray's screams and struggles intensify as he is turned to face the room and shackled into place. One tom takes the time to rip the shirt and vest from Ray's upper body before removing the gag. Everyone moves out of the way as Blake steps forward, he lets the leather tail of the whip fall from his fingers and flicks his left wrist to lay the lash out on the ground behind himself. 

"You can't do this! This is ..." Ray yells as he pulls frantically at his restraints. 

There is a faint hiss and then Ray screams as the first stroke hits across his chest. Hiss -- scream -- hiss -- scream. It goes on and on until Ray passes out and hangs limply by his arms. 

"Enough," Mal orders firmly. 

Blake stops swinging the whip and glances my way, I give a nod of agreement and he relaxes his stance. I swing my gaze back to Ray and take in the bleeding stripes that crisscross his chest randomly. His chest will scar heavily leaving him a lasting reminder of his cruelty. 

"Kurt Black! Alpha Black!" Perkins voice can be heard calling and coming closer to the room. There is movement in the doorway and he pushes past several toms standing there. 

"Alan needs to talk to you, it's urgent," Perkins says forcefully as he sees me. "It can't wait," 

"I'm finished here," I say and head for the door. 

"Your nephew had best come too," Perkins says before turning and hurrying ahead of me. 

Sam follows closely on my heels and as we exit the building I find Perkins is jogging towards the house as if in a hurry. I break into a jog only to speed up as Sam runs past me. 

I can hear the rise and fall of arguing even before I reach the door to the room where we left Rosy. Sam glances back at me with a worried frown as Perkins opens the door and we clearly hear Rosy arguing heatedly. Sam pushes past Perkins who steps aside and waits for me to enter first before following us into the room. 

What I find in the room shocks me. Alan is standing back by the door and glances my way worriedly before focusing his attention back on Rosy -- she paces back and forth on a rug on the floor. Her steps are measured and each foot is placed in nearly exactly the same spot as she repeatedly paces the length of the rug. Her movements are jerky, her uninjured hand pulling at the hair on the side of her head and her eyes wild as she talks. 

It takes me a few moments to realise she is arguing with herself. Her voice changes slightly, almost as if from a different person and I look at Alan with alarm before glancing at Sam who is standing watching her with a stunned expression on her face. 

Alan jerks his head towards the door and I nod, catch Sam by the upper arm and head for the door. 

"Watch she doesn't hurt herself," I hear Alan order and am not surprised when only Alan leaves the room with us. 

"What did you do to my sister?" Sam demands frantically as he stalks towards Alan. 

I grab Sam by the upper arm and he comes around to face me rapidly as I stop him reaching Alan. 

"Calm down Sam!" I order as I eye the cocked fist he has raised. 

"Everything okay?" Dave asks just behind me. 

"Can you tell us what happened?" I ask without taking my eyes off Sam who is glaring at me. 

"He's obviously done something to my sister!" Sam yells aggressively. 

A scream of fear almost immediately comes from Rosy within the room and Sam goes to turn and rush towards the door but I keep hold of him twisting his arm up behind his back. 

"Outside where any raised voice won't upset her!" Alan orders and pushes past us leaving Dave and me to head Sam after him. 

"I want to go to my sister," Sam hisses between clenched teeth as he tries to stop me pushing him ahead of us. 

"There's a good chance she wouldn't even acknowledge you, or maybe even recognise you," I admit tightly. 

Sam stops resisting for a moment before stopping, he sends me a fleeting glance and then follows Alan's retreating form. 

"Stay here in case Perkins needs help or wants Alan back in the room," I tell Dave before hurrying after the other two. 

"What did you do to my sister?" Sam demands as I come out of the house to see Sam approaching Alan aggressively. 

"Sam stand down!" I order using all my authority to enforce the order. 

I watch as Sam hesitates and moves forward a couple of steps before stopping with an angry snarl. He glances back at me with a scowl before turning his attention back to Alan. 

"I'd like to know what the hell happened," I find myself saying. 

"Jake was with me, we were discussing heading back to my sons and she started moving," Alan says with a sigh. "She was starting to come out of that state she was in, sneaking glances our way so I figured, introduce Jake. She didn't respond when he said hallo, but hey, no real problem ..." 

"Rosy always takes time to interact with anyone she doesn't know. It takes her a while before she feels comfortable enough to speak to them," Sam says firmly. 

"You say she's always been slow to interact with werecats she doesn't know?" Alan asks with a frown. 

"For as long as I've known her," Sam confirms. "And even before that according to someone who knew her before any of us were aware she was a werecat." 

Alan groans and closes his eyes as he pinches the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger for nearly a minute before letting go, shaking his head and opening his eyes to look at us. 

"Jake and I had been talking a few minutes when we start hearing her whispering, 'He's a cat. What's he want? What do they both want? Shhh, stop it, be quiet, leave 

me alone! Don't talk to me! Go away, no you shut up, you!' It sounded weird, like there were two different people talking not one," Alan says heavily. 

"What are you saying?" I ask with dread. "Multiple personalities? Paranoia?" 

"No, something we usually see in strays that can't adjust to becoming a werecat. Either split personality or they are simply unable to reconcile both sides of their nature. The human side, and the cat side," Alan says unhappily. 

"No!" Sam exclaims angrily. "Rosy has some trouble with the cat aspect of life at times but she manages!" 

"I understand she was raised in a human family. The more I hear, the more certain I am she has had trouble with the differences in being Were to being human. The physical contact, interacting, socialising, all things Were." Alan says quietly. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 20



"Rosy is learning to communicate as a cat, she is learning the language! She doesn't like to be touched but she is getting better!" Sam denies. 

"Even a stray just needs 'reminding' of our language in cat form," I tell Sam with a sinking feeling. The more Sam says, the more Alan says, the more it sounds like Rosy has been unable to adjust to life as a werecat. 

"You hear your sister in there before? Arguing with herself?" Alan asks slowly. 

"You got a point to make?" Sam asks tightly. 

"I think we just got an idea of what is happening in her mind. And it is eroding any progress she makes whenever doubt raises its head." Alan says regretfully. 

Sam turns away as he raises both hands to the back of his head, he lowers his chin to his chest then tips his head back so his face is turned up towards the sky. He repeats this several times and I can hear his laboured breathing, he is fighting with everything he's got not to give in to the despair that has to be swamping him. 

"Medication?" I ask Alan quietly. 

"I can't think of anything powerful enough to use considering there is two sides to her personality, her very nature. Nothing we can use while she is pregnant without running some kind of risk to the kitt," Alan says with a worried frown. "And most medication would go through the breast milk once the kitt is born and she is feeding it." 

"Wean the kitt, put her on contraception for a year, and see if she can be stabilised." I suggest thought I know he would be hoping to get her pregnant with his own kitt as soon as possible. 

"We could try counselling of a kind," Alan says with a bit of optimism. "See if her human side can be coaxed to accept enough of what her feline side needs to make her more balanced," 

"And what if it doesn't work? Rosy has been trying to live with what she is for over eight years. If she hasn't come to accept it by now ..." Sam trails off as he turns to face Alan. "I won't allow you to murder my sister!" 

"As far as I am concerned that is not an option," Alan says gently. "I don't expect her to adapt to life as one of us. We will have to make things around her the way she needs them so that she can function..." 

"Hey Boss, Kurt!" Dave's voice interrupts and I look towards my son where he is hurrying from the building. 

"Trouble?" I ask with a frown. 

"Jake Perkins wants you all back inside, she's calmed down a little bit and is asking for her brother." Dave says seriously. 

"No fast movements, no arguing and above all no raised voices," Alan orders as soon as Dave has spoken. 

Sam heads inside at a run and we follow swiftly. I guess Alan wants to be sure his instructions are followed and I am concerned about the state of mind my niece may be in. 

When I enter the room behind Alan I am relieved to see Sam is hugging Rosy who has her face buried against his chest. 

"...Please Sam, I need to get out of here, please, please. Please take me away from here. I can't stand it," Rosy is begging. 

"I'm not allowed to Rosy. I would if I was able to," Sam says gently. 

"Take me home with you Sam!" Rosy implores with a sob. 

"Excuse me," Alan breaks in and Sam sends him a savage look but remains silent as Alan ignores him to move closer. 

"Hey Rosy, maybe I can help," Alan says to her in a gentle tone. 

"Piss off you pervert! Keep away from me!" Rosy spits savagely and turns her head to glare at Alan. The way she speaks, her pronunciation of the words is slightly different to when she was imploring her brother, definitely a difference in personality. 

"Tell me what's troubling you and I'll tell you if I can help," Alan says in that same gentle tone. 

"Go away and leave me alone!" Rosy hisses before rubbing her face against Sam's chest. "Take me away from here Sam! I can't stand it! I hafta get away, I just hafta!" 

"Are there too many strangers Rosy? Is that it? Do you need somewhere nice and quiet and peaceful? Somewhere you can be by yourself for a while?" Alan asks softly as he takes several steps towards them. 

Rosy goes still in Sam's arms but her head is cocked to one side slightly and I suspect she is listening to Alan. 

"My wife couldn't take too many strangers for very long," Alan says softly with a touch of sadness in his voice. "There were times she couldn't stand anyone around. I had a special wing built onto my house for her where she could lock herself away. It's nice and quiet there, virtually a two bedroom unit with views of some forest that is on my land." 

"Darcy used to lock us all out, then when she was ready she would come to the living room in the main part of the house," Perkins says levelly. 

"There's a pool in the smaller forest, a one room hut. A fresh water spring and several tall rock outcrops she used to love sunbathing on," Alan says in a low tone. 

No one speaks for several minutes, even Rosy is silent not crying or sniffling. 

"I know I am a stranger to you but I am offering you the use of these places my wife used to enjoy so much. Your brother can go do what he has to do and then come stay with you," Alan coaxes quietly. 

Rosy turns her head to look at Alan suspiciously, her eyes are narrowed and I can see her nostrils flaring with each breath as she lifts her chin slightly. 

"How do I know I can trust you?" Rosy asks suspiciously. 

"Because I loved my wife dearly and I wouldn't do anything to sully her memory or the memory of the times she spent where she was the happiest," Alan says and there is no mistaking the sincerity in his voice. 

I can only hope Rosy will take Alan up on his offer peaceably. I am not sure I will be able to prevent the arranged marriage the Board has allowed, I am not sure it would be a bad thing but I am a firm believer in my niece's right to choose. 

***** 

For all my faithful readers please do not despair. I do need Micah for this story to reach its conclusion. I hope this chapter has made it clear why the story has taken the turn it has. 

I hope Rosy's character does not come across as a weak hysterical wreak. She is a strong individual; she has had to be to survive. That said please feel free to vote and comment. 



To Love a Stray Ch. 21



For those readers who have asked how far along Rosy is in her pregnancy the answer is 30 weeks give or take a day. That means she has 10 weeks until the baby or should I say Kitt is due.

I will add a quick note for those who keep complaining about my use of the word yous. In Australia this word is often used as a plural of you when 2 or more people are involved and in times of stress Rosy tends to fall back into the poor grammar of her childhood. 

