The Alpha and the Kitten

Melody She was running, mud clinging to her bare feet and legs as she fled. She could hear the breath of her pursuers. Their paws crashing down. In their forms they had a huge advantage. They could smell her, feel her there. She gave a tiny yelp of pain as she reached the border and lost her footing. Despite the want, the need, she knew that she couldn’t change. If she returned to that form, they would control her again. She tumbled down, curling up into a tiny ball as she did, she knew her ankle was sprained but that didn’t matter. The water in the creek was cold as she hit it, the stream was low. Looking up, Melody saw glowing eyes, they wouldn’t let her rest. She scrambled up as the huge feline forms slowly emerged from the treeline. Melody’s breath caught in her throat, all she wanted to do was scream but no noise came. It never did. She tried to limp away, her ankle feeling like it was broken. She managed to stagger into the trees. The air was different here, even as a human she could tell. The cats behind her were treading carefully now. Their paw-prints were silent but she knew that they hadn’t lost her. This was a desperate play but it was the only hope she had. She had to throw herself of the mercy of the Wolves.   Denys He was bored. Doodling on the corner of his notebook as the elders argued amongst themselves. One day he would join them in their council, but now he only had to listen. It was only an hour a day. It wasn’t that difficult, and these men had all had a say in the running once. Technically they still did have a say, though his rule was final. He yawned and Orys, the old battle-master chuckled to himself. Denys shot the old man a smile. Orys had been his father’s closest friend. No doubt the man had listened to the old Alpha moan about these councils enough. The dullness was broken as his Beta burst into the room. “Trouble” Loren growled. “The patrols picked up the scent of cats on the North Border. At least fifteen of them.” Denys grimenced. He bowed his head in respect of the elders and left at a run, shifting into his wolf for as he bounded to the gates. It didn’t take him long to reach the patrols. They were hiding in the trees, watching the cats carefully. Denys growled softly. Those stinking cats had a lot to answer for. He padded down softly, watching as the lead cat stopped before him. They both changed back to their human forms. “I am sorry, Alpha Denys.” The cat said, with a careful and almost cocky smile. “I know that we are trespassing on your lands, but one of our younger members got lost and ran to here in a panic. We are simply trying to retrieve her.” “And that takes fifteen of your finest warriors?” Denys asked, raising an eyebrow. He looked around impassively. “This girl must be half dangerous for you to bring so many” The cat laughed. “Hardly. She just means much to me. We share a mother after all.” “Your sister got lost? I find that hard to believe, Cat.” “Well, she is not well, there has been some trauma in her past that leaves her feeble minded and mute. She is hardly a danger to anyone else, but she is to herself.” The cat replied. “She is not permitted to leave the compound but somebody allowed her out to gather some flowers” Denys found himself not believing this explanation. There was something behind this Cat’s smile, something he wasn’t telling him. The cats all made a movement, several yellow eyes suddenly shifted to somewhere behind him. One of the tigers stepped forward, growling at something they could sense. Denys turned and his eyes focused on a tiny figure, curled into a ball and trying very hard not to be seen. “Well.” He said, turning back. “I know where you are if I should find her on my land. You can leave.” The Cat snarled then turned his form, changing back into a huge lion. He made a noise and all of his people turned as one and left. “Follow them.” Denys ordered his men and ten of them broke off to follow the cats. He watched silently. Waiting until they were out of sight before going to that tiny ball. As he reached her, he realised that she had passed out. He frowned, then picked her up, as easily as he would should she had been a mere doll that the children play with.   Melody Her eyes blinked open. It was bright, too bright. She tried to move her hand to cover her eyes and found that she couldn’t. She had been restrained, straps were tying her to the bed. Panic entered her head and she tried to break free. She couldn’t be trapped! Damon would find her. He world kill her for this. “Calm down little cat.” A woman’s voice said from near her left leg. Melody blinked and tried to see who was talking. A red headed woman stepped into view, dressed in a dark suit with a white coat. Melody whimpered. She was caught. Damon really was going to hurt her now. He had promised that he was going to sell her if she misbehaved again. She had to get away. “Hush hush little one. It is alright.” The woman said, Melody’s distress and obvious fear had given her a feeling of pity for the girl. It was rare for a cat to be in the wolf territory, even rarer for said cat to be brought to the medical centre being carried by the alpha himself. “My name is Saera. You have nothing to fear here.” Melody pulled at the wrist constraint, if she could only get it to her mouth she could bite through it… If only… Saera fiddled with something. Her movement caught Melody’s attention and she saw as Saera allowed a sedative to drip through. Melody shook her head, her movement growing slower as the medicine worked. Melody’s eyes felt heavy. So heavy. She blinked groggily as the door opened and a stranger entered. “How is she?” The stranger asked. Melody frowned, trying to focus and failing. She fell back into the darkness of sleep.