Chapter 25

Cat continued to knock on Alex's door.

"Alex, please talk to me. At least let me in. Everyone's gone down to the feast. Please open the door!"

Cat heard light footsteps coming to the door and the sounds of soft crying.

"I really don't want to talk right now Cat. Go to the feast. I'll be ok. I just want to be alone right now."

Cat sighed.

"Alex, I'm your friend. Please open the door."

The door slowly opened enough for Alex to peek out at Cat. Her eyes were red from crying.

"Cat, can we talk later?"

Cat pushed her way into the room and sat on Alex's bed.

"Nope, we're going to talk now. What did Malfoy say to you this morning?"

Alex walked away from the door, leaving it open, and sat down next to Cat. She shook her head, wiped her face clean and looked down.

"I don't want to tell you that. It's not my place anyway."

Cat gave her a one-arm hug and smiled.

"It can't be that bad. Was it about Kagato?"

She nodded, but remained silent.

"What did he tell you about him? Please Alex, I want to help. You and Kagato just seem so right for each other."

Alex looked up, in tears again.

"Can we not talk about this right now? I just want to forget this whole day happened. I was always told to fear them. I can't believe he didn't tell me."

"What? Fear whom? What didn't he tell you Alex?"

"That I'm a full-blooded werewolf Cat."

They both looked up and Kagato was standing in the doorway. Alex lay down and put her pillow over her head. Cat frowned and shook her head.

"I thought you had told her Kagato. It should have been the first thing you told her."

Kagato looked at Cat with puzzlement in his eyes.

"You, you knew? But, but how?"

Cat sighed.

"I have my ways, as do you my friend."

Kagato stared at her for a moment, then understood. She nodded. Alex's muffled voice came from under her pillow.

"Please, both of you leave. I don't want to see anyone. I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"No Alex, I think you and Kagato need to talk. I'll be down in the Great Hall. Please, hurry and come to the feast."

Cat stood and left the room.

"Yes, we do need to talk Alex. Please, hear me out."

Alex sat up and just stared at him, tears still spilling down her face.

"What do you want from me? How am I supposed to trust what you have to say?"

He sat down next to her. She promptly stood up, went to her window and turned her back to him.

"You're just going to have to trust me. I would never, ever hurt you. Alex, I didn't tell you because I was afraid that you'd react just the way you are right now."

"And just how should I react? I find out, not from you, but from Malfoy of all people, that the person I was hoping was my boyfriend, is a werewolf. Tell me just how I am supposed to take this news?"

Kagato looked at the floor; Alex still had her back to him.

"I don't know Alex. I was hoping that it wouldn't matter."

"Well, it does matter."

He got up and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her. He whispered in her ear.

"I...I love you and I didn't want you to deal this this right now. You have enough to handle without adding this to it. I was trying to protect you. I swear I'm going to get Malfoy for this."

She turned around in his arms and looked at his shirt.

"You love me? Still, you, you should have told me. And I don't need to be protected. Are you sure you love me?"

Kagato smiled and gently lifted her chin to look in her eyes.

"Yes I'm quite sure. Can you forgive me for not telling you?"

Alex thought a moment, then nodded.

"Just don't keep stuff like that from me."

"Ok, I promise."

He leaned down and kissed her gently, then took her hand and led her out of her room.