Chapter 6: The Wild Ones

Feeling more awake but annoyed, Oliver wondered why they were on the move as Jake placed him in the middle of the tow truck, the cold seat feeling icy against his fur. Outside, it was still dark, with snowflakes lazily falling and a gentle breeze brushing against his face. Jake covered him with a blanket in a flash and kissed his forehead. Closing the door, the cinnamon-colored tom cat told him to stay put. Both toms would load small gifts and bags into the back of the tow truck, going back and forth. Bored, Oliver shook off the blanket and went to the door. He opened it and jumped out.

"Woah there. Get your tail back inside," Chance said, putting some bags on the back of the tow truck. He chuckled, swept Oliver off his feet, and returned him to his seat. "Don't want you to get a cold."

Chance quickly made a funny expression, swiftly turning away and releasing a loud sneeze. Emitting a groan, he stroked his nose.

"You getting sick?" Jake called out, approaching with another bag. Stepping near, he rested his hand on Chance's head.

"I'm fine, just feeling stuffed," Chance said, sounding slightly off. "We good on everything?"

Pulling his hand back, Jake nodded. "Just need to secure and close the shop. I'll handle it."

Without waiting for Chance's response, Jake went back inside. Showing a concerned expression, the tabby kat remained still, focusing on Jake. Oliver drew near and softly tapped Chance's hand.

"Hmm? Something up?" Chance said.

Oliver tugged Chance's huge paw in his direction. While touching his nose with his other hand, he gazed at Chance. Hopefully, the tabby could understand what he was trying to signal.

"Oh? Your concern for me?" Chance asked, getting a nod from Oliver. A grin spread across his face as he nodded. He leaped into the driver's seat.

Oliver wrapped himself and Chance with the blanket. With a chuckle, the tabby pressed Oliver closer to him. Oliver would have fun with Chance's massive arm, fascinated by the tiger-like brown stripes. They remained quiet until Chance started playfully fighting Oliver by tapping and poking him with his hand. With a mix of hissing and giggling, Oliver tried to ward off the hand, but Chance intervened to stop him from grabbing it.

They would often play with each other like this. Despite Oliver's attempts, Chance quickly brushed off his attacks during their nipping, tugging, and wrestling sessions. Jake would watch them whenever they played, although he appeared concerned most of the time and would caution Chance about playing too rough with Oliver. Oliver vaguely remembers Chance starting this on by dabbing the side of Oliver's head with a mischievous expression. Initially, it bewildered him, but he eventually comprehended and followed Chance's guidance.

"Okay. Okay. Let's stop for right now, or Jake will have a heart attack," Chance mused, licking his arm and brushing it with his other hand's claws. Once done, he picked up Oliver and licked his forehead before fixing Oliver's fur with his paw. Laughing, he brought Oliver closer. "There, good as new. You'll be fine. Us tabbies show most of our affection through contact. Excited to meet the rest of your family?"

Oliver shrugged his shoulder. Most of the new kats he had met have been nice to him, though there have been some exceptions.

Jake finally returned and joined them in the tow truck. They barely spoke before departing. At the entrance to the salvage yard, they stopped briefly while Jake secured the massive chain-link gate.

Oliver wondered how today would go as he looked out the windshield, taking in the silent sky. The gentle morning snow fell around, the radio played some holiday songs, and the heater was on full blast. Chance and Jake chatted about various topics, but Oliver's interest waned when the conversation turned to ordering car parts for the following year. The giant bridge support beams towered above, piercing the once-empty sky as the first glint of sunlight bathed them in a golden hue. Oliver unbuckled his seat belt, eagerly expecting the view outside, only to be halted by Jake's firm grip.

"Now, hold on, Oliver. It's not safe to unbuckle your seatbelt when the truck is moving," Jake said, grabbing the seatbelt.

"Come on, kitten, lighten up. The poor thing can't see anything down there," Chance said, chuckling and glancing around. "Plus, it's still early for traffic to be any concern."

Jake exhaled deeply, allowing the seatbelt to retract before grabbing Oliver. Despite shaking slightly, he maintained a firm grip on Oliver. "Good thing there are no shortcuts, or I would have said no."

Chance grinned and winked. "Hey now, don't spoil the fun for our kit."

"You mean a headache, right?"

Despite his curiosity, Oliver turned his attention to the window. Pressing his paws on the glass, he gazed at the breathtaking sunrise. Never in his life had he witnessed something so extraordinary.

