Shadow Claw: The Life Story - The Final Chapter

[Bonus Prologue]

That's right! Shadow Claw is back all too soon and Voldemort is at large. Chapter One should be up later on in the week, but for now I shall satisfy you with a short (roughly 500 word) bonus chapter. <3

Shadow's POV

"Mummy's back!" I heard Snowy and Tobias squealing before I could even see them. Blossom, the mother of another litter of cubs, was surrounded with her kittens, as well as my own two, and Nova was nearby with Hawthorne and two of their kits, Kapok and Ivy, accompanied by James, who was playing with little Olive. They surged forward and I ran towards them with equal love shining in the tears that glittered on my pale cheeks. "My babies!" I cried, gathering them in my arms and rolling in the grass with them. They giggled and squeaked, licking my face and pawing my chest with their tiny feet.

Shade walked over gradually to us and encompassed me, plus our kittens, into his arms. "I love you all so much." He uttered, kissing my forehead and nuzzling Tobias' and Snowy's fuzzy bellies.

Behind us, Pierce and Svana appeared, striding into the clearing with their tails entwined and yet a concerned expression in their eyes; they seemed to make my kittens shy - followed by my mother and father, were the Darkened League, taking up posts and greeting the Clan quietly. "Mummy, who dat? Why so many peoples?" Tobias mumbled, cuddling his muzzle into my neck with a short whine. I placed my babies down, and faced my parents. "This is grandad Pierce, and this is grandma Svana, little ones. Go say hello- go on." Shade nudged them forwards gently, slipping a hand around my waist.

Snowy shyly stumbled forwards, "H-heyyo grandad, heyyo g-grandma." She said, looking down at his paws with a small squeak when Svana rasped her tongue over Snowy's ears. "Hello, little Snowy, Tobias." Pierce gave my cubs a warm snuggle, and then laid down in the clearing with Svana slung over his back comfortably. Tobias and Snowy slowly warmed up to my parents, and gradually they began to climb over them and grew comfortable in their presence.

"Hey Nova, Hawthorne! How's the kittens?" I called over and my friends smiled warmly at me with a low purring. James turned abruptly, Olive in his arms with a small mewl of surprise. He let out a soft shiver and James gave an affectionate wave before cuddling the young kitten to warm him right up - they seemed to be very close, and I made a mental note to mention it to Jenny when we saw her next.

"You know what I haven't had for a long time?" Shade whispered out into my ear, his breath wispy and husky, and he pulled me against his chest. My heart beat accelerated, and my breath hitched. "What would that be?" I murmured.

"You." He growled playfully and I giggled, taking his hand and leading him to our cave, the thick ivy vines welcoming us back. The cave was warm, and I had missed it dearly.

It had been a whole week since Shade and I had left Hogwarts' grounds and began our travel over the mountains and through thick, harsh terrains, to reach the Darkened League to call upon their help for the Death Eaters were at large and the Claws must unite with the wizard community if we were to survive.

Shade's hands slipped up my shirt, and almost tore it in half trying to tug it off me. "I missed you, Shade." I murmured, my hand winding into his hair.

He laughed gently, kissing me, "I was with you the whole time, Shadow."

I smiled and kissed him back, letting him place me at our mossy bed and remove the rest of our clothing, "I mean, I missed you. I missed our kittens. I missed this... I missed us, Shade."