Shadow Claw: The Life Story - The Third Chapter

Ch. 20 - An Argue To Dwell Upon

Not much happened after the second trial, and I thanked the All Maker for it. I had been through too much stress those past few months than any time in my life ever, not forgetting Jenny and James too - I felt sorry for them - I had put them through too much and involved them in unnecessary issues. I sighed to myself as I finished the last of my piling homework, breathing a breath I did not know I had been holding.

"Shadow, you never come to classes anymore, how are you getting all the homework?" Jenny asked gently, sitting before me in the back of the library. I shook my head; it was true - ever since the Light Claws had arrived, I had excused myself from all lessons and made it my job to collect my missed homework from that certain class. I had been keeping my eyes on the Light Claws very intently, studying them with ferocious notes. I needed to know why they were so keen on 'protecting' the Champions of the Tri-Wizard Cup Championship.

I sighed once again, rubbing my temples, "I have more important things to study than hexes and disarming spells." I mused, standing and packing my feather quill and ink away into my black satchel. Jenny caught my shoulder as I began to stride away, "Don't shut me out." Was all she said before letting me walk out. "I'm leaving for a couple of days. I need the pack records." I muttered, knowing she could hear me from the library doorway.

Jenny yells after me, "More like want to see your stupid mate!"

I slammed her against the wall in one second flat, my hands clenched at my side. "You say one more thing against Shade and I will snap you like a bat." I hissed venomously, before Jenny shoved me back, "What's gotten into you?!" She shouted. People were staring at that point. I swallowed a snarl bubbling in my throat, "Me? ME?!" I screamed, seeing her flinch sharply. I circled her slowly, "How would you like to know I could snap Draco in half, but I won't, do you know why Jenny?"

"Why, Shadow?" But the question wasn't directed at the topic I had raised. Her eyes were watering.

"Because he isn't worth my anger. He isn't worth you, frankly you could do better. He isn't worth any of our time." I hissed.

"You don't believe that."

"Why's that? Because of a few words I said in that attic?" I countered. Her eyes widened. "I would have said anything to keep you staying strong. I couldn't have you end up like me. I knew I might have had a mate, but nothing more. You have a human life - you're not like me."

"We're more alike than-"

"Thank I think? Hm? I don't think so."

"Shadow, stop it." She was trembling.

"You believed every word I said, and I used that to keep you alive." I stood straight, facing her with dark, swirling eyes.

"You told me-"

"I told you alot of things, Jenny. I told you alot that never meant anything to me. James was right to not trust me straight away, but you, oh Jenny, you were willing to be under my wing in a snap of my jaws. I could have done alot with you - in fact, human flesh doesn't taste that bad. I'm untraceable, I'm unpredictable, I'm me, Jenny. I'm not a good person. What am I, Jenny?"

Tears were trickling down her cheeks then, "You're my friend. You saved me."

"Of course I did. So you wouldn't end up like me." I ran a hand through my hair, "I'm not someone you should stay close to." My scarred wrists flashed briefly before I forced my way through the large crowd and away from the school, Mad-Eye Moody following me quietly despite his thick wooden leg. I disappeared behind a tree and appeared behind him.

"Alastor." I growled.

"Why?" I knew what he was asking.

"I'm dangerous. I need to keep her safe, like you to Harry. I'm her guardian, but I cannot be there for her forever. I have many things to pursue."

"Likewise." We parted with a small nod of our heads and I shifted, zooming to the Clan with a dark expression. I snarled at myself, I needed to keep my anger under control otherwise I could lash out at somebody without knowing. The glaucous trees cast shadows over my wings as I came to a gentle landing, taking a massive breath to reduce my stress. I shifted back rapidly and smoothed over my hair, easing the darkness resting at the endless depths of my mind.

"Relax." I whispered to myself.

"Shadow?" I whipped around, and there was Shade, standing shirtless in all his glory and handsomeness with a small mammal in his hand, most likely from hunting. "Shade?" I croaked.

I needed a hug.

I ran at him and before he could react, wrapped myself around him and nuzzled his warm chest. His tense muscles relaxed and he kissed my head, "Oh, mea umbra. What is wrong?" He stroked my hair and I whimpered, shaking my head then holding it to his muscular pecs. He sighed and swept me into his arms like a baby monkey attached to its mother, forgetting the squirrel in his hand.

"I love you baby. You know that?" He murmured, jogging home to the cave and laying me down on the mossy bed. I gripped his shoulders and clung to him, nodding but I wanted to be held, not laid down. He gave me a stern look and I shied away, until he snuggled into my side and spooned me by tangling our legs. I hummed deeply and let him trace small patterns on my exposed skin.

"I thought you were meant to be school? Huh, baby girl?" He whispered.

I shrunk back into his chest, "I needed some pack records." I mumbled, playing with his soft black hair. He rolled us over so that I was below him and he was looming over me like a dangerous predator. "You can have all the records you want." He took my hand with his own and placed it on his cheek, kissing down my scar marred skin all the way to my shoulder. "No catch?" I raised my eyebrows.

He smirked, "I don't play dirty, miss Shadow." He purred, then pressed his lips to a sensitive place on my skin. I felt a moan slip from my lips and I bit back another one, "But when I'm with you... damn girl." He gripped my thighs and I arched my back against him. Our desires pooled into our eyes and I knew his catch.

"Deal." I whispered before connecting our lips for the rest of that day.