The Werecat; The Story of Ronnie

Nine

 The hospital wing was full to bursting for hours. It took the pair forever to get Lulu back into bed, but once Ronnie gave a huge roar, everyone jumped out of the way. Hours later, he still wasn’t human again, but he did learn a few things; He was a jaguar, but twice as big as any found in the wild, and if he growled or bared his teeth to anyone, they all scrambled away in fear. In other words, Lulu was left well alone.

He stayed lying across the bed at her feet, tail flicking impatiently against the tiled floor. One of the nurses, a young girl about twenty four or so, was checking Lulu’s vitals and writing things down on a notepad. She kept glancing nervously at Ronnie every few seconds, and every time he rewarded her with a soft growl, and she turned back around hastily.

Skylar showed up during lunch with Lily, and gave a start when he seen Ronnie’s large form curled up on Lulu’s bed. Lily half hid behind Skylar, more unsure than she was afraid.

“It’s just Ronnie,” Lulu told them, giving Ronnie’s ear a scratch. Ronnie closed his eyes and purred in response.

“THAT is Ronnie?” Skylar asked, bewildered. He took a few steps forward, and Ronnie opened his eyes. Lily giggled and moved in front of Skylar, sitting next to Lulu on her bed.

“He’s cute like this,” she cooed, stroking his fur. Ronnie purred a little louder for her, and louder more when he seen the jealous look on Skylar’s face.

“He’s an oversized cat, Lily, he’s not cute,” Skylar grumbled. “He’s a vicious animal that’s capable of eating humans.”

“Oh, lighten up, will you?” Lily continued to stroke Ronnie’s fur, and he placed a paw on her lap. Lulu giggled and struggled up into a sitting position. She was doing much better, now that Ronnie was there. Lily seemed to notice that, too, but she kept her mouth shut.

“What are you talking about? If I get any lighter, I’ll float out the window.” Sky moved over to get a better look at Ronnie and smirked. “It’s a good look on you, bro. Bet you’re a hit with the ladies.”

Ronnie shrugged and pulled himself up higher on the bed, lying with his side pressed to Lulu’s legs, and he rested his head on her lap, with his nose pressed to her stomach. Lulu blushed and petted him with both hands.

“When will he be human again?” Lily asked. Lulu shrugged and looked at Ronnie. Ronnie repeated the gesture. Before anyone could say anymore, the crowd parted, and Madame Camille entered the wing. Every voice fell to hushed whispers. Madame Camille spotted Ronnie and Lulu, then glided over to them with all the elegance of a dancer. She spoke briefly to one of the nurses, who nodded and spread the message to her fellow nurses, and they quietly ushered all of the students out, save for those who were in need of medical care, and Ronnie. Skylar and Lily both said their good-byes and get well soons, and departed with the crowd. Ronnie raised his eyes up to meet his headmistress’, and curled his tail around his haunches. She stared at him for what seemed like ages, dragging out the silence, then her slender lips curled into a thin smile.

“It seems,” she spoke softly, “that you have found your hidden talent, Mister Macmillan.” She sat down at the end of the bed and looked at them both searchingly. Ronnie felt Lulu’s arms slide around his neck, and he looked up at her and gave her cheek an affectionate lick. He was rewarded with a smile.

“He saved me,” Lulu told Camille, burying her fingers in Ronnie’s fur, “Twice. The hunters...” She stopped, and the smile dropped from her face. Camille nodded.

“Yes, the hunters,” she repeated. Her voice was grave. “I wanted to speak to you privately about that, but..” She glanced at Ronnie, and he tensed up, “..it seems your guardian won’t leave you.” Her own slender hand reached out to stroke his fur, and gradually, he relaxed. “He’s special, more than you think. There aren’t many left.”

“W-What do you mean?” Lulu asked, confused. “Aren’t many what left?”

“Werecats. Ronald might be the last of his kind.”

Normally, at the use of his full name, Ronnie would have been pissed. But at the mention of being the last werecat in existence, he was willing to let it slide.

“What are so special about werecats? Aren’t they just like werewolves?” Lulu voiced the question that Ronnie was thinking, and they both looked at Madame Camille, patiently waiting for an answer. Another long moment of silence dragged out.

“Werecats used to be quite a common sight, hundreds of years ago,” she started, resting his hand on Ronnie’s back. “A jungle cat, mixed up with dark magic, bit the first human, a warlock. This warlock wanted the powers of the cat, and tried to extract them, but the cat turned on him and attacked him, and the life force of that cat was drained and given to the warlock. Werecats aren’t at all like werewolves; Werecats can control their change, with time. They are bound to one other person, their soul mate, for life. Their first change happens when their soul mate is in immediate danger, in a matter of life or death. Young werecats stay in their cat form until their mate is out of danger completely, older werecats control their change and can turn back within the day.

“Ronnie is the last of his kind, as far as we know. And he is bound to you, Lulu, for life. He is your soul mate.”