"Wish I could give the kit a better view," Chance mused, tapping his chin as he stared at the sky. "Much more fun that way."

"Chance, you gotta appreciate the small things. Plus, our lives will slow down a lot this coming year," Jake said, securing Oliver back to his seat. Snorting, he shot a look at Chance. "Ready to fly in cruise control?"

Groaning, Chance nodded and swung back into a grin. "Just let me handle all the fun parts, and you can handle all the boring ones."

"As if. No way do I want to become the boring parent," Jake said, playfully hitting Chance on the shoulder. "We're together in calm and storm."

"Calm and storm," Chance repeated.

Oliver tapped Jake. 'What?'

"Something me and Chance... used to say when we were pilots back in our enforcer days," Jake said.

Oliver was excited as he heard that news, eager to learn more. 'Really?'

"Yes. Chance was a pilot, and I was a gunner," Jake said, giving a quick look at Chance when the tabby scoffed. "Like I said. We USED to fly. Right, Chance?"

Under his breath, Chance grumbled and sighed. "Yes, we used to."

Oliver questioned their strange behavior but set it aside, eager to discuss their time as pilots. Yet his throat created a chaotic sound, reminding him of his situation. It was so unfair. He could not have a meaningful sign language conversation, barely scratching the surface. His knowledge extended to basic expressions like 'sure,' 'what,' and 'why.'

Tears were already welling up in Oliver's eyes as he felt cheated by his circumstances of being born. Just as he was about to mew, Jake produced a yellow notebook and pen. With a blink, he focused his gaze on the tom.

"I got some more supplies stored in our bags. However, this should work for now," Jake said, closing the glove box. "Plus, we need to get you ready for school. Write as best as you can. Don't rush it. We have time to kill."

Wiping his eyes, Oliver nodded while staring at the empty paper before him. He took his time writing his message. The result was unpleasant to look at.

"Let's see. Hmm. Oh? 'Like the Swat Kats?'" Jake read, smiling and rubbing his neck. "You can say that."

Chance snorted. "Oh. But the question is... whose is your favorite? Big, strong, and skillful T-Bone or Razor?"

"Huh? It almost sounds like you want T-Bone to win," Jake said, clicking his tongue. A frown appeared on his face as he tapped his chin. "Why would he pick T-Bone? Razor is a genius, creates all those cool gadgets, and has an impressive aim."

"Ha. Please, this is a no-brainer."

"It's Razor."

"No, it's T-Bone."

Jake huffed, crossing his arms. "You know... this is the perfect way to get a point on the board."

"You read my mind," Chance said, gritting his teeth.

"Oliver, who do you like more?" they both said. With smirks on their faces, they each turned away from each other. "Let us know when you are ready."

Oliver couldn't understand why two grown adults found this so intriguing. It felt odd. He recalled the adults who visited Tram's home and expressed their desire to sleep with one of his heroes. Now, why would they want to sleep with them? Are they scared of the dark like him? Then again, if there are monsters, who wouldn't want T-Bone or Razor to deal with them? Shaking his head, he pondered the question.

T-Bone or Razor?

T-Bone?

Razor?

Oliver groaned, never considering his favorite. They were so cool together, but maybe he wanted to copy one more than the other. With a shrug, he collected the pen. After he finished, he tapped both of their paws.

Both turned their heads.

Pure silence.

Chance clenched his fist and triumphantly pumped the air while Jake appeared utterly defeated.

"Ha! I win," Chance said.

Oliver covered his mouth and giggled. They were odd ones. Chance pushed him closer while Jake grumbled, 'Razor was cooler.'

Throughout the trip, they engaged in a lengthy conversation. Oliver's writing wasn't top-notch, but Jake could still understand it as they proceeded. The talk mainly revolved around inquiries about Jake's and Chance's past. Oliver discovered their past careers as enforcers' pilots, and they both agreed to display their awards and medals. Wondering why they had stopped being pilots, he questioned them, but their answer was only a cryptic 'things happen.' That at least explained their fitness and strength. They must still exercise when they can.

"You probably have some other questions for us?" Jake asked, glancing out. He pushed Oliver closer and whispered, "However, let's hold on to that as we try not to get overrun by the Furlongs. Just don't freak out... okay?"

As Chance parked the car, Oliver pondered how bad the situation would be. They exited the vehicle, where a surprising view greeted them.

