Their Pride

Their Pride Part 6

Chapter 5

The car ride back to the diner was quiet. I could feel the tension that surrounded us. It seemed like there was something that Seb wanted to talk about but was afraid to do so. Even though usually the silence was much appreciated, this silence took it to a new level. There wasn't anything calming about it.

"Ask," I demanded. I was doing that a lot lately, but could anyone blame me when the boy never spoke up?

"It's just that, well. If you don't mind talking about it, I was wondering if you would tell me a little about your family." I could still hear the hesitation in his voice. Is this what humans did when they were asking personal questions? Did they ask it with hesitance hoping it would be okay? Growing up, I learned that asking questions gets you killed, and there was one thing I didn't want to be and that was dead.

I decided to humor him though. "I didn't know my parents. I'm guessing they died when I was really young, or their still out there."

"Really? What is that supposed to mean?"

"How do I know that they were my real parents? The girl that grew up with me that I thought was my sister is a regular leopard. How could that be possible unless my parents are not who I thought they were," I answered him, voicing the concerns I’ve had in the past.

His face turned to one of concentration. "You're so confusing. Can't you just pretend to be human for a little while?"

I thought back to the females that I had observed before going to school. I angled my body towards Seb and thrust my chest out like they did. His eyes strayed towards me wondering what I was doing. With a large smile on my face, I slowly blinked at him and ran my hand down his arm.

Next thing I knew, my head made contact with window on the side. What in the world? Why did he jerk the wheel?

"T-that was not what I meant. Where did you even learn that? No, don't tell me, just don't do that while I'm driving please," he said. His cheeks were flushed and he was breathing harder than normal.

"Did I hurt you? I thought that was what females did," I said disgruntled while rubbing the side of my face.

"Yeah, but not to that magnitude, I guess you could say. Anyway, what did I tell you about your seat belt? If you would have been wearing it you wouldn't have hurt you head."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he turned on the radio and blasted some awful torture inspiring music. It took about another twenty minutes to get to the diner. There was a pair of long metal stairs up the side of the building that led to the tiny apartment I was staying in.

He parked the car and turned off the engine. "I'll walk you to your door."

Shrugging my shoulders at him, I flung open my door and groaned. Not again, why can't they just leave me alone? This time though, I recognized the scent. This was a particular blonde that I knew very well. I guess you could say we had a love-hate relationship. She loved to hate me.

"You stay in your vehicle," I commanded.

"No, and stop telling me what to do. It's annoying," he responded.

Hmm, so the boy was learning to take up for himself. I tiptoed towards the stairs and kept my footsteps light while walking up the metal stairs. I don't know why I bothered, Seb made enough noise to alert a deaf man.

I glanced sharply behind me. "Let me go in first, then when I think it's safe, you follow me in."

Nodding his head, he followed me up the very last stair. The door flung open by itself and standing there was my bombshell of a sister. The large smile on her face blinded many men, but if you looked close enough you could see the evil glint in her eyes. She was good at masking it though. Good at pretending she cared while she shoved the knife into your back. It was her specialty, making everyone believe she was an innocent helpless woman.

"Oh, sis. I'm so glad you're okay. I heard that some of the pride had sent people to you know," she ran her manicured finger across her neck, "kill you."

"I'm fine, sis," I sneered at her.

She let out a fake sigh of relief. "I'm so relieved. Oh, and who do we have here? Mm, he is a cutie."

She ran her eyes languidly up and down his figure with a soft approving look on her face. I had to keep the growling hiss in my throat. I went to open my mouth to tell her off. This was something I did not need right now.

"Keep your eyes to yourself, kitty cat. Blondes aren't my type."

My head whipped over to Seb, I couldn't believe he said that. He looked at my sister with boredom that wasn't usually on the face of males in her presence. I was so happy I could have kissed him at that moment, but that would have given off the wrong impression.

"You heard him, kitty cat. Skedaddle," I said with cheerfulness.

Seb started laughing and shook his head at me. "It just doesn't sound right when you say it. Now, won't you introduce me to your charming sister?"  The sarcasm was heavy in his voice and my smile widened.

I was so used to everyone loving my sister, that it was a nice surprise to have someone instantly loath her. "Her name is Stacey, and she was just leaving. Unless that is you planned on dying tonight?" I sent the last part to her with seriousness. She knew I wasn't playing around too.

"Well, I'll see you later, sis. I'm thinking tomorrow? I got myself a new job. Mom and dad would have wanted me to keep track of you."

With that she headed out the door. I shivered at the thought of seeing my sister more frequently. That was one thing that didn't really bother me about leaving the pride. Not seeing her every day was a blessing.

"That was um, eventful," Seb said snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Ah, yes eventful. Why didn't you fawn over her?"

He raised one eyebrow making him look adorable. "I told you I don't like blondes. I go for brunettes."

"You go for brunettes? How many have you gone for?" I was surprised at the anger in my voice; therefore, I reined it back.

"No. I was just flirting with you," he said with a red face.

"Flirting?"

"Never mind, look we have school tomorrow. I better get going." He walked towards me as he talked. Finally when he was standing right in front of me, he opened his arms and pulled me into a hug. "I'm glad you stole my seat earlier."

His scent was overpowering, and a rumble made its way out of my chest causing him to pull back. "Are you purring?" he asked with a smile.

I pushed him away from me and kept pushing until he was out the door. "No, now leave. You bother me."

"Okay, okay. I'll pick you up tomorrow. Don't shake your head at me, it's on the way," he said before shutting the door behind him.

I turned the deadbolt and slid to the floor. Since when did Seb have so much confidence? Where was the timid boy I met earlier today on that cement bench? And why in the hell did I purr when he held me?