Please take the time to comment. Looking forward to seeing what readers think,

Mygypsy

NOTE: speech in 'single brackets' is Rosy's inner cat talking to her.

~~~~~~~

Rosy

I feel numb and strangely detached as I stare at my hands where they are clasped in my lap. I am aware of the movement of the vehicle I am in, but it fails to disturb me as I am taken further and further away from where I once lived. I know I should protest, that I should fight, but the voice urging me to fight is a very faint whisper in the back of my mind.

A large hand comes into my line of vision and clasps one of my hands gently, the fingers firmly interlacing with mine.

I don't move. I don't react. I feel his touch but it means nothing to me. I don't turn my head to look at him. It would have no meaning for me if I did. The wrongness of it fills me. The wrong tom, and heading in the wrong direction.

I reach out with my mind seeking comfort and reassurance but I come up against a wall of anger and hurt. Anguish so deep it bleeds through into me and I squeeze my eyes shut against the tears that well in them burning fiercely. Pain burns in my chest like a raw wound. Each breath, each heartbeat, sending a throb of agony through me.

I've been hurt before, but never something as soul destroying as this. My chest burns and there is a buzzing in my ears and I gasp in pain. Oxygen flows into my lungs and blood stream making me realise I had been holding my breath. 

I become aware of a voice murmuring quietly to me, arms cradling me gently against another body. Horror shoots through me, No! I won't think about her...it! 

I blink as I focus on the eyes watching me with concern, the brown quickly becomes a dirty green and the golden flecks loose their clearness and brightness until a mottled grey/ green remains. 

"Breathe Rosy, breathe," His breath brushes the hair at my temple and I blink as I turn my face away from his and into his chest.

His scent is all wrong. It's not the one I crave, the one I need. I close my eyes and inhale deeply forcing myself to memorise the personal smell but another flows through my mind and I press the knuckles of one hand to my mouth to stop my scream of pain. 

I pull my mind and consciousness from the depths of my soul and shudder as her screams of pain rips through me. Claws rend and shred, sharp teeth bite and tear while her feline form writhes in agony. She fights my control, snarls and screeches at me but I am relentless. She refuses to submit and I am left staring into her vivid violet eyes.

'He is mine ...'

I see the black form she flashes at me. I recognise him instantly.

I remember him in human form, the emotion in his eyes as he spoke to me. His personal scent, what it felt like to be held by him, the sound of his voice. Gently, regretfully, I remember him turning away, his doubts, his insecurities, his lack of trust and faith in me.

'Micah!'

Her cry of disbelief ripples through me followed by her low moan of loss.

'We loved him!' her thought fills my mind as she accepts he turned away from us.

You loved him. I knew we could trust no-one. I can only rely on myself. No one else will keep me safe. I learnt that long ago. I tell her silently.

'You never trusted him to keep us safe!' She accuses. 'You never gave him the chance!'

I see her disgusted look before she turns away and retreats to a dark corner of my mind. I feel her curl up in a tight little ball pulling her tail up around her body as if it is a shield she can use to separate us. 

She'd been so quiet and peaceful for so many months I had almost forgotten this power struggle between us. I had even conned myself into believing she was content with the way I let her emerge so frequently even though I control her every move most of the time.

His face flashes into my mind unbidden and I grit my teeth as I force it from my mind. I hear her faint grunt of annoyance, she wants to think of him, remember him.

I give her a spiteful little poke to remind her who is boss. She opens one eye to glare at me balefully for a moment before she shuts her eye and ignores me. I consider goading her again but leave her alone. I know she will make me pay for that small attack, she always does.

My body feels heavy and slightly detached from my mind as I open my eyes and glance towards the window. The blur of the passing scenery makes me feel lightheaded and I close my eyes as I give my head a slight shake to clear it. The heat inside the vehicle makes it hard to open my eyes and I rub them irritably.

'We're going to sleep while we're in the light plane so why bother fighting it?'

I pull myself from the depths of my own mind, away from the werecat that lives inside me. Away from the memories and thoughts that are too painful to examine. I become aware that a strange lethargy is weighing down my limbs and my mind is hazy with a hated familiar thickness.

"You bitch! You let them drug me!" I scream as I struggle to sit upright away from the warm body I am leaning on.

I struggle and lash out at the blurry form I can see. I feel my fists connect but I am unable to judge the strength of my blows. Something solid brushes against my face and I turn my head and bite down hard, clamping my teeth around something that gives slightly.

"Shit!" The voice is masculine and the scent in my nose belongs to a clan cat. 

I jerk my head back sharply only to find whatever I am biting is being pressed hard against my lips. My breathing is impaired as my nose is pinched closed and I am forced to release my grip as I open my mouth to breathe. I struggle briefly but find I am swiftly sinking beneath the murkiness of whatever drug I was given.

'Time you learnt who is really in charge ... '

Even as I sink into the welcoming depths of sleep I realise I am in for a fight against the evil that lives inside me.

* * * * * *

Micah

I open the door and walk into the quarters, I can't help remembering that the fly screen on the door has been replaced several times because Rosy has ripped it when rushing inside or outside as a cat. That set of four long scratches in the floor just inside the door are hers, probably made as she leapt through an unbroken screen.

I glance around the lounge room as I enter and head for the kitchen, there's no trace of her. The room is unusually clean, the pillows gone from the lounge and mattresses outside in the warm sunshine airing out.

I don't need to be told this all being done for my benefit. There'll be no lingering scent from where she has sat or stretched out to sleep. It will be as if she never lived here.

Except for the phantom in my mind, her voice calling out to me.

Micah, we need you, we love you.

Mitchell, Sam, Steven, Dwayne, Justin and Donovan are in the kitchen along with Stephan Willoughby. Everyone is watching as I walk into the room.

"Hallo Micah," Stephan says as he steps forward to shake my hand.

"Stephan," My voice feels slightly strange, as if it doesn't belong to me. Maybe its because I spent nearly forty-eight hours or a bit more in cat form. I'd only changed back so I would be there when Jazzy was told how our parents fared.

"Hey partner," Steven's voice is quiet and I nod my acknowledgement. 

"Jazzy is over in the main house," Mitchell says. "She would like to speak to you and Dwayne as soon as possible."

"I'll go see what she wants," I acknowledge and head for the door.

"Micah, wait a moment," Steven calls as I step outside into the sunshine.

"You want something?" I ask as I turn and face him.

Dwayne steps past me and I hear him stop a few paces away.

"Just wanted to let you know I'm here whenever you might feel the need to talk," Steven says quietly. "Anything, everything, whatever you want to talk about."

I guess he is the only one who understands how I feel about Rosy well enough to have any idea of what loosing Rosy has done to me.

I give a nod and a faint smile, my very soul hurts too much to do more before I turn and head for the main house.

"We need to watch our backs at least for a while," Dwayne says as he falls into step beside me. "There is the likelyhood a few of the clans are not going to be too friendly towards us because of what Wade and Edwin done."

"That doesn't surprise me," I say flatly.

"Wade is barely alive, whipped and castrated." Dwayne says emotionlessly. "Marissa is a mess, she's had a total break down. Kurt Black and Sam said she couldn't be held responsible for not trying to stop Wade because of how worried she was over Jazzy at the time. And apparently Sam had some choice words for Edwin,"

"What, he got off with the beating Sam already gave him and loosing a ball?" I ask bitterly. "What about ..." 

I stop the tirade I am about to unleash and grit my teeth as I continue towards the main house. I don't want to think about Rosy, don't want to talk about her or what happened but I can't get it out of my mind. And her turning to Edwin when I asked her why she couldn't love me ... I think that sight, the way it had ripped my heart and soul from my body, will stay with me until I draw my last breath. 

"I don't know how Jazzy will take what has happened to Wade and Marissa," I say tightly.

"She already knows," Dwayne says. "I rang last night. I told Mitchell, he told everyone else a few at a time and then he told Jazzy so everyone was there to support her."

"I should have been there! I should have been the one to tell her!" I say as stop and turn to face Dwayne.

"You had your own shit to deal with," Dwayne says quietly as he walks past me.

I take a deep breath to argue then shake my head before following him. Last night I had been trying to loose my own pain as I ran as a cat. A strained laugh escapes me as I remember how Rosy used to do the same thing, escape into cat form, when things were too hard.

Damn! She's everywhere and in everything!

"Abigail and Celeste are with her aren't they?" I ask not totally sure myself.

"Yeah, Stephan, Aunt Abby, Steven and Celeste came over late yesterday afternoon when word began to spread about the hearing. The clan still has a few friends," Dwayne answers quietly. "And some previous friends who are sitting on the fence at the moment. Though Mitchell said he has received several nasty calls telling him to keep our warriors off certain territories."

"Good, she'll need some help to get ready for her wedding," I say almost to myself. 

"Mal Inness spoke to me before I headed home," Dwayne says quietly as we reach the back door of the house. "He has asked Malcolm and Chris to formally represent their Birth Clan."

"He's not coming?" I ask dryly. 

Any Alpha failing to send some representative from their clan would be showing a lack of support and respect for Jazzy and Mitchell.

"Mal said he had some pressing business to attend to and isn't sure if he will be finished in time to make it to the wedding," Dwayne explains. "If he doesn't make it he will be visiting as soon as he can."

The kitchen and dining rooms are empty and I glance around, coloured post-it stamps are on most items of furniture in every room we have walked through.

"Jazzy?" Dwayne calls.

"In my room," Jazzy calls back.

I walk towards the hallway and hesitate for a moment before turning towards Jazzy's room. It is in the opposite direction to where Sam, Mitchell, my brothers and I had shared rooms growing up. 

The memory of how Rosy had looked that very first night I had carried her into the house unconscious from a high fever and a severe infection fills my mind. My steps slow and I find myself stopping as I fight the urge to go and make sure she isn't in one of the rooms ill. I know it is an irrational feeling but I can't shake the uneasy feeling something is wrong with her.

"Micah?"

I look towards the sound of the voice startled. Jazzy is standing in her doorway watching me with a worried frown on her face. Dwayne is beside her, which is odd because I don't remember him walking past me. I realise this is the first time I have seen my sister since I stormed out of the quarters two days ago. The first time since she had told Rosy, my Rosy, she was no longer welcome here.

"Micah?" 

There is a thread of fear in the worry in her voice and I force a smile onto my face as I open my arms.

"Jazzy," I say and close my arms around her when she flings herself into my arms.

"Come on, let's all go to the kitchen and have a cup of coffee," Jazzy says when she finally pulls back from our hug.

"What, not tea and scones?" I ask referring to Marissa's fix all before I think properly.

"No," Jazzy says forcing a smile. "I prefer coffee. I am sure there are cold cuts or something in the fridge if you need to eat,"

"I hunted earlier," I say quietly. I don't tell her I had only eaten a few bites before leaving the small kangaroo and resuming my wandering.

In the kitchen Jazzy directs us to chairs as she and Abigail Willoughby check the percolator and put big mugs out by the sugar and milk.

"Aunt Abby, nice to see you," I say as I walk over to brush a kiss on her cheek.

"It's always good to see all of you here," Abby says gently as she pats the back of one of my hands. 

I force a polite smile and turn away, I am not in any frame of mind to make polite small talk.

"Hi Celeste," I greet her as she hangs back a bit.

Her hair is brushed forward and she peeks at me from the corner of one eye as she pauses in looking in the cupboard.

"Hallo Micah," Her voice is soft and slightly husky as she fiddles with her hair almost nervously.

The warm chocolate brown of her eye glitters behind the inky black curtain of her hair and I find myself giving her a genuine smile. I don't know what it is about her but something touches my bruised and battered heart making me pleased to see her.

Celeste blushes deeply and drops her gaze as she turns away. I am startled by the hard jab Dwayne gives me between my shoulders blades and I turn my head to glare at him as I sit down.

"You wanted to talk to both Micah and I?" Dwayne asks as Jazzy settles into her seat after handing us our mugs of coffee.

"As you both know I am getting married this afternoon," Jazzy says with a serious look. "Wade isn't here to give me away, and considering what Edwin done Mitchell doesn't want him anywhere near me. He still is my brother but ... Edwin isn't welcome either far as I am concerned." 

"But you'd be fine with Wade being here if he was able?" I ask tightly. The past few days has left me dealing with a lot of anger and hurt I'd had no idea I was harbouring. I had known I was angry over what had taken place but I'd had no idea just how deeply the rage and pain had gone, now it was all coming to the surface and I was trying to deal with it.

"Actually, no I wouldn't," Jazzy says sounding slightly surprised. "He is my father and I still love him as such, but I lost all respect for him when I learnt what had happened."

There is silence while Jazzy takes several deep breaths. She looks from person to person around the table before staring directly into my eyes.