The oddest building stood out, an oversized two-floor house with an attic judging by the windows. It appeared to be one of those old houses on TV with big families. A gray roof, light red walls, and white frames adorned the house. A plot of land surrounded it, with a large willow tree nearby. It stood proudly and loudly among the typical enormous apartment buildings nearby.

Around the porch's cover, a few fierce and aged tabby cats played poker. As they examined their cards, they appeared stern. One of them, the sole non-tabby, crossed their arms and placed two cards down. With glasses, a gray mustache, gray hair, a lime green hat, and winter clothing, this old tom sipped his coffee. With a huff, he pulled out his glasses, cleaned them, and glanced to the side.

"Well, I'll be. Chance and Jake! Glad you could join us!" the coffee fur tom said, standing up. He went around the railing and headed towards them. Shifting his glasses, he glanced down. "So this must be your little one."

"Pops, it's been a bit!" Chance said, carrying some big duffle bags on each side. With a grin, he nodded in affirmation. "Oliver, this is Pop Perkins. He's... well now. He's your grandfather. Say hi."

Oliver frowned, questioning if this 'grandfather' would be like the last one. He shook his head and rested his chin on Jake's shoulder.

The smile on Chance's face disappeared, replaced by a stern expression as he crossed his arms. "Hey, don't be rude. Get your little butt over there and say hello."

Oliver pouted while Jake lowered him and brushed his head. As Jake guided them to Pops, he reached for Jake's hand. His eyes roamed everywhere but forward until Jake nudged him. With a sigh, he looked at Pops and saw the old tom smiling.

"Pleasure to meet you, sport. Hope you can accept this old tom-like family," Pops said, reaching forward and scratching between Oliver's ears.

At first, Oliver tensed up, but soon, he couldn't resist the urge to purr and rub his head against the hand. Then he realized Pops had picked him up, feeling the warmth of his embrace against his chest. Pops exuded the comforting fragrance of coffee, mingled with a faint, ashy scent. It tickled his nose, though he could recall the smell similar to one of Tram's girls. Oliver thinks her name was Sam, one of the few she-kats that played with him briefly in the morning before leaving. Her smile held a touch of sorrow that puzzled him, no matter the occasion. He liked her, so Pops should be alright.

"There we go," Pops said, shifting Oliver in his arm. "Thankfully, you're not a big kitten. Your pa Chance was such a big boy when he was your age."

Chance responded with a shrug. "I wasn't that big."

Pops rolled his eyes. "Sure. Anyway, hold on sport. We got a couple of tabbies already ready to pounce."

Oliver didn't understand what Pops meant until he peeked over his shoulder. Grinning, the four older tabbies approached them with their gigantic bodies. He trembled and swiftly moved towards Pop's neck.

"So this is the new Furlong? Come here and give your great uncles some love," a rough voice said.

Oliver felt a whip of air as he got snatched by a silver tabby. The broad, burly tom had old cuts near his nose and was shorter. A massive laugh escaped the kat's mouth, causing his beer belly to shake.

"You are so tiny. My kids' kids are going to eat you up. Don't ya agree, Ted?" the silver tabby said, throwing Oliver to another silver tabby that looked like him but had no cuts.

Ted caught Oliver. He laughed heartily and raised Oliver up. "Right, Ned. This one needs some meat to grow big and strong like us," he said, turning to the other two tabbies. "What say you, Dan? Or you, Lucas?"

Dan is the same height as Freya with similar fur colors. He wasn't as wide as most but more compacted in his figure. He still looked ferocious as he grinned. The last brother, Lucas, was a mix of silver and amber fur coloring, missing the tip of his left ear. Lucas had a lazier grin and messy hair.

Oliver reached his breaking point before Dan or Lucas could speak. Under the mounting pressure, he expressed his distress through mewing and sobbing, yearning to be released.

All the older tabbies winced, ears folding down.

"Hey, Oliver, it's alright. They are just playing with you," Chance called out, wincing and approaching them.

A large bang rang out from the area of the house. Oliver glanced in the direction, tears in his eyes. Freya, wearing a messy kitchen apron, stood with laser-burning eyes. She looked around at everyone before finally fixing her gaze on Oliver.

"Who's making my grandson cry?" Freya shouted, approaching them. She cracked her knuckles. "Didn't I tell you idiots not to play rough with Oliver?"

"Wait, sis, we weren't playing that rough and..."

A bar owner. Two construction workers. And a commercial driver. These workers are big, strong, and very intimidating. Chance could only glance out the window, where they pretended nothing happened as they licked their wounds and continued their poker game. After his mother threw them around, Freya led the rest inside to the dining area and acted like a doting grandmother, treating Oliver to some snacks.

