Instincts ✔️ [COMPLETED]

Chapter 19

Oh my god.

We were halfway there and we had to stop for a break. Dawn was creeping in, and we had entered Jewel Forest, which I read had many precious rocks before the early Jalstians had stripped the forest bare of those materials.

We settled by a small stream, and the group hungrily gulped up the water. I decided to stay in my cheetah form. We all decided to stay in our instincts form.

"It'll be easier to find food if we do," Vera said.

"So, our stomach and digestive system changes when we change? So I won't get sick if I eat raw meat?" I ask.

"No, so I suggest you go hunting."

I thanked her and rushed off into the forest. I ran until I came upon a large bush, and crouched down. Ears twitching, I looked out.

Cheetahs normally eat larger prey, but have smaller success rates than you'd expect when hunting. I only had a burst of my fastest speed for a few seconds, so I to get as close to my prey as possible. I licked my lips. Cheetahs normally eat gazelles or the calves of herds, but I wouldn't mind a deer.

Sunlight was coming up, and making the leaves shine a golden yellow, perfect to camouflage me. I crept pass the bush, and came upon a section of stream farther than the place we'd camped. There was a herd of deer, and a small fawn with them. The buck was cautiously watching, and the deer were especially careful of the young. I knew I couldn't go for the buck, because that was too dangerous.

Maybe the fawn would be easier.

A plan formulated in my mind. I would chase the herd, and send hem into panic. Then, I would outrun the buck, and snatch the fawn. A panicking herd might leave their young behind. That would be my backup plan.

I'd try stalking, but it probaby wouldn't work. I crept silently up to the edge of the herd, and waited for the mother deer to move and expose the fawn.

One... two... GO!

I leap out, claws unsheathed. I went for the fawn, but was met with a running buck. He charged at me, and I ran as quickly as possible. While on the chase, I also chased the small fawn. It was tripping and stumbling, but running with it's mother. Then, the small thing tripped over a pebble, and fell. I jumped on top of it, but had forgot about the buck. It crashed its horns into my side, and knocked the air out from inside of me.

I scramble to get up, but was hit again. This time, I limped away, not caring about looking brave as I ran.

Heck, I had just died.

I returned limping to my group. Vera had caught a few mice, and a plump sparrow. Jasper had managed to catch a baby rabbit, which looked like it had been injured before. Easy prey.

Jax on the other hand, had caught an adult rabbit. A few larger birds, too. I was devastated. And hungry.

"Hey Kate! Wait... you didn't catch anything?" Jax asked. I shook my head, and Vera flew over.

"You hurt your leg, what happened?"

"I was hunting a herd of deer, and I went for the fawn. When I got it, the herd's buck barreled into my side," I said, sounding weak and embarrassed.

Vera shook her head, and Jasper added, "You should have hunted smaller prey."

I nodded, understanding my mistake.

"It's okay, you're more suited for the open plains with lots of room to run while we are more suited to hunting in forests," Vera murmured apologetically.

Jax flicked his tail, signalling me to come over. I did, and he pushed the adult rabbit over to me.

"Here, we can share." I said my thanks to him, and tore into the warm meat. Mmm... live prey. This tasted better than I expected.

After we were done, me and Jax sat close together, grooming each other. Jasper and Vera looked at us strange.

"Umm... what are you guys doing?"

"Oh, cats are used to grooming each other after meals. Instincts," he said with a wink. Vera laughed.

"We should sleep," she said. "I'll wake you guys up when the sun shines directly overhead, at noon. That's a couple of hours for rest."

With that, me and Jax curled up together and fell asleep.

~ ~ ~

I wake up, but keep my eyes closed. I feel a warm, rhythmic movement on my head. I think Jax was grooming my head. I purr accidentally, and feel Jax stiffen.

Shoot.

I just made this moment awkward. He nudged my head, gesturing for me to look up. I did, and I saw that we were tightly curled together, and Vera and Jasper were asleep.

There was still an hour or two until noon, and me and Jax stared at each other. He was beautiful. A thick, dark black coat and piercing yellow-green eyes stared at mine, and He licked my paw.

He rose to his paws and walked over to the edge of the stream and sat down. I followed him, and he changed into his human form. I did too.

He held my hand, and whispered, "Do you like me?"

I froze.

"You kissed me, but forgot about it like it wasn't a big deal. Why?"

I didn't know what to say, and let out a long breath.

"There's a lot of things going on, Jax, and romance is the last thing I'd think of. Can we deal with it after?" I asked.

He tilted his head, and placed his chin in the crook of his neck. "No."

Then, suddenly, he grabbed my hair and kissed me, really hard. It was one telling me of his anger, of how many feelings he had kept bottled up. There was so much anger though, but kindness and understanding leaked through the cracks, and I could understand what he was feeling.

He was feeling lonely. I put my hand through his hair and kissed him back. I liked Jasper, but did I love him? I was unsure. But this nagging feeling of wanting to hold his hand and feeling safe around him said otherwise. Was it too soon to say I was in love?

His lips softened their pressure, and he pulled away.

"Does that tell you why?" he asked.

I nodded, and put my hand under my chin.

"I like you, too, Jax," I whispered, which made him excited.

He hugged me, and I hugged him back, but with less force.

"So... are you my girlfriend?" he gave me a cheeky smile.

I pinched his cheeks and turned around and left. His face fell, and he lowly rised and ran after me.

"Are you... r-rejecting me?"

I turned around, and hid my face with my hair, and said, "Did I say no?"

He hesitated, and said, "Well, no."

I looked up, and said, "Well then, I am your girlfriend!"