Chapter 1: A New Life

I had the stature and look of Carol and KW, and I was just below the height of Alexander. My coloration was an amber orange with long brown hair with a long tail like Carol's. This was me...I looked at my new family with new eyes. They only smiled back at me as I took in my new appearance. Alexander was the first to approach me...hand extended towards me. I slowly walked towards him, I didn't know why I was so scared...I faintly remember him telling me how much he loved me - and the strange thing is, in that moment, I felt the same for him. He took my hand and only said softly as his claws combed through my hair, "You're different."

My head shot up, I could feel the worried expression on my face.

"Different good."

I smiled and hugged his arm, I looked past him to see my family. My parents, aunts, uncles and now...lover. He let me pass to my parents, Carol and KW. Both embraced me with open arms and I felt happy tears pricking at my eyes as I felt their heads nuzzling mine. After them, I hugged the others, even Judith. They were all happy to see me. My memories on the island were vivid and bright, but my time in my old life was dull and dim and gave me a headache when I tried to think of it. So I didn't.

Carol beamed and said, "You still have that natural curl in your hair, at least that hasn't changed."

I felt my hair and he was right, my hair, even when short had a natural curl to it that could either be a nightmare or really neat and it had the natural curl that would either be regretted or loved. Then, we were standing around, not sure of what to do next; so I challenged, "Race you home!"

And I darted off, the others following behind me. I was amazed at how easily I moved through the woods without falling or crashing or anything. It was like a natural thing that was hard wired into me. While running, I no longer felt like that timid girl from before...I felt stronger! I've never felt as strong as I did now, I realized that Judith was right about me being born for this life as I jumped over an abyss with ease, no practice, just my instincts running through me as I arrived at the fort howling as a way to say 'I'm Home!'

Alexander came up to me and after he caught his breath, he said, "There's something I want to try."

He then gently pulled me to him and kissed me. I closed my eyes and kissed him back. We were like that for who knows how long when I heard various cat whistles and rooting. I parted from the kiss to see the others (except Carol) laughing and cheering him on. Carol looked as if he was going to leap at Alex and rip his mouth off. Despite that, I felt like I was home...and I was! This was my home for life!