"You're not the only one who was hurt in all of this," She says firmly. "All of us have lost something to different degrees. Edwin is no longer welcome in the family he grew up in, Justin and Donny consider Wade no better than those rogues who kidnapped Donny and Rosy ..."

I draw in a deep breath sharply at the sound of her name, just to hear it hurts.

"I lost my father, every girl measures the men in her life against her hero, her daddy! You and Dwayne are left to clean up his mess, and the entire clan is still in shock," Jazzy continues firmly. "We all hurt but we have to put this behind us and get on with life,"

I watch her as I fight to keep my composure. It's hard not to throw at her I had lost more than everyone else, but this conversation isn't about me, it's about my sister and her wedding.

"Tell us what you want," I invite gently.

"I want both of you to walk me up the aisle," Jazzy states firmly. "I respect and admire both of you and don't want to try to choose one above the other, so, both of you can give me away."

The thought of seeing Rosy again hits hard. My inner cat stirs anxiously and I shake my head to dispel the uncomfortable combination of excitement and dread.

"She won't be here, neither Mitchell nor I have invited her." Jazzy's firmly spoken comment makes something twist painfully in my chest and I look at her shocked.

'She' is Mitchell's sister! Not to invite her to his wedding is ... is unthinkable!

"You think I wouldn't be able to handle seeing her again?" The accusation bursts from me.

"There are more than just your feelings to consider," Dwayne cuts in. "Besides, ever think she might not want to come back here? Even for Mitchell's wedding?"

I get to my feet and move to the sink and gaze out the window above it. The large Morton Bay Figtree is in full view and it brings back another memory of Rosy.

Beautiful, proud, defiant Rosy, descending from the tree at my demand when she had been set up to look disobedient by Wade. In my mind I see the ghost of my memory of her, flowing forward in a smooth deadly stalk. The image is so clear, so lifelike.

I jerk my head sharply as I turn away from the window, I glance down at my feet avoiding the eyes I know are sure to be watching me.

"I won't give you away," I say seriously and smile gently at my sister's shocked gasp. "But I will hand you into Mitchell's care for your future with him. You'll always be my sister, you don't get rid of me that easy."

"Micah!" Jazzy's response comes breathlessly, nervously.

"I want only the best for you Jazzy," I tell her with a fond smile.

The spectre of Rosy retreats to the back of my mind but I can't help the feeling she would have approved of my choice of words. I force myself to keep the smile on my face as Celeste and Abby murmur quietly to Jazzy. I catch the sober expression on Dwayne's face and he gives a nod as he meets my gaze.

"I like the sound of that," Dwayne drawls quietly. "Handing our sister into the care of her husband, not 'giving her away'."

"That's my take on it," I admit.

"That sounds so sweet," Celeste murmurs very quietly and I glance her way.

Celeste's behaviour is a bit of a surprise as she has always been outgoing and friendly, never this shy and reserved around anyone that I can remember. Maybe it is simply because this is Jazzy's wedding day and Celeste doesn't want to draw any attention away from her friend.

"I hope you're not planning on making us dress up in a suit and tie for this," Dwayne says dryly.

"Dress pants, shirt and a tie. And don't complain," Jazzy scolds. "I know you two have clothes that match, navy blue pants and white shirts. I've already taken the liberty of having them dry-cleaned,"

"I guess everything is sorted then," I say as I glance back at Jazzy.

"One more thing," Jazzy says and looks down.

I follow her gaze to see her watching her fingers toy with an orange post-it stuck to the table.

"Last night Mitchell and I discussed him and I moving into here," Jazzy says before lifting her head and glancing between Dwayne and I.

"I've marked a lot of the furniture with post-its. Each different colour has a different meaning. Yellow is storage, orange will go in the small cabin that will be built and other colours have their own meanings." Jazzy says evenly.




To Love a Stray Ch. 21



"Small cabin?" I ask curious. "This is the first I heard of it,"

"Marissa and Wade are being moved out of this house," Jazzy says firmly.

I glance at Dwayne in surprise and find him watching me.

"Mitchell said we can't turn Marissa out of the clan, she would have no place to go and she will need Wade. She will always need him," Dwayne tells me.

"I'll need to speak to Mitchell about this," I say as thoughts of the possible hostility from other clans run through my mind.

Away from the protection of the entire force of warriors Mitchell and Jazzy could become easy targets for aggression or attacks.

Raised voices outside catch my attention and I turn my head to listen intently. I glance at Dwayne and see he has noticed the noise outside as well.

"I'll go and see what's ..." I begin only to have my words cut off mid sentence as the back door slams noisily and the sound of someone hurrying in can be heard. The screen door opens and closes more softly just as Donny rushes into the room.

"There's trouble outside and Mitchell wants both Dwayne and Micah out there," Donny says as he glances around.

Stephan walks into the room and is followed by Mikkarl.

"Donny, you make another phone call to the police," Stephan says firmly before glancing at me. "Human trouble,"

The two words are explanation enough and I head outside with Dwayne following behind me. As soon as I am outside the yard I spot the little blue hatchback stopped near the quarters. All of the warriors are gathered in a loose circle around it and I can hear the angry tones of Mitchell's voice.

" ...I repeat, you have two choices – either get in your vehicle and get off private property or wait for the police to escort you off and if you decide on the later be sure there will be charges pressed!" Mitchell all but growls as I approach.

"I am not leaving until I know she is okay!" A feminine voice snaps angrily and I feel every hair on my head stands on end.

I reach the loose circle of toms and push between Sam and Malcolm to stare at the woman they surround. As soon as I see her some instinct tells me who she is. That voice, hell, even the way she holds herself. 

"Who the hell do you think you are coming here ..." I begin angrily.

"You! You're him!" She exclaims as she turns to face me fully.

Shoulder length fiery red hair whips around her face obscuring her view for a moment; she flicks it off her face with a very feminine motion of her hand. Both hands are planted on her hips as she sets her feet shoulder width apart while glaring up at me.  

"You bastard! What have you done with Tawny? Where is she?" The little dynamo demands angrily. "If you've hurt her in any way I will make you regret ever meeting her!"

Rage boils within me as I get to face one of my rivals, and I can't help admiring her beauty. Smooth latte coloured skin, cloudy green eyes, finely etched delicate face and full lips ... my eyes drift down over her body. Slender and willowy but with fuller curves than Rosy ... the comparison brings her identity to the front of my mind! HER!

LILLY!

"Get in your car and get the hell out of here before I do something we will both regret!" I snarl as I take a step forward.

"I am not leaving until I see Tawny!" Lilly declares angrily. She takes a step forward bringing us nearly toe to toe.

"I do not believe Tawny is not here." She says stressing each word clearly. "She would not just not answer her phone knowing how worried I am about her."

"Get. In. Your. Car. And. Go. To. Hell!" I say drawing on all my authority and channelling it into my voice.

I watch as she blinks uncertainly, hesitates a moment, then takes a step backwards.

"Leave," I snarl the order.

With each step backwards she takes I step forward until she backs up against the side of her car. 

"Leave!" This time it comes out as a roar.

"You're nothing but a fucking animal!" Lilly lets fly with unexpected spirit and I step back with an angry hiss as she jerks her door open to climb behind the wheel hurriedly.

I can hear the loud pounding of my heart and the harsh sound of my own breathing as I watch the little car speed out the driveway. Rage churns inside me and my inner cat is so enraged I am surprised I didn't change in front of her.

"Micah?" The tone of Steven's voice tells me this is not the first time he has said my name but I turn away and stalk towards the shed where the workout equipment is kept. If I don't release some of my rage with exercise I won't be able to last through Jazzy's wedding in a couple of hours.

I hear someone following behind me and I stop abruptly, "What do you want?" I demand savagely without turning around.

"We have about an hour and a half before we need to shower and get ready for the wedding," Dwayne says softly and calmly.

"If I'm not back in the quarters in an hour send some to come and get me." I snap the order out tightly before stalking away once again.

*****

Rosy

I sit in an old-fashioned rocking chair staring at the wall on the other side of the room. I am in what is like a self contained unit connected to Alan Cumming's house. I have two bedrooms, a living room, a small kitchen and a bathroom combined with a toilet. All windows have heavy-duty security screens on them and a cell like door sections off my apartment from the rest of the house.

A half eaten bowl of muesli sits on a small coffee table beside my chair along with an untouched cup of lukewarm tea. The food supplied in the kitchen has little appeal to me and I have barely eaten since arriving here.

I close my eyes for a moment but open them hurriedly as I feel a presence. I grit my teeth and stare at the painting on the far wall but the unwelcome presence lingers patiently and I grip the arm of my chair tightly with my uninjured hand.

"Go away," I mutter under my breath angrily.

The sensation of not being alone becomes stronger and the soft vibration of laughter moves through my mind.

'I am not leaving you can't ignore me. That won't work, it never has.'

I grind my teeth as a dark image fills my mind. A violet eye looks into mine for a few seconds before the beast moves. Dark glossy hide moves past, the faint patterning barely visible. I can't prevent flinching as the sensation of fur brushes against the side of my face.

"Go! Get back where you belong." I snap angrily. 

I scrub at the side of my face with my good hand trying to remove the tingling sensation. I take a deep breath and hold it as I imagine the dark form being pushed deeper and deeper into the shadows.

Only the gleam of eyes show in the darkness and I reach out with both hands to pull the solid doors closed. I can feel the coldness of metal on my palms and I nearly hiss with satisfaction as the doors close with an audible click. I take several steps back to admire the locked doors in front of me.

'It's not so simple. It will never be so easy again.'

I watch in disbelief as the doors shimmer and seem to melt as the dark form steps through them. Rounded ears, long whiskers, sleek neck and shoulders. The body is slender but I spy the telltale fullness and the soft fluffy fur of the under-belly. Her tail moves in a slow, languid motion as if she is a contented canine but there is no mistaking her feline form.

"Go away!" I yell and find myself moving spasmodically making the chair rock.

'You can't ignore me anymore. I refuse to let you pretend like I'm not a part of you.'

"Get back where you belong!" I hiss angrily as I squeeze my eyes shut tightly and imagine my hands pushing against that dark hide.

I gasp in shock as my hands seem to sink into the dark form. I try turning sideways so my hip pushes against a front shoulder but her form seems to shimmer and melt as I move through her! I turn around to face her where she stands behind me but she is already moving back to where she was previously.

"Stop it!"

'You are me, and I am you.'

"No!"

'We are one.'

"No, no, no, no! Go away! Leave me alone!"

I can feel hair cutting into my fingers and I pull intending to hurt her but she has hold of me as well and I can feel the pain in my scalp as my hair is pulled. I swallow a sob and pull harder, ignoring the pain as her claws dig into my head. She shakes me roughly and I feel my head and shoulders bouncing against something behind me.

'Stop it, stop it already. Enough...'

"..I said stop it!"

I open my eyes hurriedly as a masculine voice penetrates into my awareness and I stare shocked at the face in front of me. 

For a moment I think it is Chris here with me in a place full of strangers, but then a strangers scent washes over me and I lash out with my feet in panic.

A Stray!

"Get away from me! Get away!" I scream even as he backs away hurriedly. I scramble to my feet frantically and back away from him only to find myself backing into a solid, warm wall.

"Steady on," The voice is behind me and the hands that grasp my shoulders are gentle but I jerk away and move so I could see them both as I backed away.

"Leave me alone! Go away, just go away." I demand frantically even as I recognise Jakob Perkins and Drew Dorrington two of Alan Cumming's werecats.

"Hey, steady on, you know us." Jake says softly.

'Yeah, we know them. They're kind of cute. Invite them to stay for a while. It would be nice to have someone to talk to, I'm sick of your mopping around.'

"Shut up! Just shut up! I don't want them here, I don't care what you want!" I scream in an effort to make what I want matter.

"Rosy look at me," Jake is urging over and over again.

Fear fills me over whelming me. I refuse to look at him even though I can hear him trying to sneak closer. All around me I can smell the acrid stench of cat, it increases my panic and I can't control it.

Cats, cats everywhere closing in on me from all sides. I glance around frantically but I can only see the one, him, off to one side. I manage a glance behind myself but can't make out anything or anyone there. Hadn't there been another cat here moments ago?

'I'm still here, there's no getting rid of me.'

I spin around desperately trying to catch sight of the dark form I know is lurking nearby. I know that voice, that purring tone. Something bad always happens when it appears.

'Huh? Bad? Explain...' 

"Go away! Stop harassing me!" I sob.

"Rosy!" There is a loud noise then my name is called again. "Rosy!" 

The voice is familiar and I remember it is associated with a feeling of safety as I turn towards it hopefully. I recognise the man standing there, Alan, the name comes to me and I take a deep breath in relief.

The smell burns in my nostrils and down the back of my throat. Werecat! Not just a cat!

