A Shifting Land

Chapter 21

She waited, eyes cracked just slightly as Liz approached. She sat up, ears going flat and lips lifting. "I know you'll understand me wolf. What are your intentions?"

Liz freezes. She stares at the kitten, eyes wide. "Wait, that's not the same voice from earlier."

"No, its not. She is sleeping. Tell me. What are your intentions with us." Illandria pulls herself to her feet and leaps up and over the fence. She lands with ease on three legs, standing tall as the human scrambles back. "So I ask again. Final time. What are your intentions?"

Liz stuttered, "To help! That's all."

Illandria flips her teeth, a second set of fangs dropping down behind the first. "What did I hear about contacting the packs in the area?"

"Nothing! Well we have been reaching out because we thought someone was missing you..." She cringes.

"So you have reached out." She sat back onto her haunches and flexed the claws on her good foot. She nibbles on the claws, peeling pieces off and flicking them aside. "Call them back. Tell them I'm dead."

She shakes her head, "I can't..."

The door swings open, Dale leading a few older men through.

Illandria in the feline form glares at them. She gives herself a brisk shake before stalking up to Dale. She regards him through hooded eyes before shifting her weight back onto her back end. She jumps up, placing her paw dead center on his chest and walking with him as he staggers back.

She slams him into the wall, her teeth bared. She tilts her head, her form melting away to reveal her human side. "I am not a toy to be gawked at."

Liz squawked and took off her coat. "You may not be a toy but you are naked! Jesus!"

Dale looks pointedly at the ceiling, cheeks a deep red. "How old are you?"

Illandria backs off and shrugs the coat on. "No clue. Can I leave now? I have actual family who will be worried."

One of the men coughed. "My name is Alpha-"

Illandria snorts. "You? Alpha? That's what leads the werewolves here? I wouldn't want you to lead a herd of wet noodles."

Liz and Dale stare at her in open mouthed shock. "Uh, cat, you're depending on him right now. You're on his territory." Liz suggests

Illandria sighs, "Look. Thank you for saving me, and killing me repeatedly, but I really can't stay."

"Killing her?" The other male asks curiously. He tilts his head, black hair escaping his ponytail to frame his face. "How so?"

"My heart stops when under anesthetic." Illandria deadpans. "Eyes up. This form is only 15."

He blinks and smiles. "Why not come back with us for now. Just for a day."

"Because I would rather rip your head from your shoulders then spend one day looking at you."

Dale excuses himself from the room before bursting out laughing.

Illandria sways slightly, following him with her gaze. She lifts her top lip in a sneer before shifting back. She stumbles slightly at the missing support.

Swift glances up," Do you need me to take control?"

"Can you magically speak their language?" Dria retorts.

Swift flinches, "I'm just trying to be nice..."

She flicks her tail up at her. "Thanks but you can't until you learn the language. Go ahead and go back to napping."