Beyond the Veil (Threw My eyes book 2)

The Gremlin

Pidge enjoyed the feel of the undergrowth beneith his paws as he raced through the forrest. 

When he first became a shifter.

He wasnt sure what to do, one day he was human then the next he was being squired with a spray bottle by Lance as he tried to teach him control.

But that was all before they first departed.

When he was on the verge of death.

Pidge slide to a stop infront of a crystaline pond staring down at his reflection, even in his leopard form he retained his choclate brown eyes. Although unlike other clouded leopard shifters his fur was slightly tinted green. 

Pidge remebered asking Lance about why that was, and all Lance could think of was the fact that it may be because he was bonded to the green lion. 

And once more unlike other clouded leopard shifters he could change his size from his normal size to that of a domesticated cat. 

But hey, he was use to being weird.

Pidge's ears twitched as he picked up the sounds of the forest around him.

The rustle of leaves, the distant call of birds, and the faint trickle of a nearby stream all blended into a soothing symphony. He took a deep breath, savoring the fresh, earthy scent of the woods.

This place had become a sanctuary for him, a place where he could escape the chaos of their missions and find a moment of peace.

It was here, amidst the towering trees and thick underbrush, that he could fully embrace his new shifter nature.

Pidge took a tentative step towards the water's edge, his reflection rippling slightly.

The green tint in his fur caught the light, giving him an almost ethereal appearance. He wondered what his family would think if they saw him like this.

Would they recognize him?

Would they understand the changes he had gone through?

A sudden rustling in the bushes behind him snapped Pidge out of his thoughts.

He spun around, muscles tensed and ready for action. His sharp eyes scanned the area, searching for the source of the disturbance.

To his surprise, a small figure emerged from the undergrowth. It was a young deer, its eyes wide with curiosity and innocence.

Pidge relaxed, a smile playing on his feline features. The deer took a cautious step forward, nose twitching as it sniffed the air.

Pidge crouched down, trying to make himself appear less threatening.

The deer hesitated for a moment, then took another step closer. It was almost within reach now, its soft eyes locked onto Pidge's.

He reached out a paw, careful to move slowly and deliberately.

The deer sniffed his paw, its warm breath tickling his fur.

Pidge's heart swelled with a sense of wonder and gratitude.

With a final, lingering glance, the deer turned and bounded back into the forest.

Pidge watched it go, a sense of peace settling over him. 

With renewed determination, Pidge turned away from the pond and began to make his way back through the forest.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape.

As he moved, he felt a sense of purpose and clarity.

He was ready to face whatever came next, expecally if Lance, his best friend and Alpha returned.

And maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as weird as he thought.

Just kidding, 

Pidge roared and raced back along the trail headed back to the castle of lions.