"Here, little one. Just one for now. Don't wanna spoil breakfast for you," Freya said, using her free hand to grab a candy bar. She held Oliver with the other hand. "Feeling better?"

Oliver took the candy and unwrapped it. He closed his free hand's fingers together to his chin and then moved it forward.

"He said 'thank you,'" Jake said, sitting near Pops.

With a smile, Freya sat Oliver down on a chair and hugged him. She moved towards the door leading to the kitchen. "Chance, honey. Mind helping your mother out?"

"Of course, ma," Chance said, following his mother to the kitchen. When Freya wasn't busy knocking someone's teeth in, her second favorite spot was the delightful kitchen, brimming with pans and equipment. Grinning, he felt a sudden jolt of nostalgia as if transported back to his playful kitten years. As his mama cooked some delicious chicken, the younger version of him sat on the edge of his seat, entranced by the sizzling sounds and savory smells wafting from the kitchen. "Kind of surprise Luna isn't here first."

Freya nodded and went to the fridge, opening it. "It seems someone has finally gotten her attention."

Chance gave a cheeky grin. "Oh. I wonder who's the lucky fellow."

"Who knows? I hope it's not an enforcer," Freya said, pulling some milk jugs.

"Why?" Chance snorted, crossing his arms and leaning on the counter. With one hand, he gestured towards his mother and himself. "Why is that a big deal?"

Freya sighed, placing the jugs near a bowl where flour, baking powder, and other ingredients awaited. "And you know the mortality rate for enforcers is high. I ah... I want Luna to be happy."

"Mama, you can't oppose it if that kat is an enforcer."

"I know," Freya whispered, beginning to put things together. She glanced up. "I know. Do you think she'll bring him over one of these days?"

Chance shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe. How long do you think they've been together?"

"Well, she'd been asking me to babysit her kids more often than usual months back, so... I give it about seven months or a year of it being serious. However, I can guess they have been fooling around more than that."

Chance rubbed his mouth before glancing up. "Now that I think about it. Kind of quiet."

"Those two are probably snoozing still."

Chance chuckled, moving closer and helping his mother out. "Which explains why I haven't heard a lick yet. How are the boys doing?"

"Cale is doing fine. Honor roll and top of his class," Freya said with a smile. Sighing audibly, she furrowed her brows and rhythmically tapped her fingers against the counter. "Conner is trying his best, though I wish he picked up a pen and paper, as well as he is picking fights."

"Want me to talk to him?" Chance said. He rubbed his neck, feeling a bit embarrassed. "He kind of reminds me of me. Angry at the world and just not sure where to place it."

Freya whipped the ingredients with a playful grin and shot him an amused look. "I think Conner needs a Jake."

"Jake is the only Jake," Chance said with a chuckle. "I'll get the sausages and eggs ready."

Chance reminisced about the time he first brought Jake to the Furlong household. They were simply friends then, completing basic training at the academy before pursuing their specialties. Jake mentioned he would be at the base during the holiday break. Upon hearing that, Chance had different plans for Jake. Each of them faced difficulties in different aspects of the academy, offering help and encouragement to one another. Jake was a friend like no other to Chance, always grounding and humbling him with his wisdom. Despite Chance's fury, Jake never backed down or mocked Chance's struggle with the material. So he invited the cinnamon tom over for the holiday. How could he not?

Chance carefully broke the eggs over the hot stove, the aroma of breakfast mingling with thoughts of Jake on that holiday night.

Chance remembered they had a drink and watched the snowfall while discussing their plans. The news of Jake joining the pilot course filled Chance with excitement. Did he feel happy about his friend staying, or did he fear being away from Jake? He entertained the idea of kissing the tom, but a fight erupted between his family and a group of punks. That night, he pushed his feelings aside and felt fortunate to have a best friend.

"I should have kissed him that day," Chance muttered, turning on the stove. He grinned. "Aw, well, still got him later on."

"Hmm?" Freya said, already making some pancakes.

"Nothing. Hmm, maybe this new tom could be the father Conner needs. Hopefully, it's a strong tom because Conner can be an immovable rock sometimes."

Freya sighed. "I hope so."

Their intense lovemaking session in his apartment had now subsided, leaving them both in a state of calmness as they recovered their breaths. Their purrs filled the room, and Feral began tenderly licking the she-kat's scruff.

