Tales of a Shifter (P5) The White Mountain

Chapter 11 - Once Upon A Civil War

Chapter 11 – Once Upon a Civil War

Glen queen of the Leopards and possibly one of the loveliest people Brandon had ever met gave him a dark look at his ready and willing desire to listen to her tale.

The darkness on he face and in her normally bubbly mannerisms holding Brandon captive and anxious as he waited for her to speak further. Eventually Glen nodded to herself, as if she were trying to be determined or brave.

Then she seemed to gather her thoughts as she sat up straight, put out her hand, then sharply gestured towards how own body. "Brandon?" She asked calling his attention to her movement. "Can you tell me what you think when you see me?"

Brandon's first urge was to say something flattering, but from the serious tone in her voice Brandon instantly guess that Glen was looking for honesty, not flattery. So, after a moment he easily spoke the one thought he had constantly had about the Leopardess since he had first met her. "I don't want to offend you Glen...." Brandon started off. "But you're really small. Everything about you seems dainty like a flower. Delicate, but...but it suits you, you know?"

As Brandon stopped speaking Glen scrunched up her nose, dropped her hand and sighed back at him seeming displeased.

"Exactly...I'm small. Even by most standards...and my size creates a fragility that I can't deny." Ezekiel's mother agreed. "But there is a special reason for this Brandon. You see.... I'm not like some of the other Leopards in this Clan. About half of us...aren't like the other half that live here."

Intrigued Brandon asked. "What do you mean?"

"Well.... Brandon there are subspecies in all of the Shifter Clans. Branches and tiers of beast kind." Glen informed him. "In the other Shifter Clans, they are all beholden to their species, but there are sub species or various other blood lines that reside within the borders of ever Clan."

Brandon frowned as he tried to conform to this new information, before Glen waved at him and hissed.

"Don't get confused Brandon. "She told his quickly. "I'm simply trying to give an explanation. Basically, what I'm saying is that even if there is only one Bird Clan.... there are different Bird Shifters that reside within that Clan. Some Shifters can turn into Flacons, or Crows, or Hawks."

Glen gestured and shook her head.

"Much like there are different types of these same animals found in the wild, there are multiple types of Shifters in one Clan. They have different kinds of Shifters in this Clan as well Brandon. There aren't simply Leopards that live here. There are Snow Leopards and Western Leopards in this Clan." Glen sharply outlined ticking off on her two left fingers as she spoke. A small smile touched her lips as she suddenly explained putting a small hand to her bodice. "I am a Snow Leopard Brandon. My people aren't like the Western Leopards. We're smaller...more delicate as you put it. We are also colored much differently than the rest."

Brandon twisted his lips to the side as he thought of Mantilo's size, relative to his Mates and his sons. Then he said. "Okay, so let me guess.... Mantilo is one of the Western Leopards?" Brandon suddenly inquired.

Glen nodded. "Yes he is, as are all of the Guardians, including Erin, but Drin is a Snow Leopard much like me."

Easily following along now Brandon said next. "I get it...you and Drin are smaller because you're Snow Leopards? And Mantilo's a giant because he's a Western Leopard? Makes sense." Brandon stated, then he stopped and shrugged. "But I've honestly never seen a Snow Leopard before, what makes you so different form Mantilo?"

Seeming pleased with this question Glen smiled gently and hissed quietly. A feral, playful flash of vibrant green neon light flashed across her eyes and she leaned forwards as if whispering a secret to him. "Oh is that so? Well, why don't you see for yourself...say hello to my other half." she said, before she swiftly Shifted right before his eyes.