Cats And Dogs

Chapter Four ?

After that they continued their run for a while, Tilly pointing out the various outbuildings and training areas, but both keeping their conversation light while they considered what had been said so far and what it might mean.

Suddenly they both heard noises coming from a little way away. It sounded like the first clash of characters had started. Snarling and hissing sounds caused both he and Tilly to start running towards an obvious altercation, he hoping desperately that no major fight would erupt and also cursing Dill. He knew it was the youngest member of his team involved in whatever was going on. Even if he hadn't recognised the voice, he would have bet Dill being the first one to get into trouble, being the most immature and also the most prone to feline pride. It would be just like him to try and wind up one of their new colleagues if he saw an opportunity.

The two panthers soon reached the clearing where all the noise was coming from. Thankfully there was no actual fight in progress, although the panther and wolf were almost nose to nose and making their most angry noises. He noticed the other members of his team were closing in, almost at the same moment as two more wolves rushed towards the scene, staying back but raising their hackles and growling softly to indicate they would be backing up their team mate if required. While Tom assessed the situation quickly, Tilly was straight in there, pushing between the two and turning them away from each other. He couldn't hear what went between her and the wolves as she had directed her thoughts, but the wolf backed off and went to stand with the other two, although none of them relaxed much.

When she turned back, clearly ready to take on Dill, he had to intervene. 'I will deal with my own people,' he said clearly, making it obvious this was an order.

She lowered her head to acknowledge his superiority over this matter, and moved to watch with the rest of her team. Tom turned to Dill, who had not backed down even a little, and almost looked ready to start another fight over his first attempt being broken up.

He directed his thoughts before starting to talk as he saw no need for the wolves to know exactly what was going on.

'What the f**k do you think you are doing?' he snarled. 'I told you to respect our hosts and you try and start a fight? I should have known better than to trust you to behave yourself.'

'The dog started it.' Dill snapped back.

Tom groaned internally as he realised Dill was not stopping everyone from hearing his side of their conversation, a fact which was confirmed by the snarls of the wolves behind him. He was glad when he heard Tilly making a soothing sound, and the snarls subsided quickly. At least they were used to following orders. Dill was another matter altogether. His next comment was said with some surprise in his tone, but whether he was trying to or not, he made things a whole lot worse.

'They have a pet cat?'

This time the noise coming from Tilly was not soothing, and she wasn't going to stop her team snarling either. None of them were impressed at Dill's comment. To Tom's slight surprise, Dill actually seemed to be backing down, and he started to crouch in a submissive gesture as Tilly came towards him showing her teeth and hissing. The fact that Tom and the other two cats were also expressing their displeasure with him probably helped. Tom hoped that Tilly had enough self-control to deal with this without violence.

She walked right up to Dill and looked down her nose at him as he made an attempt to cower and purr an apology.

'I am no-one's pet. You need to learn to show some respect, kitten.' she hissed at him, before turning tail and walking away.

Tom was impressed with her handling of the situation, but wanted to reinforce her comments. 'She is their Second. I'm sure you won't make a mistake like insulting her again.'

Dill knew he was in trouble. His big mouth was getting him into difficulties already, and they had barely arrived. Getting in a contest with one of the wolves was bad enough, but insulting a female and their Second... 's**t', he thought to himself. He'd heard his own team all rebuking him, and he'd deserved the kitten insult. He'd been aware of the other cat when she pushed him aside, but in his anger he hadn't noticed she wasn't one of his own, or that she even was a she. He hoped grovelling would help the situation, especially now he had noticed that important fact.

Tom decided that now things had calmed it would be a good time for introductions. 'Team, you'll meet their Alpha, Sam, later. This is Tilly.' he indicated the other cat, and pointed to his own team. 'This one is Dill, who you've all met for the wrong reasons. The others are my Second, Alex, and Cal.'

Tilly nodded and completed the introductions starting with the wolf who had been in the argument. 'Finn, Den and Rob.'

Tom nodded at each of them as he learned their names, then addressed his team again.

'I think it's time we went back to the house and got our car unloaded, and perhaps lugging all our stuff will help Dill work off his excess energy.' He turned to Dill for a moment. 'And later we will have another discussion about your behaviour, and you can apologise to everyone.'

'I'll come and show you your rooms.' Tilly responded.

There was a quick exchange between her and Finn that Tom couldn't hear, but he got the impression that none of the wolves were keen to leave her alone with the other cats. Whatever was said, they left the clearing, although obviously with some reluctance. Tilly said she would lead the way and the five cats headed off.

In only a few minutes they were back at the car parked at the bottom of the steps. Tilly headed straight into the house, picking up her dress in her mouth as she went. Before the others had time to change she was back at the door, clothed and in human form. The cats looked up as she threw them some jogging bottoms. 'I hope you don't mind too much, but we try and keep a little discretion here, Sam's instructions.' She vanished quickly to give them chance to change form and get dressed. So far she had only seen Tom, and she wondered what the others looked like. It would be interesting to see how young Dill was, as she suspected from his behaviour he wouldn't be very old. 'Of course, he could just be an i***t,' she thought to herself.

She might have been amused to know that Dill was calling himself an i***t just then. The vision at the top of the steps had made him feel even worse. He'd insulted a woman who looked that good? 'Well done. She'll not look twice at you now,' he told himself, and resolved to take the earliest opportunity to apologise properly in the hope he was wrong.

He considered his chances if she would give him the time of day. Alex and Cal had mates who they had left behind, and wouldn't be chasing Tilly. Tom, he rather doubted would be interested. Dill had his suspicions about him, but had never had any proof, not that it usually mattered. Perhaps Tilly would impress his boss unlike the other women who had tried to get him as a mate in the past? He sighed loudly as he pulled on the trousers and went to get their bags from the boot.

Dill was not at all surprised that he was left to collect all their stuff. Thankfully they hadn't brought a lot as most things they needed would be provided. He could just about carry all the bags in one trip. He followed the sound of voices up the large staircase in the hall and to the left wing of the house. Tilly was showing each person their room, and he handed over their bags as they went to settle themselves in. When she spotted him she moved to the final open door and spoke to him. 'This is your room. Bathroom is directly opposite.' She moved away almost immediately.

Dill dropped his bag and moved to block her path. She stared at him rather coldly, but at least didn't try and push past. 'I want to apologise properly for my behaviour. Sometimes I get carried away with my own importance and forget my manners entirely. I was an i***t, sorry.'

Dill thought he almost saw a smile before she replied. 'At least we agree on something. Lunch will be in an hour, you can settle in until then. And try not to start any more fights in the meantime.' She walked away then and his eyes followed her. She had spoken to him which was a start, even if it had only be agreeing that he was an i***t. He liked the sway of her hips as she walked down the hall, her long dark hair moving against her back. Once she turned the corner and he could no longer see her he managed to move from the spot and head into his room. It was nicely furnished and after dropping his bag and trousers on the floor he settled down on the bed for a quick catnap.