"… 'Cause you and I were meant to be lovers, the search is over for us there's no other. We're finally at the rainbow's end…"
-George Benson (ft. Aretha Franklin), Love All the Hurt Away
Catia's POV
Paul and I parted, breathing heavily after our make-out session. We were lying in my bed half-naked as the sun's fading rays beamed into the room.
"Wow." Paul breathed. "Hmm." I agreed, stretching my arms above me lazily.
"Wow." He repeated, gazing down at me in amazement. I hummed contently as he placed kisses all over my neck; I sat up so I was straddling him.
He moaned as I placed kisses from his neck to his stomach, "Who would've thought a Wolf would be the one to capture my heart." I murmured against his warm skin, laughing quietly, "I never thought I'd feel this happy again." I whispered, resting my chin on his chest.
"That's 'cause Wolves are the best." He grinned down at me, running his fingers up and down my back. "I beg to differ." I purred as I hovered over him.
He brought me down to him before rolling us over so he was on top. "Wanna tell me your legends now?" he murmured as he placed kisses my neck.
"Yeah, once you st – oh Christ -" I moaned when he lightly nipped at the sensitive spot on my neck with his teeth.
"Hey!" I yelped as he began to run his hands up my waist, "Quit distracting me!" I scowled as he grinned, swatting his hand away.
"Sorry." He didn't sound sorry at all. "Yeah, sure you are." I stuck my tongue out at him as I stood. He simply winked.
I walked over to my drawer, opening the last one, taking out my journals. "This one is my family tree," I said, holding up a brown leather book, "and this one," I held up a paper-back journal, "Is a copy of our legends. Top secret." I winked, whispering the last part as I went back to sit on the bed.
"What language is it in?" he frowned down at the journal, pointing to the letters. "I had it translated into Portuguese, my language." I explained, before clearing my throat to begin.
"Well, our kind originated in Egypt. The goddess Bastet created us; she created us to protect humans, serve her, and entertain her by killing once a month." I pointed toward an ancient picture of werecats bowing before a goddess sitting on her throne.
"She blessed us with strength, power, and beauty. But cursed us with the inability for control. We lived alongside humans in peace. They acknowledged us as wondrous creatures; they worshipped us since we protected them. We acknowledged them as a child would to a doll or toy: with careful care." I pointed towards a faded painting of werecats and humans sitting at banquet table.
"But soon foreigners migrated to our country, and Cat monsters migrated as well."
I tapped the photo of some Turkish peasants slaughtering a werecat village, "In other countries, we were declared an abomination. Unsafe and a threat. That's how come it hurt to hear your Alpha say such a thing." I added as he rested his chin on my thigh.
He glanced up at me before hugging me, bringing me down so I lying with him.
He nuzzled his nose into my neck, "Sorry." He murmured into my ear, kissing my temple. I giggled as his breath tickled my skin, snuggling deeper into him before continuing, "Anyway, the rejection not only created an animal but a human-wildness. Cat monsters became enslaved and discriminated," I tapped the photo of a werecat snarling with his hands in chains, "and soon they purposely began to phase near humans, causing the spread of the Cat genes." I held up the journal, showing him the ancient painting of werecats attacking humans with the full moon beaming down on them.
I paused to inhale his scent. "Are…are you sniffing me?" he asked incredulously, with an amused smile on his face. "No!" I snapped, blushing. He laughed, "Oh quiet, you." I blushed harder, swatting his chest.
"And quit interrupting me, mister!" I growled, pointing a finger at him. "Once you quit sniffing me!" he shot back smugly.
I tossed my head before continuing, "Anyway, our kind was purposely hunted down by priests and vampires." I flipped the page, showing the gallery we had of historical hunts, priests, and slayed werecats, "Vampires thought it was some sort of hunting trophy to kill a Cat, and some priests thought they were protecting humanity. Our kind was persistently hunted to the verge of extinction. And they did think they wiped us out," I grinned, "but a Cat woman, named Sabra survived…and she was with child."
"Oh, I see where this is going!" Paul nodded.
I glared up at him, "No, you don't. Now shut up and listen! She swore she'd avenge her people's death. She gave birth to her son, making sure no one knew of their true nature, and named him Raksha (which means 'Demon', just so you know). She raised him to be a Cat warrior, a courageous Cat monster at heart." I showed him the photo of Raksha.
Raksha had dark Arabic skin, and dark brows and hair. His eyes were like an endless abyss of coal, his eyes were a famous reference for us Cats: 'they have the eyes of Raksha' or 'the eyes of the Devil'.
"Raksha married when he was seventeen," I flipped the page and showed him the photo of Raksha's wife, Adze. "She bore him children to whom the Cat gene had been inherited."