A larger black cat stalking towards me, he stops and slowly changes into a man ... black shadows chasing me, my muscles burn with exhaustion and I can't get enough air into my lungs ... 

"Get away from me you bloody animal!" I scream as I grab something off the kitchen bench beside me and throw it towards him with as much force as I can muster. I don't see if it hits him, I am too busy looking around for something else to use as a weapon to keep him from hurting me.

'Fool, he doesn't want to hurt us.'

My sobs catch in my chest and rasp in my throat when they burst free. More images run through my mind, I know they are only memories but still the fear and horror tear at me.

I am dimly aware of the sound of breaking glass or china, I know what the sound is, what it means but I can't stop myself grabbing something else to throw.

'You're being silly! Stop and think about what you're doing!'

"Enough is enough!" A masculine voice orders as strong arms engulf me.

I can feel a hard cold wall against my back and a strong, muscular body pressing against the swell of my stomach and my tender breasts. Something cups the back of my head and I find my face pressed forcibly against a chest where I can hear a heart beating.

Hot sweaty male bodies pressing me down... Grasping hands and the ground hard beneath me... Hard cruel faces above mine ... 

'Memories, they are all memories! Stop fighting! You'll only end up getting hurt!'

I feel dizzy and I am aware in some corner of my mind that I am hyperventilating. I feel my unborn child somersault in my stomach and I know he can feel my terror. I can smell werecat just beneath my nose and I bite down viciously as I strike out with both hands heedless of the cast on my broken arm. My reward is a soft startled grunt of pain and I brace myself for the beating I know will follow.

A hand cups my chin and my face is forced to turn to the side, I feel material slip from between my teeth and I open my mouth to suck in much needed air.

"You mongrel! Dirty bloody cat! I hate you!" I scream abuse at my captor. 

"Shhh, no one is going to hurt you," he croons softly to me but I am too smart to be taken in by his lies.

"Micah! Mitchell! Sam! Help me," I scream on a sob. 

Even though they are cats I know they are my last hope, that they will always protect me if they are here. Suddenly the memory of the break-up with Micah hits me and I stop fighting. I have no reason left to fight for.

"I ... hate ... you," I gasp between sobs. "I hate ... the ... bloody lot of ... yous! ...I hate all cats! Every single ... one of you!"

I feel and hear the rumble of laughter in the chest beneath my cheek as I all but collapse against the hard body of whoever has a hold of me. Something deep in my chest hurts, an empty hollow ache and a profound sense of sadness fills my mind.

"Oh come on," He says with a dry chuckle. "You don't hate your inner cat, none of us do. They are a part of what and who we are,"

He tilts my head back and I open my eyes to look up into his face. It's Jake Perkins and he smiles down into my face as he raises his eyebrows. Tears leak from the corners of my eyes, I can feel them roll towards the hair near my ears and I sniffle noisily. 

"But I do," I manage to get it out before giving a noisy gasping sob. "I hate ... her most of ... all."

As I utter the words I realise they are true, I hate my inner cat.

"If it ... wasn't for her," I pause and take several deep breaths as I struggle to stop crying. " Strays wouldn't chase me, catch me and do horrible, horrible things to me. This ..."

I look down between us and run a hand over the fullness that swells my body.

"Wouldn't have been forced on me. But most of all I hate her 'cause if she didn't exist the Darnels would never have come after me and murdered my Daddy," I say bitterly and let my forehead rest against his chest.

I feel the tears flowing down my cheeks. The harsh sobs that claw their way up out of my chest shaking my body as they go. I hear the concern in Jake's voice as he lifts me up, talking to me as he moves.

I don't understand his words as he speaks, as they are lost beneath the low mournful sound within me.

'You can't hate me, I am you and you are me...'

I cry until I have no tears left, until my eyes feel gritty and my throat feels raw. My breath comes in little hiccups and my head aches feeling as if it is stuffed with dry sawdust.

Slowly I become aware that whoever is holding me is sitting on the lounge with me on their lap. There is a damp shirt against the side of my face and the steady rhythm of a heart beat beneath my ear.

I sniff loudly and raise a hand to rub at the stiff feeling skin on my cheek. My nose is stuffy but I get enough of a scent to tell me it is Jake Perkins holding me. I want to pull away from him, move away and sit in a chair by myself but I have no strength or energy to move. 

I hear a slight scuff as if someone has moved and then someone cups my lower jaw and turns my face away Jake's body. A cup is held against my lips and I can smell a strong aroma of peppermint as Jake catches hold of my free arm and prevents me pushing the cup away. 

"Rosy, here drink this," Alan says firmly.

I press my lips together more firmly as I open my eyes apprehensively, I try to turn my face away as I find Alan leaning close but he tightens his hold on my face.

"It's just something to help you relax," Alan says evenly. "I give it to my second youngest son when he has nightmares. It won't hurt you, just help you relax and rest like hot milk or cocoa would."

I exhale sharply and struggle to escape their hold. I am scared it is some kind of drug to sedate me so they can do whatever they want to me.

'Don't be silly! They don't want to hurt us. They're worried about us. I can smell it on them.'

Alan persists a little longer before releasing his hold of my lower jaw and straightening reluctantly. I can feel myself shaking as I watch him warily as I try to wipe my face on my own shoulder to remove the liquid from my lips.

"I won't force you to take it," Alan says with a frown and glances down at the plastic cup in his hand.

'Listen to what my senses are telling your stupid human part of our brain! Neither of them wants to hurt us! Smell! They just want you to stop freaking out!'

"Just shut up and leave me alone! Go away and leave me alone," I yell at the soft murmur.

'I won't go away. I am here to stay,' She gives a low rumbling growl of displeasure

"I can't hear a thing, I'm not listening. I'm not listening," I chant frantically as I try to cover both of my ears with my hands.

I fight against whoever is holding my uninjured arm. I catch sight of Jake as I turn my head, he has both of his arms wrapped around me tightly trying to prevent me doing what I want to.

'Stop it before you hurt yourself! Getting upset is upsetting our kitt as well!'

"Calm down, you don't want to hurt yourself or strain anything." Alan says in a voice laden with concern.

I stop struggling momentarily and look into his face. I see real concern in his eyes as he meets my eyes before dropping his gaze to my swollen belly for a second or two. I can feel my heart racing in my chest as I gulp air raggedly. There is the background roar of my pulse in my ears and I can smell my own distrust and panic.

"You're not concerned about me!" I scream at him as wild thoughts rush through my mind. 

"All you're worried about is this kitt! That's all anyone has ever been worried about! I don't exist for anyone beyond this ... this ... this parasite inside me! No one cares about me! My brothers aren't here! My so-called friends aren't here! Well I don't need them! I'll show them ... I'll show the lot of you!" I stop ranting shocked by the words that have poured from me. I see sorrow and pity in Alan's eyes as he turns away hurriedly and it sparks something inside me.

"I'm glad my brothers aren't here! I don't want or need them! As for this ... this parasite I wish I would loose it! I hope it is born dead! It's nothing to me!" The words spew forth like acid. They burn themselves deep into me and I am shocked to find that there is a tiny part of me somewhere deep inside that means those horrible, cruel, hateful words.

'I'll kill us both before I let you harm this kitt ...'

It feels like I am detached from myself. Like I have no control over what I am saying. It is almost as if each word is picked for it's ability to wound and scar myself as well as others. A strange numbness begins to settle over me as I close my eyes and turn my face away from those in the room. Somewhere beneath that numbness an empty ache simmers away, slowly it grows in the silence of the room. I feel every beat of my heart echo in the empty void of my chest. I feel every breathy gust sweep through my throat as I breathe.

'This is what no one caring feels like...'

"If my brothers really cared about me they would be with me," I mutter to myself. 

I open my eyes to stare at the wall. My eyes feel dry and gritty from the excess of tears I have cried. My mind and body feel weird, somehow disconnected. 




To Love a Stray Ch. 21



"It's because they're werecats they aren't with me," I mumble.

Strangely my thoughts make no sense and complete sense at the same time. 

'The two different natures of our brothers don't make it easy for them, one part human and one part werecat.'

"I wish you would go away and leave me alone! I don't want you and I certainly don't need you! I wish you would go away and never come back!" I snarl at the dark shape watching me from the shadows.

"Here Rosy, have a few sips of this," It's Alan again and I blink as I realise he is trying to get me to drink from the cup he is trying to hold to my lips.

"Don't touch me!" I snap uncomfortably as he attempts to stroke my cheek. "I don't like being touched!"

'I like it. He has no intention of hurting us, he's only offering comfort. I like the contact. I need it.'

"Since when has what you liked or wanted mattered?" I think angrily as I turn my face away from the offered cup.

"Come on Rosy," Jake murmurs softly, encouragingly. "It's only camomile and peppermint tea with some honey added. "It's very soothing and relaxing,"

I become aware that he is gently massaging the back of my neck and gradually working his fingers up to rub the base of my skull. It is incredibly soothing and relaxing and I am barely aware of his movements as he turns my head. I feel a warm dampness against my lips; I open my mouth and take several small sips. 

The liquid tastes slightly sweet and is soothing on my sore throat as I swallow automatically. I hesitate as I realise what I am doing but the back of my head is cupped gently and the cup against my lips tips more liquid into my mouth. I exhale sharply through my nose but swallow the last mouthful of liquid and open my eyes to look at Alan uncertainly.

"It's just herbal tea," Alan tells me gently. "Hopefully it will allow you to calm down."

"You drugged me!" I accuse and struggle briefly but I am exhausted and I soon stop trying to escape the rather comforting embrace I am held in.

"There were no drugs in it," Alan says calmly. "The herbs encourage a werecats body to naturally combat adrenaline produced when upset or stressed."

"I don't know about anyone else but my inner cat is telling me he would like to stretch out on a warm surface in the sunshine and laze around," Jakob says lightly.

"Anything to get you out of work," Alan says with a slight laugh.

"What about your inner cat Rosy? What does she want?" Jakob asks curiously.

"Nothing." I snap instantly. "She has no say. I am in charge not her."

'I refuse to let you lock me away any longer. We will do what I want as well as what you want.'

"I haven't shown you the fresh water spring and the swimming pond yet have I?" Alan asks. "Feel like going for a short drive?"

"Not really. I think I would prefer to stay here," I say uneasily. 

"I feel like going outside and I want company," Alan says as he straightens up and extends a hand towards me.

"No," I refuse stubbornly.

'Yes, oh yes!'

"Stand up," Jake orders as he moves me off his lap and I find myself having to stand up or end up sitting on the floor.

"One of the first things you have to learn is even She-kitts and Queens have to obey an Alpha most of the time," Jake says in a calm even tone.

"I don't feel so great, I need to go and lay down." I persist stubbornly.

'No, I need to go outside!'

A shudder runs through me as I close my eyes and bow my head. I ignore the voice from the dark shadows in my mind. I grit my teeth and refuse to give in as I fight to force her presence deep into the dark recesses of my mind. 

'No! I will not be denied what I need!'

"Fresh air will do you the world of good," Alan states with assurance.

I open my eyes and glance his way to find him watching me intently.

"I don't feel well," I realise I am speaking the truth as the words leave my mouth. I have a pounding headache and I feel sick to my stomach.

"No doubt because of the way you are abusing and torturing your inner cat," Alan says firmly. 

"How could he know what is going on inside my mind? How could he know how I am punishing you for all the bad things you have caused to happen?" I stare at him shocked.

'Because I won't be silent any longer.'



To Love a Stray



A mile later I stop and watch a herd of cows grazing on the lush green grass of the field. My tail twitches with nervous energy as I bring my urge to hunt under control. I dare not hunt livestock: to do so would undoubtedly alert landholders to the presence of a large cat. I slink along the edge of the field to the next lot of trees and from there up a small hill away from the cattle. 

I find what I am looking for nearly two miles and an hour later. I catch the scent of feral goats and begin to stalk silently. I find three nanny goats in a small copse of trees; two have half grown kids with them and I immediately fix my attention on one of the kids that limps as it takes several steps. I burst into view startling the goats into action but none of them have a chance of escaping me. My front claws catch the hindquarters of the injured kid, one stride and then I am closing my jaws on his throat. I am merciful and I snap his neck instantly. I eat hurriedly, constantly alert as I rip chunks of warm meat from my kill. Soon I have an audience of two foxes and my tail flicks in annoyance even though I am relieved they will remove all evidence of my meal once I go. When I walk away from my kill I have had a good feed but I have not over eaten since I still have a long way to go before I reach safe territory.

* * * * *