"You sure you can't stay longer?" Feral whispered as he rubbed himself against her.

With a sigh, a young amber-fur tabby shifted forward before turning around to face him. She had a nice body, and it still surprised him she had given birth to two boys. Her severe but sweet face initially confused him, though he finally understood the differences. Luna was the spitting image of her mother, albeit shorter.

"Uly, I was supposed to be at my mom's this morning," Luna grumbled in her hazy but soothing voice. She pouted for a moment before chuckling. She reached in and cupped Feral's cheek. "Everything all right?"

"Why the question?"

"Well, apart from the wild and great sex. No... the multiple rounds of wild and great sex. You seemed very tense and oozing a lot of stress."

Feral sighed, feeling the weight of exhaustion as he allowed himself to drift to the side and land on his back. Luna scooted nearer and rested her head on his chest. They embrace in silence while Luna observes him.

"It's... nothing," Feral said.

"I'm going to have to call bullshit," Luna said with a smirk. She tapped his chest. "Come on, Uly, it's me. Is it something at work? Family? The Swat Kats getting on your nerves again?" Biting her lip, she stopped and rested her head on his chest. "Is it... me?"

"No! By the gods, no! It's not you," Feral explained, stopping for a moment. He touched and rubbed his head. "Let's just say it's a couple of things. Tram's death is causing a stir. The mayor's upcoming charity party will be a headache to secure. And I have this sinking feeling that something is brewing on the horizon."

"Hmm. What do you think it is? Another omega attack?" Luna asked, shifting herself to be on top of him.

"No. It's more of a sinking feeling that something less big but still damaging to the city is happening. I don't know. I always hate it when I get like this," Feral grumbled the last part.

When Feral felt his fur stand up a certain way, he always felt something was up. The moment he heard about Tram, something set off, telling him there's more to it. However, sometimes, it was just a feeling with no solid ground. Maybe he's overthinking it, and it's just a stupid mafia fight. All he had to do was be ready if any of them acted up and put them in cuffs before any innocent civilians got hurt.

Luna leaned in and kissed Feral. "It's better not to worry if you don't know what it is. It's not good for your health."

"You calling me old?" Feral said playfully.

Luna laughed and ran her hands over his body. "Please, with this body, you put most kats younger than you to shame."

Feral lifted his arms with a grin and proudly flexed his powerful biceps. "So that's why you like me? Just muscle?"

"Plus other things."

"Oh, do tell."

"Oh no. You're an enforcer. Use your detective skills and figure it out," Luna said, getting close and kissing Feral. She retreated, jumping off the bed and gathering her clothes. Pausing her movements, she glanced back at him. "Have you given thought about what I said?"

Feral thought about responding though paused and replayed their dinner conversation that seemed so long ago. "Give me a week to think about it."

Luna's smile grew gentle, and she clung to her clothes, averting her eyes to the ground. It seemed like she was about to say something, but then she paused and let out a big exhale. The shower sound came on a few minutes after she went to the bathroom.

The sight of Luna like that pierced Feral's heart. Despite the overwhelming noise of his worries, he couldn't deny that he liked what she wanted. His heart yearned to publicly announce her as his mate and sanctify their union through marriage. He was happy and deeply in love with her. Yet, could he live with himself if she got hurt? Sometimes, the burden of being the commander of the enforcers outweighed any benefits.

Whether it be the media or colleagues having a field day with his status or who he claimed as his mate, it was going to be a shit show. Feral and Luna knew the two Furlongs who would oppose this. One is going to beat him, and the other wants an excuse to kill him. Hell, maybe both will do it. However, the biggest issue he had to worry about was Luna and her kits having targets on their backs.

That brings the other problem...

The fear that's been lingering since dating Luna is approaching. On the surface, he seemed calm, but there's a worry that Luna is oblivious to. Because of his strict and short communication style, kats rarely form a liking for him, which puts him in a disadvantageous position. So, how is he going to win over Luna's kids?

Feral rubbed his temple and breathed out, realizing he couldn't stay in bed all day and had work to do.

Plus, he is feeling another round in him.

As Feral entered the bathroom, he opened the shower glass door and stepped inside. Luna reacted little apart from the glance, returning to let the hot shower clean her. He closed in, and she hissed, blocking herself with her tail.

Feral sighed, ignoring her warning and pressing close. She felt so combative as he put his arms around her and rested his face on her shoulder. Then she gave up her fight as she looked ahead and let out a few hisses.