"So I'm guessing he's gonna make some sort of comeback at the leeches with his children, huh?" Paul grinned. "Quit guessing and mocking my legends, Paul! This is the history of my kind!" I scowled. "Sorry." He grinned sheepishly.
"I'll consider your apology," I nodded, "Anyway, his children and grandchildren were raised as warriors, all of them inheriting the courage of Raksha, that's how come us Cats use the expression 'with the heart of Raksha' or 'the strength of Raksha'. And soon they had an entire small population of Cat monster Warriors with whom they were able to overthrow the vampires." I held the journal up for him to see the picture of werecats in battle against the vampires.
"…The end?" "No Paul, not the end!" I hissed, "There's more pages left! See?" I flipped through the rest of the pages to show him.
"Oh, okay then!" he snuggled his nose into my neck. "Now, who's the one sniffing?" I asked smugly. "Oh shut up and continue." He growled.
"The werewolves, created by Nyx," I flipped to the next page, showing him the painting of werewolves howling up at the moon, "are the creatures closest to us. Despite our natural similarities, our kinds never got along. And soon, instead of attacking each other all the time, we didn't acknowledge each other's existence at all. But their kind was hunted down the verge of extinction as well. Upon seeing they were hunted, Raksha and the werewolf leader named Styxx decided to fight alongside each other as allies." I tapped the photo of Styxx.
He was a blonde-silver haired man, with fierce blue eyes and colossal muscles.
"That became the most historic moment for both our kinds, the war was grotesque and gruesome but it was ended with a glorious victory."
"You were in a war, too, weren't you?" Paul asked quietly, caressing my cheek softly. "Yeah." I grimaced, but continued, "Both our kinds survived to retell the legend of our war, but neither of us approached each other with a problem like that again. Until about two years ago, Isidor and Dieter renewed our ancestors' truce."
I flipped the page to the last photo of Isidor and Dieter. Paul leaned in closer to take a better look at it.
You would never have guessed that Ixia and Isidor were related. Ixia had platinum blonde hair, and metallic blue-grey eyes and pale skin. I used to tease him calling him a walking ice cream cone, or a walking vanilla wafer.
While Isidor had black hair, steel-colored eyes and lightly tanned skin.
"And we won that war too, with the help of a legendary, secret and prestigious Cat group." I swallowed, flipping to the page I knew Ixia's photo was in.
He was standing in front of his group; he was the leader so he had to be in front. Behind him were his uncle, his aunt, and his second-in-command.
I cleared my throat before speaking, making sure my voice didn't waver, "This Cat group was so legendary, disappearing as quickly as they appeared, that they were believed to have been nothing but a mere myth. A ghost."
"What's their name?" Paul asked quietly, examining the photo of Ixia. "They have no name." I smiled faintly, "That's why they are believed to be a myth."
"So I'm guessing I don't need to tell you my legends, then, huh?" he sighed, rubbing smooth circles on my collarbone. I shook my head, grinning, "Nope. You're boring anyway." I sighed dramatically.
He scowled, "I'm offended." "Well, it was most definitely wasn't meant to be a compliment." I shot back cheekily, wounding my arms around his neck after setting the journal aside.
"I want to hear about your family, now." He murmured. I felt any expression leave my face as I sat up, my stomach tightening in anger.
"Alright." I sighed, closing my eyes as my claws came out and my eyes flashed an amber color. "My father's name was Duarte Luciano Lauriete and my mother was Vidonia Lauriete." I tossed him my family-tree journal, refusing to see my parents' faces.
"I was never really close to my father, but we got along well enough to acknowledge each other. But my mother was a completely different story. I loved her from the moment she loved me, and I respected her. She was my anchor, my sun on a rainy day, and my savior when I argued with my dad." I glanced back to see Paul frowning down at the journal, flipping through the pages.
I felt my eyes sting as my Cat slits replaced my pupils, "But I knew my father was a violent man," I chuckled humorlessly, closing my eyes at the memory of him, "I knew he'd beat my mother from time to time. He witnessed Maria and I phase on our first full moon and disowned me. He kicked us out the house, beating Maria and nearly killing me." I subconsciously traced the scar I still had on my neck.
I heard Paul growl but I continued, "But my mother did nothing to help…perhaps she truly thought that disowning us was the best choice, I don't know, but she betrayed whatever trust and respect I had for her and my father ruined what little love I had for him." I sighed, opening my eyes and forcing back my Cat features.
Paul grabbed my waist, lying me back down next to him, gazing into my eyes intently. "I haven't seen them since." I concluded in a whisper, snuggling into his chest and inhaling his scent, letting it comfort me.