The bright happy sound of birds greeting the rising sun wakes me and I smile as I yawn and stretch in my own bed. Silk sheets glided against my satin pyjamas as I move and I open my eyes slowly. I have made it home safely and I am in human form once again. Never one to lie around in bed I quickly get up and head to my bathroom. Locking the door I turn the shower on before undressing and stepping beneath the flowing water. My shower gel foams to a rich lather that smells of wildflowers and citrus as I wash myself carefully. After I dry myself I carefully rub a similar smelling mixture of oils into my skin taking care to cover every inch before reaching for my work clothes. My scent-disguising secret is in the ingredients of the gel and oil mixtures I use along with an herbal mixture I drink containing chlorophyll. A loud pounding on my front door has me skipping down the stairs to open it with a smile. 

"Hi Pete come on in. You're just in time to make my morning coffee while I cook us breakfast," I tell him as he grins at my bright greeting.

"Hi yourself. You're certainly a lot happier this morning," Pete comments as he heads for the large kitchen in my house. He had called over last night not long after I had gotten home only to have me slam the door in his face so he couldn't get close enough to me to catch my scent.

"Jetlag - you know how it is," I return easily as I head towards the fridge. First on my breakfast menu is an herbal drink I make myself washed down by a generous glass of orange juice. Breakfast is a filling meal of pancakes, sausages, bacon and eggs washed down by copious amounts of hot coffee. Pete has his black with loads of sugar while I like mine with lots of milk.

"Any chance of you making a batch of those caramel cookies for me before you go back to work in a couple of days?" Pete asks as he savours his coffee.

"Just one batch?" I ask with a smile.

"I might be able to find room in the freezer for a batch or two," Pete says seriously but the mirth in his eyes gives him away.

"I'll have to go into town to get several things," I say with a sigh. I know how much Pete likes my caramel cookies and some instinct always makes me want to pamper him, not to mention I love his company when I am game enough to indulge myself. 

"I got the morning off. I'll take you if you like." Pete offers.

"Shopping with my favourite male neighbour. How can I resist?" Laughter colours my words and Pete laughs too. We leave the dirty dishes in the sink and head outside to Pete's car. I smile as I climb into the passenger seat and turn on the radio to my favourite station. 

The trip to town is uneventful, both Pete and I preferring to make a quick visit with as few as possible stops. It's on the way home that the first indication of trouble shows itself when the flashing of lights in the rear-view mirror catches our attention and Pete curses softly under his breath as he slows and guides the car to the side of the road.

"Well I wasn't speeding," Pete mutters as the sheriff gets out of his vehicle and walks up to my window.

"Hi Pete. Miss Tawny, Doc Caruthers rang our office to see if we could find you. He's busy over the other side of the Leaning T working on some hot-blooded horses and a call came in to him. Mac Toovey needs someone to go out and put down some stock that's been mauled by a bear. Doc asked if we could find you to go do it," Sheriff Kepler explains.

I frown as I glance at Pete. "I guess those cookies of yours will have to wait," I tell him.

"I'll just drop Tawny home so she can get her pick up and go do that for Mr Toovey," Pete tells the sheriff.

"No need for Miss Tawny to drive out there by herself. I need to get photos of the injuries to the cattle to record it and pass it on to the wildlife rangers," Kepler says with a smile in my direction.

"It's fine by me," I tell Pete.

"I've got your spare keys so I can put your shopping in your kitchen for you," Pete says with a slight smile.

I get out of Pete's car careful not to touch the door handle with bare skin and get into the sheriff's car. Kepler chats continually as he starts his vehicle moving and heads back towards town. We have to stop by the vet hospital so I can get the spare kit my uncle, veterinarian 'Doc' Caruthers, has in his office. I listen to what he knows of the bear mauling with interest. It turns out that the owner of the cattle hopes one of the mauled animals can be saved.

With the medical bag at my feet and the holster containing a high-powered pistol balanced on my lap we head for the place where the unfortunate rancher and his stock wait.

"We leave the vehicle here and go the rest of the way on foot," Kepler says as he pulls to the side of the road near where a man in overalls is waiting impatiently. I climb out of the vehicle and Mac Toovey rushes over to me immediately.

"Ah it's you Miss Tawny. Is the Doc busy?" Mac asks worriedly.

"The Doc is busy until late this evening and he sent me out here. Show me where these cattle are and I'll see what I can do," I tell him gently.

Mac takes the medical bag from me and heads towards a rough wooden enclosure. "Ain't a job for a woman, no sirree. Them cows are tore up something bad," Mac mumbles as I follow him across the rough ground. I can see five dark lumps in the knee-deep grass on the other side of the small loading pen and ramp. Three cows mill in one of the pens and I grimace as see that one of them is trailing intestines from a large hole torn low in her side. All three cows are heavy in calf and will probably calve in the next few days.

"These are the cows Doc put the purebred embryos in last summer. Only got three them left now. I can't be affording to loose them calves," Mac tells me with tears in his eyes.

"Let me see what I can do," I say gently and study the three surviving cows closely. After a few minutes I can tell two of the cows can be saved while the third one is beyond help but maybe it's not be too late for the calf she carries.

"You want me to shoot them Miss Tawny?" Kepler asks softly.

"No, I can sew up two of them. Give them antibiotics to fight infection, hopefully save them and the calves. The one with the torn stomach will have to be put down, but if I'm quick I should be able to save the calf." My voice is strained as I think of what is to come. It takes the three of us to put the two cows in the close confines of the crush where I can restrain them, take pictures with my digital camera and then tend to their injuries. I sew up the deepest of the claw marks and then give each cow injections to try to prevent infection. The last cow stands in the corner of the pen, her head hangs low and she is gasping for breath but she still has the strength to threaten to charge me as I cautiously climb into the pen with her to snap several photos. I know the heat of the day and the stressful work I have done has made me sweat and she can smell me. It is the scent of a large predator that alarms her.

"We ready?" I ask Mac and Kepler quietly. We have planned this carefully.

"Do what you must Miss Tawny," Mac says gravely. I know this is hard for him; I remember him telling my uncle and I how he had hand raised these cows as orphaned calves. The recoil of the gun kicks hard in my hand but I ignore it as I watch the cow fall.  

"Knife!" I demand of Mac as I hand Kepler the pistol. Mac hands me the large knife I have taken from the medical bag and climbs into the pen as I squat beside the stomach of the cow. I plunge the knife deep into the stomach of the cow and cut making the entrails come out. Steam comes from the cut bathing my face in the smell of fresh blood and intestinal juices. My breath hisses out and I turn my face away as I struggle for control of my inner cat.

Saliva fills my mouth almost instantly and I have to continually swallow while I clench my jaw tightly as my inner cat scream in fury and fights to escape and feed on our kill. Another cut and a large organ can be seen; there is movement within it and I use the knife as carefully as possible. Tissue parts beneath the razor sharp blade and two legs spill from the incision along with the fluid that surrounds the unborn calf. I drop the knife; grab the two legs just above the small hooves and pull the weakly moving calf from its warm cocoon. I hurry to wipe mucus away from the nose and mouth of the calf, hoping it will breathe. When there is no movement of its ribs I grab it by the flanks and lift its hind quarts up to allow any fluid in its lungs to drain out its open mouth.

Mac begins rubbing the motionless chest roughly before reaching down and opening the mouth wide. The body jerks in my grip and a moist gasping sound comes from the calf; Mac rubs the calf's chest again and another gasp follows. I lower the calf down once again and stand back as Mac works on the calf. I try breathing through my mouth but it does nothing to cut down on the enticing aromas that come from the carcass of the dead cow or the still wet calf. My mouth still waters from the smells and I swallow several times. There is a buzzing in my ears and darkness flickers at the edge of my vision as the cat within me swells.

This is my kill! I should be pulling still warm organs from the body and eating my fill of fresh liver or heart.

"Scuse me," I mutter and stumble away. I poke my head and shoulders through the gap between two rails in the fence and lean against the lower rail as I struggle to force myself under control. My stomach roils and I retch loosing what remains of my breakfast. Restraining myself and refusing a shape shift always makes me physically sick when I manage it.

"Here," Kepler holds a metal flask out to me and I straighten up slowly before taking it. The liqueur burns as I rinse my mouth out and spit before taking a few deep swallows and handing the flask back.

"Thanks, I needed that," I say quietly and watch as he returns the flask to Mac.

"This will be one fine bull calf," Mac tells us happily as he struggles to pick up the calf and carry it to the passenger door of the old battered pick-up he drives. In the trailer attached to the pick-up the two living cows move restlessly and he glances at them once he has the calf settled on the seat. 

"You need to look at the dead 'uns?" Mac asks as he looks towards the dark lumps in the field. I look towards the carcasses in the field with dread. The last thing I want is to be around the excess of freshly killed meat while my inner cat demands to be released but I must know if what I suspect is so.

"I need to check them out Mac. The injuries on those cattle in the yard didn't look like dog or dingo mauling to me," I say softly. Mac purses his lips while he thinks about it for a few seconds before taking a rifle from the front of his truck and glancing towards the place Kepler stands still holding the pistol I used to put the cow down.

"Ok let's do this then," Mac announces.

I head towards Kepler and force a tight smile as I stop near him, "We're going to check out the dead cows." He hands me the pistol and we join Mac walking to the first of the dead cattle. The first thing I notice is how badly the animal was clawed up on the hind quarters and that the stomach had been torn open to leave a trail of intestines before it had fallen. I walk out wide around the carcass and head for then next one. Claw marks on the front shoulders and signs of a strangle hold on the throat accompany the strong acrid scent around it. I take my small camera out and take several pictures of the carcass, the scratched up grass on it and the areas that reek of urine the strongest. 

"This one here got a horn in whatever killed it," Kepler calls from the first animal.

I hesitate for a few moments as I scan the surrounding field for any signs we are not alone, my senses on alert I return to the first carcass and move to stand near Kepler. There is shiny black hair on one short thick horn, the tip discoloured by dried blood. I take a close up picture. 

I notice a clear paw print in the torn up ground and glance at both Mac and the sheriff, "Look there where the ground is all torn up. See the print?"

"Woo wee! Must be some big animal!" Mac whistles softly under his breath. 

I catch the look Kepler sends me and I nod when he motions back towards the vehicles. I quickly snap pictures of the paw print before squatting near it to hold my hand over it to get an accurate impression of the size. I hold the camera awkwardly in one hand and snap a picture for comparison.

"I think we should get out of here," I announce. I can smell the individual scents of several different roving strays on this beast and I am terrified they are lurking close by watching us. Neither man objects so we walk back to the yards; Mac climbs into his truck and follows the sheriff and me as we go back to the sheriff's car.

"I'll get you to email me a copy of those pictures if you don't mind," Kepler tells me.

"I'll do up an official report for you to pass on to the rangers if you like," I offer knowing it is expected.

"That would be good," Kepler says.

I glance at the two cows in Mac's trailer as we pass him; he gives us a wave as we go by and then he is behind us as the sheriff picks up speed.

"Back to your place so you can clean up?" Kepler asks quietly. I look down at myself and grimace as I realise my shirt is plastered to the front of my body by blood and amniotic fluid from saving the calf for Mac. 

"Yeah, I need a shower," I mutter.

"So have you and Pete Willoughby got something going?" Kepler asks. I glance at him and realise he is only about Pete's age, not the middle aged person I had considered him.

"You could say that," I answer coolly allowing him to get the wrong impression. It's a ploy I have used in the past three years since I turned eighteen and men have become more openly interested in me. The rest of the drive passes in silence and I realise Kepler is embarrassed to have indicated interest in a woman who he believes is seeing of one of his friends. I don't attempt to encourage his former friendly manner; he's a nice guy and I don't want to encourage him when I have no real interest in men. 

I am relieved when we reach my place and I get out of the car. Pete was at his place when we drove past and I know he will wait until either I phone him or take the cookies I promised to make to his place. I head straight for the shower stripping my dirty clothes off and putting them in a brown paper bag so I can burn them later. The smell from the beast I butchered to remove the calf from will be next to impossible to remove from the material and I have no wish to be reminded of the experience.

* * * * *

It is mid afternoon when I knock on Pete's front door carrying a container of still warm cookies, my digital camera and the USB cord that connects it to a computer.

"I come bearing warm cookies," I say with a wide grin as Pete opens the door and sniffs with appreciation.

"Come in, come in. Here let me take the cookies," Pete says even as he reached for the large container. He scoops several cookies into one hand and puts his other arm around the container taking it from me, already chewing on a mouthful of cookie as he leads the way inside.

"I was wondering if I could use your computer and Internet for a few minutes. My computer has decided to be difficult and I need to send pictures and a report to Kepler. Oh and Pete ... he might have the impression you and I are ... involved," I say with a grimace.