"Okay," Feral whispered, rocking them gently.

Luna's gaze shifted to him, blinking, and then she lit up and nuzzled his head. "I love you."

Feral purred, nuzzling back and murmuring the exact words back to her. With not another word, Luna lifted her tail, and Feral wasted no time with the invitation.

As they made love in the shower, the sound of drizzling water and occasional splashes created a backdrop for the symphony of grunts, mews, and growls that filled the air. It didn't take them much time to reach another fiery climax, pausing briefly to relax before aiding each other in tidying up.

Once they were ready, they exited Feral's apartment. Taking the elevator down to the garage, they briefly kissed before entering their vehicles.

Luna rolled down her window and brushed her hair back. "So, how should we do this? How do we come out? Oh gosh, how do we come out? Who should be the first Kats we tell before the media gets wind of this? I want you to meet the boys as soon as possible."

Feral laughed, seeing Luna's excitement. He used his hand to wave at her to calm down. He blinked and cupped his chin, wondering who he wanted to tell first. Then again, he only wanted to tell a couple of kats. "Inform the closest kats in your life. I'll do the same. Plus, I'm going to the office and clear things up with HR. It shouldn't be a problem... I hope."

Luna grimaced and nodded. "All the girls are going to look at me differently," she said with a groan. She hit the wheel with her head and exhaled. "Now I'm going to be known as the girl that slept with the big boss. I hope I can still be your secretary. I don't want to end up with an idiot like the ex-commander lieutenant or someone that smells."

Feral chuckled. "I hope you don't. Plus, I'd rather not deal with another situation with you and one of my subordinates."

Luna pouted and crossed her arms. "It's not my fault Steele had the nerve to talk ill about my brother in my face."

"True, but," Feral paused, remembering that day. He smiled and leaned out, placing his paw on the door. "It's going to be the only time I was ever glad he was under me."

Luna rolled her eyes and snorted before smiling. "And that's when you found out how good I am. Glad my prince came to take me away."

Feral laughed, tapping the hood of his car. "I'll see you later. Call me, and we'll... Figure out an appropriate time so I can get my butt whipped by your mother."

"My mother won't..." Luna stopped when Feral made a face. She squinted and deflated. "Alright. She will probably do something. Let me work my magic and try to smooth things over."

Luna gave a small wave, turning on her car and heading out first. Feral followed her and turned differently, watching her car disappear from his windshield mirror.

Feral focused on the road ahead, replaying everything in his head. He felt happy and worried simultaneously, though he hoped things would work out. It still felt unreal. At one point, he thought he would never find a partner and die alone.

Since Feral joined the force, love or relationships have been on the back burner, as he wanted to climb the ranks as soon as possible. The words 'later' or 'no time' were his go-to when his brother asked him when he would meet someone. Once he became commander, his duties expanded, and work became his sole focus. Time went by and passed. Of course, he satisfied his needs during the mating months with one-night stands. Regardless, he could blame his devotion to his work, though there was some belief that he had been out of the game for so long that he did not know how to be a partner to another kat.

As if the gods were mocking him and his solitude, a succubus bewitched Feral some time ago.

Katrina Moorkroft brought out that small box he had locked away deep inside. Even now, he shivers when recalling how he almost died because of that creature. It was such an embarrassing experience, and it hurt his ego a bit that the Swat Kats saved his tail. Even after snapping out of his trance and recovering from Moonkroft's drain of his life energy, he felt emptier and yearned to switch that. That, however, failed miserably with dates that didn't continue or kats who didn't seem interested in a relationship. Everything seemed pointless, and he would have given up.

Then Luna Furlong came into his life, and things changed.

Feral smiled, turning into the Enforcer HQ underground parking lot. He reached his spot and parked, getting out and hopping off. There was another vehicle nearby, a temp vehicle, as the former commander lieutenant had that unfortunate accident. That tom must be working the holiday week with the other volunteers, though he could swear that Reiko had mentioned he had plans.

"Something must have happened," Feral mused as he entered the elevator. He pushed for his floor and waited.

It didn't take long for the doors to open to his floor, though there was very little activity as most high-ranking officers were with family. Some were here based on the few secretaries talking at one desk, probably gossiping as they giggled. One of them glanced his way, her fur lifting a bit before she said something to the group and headed to her desk. All the other mollies split off and returned to their desk, avoiding Feral's gaze as they sheepishly smiled.