"Do you miss them?" he asked quietly. "I miss the relationship I had with my mother." I sighed, "I don't even know if they're still alive." I looked back up at him, gazing into his eyes before kissing him.
We were gentle at first but then my heart accelerated, the rise of my pulse causing my claws to come out, accidentally scratching Paul's shoulders.
He let out a groan of pleasure, his tongue begging for entrance, which I happily complied to.
He growled, rolling us over so he was on top again. I sighed exasperatedly, "How come I don't get to be on top?" I whined.
He simply smirked before leaning in for another kiss.
"Unexpected, understatement of the year, well that's for sure. Who would of thought that I'd be standing at your door?"
-Jon McLaughlin, For You From Me
Franco's POV
Not wanting to spend any further time in the presence of those vampires, I made to start towards home. "And where do you think you're going, young man?" Teival demanded as I ran past him from where he was standing in the doorway.
"Home. This 'sweet' vampire scent is making me feel light-headed. And besides, you don't like 'em much either!" I shot back, crossing my arms. "How rude, Franco, you know they can hear you and they've been nothing but kind so far." Teival scowled at me, shoving me out the door.
I hissed at him, baring my fangs and claws.
"Impressive, Franco, how long have you been rehearsing that look?" he smirked. "Quite a while now, thanks, Teival." I bowed mockingly. "Get on out of here already, Franco." Maria laughed at the scene, "We'll be home in a while. And go pick up Linda and Ramses from Claudine's house, please."
I waved as I ran towards the forest, letting out my Cat features as I ran into the forest, roaring out my power like a child showing off his toys.
I heard someone running in the forest as well, they weren't very close or too far. I let out a gleeful snarl; swiftly climbing up a tree to scare whatever creature it was coming.
I watched in anticipation as a large silver-gray wolf came into view. The wolf sniffed at the spot I had just been, letting out a hiss of disgust. That angered me a bit, so I leapt down.
The wolf let out a loud growl of fear as I landed in front of it, hissing at it before turning back to normal and letting out a laugh. The wolf snarled at me, "Oh, wow, I'm soo scared!" I continued laughing, then realized this was one of the Wolf Warriors, so I laughed even harder.
But the wolf was staring at me with a weird expression on its face, its eyes wide with wonder and…some other emotion I couldn't describe. "Sorry, 'bout that, Wolf. You can shift back now, if you want." I shrugged, grinning.
The wolf took a step back, its clear blue eyes so like mine were now guarded and furious. I stepped forward cautiously, holding my hand out, "I'm one of the Cat monsters that are gonna fight alongside you guys against the clot-suckers."
The wolf snorted, rolling its eyes. "You know, I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I knew whom I'm speaking to." I scowled.
The wolf went behind a tree, I whistled absent-mindedly as I waited with my hands in my pockets. I heard it phase back and dress quickly. Out from behind the tree came out the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.
She had tanned skin with short chin-length dark hair, and the darkest eyes I'd ever seen. She was tall, her long legs exposed by cut-off shorts, her long slim arms revealing the lean muscles through the T-shirt she was wearing.
"H-hi." I mumbled, feeling at a loss for words. "I-I didn't know women could be Wolf Warriors, too."
"I'm probably the first woman to phase into the pack. Whoop-dee-doo." She rolled her dark eyes sarcastically. I laughed, "What's your name, donna?" (Girl)
"I'm Leah Clearwater. What's yours?" "I'm Franco Giordano, but I go by as Franco Ferreira." I extended my hand for her to take. She simply glanced down at it before sighing and placing her hand into mine.
"Your hands are warm." I frowned. She let out a chuckle, rolling her eyes, "It's a wolf thing."
"Is being beautiful a wolf thing too?" I asked smoothly, raising her hand to my lips. Leah Clearwater's eyes widened before she shrugged, "I-I guess." I grinned, looking down at her through my eyelashes as I let go of her warm hand.
"Wanna walk with me?"
"To where?" she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "To pick up my sister's children." I rolled my eyes, "I'm a Cat monster, not a rapist." "You never know." She shrugged, walking with me out of the forest. "Hey, what's that s'posed to mean?" I demanded.
"There was a time I knew that no matter, come what may, love will prevail. And then inside the dreams I knew came the question lovers fear: can true love fail?"
-Al Jureau, After All
Paul's POV
The day for the fight was here. Seth was gonna stay with vampire-girl and the leech, and the rest of us were gonna fight.
Catia and her family were in the trees, their Cat eyes dancing around almost playfully. Leah imprinted on Franco; she was feeling protective, worrying whether he'd make it out all right.