"Where would he get that impression?" Pete asks surprised.

"I might have ... err let him get the wrong idea when he asked if there was anything going on between us," I mutter acting slightly embarrassed.

Pete stops and looks at me with surprise. I know he can hear the nervous beat of my heart but he doesn't realise that it is not the announcement I just made that has made me nervous.

"Shall I let you get to work at the computer?" Pete asks after a moment.

"That'd be great," I say with a smile.

I sit at the computer and upload the photos before Pete wanders over.

"Was it a bad dingo attack?" he asks with some interest. I bring up a picture that shows the paw print in the torn up ground. 

"Someone has had an exotic big cat escape. It killed five full-grown cows and mauled three others. One had to be put down. This animal leaves prints too big for a cougar, way too big," I say quietly. It is only because I am a werecat I hear his heartbeat pick up pace and his sharply indrawn breath.

"How big?" He asks. I go through the pictures until I bring up the picture where I have my hand beside the print and it is no accident that I have allowed him to see the picture of the fur and blood on the horn of one of the dead cows. Pete growls deep and low in his throat. It is a sound a normal human wouldn't hear but my sensitive hearing picks it up even though I don't react in any way.

"I'll let you do what you're doing. Want a cup of coffee?" He asks.

"That would be wonderful," I answer and glance over my shoulder at him as he walks away. When Pete is in his kitchen making the coffee I hear him on his phone making a call. He thinks I can't hear him as he talks to another werecat on the other end of the phone. I can hear both of them clearly even as I type up the report for Kepler and email it and the pictures to him.

"Want to stay for tea? I can throw a salad together and grill us some steaks," Pete offers from just behind me. I flinch from his voice startled I hadn't heard him approach.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," Pete says quietly. He knows the story of my rape. Most people in the county do and put my dislike of physical contact down to that. I glance at him curiously. I know from eavesdropping on his phone call he's expecting werecat visitors around that time and I have to wonder why he would want me around while they are here.

"Make mine a couple of burgers and it's a deal," I say after a few moments pause. As much as instinct demands I avoid other werecats I am curious about them in general and the chance to 'study' some is too much to turn down.

"Burgers it is," Pete grins.

"Well if we're having burgers I had better go have another shower, I swear I can still smell the cows blood on me." I mutter as I get to my feet.

"I'll see if I can find us a movie we haven't watched for a while for after tea," Pete says as I gather my camera and cord up.

"Make it an action movie," I say and head for the door. Pete follows me and I stop just inside the door to look back at him when I open it.




To Love a Stray



"You okay after that call out? Do you want me to come over and hang around until you're ready to come back?" Pete asks.

"I'm fine Pete. It's not as if some human psycho attacked those cows," I tell him gently. I see the fleeting concern deep in his eyes before he smiles at me and shrugs. 

"I guess I'm taking your warning about what you said to Kepler too much to heart," Pete says quietly.

"I have your phone number if I get scared," I laugh easily and hesitate for a moment. "Maybe later ... we can talk some." I leave it at that and head for my car. Behind me I hear Pete let out the breath he had sucked in at my announcement. 

As I drive away I wonder if the roving strays that had killed the cattle were still around. Would they return to their kills? And if they did how would they react to my scent on the dead cow, my kill, in the yard? 

In the few hours before I plan to return to Pete's I worry about the fact there are werecats coming to visit. As scared as I am of werecats other than Pete, I am also very curious. As I understand that these are friends of Pete's and belong to the same clan he does. I consider Pete my clan and as dangerous as it will be for me, I long to make friends with his friends. 

I take a long time having my shower and taking care to use my scent masking secrets extra well: I don't want to be discovered tonight. The fact remains I am what is termed a stray and I am living in clan territory without invitation, permission or their knowledge. If I am discovered I will be disciplined harshly and forced from my home if not killed immediately on detection. I have come across dead stray tomcats in my travels, cats that had been caught in a clan territory and executed for it. I am nearly ready to go visit with Pete when my mobile rings and I answer it with a smile. 

"I'll be there shortly Pete," I say before he speaks.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Tawny but I need your help. Something has gotten in with some vealers and mauled quite a few of them. I'll be up all night attending to them if I can't find some help." My Uncle's voice takes the smile from my face.

"Tell me where you are and I'll be there as soon as I can," I tell him resigned to a night of work instead of the socialising I had hoped. I listen carefully as he gives me instructions on where he is and how to get there as well as a list of things he wants me to collect on my way past the veterinary office. I hang up and change into a pair of shorts and a tank top and grab a pair of overalls for use while working on the cattle. 

When I climb into my Ute I detour to Pete's place first to let him know I won't be there and hesitate at the sight of a strange van parked along side his car. I get out and walk to his front door and knock loudly. I hear Pete call out for me to come in but I shake my head and back up a step as I take a deep breath and smell the strong scents of two werecats I don't know.

"Pete! I got a call out from Doc. I can't stop; it sounds like an all nighter!" I call out to him. I hear footsteps approaching the door and move back nervously as I detect two sets. The door opens and Pete comes out followed closely by the largest tom I have ever seen. He has to duck his head slightly and move through the doorway slightly sideways. Pete takes several steps towards me but stops as I back nervously away. He is used to the way I shy away from contact and close proximity with men.

"Hey Tawny. This is Micah a good friend of mine. Micah this is my neighbour Tawny Caruthers." Pete calmly introduces his visitor recognising my unease and its cause.

"Hi Tawny," The softly spoken tones surprise me and I nod uncertainly at the speaker. Something about him strikes a chord in my memory and I struggle to place what it is, his face? His Scent? Or maybe it is the sound of his voice? His face is strong with well-defined features, his eyes a mixture of different shades of warm russet brown with gold flecks around the pupils. His lips are nearly too generous in his very masculine face and his hair is an unusual mixture of light brown streaked with gold and ginger highlights. I notice the way his nostrils flare with each breath and the animal like quality he has whenever he moves. I take a nervous step back from him and look at Pete before glancing back at Micah nervously.

"I need to go Pete. There's been more maulings and Doc needs my help," I say softly knowing Micah and the tom out of sight not far from the front door can hear me clearly even though I speak softly.

"Please tell me you won't be out in some dark field at night!" Pete says alarmed.

"I'm blonde not stupid," I scold Pete with a smile for his concern for me. "I have to get going Doc needs help." I force myself to turn my back on the giant behind Pete and walk the few steps to my car, jump behind the wheel and wave out the window as I speed off. I hear a conversation start behind me but can't understand it as I speed down the road, concentrating on the road so I don't think about the two visitors at Pete's.

Within the hour I am busy helping my uncle. I am staggered by the sheer savagery that has gone into the attack on the herd of young cattle. Many are wounded, not many seriously but there are a few exceptions that keep my uncle busy while I tend to the simpler cases. It is nearly dawn when we turn the last beast into the yard with its companions; I grimace as I wipe my face on my upper sleeve. I can smell the blood I have smeared over my clothing and skin as well as the faint scent from the hide of the injured animals. Beneath this mixture I can detect faint traces of three roving strays as well as a faint smell of my own scent.

"Looks like that's the last of them," My uncle says, his voice thick with exhaustion. I grimace as I brace my hands in the small of my back and arch my back backwards as I stretch stiff muscles. I long to be able to shape-shift at will and run in my favourite spot several miles back in one of the forests. I can picture the long soft grass along the banks of a sweet stream where I often fish for trout.

"I think I'll head home. Even I can smell myself," I tell my uncle.

He laughs at me, "The number of times you sprayed that deodorant on yourself you should smell like daisies!"

I smile and shake my head at him. He made no complaints while I had worked along side him. I help him pack the equipment we had used into his truck before climbing into my vehicle and starting the drive home. I sit motionless in my vehicle for several minutes when I park outside my place. I am tired to the point of exhaustion and I haven't eaten in the last twenty-three hours. I all but stagger out of my vehicle and frown as I hear the sounds of an unfamiliar vehicle turning into my driveway. I turn my head and watch as a van makes the two-mile drive towards my house. I frown as I recognise the van that had been parked outside Pete's the evening before. Pete climbs out of the passenger seat when the van parks and I close my eyes as I lean my head on the roof of my vehicle.

"I thought I'd stop by on my way out," Pete tells me quietly. I hear the gravel crunching softly under his feet as he approaches me and I open my eyes as I lift my head wearily. He takes hold of my arm gently and leads me to my front door where he takes my keys and unlocks the door for me.

"Want me to come in and cook you a feed while you shower?" His voice is soft and gentle as if he knows how fragile I feel at the moment.

"Everything alright Pete?" Micah calls from the van and I start nervously. "We can wait for you if your neighbour needs a hand." I repress a smile as I realise he has been eavesdropping on our conversation. So I wasn't the only one who tended to do that.

"Yeah ..." My voice is faint, almost non-existent and I clear my throat before continuing, "Yeah, that would be appreciated. Your friends can come into the kitchen if they want." 

I turn towards the stairs and stumble on the first one as I make my way towards my preferred bathroom. I listen to Pete call his friends inside and explain to them to stay in the kitchen so they don't 'freak' me out. I smile as I strip my clothes off and drop them in a heap on the bathroom floor before stepping beneath the stream of water from the showerhead. The aroma of fresh coffee and bacon greet me as I come out of my bathroom nearly three quarters of an hour later. I hurry down the stairs and head towards the kitchen as I listen intently.

"She's nearly here. You sure you smelt traces from four roving strays on her?" I don't recognise the voice and frown angrily as I realise Pete had intentionally smelt me. Anger curls my top lip and I hesitate for a moment just out of sight as I bring my emotions under control. I feel the faint flutters of fear as I move to the door of the kitchen and glance around quickly. Pete looks my way as my sneakers squeak on the floor and he smiles fondly at me as he holds up one of the cookies I had made the day before.

"I found your secret stash," Pete grins charmingly. I glance pointedly at his friends then back at him.

"Tawny I haven't introduced you to my brother Steven yet have I? Remember you met Micah briefly last night?" Pete says around a mouthful of cookie.

"Hi," I manage before I head for the food I can smell waiting for me in the oven.

"Where's my bacon! I smelt bacon!" I exclaim when I see only scrambled eggs on the plate.

"I got hungry waiting for you," Pete explains with a smile. I ignore him as I seat myself at the table choosing the end away from Micah and Steven. I chew on a mouthful of eggs and sigh as I bite into onion and something else spicy. I spare a glance for Pete before resuming shovelling the food into my mouth.

"Did you eat last night?" Pete suddenly demands, "Cause I know you skipped lunch."

"I was too busy," I mutter as I remember how my stomach had grumbled at the smell of warm fresh blood for most of the night. Suddenly I push the plate of eggs aside as I crave warm red meat still flowing with blood. I close my eyes in an attempt to control myself.

"Tawny?" Pete's voice reaches me and I realise he has been trying to speak to me.

"Sorry but I been awake over twenty-four hours straight," I mutter as I open my eyes and glance his way.

"We should leave and let Tawny get some sleep," Micah says in his soft deep voice. I glance his way and give him a faint smile. I could get to like this tom pretty quickly.

"Yeah," Pete agrees reluctantly. "I'll see you this afternoon. I owe you tea if I remember rightly."

"Maybe," I say with a quick uncomfortable glance towards Steven and Micah. Pete understands me and gives a quick nod. He knows me too well to push me and make me feel uncomfortable.

"See you later then," Pete says lightly.

"Nice meeting you," Steven says as he heads for the door. I glance at Micah and he nods at me with a smile. I feel my cheeks burn and I turn away with a start as I realise I am blushing. I sneak a glance his way and catch him watching me with a pleased look on his face. I duck my head using my hair as a curtain to hide my face. I listen to them leave the house and make their way to their vehicle.

"You didn't tell us your neighbour is such a dish," Steven says once he thinks they are out of hearing. I hear a low growl I recognise as coming from Pete and then the solid thud of flesh meeting flesh.

"What was that for?" Steven demands in a soft hiss.

"Work it out for yourself or do you want me to hit you again?" Micah asks in a no-nonsense tone. I listen until they drive away then return to forcing the now cold scrambled eggs down my throat. I know I must eat before sleeping and when the plate is empty I place it in the sink and head for my bedroom.

