Her Pride

The Reveal

They caught the kid who stabbed the girl yesterday. It was all over the school news that morning. All I could think about during school was the wolf. I couldn't focus on anything so I sat in class and doodled in my notebook.

At lunch I went into the library to help the librarians sort and stack the books. I never eat lunch. Today when I walked in the librarians smiled as usual and handed me a load of books and I placed them on the cart. I began my rounds of the library as I put the books away in their proper placings. This library is full of different corridors of books and people have actually gotten lost in here because it is like a maze.

I shove a heavy dictionary back in it's slot and shove the cart onward. I take a few books my hand and carry them down the little section to the end that curves off in an 'L' shape. It is my favourite spot to read and I have a beanbag chair in the corner. This is part of the library that no one visits often so the librarians don't care.

I place the books back and turn to leave when I see a girl in my chair. She has straight auburn hair and a slender build. She looks up and squeaks in surprise.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you" I say to her.

"It's alright I wasn't expecting anyone to be in this part of the library. I got lost and then I found this beanbag chair and it looked comfy so I started reading" she explains quickly like she's in trouble.

"Well I'm glad you like my chair, so what are you reading?" I ask and sit on the floor beside her.

"Bitten, it's about werewolves" she tells me. I smile at her.

"That's one of my favourites, although some of the truth is stretched it is a very good book" I say and she laughs.

"I haven't read it before so don't ruin the ending" she says trying to be stern.

"I won't, I should be getting back to my work anyway, happy reading!" I call as I stand and walk back to my cart. I finish putting the books away and place the cart back at the front of the library.

"See you guys tomorrow" I say to the librarians as the bell rings. I see the girl come running out of one of the hallways of books. I grab my bag and throw it over my shoulder and walk out of the glass doors.

The rest of the day I kept seeing the girl all over school and I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I hopped on my bike and drove home. I stored my bike and ran upstairs. I pulled off my clothes and riffle through my closer until I find the perfect outfit. I pull on the dark wash skinny jeans and a black tank top, I grab an off the shoulder crop black crop top an throw that on too. I shove my black atheme in my leather knee high boots and open the window. I look down at the ground a story below me. It's not that high, I've jumped off higher.

I land on the ground in a crouch to absorb the impact. I stand and run off into the forest. I find the river easily and run along it. I reach the 'X' I made in the dirt and decide to change here. I don't like to change, it's a link to my old life. I take a step and place my paw on the ground.

I follow the scent trail all the way to the field. I duck into the tall grass. I walk through the grass until I reach the edge. I can tell I am early so I quickly walk across the open area to the large maple tree beside the pond. I jump onto one of the lower branches.

I lounge in the tree for a few minutes alone before I see a girl exit the forest. I almost fall off the branch when I see the girl from the library in the. She looks around and smells the air.

Her gaze lifts up and she spots me above her. I flick my tail in amusement at the confusion on her face.

"Nice kitty" she says as she raises her hands and slowly backs away. I stand and drop from the branch gracefully. As she backs up I roll on my back and expose my belly to show her I mean no harm. She relaxes a little at this.

I move slowly towards her and purr loudly. As I get closer sticks out her hand and I walk past it.

"I didn't know black panthers lived around here" I nudge her stomach while purring and then I turn and walk back to the tree. I glance back and jump onto the branch again. She sits under the branch and looks out over the field a little worried.

I jump off of the tree and rest my head on her lap. She subconsciously pets me as she stares out over the tall grass.

"She should be here soon" she tells me "it's a very pretty lady I met here before. She said she would be here but I don't think she is coming" she goes to stand up but I don't let her. She catches my gaze and stops still.

"Those are very pretty eyes for a panther, I didn't know purple was possible" she says "the only person I know with purple eyes is the pretty lady named Ember, hey do you know her?" she looks closer at me expecting me to answer her but I just hold my gaze.

"Wait, you kind of smell like Ember, did you see her today? Did she say she's coming?" this poor girl has worked herself into a fit. This isn't as fun as I thought it was going to be. I get off the girl and take a step back. She goes to get up and I hiss at her as a warning.

"Are you going to get her for me?" she asks me. I walk around behind the tree and change back. As I come back around the tree I hear a gasp.

"I don't need to go get her, I am her" I say to the girl.

"Ember, your a shifter?" she says worried. I laugh and shake my head.

"I'm a werecat so all I can change into is a black panther" I explain.

"Oh they're not going to like this but I suppose we can't to anything about it" she mumbles to herself.

"I can't help but notice you have my name but I do not have yours" I say politely. Something about her makes me want to make a good impression.

"Oh I am Fallon Breen of the Crescent Pack" she says proudly.

"So both of you are Fallon? Or is it just your human?" I ask her. I walk over and sit on the grass in front of her.

"We both are Fallon only the human has the last name. Is that different with werecat's?" she asks me.

"Well my full name is Ember Scott and my panthers name is Kareno or Kar for short" I explain.

"How is this possible!" she cries. Fallon pulls her knees to her chest and begins sobbing quietly.

"What?" I ask her. I place my hand on her back and rub it in small circles. She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. I take my thumb and wipe them away.

"We are mates" she says and begins crying again.