What it Means to Have You

It Pays Off

Nagol

"I think I've decided what to do," I mumbled as I turned, knowing that Kine was in the doorway since I'd felt his eyes on me while I was putting away the last of the dishes from dinner.

"About the cat?" he asked as I walked over, wiping my hands on a dish towel.

"Yes. He'll be at work tonight most likely, so I'm going to give him an ultimatum."

Kine's right eyebrow lifted with curiosity. "So... what is it?"

"Either he agrees to back off and not go near you again unless work mandates it, or I'll ban him from the territory, or I'll kill him."

The look on Kine's face told me that I was crazy, but I was tired of that cat trying to rule my life. I had never said that I wanted him as a mate, and I was not going to put the kids at risk.

"Can you watch the boys tonight? I'm going to head into work a little early and try to deal with the situation. The workers at the orphanage know me so they won't mind if the kids stay longer, as long as they don't know I'll be working and a dog will be babysitting," I said as I headed for the door to tug my coat on, since I was already dressed. When I turned around, I noticed Cody and Miguel standing just behind Kine, making me grin.

"Come here, guys, I want a quick hug before work, please?"

Miguel didn't hesitate to run forward and wrap his arms around my chest. I hugged him tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. Kine was next, hugging both Miguel and I with his long arms. When we broke apart, everyone's attention turned to Cody. He had the book I'd given him the day before grasped tightly in his hands, fingers worrying the binding. I knew that approaching him would probably get the opposite effect I wanted, so I waited for another few moments before giving him a smile and small wave.

"I'll see you when I get home, have a good night, Cody."

I thought that would be it, so I began to turn, but I managed to briefly catch him returning a tiny wave to me. With that I walked out, saying a final good-bye to everyone before Kine shut and locked the door behind me.

Pulling up at work, I could already tell that the cat was there, seeing his car on the other side of the street. Good. Time to end this. Hopefully without a cat fight. Since I was early, I hurried to walk inside, easily locating Tawny against the far wall. He had a smug grin on his face, telling me that he knew I'd be here to deal with him. In fact, he ducked out the back door down the hall near him when I began to approach, making me grin and hurry after him. He wasn't going to get the benefit of surprise on me.

I stepped out seconds after him, turning my head as he dodged behind the door. A knife that hadn't been in his hand before appeared, aiming for my chest. Thank you, instincts, I thought as I moved, easily dodging the attack with an annoyed hiss. It had obviously not been an attempt on my life, as the knife was far too small unless he hit me square in my heart, so I wasn't going to take the bait and attack him... yet.

"I know that wasn't meant to really hurt me, so talk to me, Tawny."

He growled, his hair raising slightly like his hackles would have if he was in his feline form. "Why? It's not like you're going to listen!"

If you're going to throw a tantrum, then no, I won't listen.

"Talk, Tawny. I'm the dominant cat in this city, and I'm sick of this, now either tell me exactly what's wrong so that we can try to fix it, or get out of my town."

The guy's face took on a sudden sickly glow when I finished speaking. He likely hadn't thought that I'd threaten him with banishment, but the other option I'd considered was death, so he would get off lucky with just having to leave.