The pounding on my front door wakes me and I lift my head groggily. I frown as I concentrate then smile as I recognise the faint muttering as coming from Pete.

"Coming!" I call loudly even though I know he would be able to hear me if I spoke in normal tones. I glance at my bedside clock as I stand and stretch. I am surprised to find that I have slept the day away and it is now nearing dusk. I take a precautionary sniff of myself, decide I don't smell and head down stairs towards the front door. Pete knocks loudly once again and I grimace as the sound assaults my sensitive ears.

"Okay! Don't knock the door down!" I yell as I reach the entry hall and take the last few steps to jerk open the front door.

"Hey there, didn't wake you did I?" Pete asks as he walks by me and into the house. I frown as I realise he is checking my house for any others then me, and I freeze as I realise he is checking for any signs of werecats as I hear him sniffing the air. 

"We're going to have an early tea and head off to one of the nightclubs later. I thought you might appreciate someone else cooking you a meal..." Pete says as he turns to smile using all his charm on me.

"Who are we?" I ask guardedly.

"Steven, Micah and me," Pete says loosing his smile as he senses my hesitancy.

"If I ask you a question you'd keep it to yourself?" I ask as I glance down at my bare feet.

"You'd want an answer wouldn't you?" Pete smiles and I realise he'll repeat his juicy piece of gossip if I ask him my question.

"Forget it," I say turning away.

"Would it make any difference if I was to let it slip that Micah asked if you were involved with someone?" I shoot Pete a startled look and Pete nods solemnly, "I put him straight on a few things. Privately of course,"

I blink not sure what to make of this remark, I give a ladylike snort then head towards the kitchen and my daily herbal drink.

"Not all of us are like that bastard," Pete mutters softly. I slam the kitchen cupboard when I retrieve a pack of cereal and ignore Pete as he follows me around the kitchen. I grab a two bowls and place them on the table, pour myself a plate of cereal and sit down to eat it without milk. Pete sits down opposite me and begins to pick pieces out of the cereal box and eat it without using the bowl I had placed on the table for him. I grab the box from him and pour some cereal into his bowl.

"Don't pick the fruit and nuts out of it!" I snap before turning my attention back to my food.

"He's not seeing anyone," Pete mutters as if to himself. I stop eating to glare at Pete but he avoids my gaze and I turn my attention back to my food. 

"If you want to miss out on a good feed and some good company then that's your choice," Pete snaps as he gets to his feet and heads for the front door. I listen to him rev his vehicle harshly as he leaves and I regret he is angry with me. I push my nearly empty bowl back, place both elbows on the table and lower my head into my hands.

Not all of us are like that bastard 

The words whirl around in my head as I see a large black feline face that horrifyingly transforms into a man, his large form moves over me and then comes the pain that threatens to tear me in two starts. I scream in pain as I erupt from my chair sending it crashing over backwards. Pain lances through my body and mind as I fight to remember that it is a flashback. It's not the real thing. When I finally stop shuddering I find I am huddled in the small space between the fridge and the cupboard. I am shaking and tears are running down my face as I gasp trying to catch my breath. My throat hurts and I realise I have been screaming.

I crawl up stairs to my bedroom and climb onto my bed where I curl up and close my eyes. I drift in and out of sleep for a while and when I do awake up after a short nap I feel much better. I indulge in the luxury of a deep warm bath before heading down stairs to clean up the kitchen, I head out onto the side veranda to relax in a chair but the aroma of cooking meat on the breeze makes my stomach growl reminding me I haven't had a decent feed. I lift my head slightly to sniff the enticing aroma on the breeze and get a good whiff of Pete and his friends. I groan as my body shifts to full alert and head back inside in annoyance. I find my body lotion and apply it thickly.

The phone rings and I glance at the display screen, recognising Pete's number I groan but ignore the phone as it continues to ring. Ten minutes and nearly as many changes of outfits and I am ready to leave the house as my mobile rings yet again. I flick it open and hold it to my ear without speaking.

"Hey Tawny. Am I forgiven?" Pete asks quietly.

"No but I still like ya anyway," I tell him with a sigh.

"Come on over and have a few drinks. Things will look better after that." Pete tells me before offering. "I'll even make sure Micah keeps his distance,"

"Pete?"

"Yeah?"

"You'll be ready to make him back off if I can't handle it?" I ask as I shiver nervously. I'm sure I can hear someone in the background as Pete takes a deep breath.

"I promise I will," Pete says evenly. This time I am sure I hear an angry hiss before I hang up without a further word. Even as I realise I have just put Pete in a very uncomfortable position. My fear lessens as I reach for my keys with a shaking hand.

The drive to Pete's passes too quickly and I find myself climbing out of my vehicle with butterflies the size of elephants in my stomach. I make it to his front door and actually turn away before I get a hold on my emotions before I turn back to the door and knock before I can change my mind. I recognise Pete's footsteps as he approaches the door and have a nervous smile ready when he opens it.

"I made it," I say quietly as my smile wavers.

"Tawny. We're the good guys okay," Pete tells me softly and I nod my understanding. I walk past him into his house and then step back against the wall and wait for him to lead the way out to the back deck where I know the outdoor grill is.

"Tawny has decided to join us," Pete announces for my benefit as I follow him outside. Steven is already making a burger from the cooked meat and turns to send me a grin but it is Micah who is tending the meat on the grill who has my attention.

"How do you like your meat?" Micah asks without looking at me.

Freshly killed and still running blood 

"Medium rare and slightly charred," I say cutting off my errant thoughts.

"Steak, burger patty, or sausage?" Micah inquirers.

"A nice thick steak if there's any, or just regular steak," I answer as my nerves calm down with the seemingly ordinary conversation.

"There's a regular one here just about ready. Want fried onions with it?" Micah asks as he adds a couple more steaks to the grill.

"Hey! That's supposed to be mine!" Pete protests as he eyes the meat on the grill. I catch the low-pitched growl that comes from Micah warning Pete and I take a step towards Micah unfazed. A human wouldn't hear the growl and I know I need to act like a human. I study the steak on the grill and shake my head. 

"Looks too cooked for me. I can wait for one of the others," The smile I send Micah is wobbly with uncertainty. Micah glances sideways at me and quickly tosses the steak in question onto a plate before he passes it to Pete without a word.

"You're looking much brighter this evening," Micah comments softly.

"Getting the chance to sleep can do that for me," I answer and glance at his face. He meets my eyes and I see the anger buried deep in his eyes. Instinctively I understand it is not at me but rather for me and I drop my gaze quickly. 

The aromas coming from the grill make my mouth water and I reach for a plate. I heap fried onions on the plate and study the steak for a few moments. They really need another few minutes but I can feel my inner cat demanding to be released; maybe nearly raw meat will pacify her for a little longer. I know I will shape-shift before the night is out. I can tell I will loose control and shape-shift involuntarily from stress.

"See something you like?" Micah's voice is pitched low and if Pete and Steven were human they wouldn't have heard him.




To Love a Stray



"That thick piece of steak nearest me," I pitch my voice low as well but hold his gaze as he watches me. A faint smile curves his lips and reaches his eyes as he picks the piece of steak up in the tongs and places it on the plate before putting a mixed selection on his own plate. I take my plate and retreat to a single deck chair near where Pete is sitting before I sit down and tuck my legs beneath the chair. Micah moves to stand behind me on the other side and I freeze for a few moments before turning my head to glance at his feet nervously. After a moment I turn my attention back to my food cutting all of the steak into tiny pieces and close my eyes in satisfaction as the warm juices from the piece of steak ooze across my tongue.

There is silence while we eat, broken only by the soft sound of music coming from the radio inside. A large hand appears over my shoulder to take my empty plate and I am surprised by the fact Micah hasn't scared me with his silent movements.

"Will you have bourbon as well Tawny?" Pete asks on his way past me to the kitchen.

"Going on the call outs the past day I'd better not," I say regretfully. "I might need to be able to drive to another vet job."

"I'm putting a movie on. Who wants to watch it?" Steven calls from inside.

"What are you putting on?" Micah asks from the kitchen. I lean back and close my eyes enjoying the last of the cool evening breeze. I can hear the muted conversation inside but ignore it as I feel the tension slowly draining from my body. Maybe I won't loose control and change after all. The faint scrape of a chair near mine makes me open my eyes lazily and I turn my head to see Micah settling into the chair he has placed near mine. He hands me a can of coke and stretches out comfortably in his chair as he sips his beer. The silence between us is soothing on my nerves and I close my eyes before leaning my head back against the back of the chair.

"Looks like it's going to be a full moon tonight," Micah says softly.

"Full moon was last night but it'll be bright tonight since there isn't much cloud around," I correct him without opening my eyes. My phone vibrates silently in my pocket, I get it out and check the text message I have received.

On a call out to foaling difficulties, phone diverted to your mobile.

I take a deep breath surprisingly disappointed that I will have to answer any calls.

"Problem?" Micah asks.

"Just got put on emergency calls by the vet," I answer quietly.

"Pete told us there's been some trouble," Micah said. I recognise his gentle probe for information and realise this is why Pete invited me over. Not because Micah was interested in me but because I had first hand information on the 'maulings'.

"Yeah. Shit happens and rich arseholes that get exotic pets and don't house them securely cause it," I say bitterly.

"Exotic pets?" Micah questions gently.

"Yeah exotic pets as in possibly a couple of African lions or some huge tigers," I answer tightly.

"Shit!" If my hearing weren't so acute I would have believed the stunned disbelief in his voice but I also catch the forced note to his remark.

"Can we change the subject? I've had enough of looking at the results to last me a life time." I say.

"That bad?" This time his gentle tone is believable to my ears and I nod. I open my can of drink and take several swallows and try to ignore the fact that the can smells like Micah. I glance down at the can and push the pull-tab down flat before glancing at Micah where he is sitting near me silently. I can see his face clearly in the moonlight and he is watching me. 

"How long have you lived around here?" He asks with interest.

"For as long as I can remember," I answer softly. I am enjoying the quietness of the night and hate disrupting it. We sit there in silence for a good ten minutes and I shift in my chair stretching my legs out in front of me comfortably. I feel something nudge my left shoe and glance down to see I have placed my feet beside Micah's feet. He moves his right shoe touching mine lightly as if he has just discovered this too. I glance at his face startled and he meets my eyes as I feel his shoe settle against mine. He raises his beer and takes several mouthfuls before meeting my eyes once again. I feel myself shudder as I look away and take a deep breath.

"I don't mind if you don't," I control the urge to pull my feet away from his and give a jerky nod.

"Pete explained you don't like people in your personal space," Micah says lightly. I give a nod but leave my feet where they are; the longer I do this the easier it is. My heartbeat is loud in my ears and I close my eyes as I concentrate on keeping my breathing steady.

"So you're a qualified vet?" Micah asks.

"No," My reply comes quickly and I swallow uneasily, "I'm a vet nurse. Doc Caruthers type of took me in when I was younger. I learnt a lot watching him work." Yeah a heck of a lot I muse. Like certain substances cut through the natural scent of an animal and others help mask scents. Some, like chlorophyll, hide smells nearly completely.

"So you help him out," Micah guesses.

"He pays me a decent wage and I'm putting myself through college part time," I say smoothly.

"So there is a method to your madness?" Micah jokes lightly, "You must get paid well for helping with his work." I turn my head and listen as Steven and Pete yell loudly with excitement in the house and Micah laughs pulling my gaze to him abruptly. He glances my way as if he feels my eyes on him and the corners of his mouth lift in a smile.

"I guess the movie is getting to the good parts," He explains and glances towards the door as if in explanation.

"Must be," I agree and look away from him.

"You want another drink?" Micah asks as he gets to his feet.

I realise my can is empty but I shake my head, "I'm all right thanks."

"I'll be back in a few moments," he tells me before heading inside. I get to my feet and move to where I can look out at the land between Pete's house and mine. I'm still standing there when Micah returns and I hear him move to stand beside me.

"Your house is out that way isn't it?"

"I'm sure you know that," I tell him bluntly.

"Yeah I do," He admits as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. His upper arm brushes my shoulder and I gasp in surprise as I jerk away instinctively. I raise a shaking hand to my face and brush my hair back from my cheeks nervously. I take several deep breaths and close my eyes for a few moments before moving to sit on the bench seat near by.

"Mind if I sit there too?" Micah asks.

"Just give me a bit of room," I tell him nervously. When he has settled himself comfortably not far from me I glance towards him cautiously, "What type of work you in?"

I hear him grit his teeth for a few moments, "Security," he finally offers. 

Shit! A warrior!