Feral grunted and nodded, refraining from saying anything as it was the holiday week, and there wasn't much to go on this week. He didn't care if they were talking among themselves, though he had to keep his image of a no-nonsense and strict persona with his co-workers. However, he couldn't help but glance to the side, seeing Sergeant Fletcher Howl and Detective Cade Prowl exiting his lieutenant's office. A couple of kats were still inside Reiko's office.

"Sergeant Howl. Detective Prowl. Is there something happening?" Feral said. Both males halted, looking and saluting him.

"No, Commander Feral. We're just giving some updates to the Commander Lieutenant," Cade said, dropping his paw down.

"Plus, wishing him a happy holiday," Fletcher added.

Cade glared at Fletcher. He let out an exhale and nodded. "A quiet start of the week. If you would excuse us, commander. We have to finish some reports and maybe enjoy some time with the family," he said, moving towards the door with Fletcher.

Feral watched them leave, turning his attention to his subordinate's door. He thought about checking in briefly, though he shook the idea off. Reiko is doing so well. It shouldn't be surprising that toms and mollies in the force would go to him for things. If something significant happened, Reiko would notify him immediately.

Unlike Feral's former pain in the tail, Reiko could manage things if something happened to him. There were a bunch of potential kats to fill the position, though Reiko is the only one with so many recommendations from other kats. Luckily, there was no longer a risk of hiring another privileged child of a wealthy individual as he carefully vetted the recommendations. The only thing that raised a fur for Feral was reading the name of one letter of recommendation.

Joseph Longtail.

Feral never liked that tom. They joined the force the same year, and Joseph continuously stirred his fur. Joseph did nothing illegal, as far as Feral was aware, but Joseph would be near that gray area when conducting himself as an enforcer and appearing to be owed something. Feral remembers confronting that tom and getting into a physical fight during a night out with other enforcers. Eventually, they finally went their separate ways, and the last thing he heard was Joseph working in the enforcer drug division.

Feral shook his head, heading to his door and giving a brief 'hello' to his temporary secretary for the week. As he went inside, he climbed a few steps to his desk and sat in his chair. He unlocked his cabinet and pulled out some important documents. He paused and cursed himself, rubbing his face and muttering to wake up.

"Kats alive. Luna's right. I have a bad habit of entering 'work mode' and forgetting things," Feral mused. He clicked on his office phone button. "This is Feral. Can you please call and send someone from HR to my office?"

"Right away," the temporary secretary said.

Jake glanced at the pictures on the wall, taking in all the smiles and joy each photo held. Each image glowed behind the glass frame and the lovely wooden frame that held it. Sometimes, he was childishly jealous of Chance's family, wanting to have many moments like them with his family. It wasn't the worst childhood, but sometimes it felt tense with all the expectations and lack of freedom about what he could and couldn't do.

As Jake continued to glance around, he couldn't help but notice a spot on the wall where a picture hung. The photo and frame were in perfect condition, but the dust line markings around it hinted at a previous photo that had been there. He mused that it was odd as Freya was very tidy with her home. It almost seemed like it was left alone on purpose.

"Uncle Jake?" a voice called out to him.

Looking to the side, Jake smiled as he recognized the ten-year-old red tabby kitten. "Morning Cale. Breakfast is almost ready."

Cale nodded, fixing his glasses and yawning. His hair was like his mother's primary color. He had chubby cheeks like Chance and always wore a shy expression. He moved closer and hugged Jake. "Happy holidays. Is mama around?"

"Happy holidays to you too. She's not here yet," Jake said, patting the young kitten's back. "You've grown taller since last time."

Cale pulled back and shook his head. "You should see my brother! He's gotten much bigger."

Jake nodded, about to say something, till he noticed something from the corner of his eye. A kitten tiger stood near the staircase with an irritable face as he mumbled something. Conner had the same coloring as his mother, though he looked more tiger than tabby and had orange eyes instead of the Furlong green. "Conner! Morning, how have you been?"

Conner stopped his walk momentarily to glance at Jake, giving a slow nod before moving on towards the dining area.

Jake got close to Cale. "Is your brother alright?"

Cale's ears folded. "Conner got suspended from school before the break. Mama and Freya got mad at him, though Conner ignored them. He's mad at being grounded."

"Oh, I see," Jake said, wishing he could talk to Conner. However, it wasn't his place to voice his opinion on someone else's kid. If Luna wanted his help, he would happily take a crack at it. Conner reminded him of Chance. "Let's not dwell on it. Oh! Cale... ready to meet your new cousin?"