"Great…another Cat lover." Brady snorted. "You better shut up if you know what's good for you." Leah snarled as I growled. "Focus!" Sam barked.
The leeches came out from the water, trying to look dramatic I bet.
"Be ready." Sam warned as the leech army and the Cullen clan collided. "Now!"
We came out from the forest, attacking any leech closest. The Cats leapt down from the trees, causing some leeches to scatter around in fear.
I somehow managed to keep an eye on Catia, realizing that Leah was doing the same for Franco.
Catia was taking on two vampires, taking their heads off with one swipe of her claws, her Cat slits widening in glee. She let out a snarl as she ran on fours towards a leech attacking the psychic.
"Franco!" Leah thought frantically as she realized a leech was going to sneak up behind him. She let out a roar as she leapt on its back, tearing him down. Franco hissed at her softly, nodding his head towards her.
Jake finally showed up, his thoughts happy and excited about him and Bella making out.
How revolting.
Catia and Maria fought back-to-back, finishing off any leech that came near. Jimena and Jose were pretty strong for fifty-year-olds; they managed to tear up any leech with two swipes of their claws.
Suddenly the Cats huddled in the middle, throwing their heads back and letting out a roar, their voices harmonizing the sound of pure terror.
"Whoa…"
Some leeches screamed while others ran towards them. The Cats fought back-to-back, forming some sort of circle, giving us the advantage of attacking the leeches.
I guess I was too busy on the leech was I attacking because I didn't notice the leech creeping up behind me.
I heard a loud roar above me. I turned in time to see Catia with the leech on her; he sent me a grin before leaning down and sinking his fangs into her shoulder.
She let out a yowl of pain as she turned back to normal, baring her teeth at him as I shoved him off, tearing him up immediately. I turned to her questioningly; she nodded, "All good," she whispered, "Stay close."
I nodded, growling angry as I snapped my teeth down at the leech approaching us. She tackled him down while I tore him up.
I wagged my tail, grinning at her. "We do make a pretty good team, aceito." She grinned back before phasing again.
Soon all the leeches were out from the field, now the only thing a cozy fire roasting them into ashes.
The Cats stood around the fire, glaring into it with angry eyes.
Franco growled softly as Maria spat into the heap of fire, angry tears in her eyes. "Don't spit, Maria," Teival murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist, "You'll put the fire out." "For all the ones we lost in the war." She snarled at the fire before walking away with her husband.
After the Cats left, the Cullen clan discussed something. Leah was out, watching them. Jacob came out with her too. But their noses were hit with a scent.
Leah charged.
"Leah, don't!" Edward yelled as Leah charged.
Jacob pushed the leech off her, but the leech got on his back, crushing his bone. Jacob whined in pain as we came out, tearing the leech down.
Soon Jake was on the floor, gasping in pain. "Jacob?" I heard vampire-girl yell as she ran towards him.
"Oh, my gosh, Leah, what the hell were you thinking?" I growled as we all changed back.
The vampire doctor got to him, as did Edward, trying to see how to fix him. "Jake, you idiot, I had it!" Leah yelled. "Leah!" Sam said sternly, kneeling down next to Jake.
"We need to get him out of here, we don't want a fight with the Volturi." Edward said. "We'll take him back to Billy's." Sam nodded. "Hang in there, Jake." Vampire-girl murmured to him.
We all got down to carry him; he let out coughs and groans of pain. "We got you, Jake." I murmured.
We took him to Billy's, and the vampire doctor arrived.
Doctor Vampire had to re-break his bones so they'd heal correctly. We looked up to see vampire-girl park her truck, she came out, walking to Billy, "Hey-" but her voice was cut off by Jake's scream.
Billy let out a small gasp. "It's been goin' on for a while." Quil explained quietly, "Doc's re-breaking his bones." "Why did he have to butt in, I could've taken that tick-" "Give it a rest, Leah." I sighed.
She sent me a glare. Soon Vampire doctor and Sam came out, "The worst is over," he nodded to Billy, "He'll be alright. I gave him some morphine but his body temperature will burn it off soon."
"Thank you." Billy murmured, shaking Doctor Vampire's hand. "He's asking for you." The doctor nodded to Bella.
"Paul!" I turned in time to see Maria running towards us, "Come quick!" she came up to me, gasping, her face pale and tear-streaks on her cheeks, "Catia was bitten."
I ran with her immediately. "I thought you guys could burn it off!" I growled. "We can, but Catia was bitten too many times. We didn't know until I found her nearly drowned in her shower. She must've fainted while bathing." She said all in one breath.
"Dammit!" I snarled, phasing to run faster.