I am suddenly aware that he and Steve are what are called 'warriors' in the werecat community and this means they are like police or military police. They chase strays out of clan territory and handle problems like the livestock maulings, anything that may bring their existence to human attention.

I listen as he sips his beer and turn my head enough to glance at him from the corner of my eye. He seems totally relaxed even though I can smell the tension coming from him. It seems my question wasn't appreciated. We sit in silence while he finishes his drink and I take a deep breath to breath in his scent concentrating on remembering it.

"I'm heading home. I want to get some sleep," I tell him as I sit up straight and arch my back prior to standing. Micah stands up smoothly and turns to hold one hand out towards me. I eye it nervously for a few seconds before reaching out with a trembling hand. His grip is gentle but firm and I allow him to keep hold of my hand once I am standing.

"I'll walk you to your car," I hesitate a moment when Micah takes a step towards the door, he stops and looks back at me.

"You'll tell Pete I said see him later?" I ask uncertainly.

"If that's what you want," Micah assures me as his thumb rubs the back of my hand while there is a subtle new tone to his voice. I swallow suddenly sure of what I want to happen between us. I take one hesitant step towards the path that leads around the outside of the house and pull my hand free. I keep sneaking glances at Micah as he follows me. When I reach my pick-up I turn and face him. I look away suddenly scared as he stops in front of me. I know he can smell my fear and I take a shaky breath as I try to calm down.

"What do you want?" Micah asks as he places a large hand each side of my shoulders and leans against my car effectively caging me without touching me.

"Jus ...just a kiss," my answer is whisper quiet but Micah evidently hears me and leans in close. Only his lips touch me as they brush against mine softly. I close my eyes and exhale shakily as I allow my mouth to open slightly. My breath catches in my throat and my heart begins racing wildly as his tongue slips between my lips. He lifts his head for a moment breaking contact between our lips and I give a soft sigh of disappointment. His hands cup my face and then he is kissing me, his lips hard as his tongue plunges into my mouth. I break free with a jerk my chest heaving as I gulp deep breaths of cool night air. I push against his chest and he stumbles back a step as shocked as I am by our kiss. 

I am terrified by how badly my cat wants this tom and I rush to get in my vehicle slamming the door and smashing the door lock on. I know this won't stop him if he decides to come after me but I need the barrier as I scramble to get my keys and put them in the ignition. I see Micah standing where I left him as I speed off. I rush to put the headlights on and steer shakily for home. White-hot heat shoots up my backbone and I grit my teeth as I fight to stay in human form. I am forced to pull the vehicle to the side of the road near my driveway entrance as my body shudders and shakes uncontrollably.

"Not yet!" I sob to myself as I squeeze my eyes closed tightly and try to remain human. Left with no option I pull back onto the road while I am temporarily in control and drive past my turn. I am heading for the nearest forest reserve that is in the opposite direction to where the roving stray werecats have been attacking. I feel like I am being burnt alive during the seemingly endless drive and when I reach my destination I open my door and fall from my vehicle onto my hands and knees. I struggle to pull my clothes off as I grit my teeth against the searing agony raging through my body. I barely get my jeans and shirt off before my body shape-shifts ruining my underwear and shoes. I snarl and race for the shadows beneath the trees.

I feel the smooth play of muscles in my shoulders as I race through the trees. I hear the sounds of nature around me and slow to listen more closely to the rustle and scurry of night creatures. I slow to a walk and head for the stream I know is at the bottom of the small hill. The water is cold and clear as I lap to drink my fill. A memory niggles at the back of my mind and I lift my head while water dribbles down my chin to drip back onto the surface of the stream. With my thirst satisfied I look around for food to replace the energy I used changing forms.

Memories of the mauled cows, not being able to feed from my own kill rush into my mind. There are other cats in my territory! Interlopers who are threatening to expose my existence. I roar my fury and turn my head towards the west and the country there. I set off at a trot the only thought was to see these intruders and chase them off.

I move swiftly across country, my body is hard and toned from the life I lead on both two feet and four. As a human I keep busy in an attempt to keep from dwelling on this cruel twist fate has dealt me. While in cat form I am generally on the run from male clan cats and strays alike. As I travel I pause every now and then to listen for any sounds bore on the night air. As I listen I lift my head and sniff the air currents searching for any clues to what lies ahead of me. I move in wide arcs as I trot at a good pace, my passing is silent from long habit and I avoid moving out of the shadows into clear spaces.

My ears pick up what is ahead before my nose and I smother a growl deep in my throat as I identify the sounds of a fight. Angry with the trespassers on my territory I race forward looking for the source of the noise. I reach the top of a small rise and look down into the field below. An angry snarl rises in my throat as I see the cause of the noise I followed here. There is a group of werecats fighting in the clearing. I count seven as my keen eyesight follows the fight.

One werecat breaks from the group and runs for the trees on the far side of the field but a large black form races after him pulling him down before he reaches the shelter of the trees. There is a brief struggle before the larger werecat stands over his defeated foe and roars in victory. This display of savagery makes me tremble and crouch close to the ground melting totally into the shadows as I narrow my eyes to lessen the chance of moonlight reflecting in them. I slink closer to the edge of the trees on my belly and settle down motionless as I watch the fight continue. One more werecat is killed then the remaining cats move around each other rubbing against their companions; several are licking themselves as if they are wounded. 

Commonsense keeps me hidden as the group of werecats move to a small dam and drink from the water there. I tremble as I watch the cats playing in the water. I stay hidden even though I long to join in the fun they appear to be having. 

When they move off over an hour later I shadow them as they move towards a larger field on the far side of the dam. I watch in horror as they begin stalking three large Brahman bulls standing dozing at the far end of the field. The largest bull, a big red behemoth known as Red Devil by his owners, swings around to face the advancing werecats. He lowers his head and moves it from side to side menacingly.

The werecats rush forward as one, descending on Red Devil. I watch as he staggers then bellows his rage as many claws slash at his hide. He has his head lowered and I hear a werecat scream as the bull plunges forward and grinds his head against the ground. The scream is cut short and I watch as the bull goes down beneath the combined weight of the werecats. Unwilling to stay any longer and watch the carnage I turn to slink back the way I came. 

As I turn a slight movement catches my eye and I crouch once again as I search for what moved. After a few moments I make out three black forms crouched watching from the far tree line. I creep along the ground on my stomach and once out of sight of both groups of werecats I break into a lope as I head for my vehicle. I miss my stride and tumble into an undignified heap as a loud roar comes from behind me. I get to my feet hurriedly and shake the leaves and twigs from my pelt before heading off as fast as I can go.

I wake the next morning feeling irritable as soon as I open my eyes then frown at the corner where two walls meet the ceiling as I stretch while still lying down. I take a deep breath and groan as my sensitive nose picks up my own personal scent.

"Great! I should have known!" I head for the shower and work my magic with my daily routine. Only today a faint undertone similar to the spice cinnamon lingers. I head downstairs and slip some frozen prepared cinnamon rolls into the oven. While I wait for them to cook I take a double dose of my special drink.

"Why now?" I complain to myself as I sniff once again to check my scent. Yes, it's definitely there. I am coming into oestrous. In simple terms I am coming into heat and my smell will attract every mature tom within a ten-mile radius. This I do not want to do. A quick phone call to my uncle with some vague excuse of a college lecture I must catch frees me from work for a week. As I eat my make shift breakfast I am thinking of where to go. The only other time I came into heat I camped out in a national park for the week.

The phone call to Pete letting him know I am going away and asking him to watch my place for me is much harder and I grimace as I hear Micah asking questions softly in the background, questions that Pete asks me. It seems Micah had been hoping to see me again today. I pack several changes of clothes, enough dried food for a week as well as my tent and several heavy blankets. I can't rely on changing into cat form to hunt or keep warm so I pack as if I am a human. Chances are I'll shape-shift but I don't rely on that. 

The drive to the national park I plan to camp in seems to take forever as I become slightly feverish and find it difficult sitting in the car to drive. The place I pick is well back beyond where people prefer to camp and there is no signs of humans around as I get out of my vehicle. By the time I have set my camp up it is mid afternoon and I dismiss the idea of lunch. I am in no mood to eat and instead I gear up for a hike in the forest. I follow an animal track to a small pond several miles from my campsite and I settle myself on a small rocky shelf where I sit gazing out over the water.

It is getting late when I pick up my backpack and head back towards my camp. I take time on my way to stop and pick juicy blackberries that grow wild in the woods. The surrounding area is lush with new growth and I glimpse several feral goats as I pause looking westward. At my campsite I quickly make a meal for myself knowing I'll need the energy to keep warm tonight. I clean up and hang my food high in a tree out of reach of any four footed predators before rolling my sleeping bag out for the night.

"Miss Pretty Kitty Cat has decided to go for a walk on the wild side has she?" The masculine voice startles me and I spin around to face the intruder to my campsite. He steps out of the shadows into the moonlight that filters through the trees and I can smell him from where I stand in front of my tent. He is taller than me by several inches and outweighs me by a good forty pounds. The strong stench of male werecat comes from him and I wrinkle my nose in nervous distaste.

"Go and leave me alone Jasper!" I hiss angrily.

He lifts his chin slightly and makes a big deal out of sniffing the air. "I don't think so. You smell real good ..." His voice breaks off as he makes a grab for me but I am off and running even as his fingers brush my upper arm. I under estimate how fast he is and I hit the ground heavily as he tackles me from behind. The breath whooshes from my lungs and I gasp as I begin to struggle.

"Finders keepers," he says in a singsong voice and pins me to the ground beneath him.

"I'm not ready yet!" I protest as he tries to reach beneath my stomach to unfasten my jeans.

"That just means I'll have fun for longer," he chuckles as he manages to locate the brass button above my zipper.

"Just wait until the morning!" I beg as he fumbles with the zipper.

"No, I'm having you now and if you fight me then it'll be just that bit more painful for you. I want to hear you scream when I lockup in you," he mutters against my ear, his breath hot and heavy already. I stop struggling knowing he is right and it will be easier on me if I allow him to mate with me without fighting him. 

I feel the zipper go down and then he is struggling to push my jeans down without letting go of me. He quickly grows impatient and reaches for the knife he always carries. He flips me over onto my back and slips the blade under the fabric at the bottom of the zipper and I hear the material tear as he jerks the blade. Another quick motion and he flips me back onto my stomach. 

I grunt as he jerks me onto my knees roughly and forces my face against the ground. I feel something hard probe the opening of my passage and then he surges forward with a rough thrust. I give a soft cry as he slams into me as deep as he can go before he almost withdraws completely only to plunge into me with a hard thrust once more. He grasps my hips firmly and pulls me back against him hard. I feel him throbbing and swelling within me and whimper in pain. He almost pulls out of my body before lunging forward again and I squeal with pain as the growing swelling at the base of his penis is forced past the opening of my passage. He attempts to withdraw once again but the swelling is now too large to be pulled past my opening and I cry out in pain as his jerk drags me backwards. Jasper laughs and moves as much as he can as he attempts to thrust into me and withdraw repeatedly. I sob with pain as his swollen penis stretches my passage. I bear down struggling to expel his intrusion, I feel him throb and waves of pain flood my loins.




To Love a Stray



I can't understand this locking up aspect of mating, we are felines not canines and as such theoretically what is happening should not happen. I have often wondered if it is some werecat adaptation to aide in conception. After a few moments he stops checking to see if he can pull free and is content to curve against my back and rest against me as his penis throbs within me rhythmically making me cry out with pain with each throb. 

Nearly an hour later I feel his penis begin to slide out of my passage slightly and I bear down against his intrusion and with a burst of pain I manage to expel him. I collapse onto my stomach whimpering with pain. I would try to run away but the muscles in my inner thighs are quivering from the pain and I can only lie there and wait until Jasper decides he wants to mate with me again. I wish I was in cat form, I know I would be able to outrun him and escape but my inner cat is content even if he has hurt me. She knows she will want to mate very shortly and she has no intentions of escaping her source of satisfaction.