Cale nodded. "Grandma told us you got a kitten."

Jake led Cale to the dining area, though he heard a loud hiss before he could make two steps.

"Who the heck are you?" Conner said.

Something told Jake to hurry. Turning the corner, he gasped as he saw Oliver ducking his head and shivering as Conner stared him down with a hold on the wool sweater. Conner had a fist ready. He heard heavy footsteps from the kitchen. Chance, Pops, and Freya came in. Freya growled and rushed to the kittens.

"Conner, let go of your cousin this instant!" Freya shouted.

"Cousin?" Conner let out, though he backed up and folded his ears. "How the heck was I supposed to know? The little twerp bounced into me."

"So your first instinct is to attack? Boy, I swear I'm going to smack some sense into you," Freya said. She pinched her nose and exhaled, pressing her hands like a prayer. "Apologize to Oliver."

Conner blinked, letting out an annoyed look. He glared at Oliver and shook his head. "Whatever," he let out as he moved around Freya.

Jake winced, seeing the rest of the adults looking worried as they stayed silent. He could feel the atmosphere getting heavy as Freya looked like she got slapped in the face before turning to pure fury. Chance's mother was a fair she-kat but old school with her parenting techniques when punishing kits.

Pops and Chance moved in. Pops put a hand on Freya's shoulder. "Conner, sonny, please apologize to Oliver and your grandma."

Chance blocked Conner, looking furious but calmer than Freya. He snapped his finger and pointed back at where Freya and Oliver stood. "Conner. Go. Now," he said in a heavy tone.

Conner made a face, though he appeared peeved as he glanced around. He hissed and turned before going back between the two kats. He took a minute before saying, "Sorry, grandma and... you."

"Oliver," Chance said, crossing his arms. "Your cousin."

With a groan, Conner kicked the air and looked to the side. "And... you too, cousin. There. I said it. Am I good now?"

Freya exhaled, shoulders lowering and ears folding. "Alright. All of you sit down. Breakfast will be served in the bit. Chance, hun, can you let my brothers know the food is ready?"

"Sure, mama," Chance said, heading out.

Jake sat down near Oliver, who would glance at Conner. Conner had a storm above him as he sat near his brother. It hurt to see Conner on his little island sometimes, though Cale was the only one who wouldn't shy away from talking to his brother.

The heavy laughter and stomps of the older Furlong made their way to the large dining area. Soon, the mood returned to normal, with Freya serving everyone breakfast. Conversations shifted from the holiday week plans, in which Freya's brother mentioned they would go to their kid's family for the following days. The older tabbies would always swing by their sister's house on the morning of the first day and return on the last day with their kin. With playful banter and light punches, chance would joke and laugh with his granduncles.

When Jake arrived at the Furlong household for the first time, he found the Furlongs' display of affection surprising. Sometimes, they would wrestle and play fight, though sometimes it looked a bit too real. Plus, they were forward with their questions. If memory serves correctly, Jake could recall Lucas asking him at the side if he and Chance were a thing. Jake answered with an embarrassed no, slowly making him wonder if he liked Chance that way. He never put much thought into the idea of relationships as his father's looming figure would judge them, though he had experimented with both sexes in secret since he reached his teenage years. Sex is sex, but he found the character of the kats the most charming. At first impression, he thought Chance was nothing but a brute, though the more he looked, the more he realized how wrong he was about that. Of course, Chance is strong, but the strongest thing about the tabby is the will to fight for what is right and protect what he loves. Chance is the first kat he could be honest with and not worry about being judged. It was a feeling similar when they flew, the sense of open fresh air and boundless freedom.

Jake smiled, poking Chance's side to get his attention. Chance shifted a bit and glanced at him with a look, wondering what was up. Jake mouthed what he wanted to say, telling the tom of his life that he loved him. Chance grinned and did the same thing.

As they continued with their food and conversation, Jake could hear two voices as whoever made their way to the dining area.

"Oliver! I'm here!" Jonathan announced, jumping in the middle of the entrance and raising his hands.

Oliver had a pancake in his mouth, raising his tiny fist and mimicking Jonathan.

Luna made her appearance, raising her hand to greet everyone. She looked somewhat defeated when she glanced at Jonathan. "Sorry, I'm late. Let's say I had a surprising stop today."

Jake noticed the surprised look on Chance's and Freya's faces as they focused on Jonathan. He could only imagine what they were thinking.

Not a dull day in the Furlong household, Jake thought.