The Pride of White Mane (Werecats Book 2)

Chapter 6

-Pheonix's POV-

I chirped nervously my cheetah pulling at my mind. I was uncomfortable. I panted harshly as I looked around the garden I was in. Teenagers. A lot of them and they were all looking at me and pointing. Taking pictures on their phones. They weren't bullying me before anyone gets the wrong idea. They all just think my cheetah form is cute for some reason. My tail swished violently as someone tried to approach me from behind and I bared my teeth at them.

They put their hands up in surrender quickly and moved away. I chirped again my cheetah forcing the small noises out. Of course, this would happen at another party. And my sister's best friend's pool party no less. I might've just been better off going to the zoo with the triplets and my dads.

"Everyone stop crowding my brother, you're stressing him out" I heard Remi say as she shouldered through the crowd.

I meowed when she knelt down in front of me. I continued to meow and Chirp as she pet me to try and slow down my heart rate.

"Thanks, sis, I owe you" I whispered into the mind link, pushing my head further into her scratching fingers.

"Not for this, you don't" was her reply as my breathing finally calmed down.

The tension in my muscles dissipated slowly as my breathing returned to normal. But even if I wanted to I was still stuck in my cheetah form until it decided I was no longer threatened.

"Everyone don't crowd my brother, he's not able to shift back just yet. All of you go back to enjoying the pool" Remi dismissed as a few of her friends inched closer. Concern was written all over their faces.

"If your sure he's alright Remi" her friend agreed. Her name was Hope.

Hope was cute with strawberry blonde hair and Hazel eyes. She had a runners build the same way Remi was built. Hope ran track with us so it was understandable. In fact, most if not all the people at the party ran track with us.

"Yeah I am Hope, let's just leave him to himself. And I repeat don't go near him. Cheetahs stress very easily in uncomfortable situations" Remi warned as I huffed at a boy trying to approach from behind.

"We understand. Don't we everyone" Hope agreed before giving a sweeping glare around the garden.

I was left to myself after that Remi gave me a reassuring look that told me she'd be there if I needed her. She was the best twin sister I could ask for.

I watched as several teenagers hesitated to go back to partying. Glancing over their shoulders at me. I meowed as reassuringly as I could and sat up to watch. These people were my friends but sometimes my cheetah just got overwhelmed and forced a shift. A shift that I was stuck in until my cheetah decided it wasn't dangerous.

Watching the party of ten people I took note of the attendees. Of course, I easily made out my sister Remi, the darkest skin of anyone here besides myself. Next to her was Hope. They were chatting with another girl and two guys. The girl was shorter than both Hope and my sister with raven black her that fell in waves down her back. She was of Chinese descent. When she caught me looking she smiled and warmth flooded her deep brown eyes. Her name was Mei. Or at least that's what she went by at school.

The two guys were Ray and Leo. Ray was taller than Leo but both boys sported brown hair and brown eyes. They looked completely different in the face though.

"You okay, dude," A familiar voice asked a little bit of a distance in front of me.

Happiness filled my chest as I recognised my best friend Peter. My appraisal of everyone else was forgotten as my legs moved on their own. I circled around him bunting my head into his legs as his hands tangled in my fur. My Cheetah chirped happily at the attention and finally gave up control and I shifted.

Peter quickly handed me some shorts which I gratefully put on. I took a step back to give him some space. He was taller than me with black hair and piercing green eyes, stubble on his chin. He was soft too a gentle soul with a softness to his body. He wasn't out of shape at all but my cheetah seemed to love his softness.

"Thank you" I spoke smiling at him.

"No worries man, I know your Cheetah relaxes around me and it can't be fun to have to sit on the sidelines as a cat" Peter responded happily.

"No it's not ideal especially when they're having fun" I agreed immediately.

"I still love the Cheetah cuddles though" He winked and I felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment but was so glad for my darker skin.

I nudged him on the shoulder and then we went back to the party.

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-Kenji's POV-

I was exhausted, I had barely stayed awake on the drive home. The triplets had been lulled to sleep on the drive home. We'd stayed out all day and after dinner, we went to play at a park before we went home. Spiros had lifted the cubs to bed as I dragged my feet to find Remi and Pheonix curled up watching the lion king. They must have really enjoyed their pool party.

"Kitten, they left a note," Spiros said gently from behind me making me jump.

"What's it say" I hummed as I leaned back into his arms.

"It says Pheonix had another episode but his Cheetah let him shift for Peter" Spiros read softly.

"It seems his Cheetah has chosen Peter as his anchor whenever Pheonix has turbulent emotions" I mused letting Spiros drag me away from our Cheetah cubs.

They'd wake up and move to their own rooms if they were uncomfortable. But after Pheonix's episode, we might wake to find two Cheetahs sleeping in a pile instead of two teenagers sleeping head to head.

"The trauma of losing their mother still has deep scars" Spiros stated sadly into the silence as we entered our room.

"I know, but all we can do is offer them love and support" I hummed turning in his arms to look into his clear eyes.

"Your right Kenji, we can't fail them. We promised Honey that we'd look after them" Spiros vowed, a pure and honest wish that he believed with all of his heart.

Pulling him down I kissed him slowly backing us up until we fell onto the bed.

"We're doing okay Spiros, they have a roof and food in their bellies and two parents that love them" I assured him as I pulled away only to kiss him on the nose after I finished speaking.

"I love you Kenji, you know that," Spiros asked as he pulled me further into him.

"I do, and I love you too Spiros" I responded giggling as he peppered light kisses on my neck.

Our life in a pride had made us happier and fulfilled our life in ways I didn't know were possible. Our cubs had friends we had friends and I could honestly say we were family now.