NxK Full Series

Chapter II: Heart's Alchemy Pt. I

I fell in love, at just one look. Yeah, yeah, thats all it took. I listened with interest as my mate played her newest song, which was about us. Sitting on her bed, I closed my eyes and focused on the music. This was her first song that wasnt really a rock song. The melody was upbeat and gentle and I could feel the emotion behind the lyrics. It took me back to the day that changed my life for the better.

The day that I met Katarina.

The song reached its end. I opened my eyes and looked into Kats beautiful golden eyes. A smile crept across my face. That was amazing, hun. She inhaled sharply, like shed been holding her breath since the final lyric. Really? she asked, beaming. Instead of answering her, I rose to my paws and kissed her. She leaned into me and closed her eyes. We were very affectionate, and there was rarely a moment that we werent holding hands at the very least. It was like making up for 19 years without her.

Kat mustve noticed because she pulled away. Whats wrong babe? she flashed me a concerned look. I shook my head and smiled. I just cant believe that I had a life before you. I nuzzled her neck, my fur against hers, and brushed a strand of her blue hair that had been recently cut short away from her cheek. Babe, she protested. Your nose is cold! She squealed in surprise as my nose touched the base of her ear. Okay, okay. Let me put my guitar down. And besides, you need a shower. You smell like coffee. She was right. I had gotten a job at the café where I first met her and always smelled like coffee. I gotta go get clothes, I told her.

Why didnt you bring any?

Cause you said you had something important to show me.

Right. Tell Dio I said hello.

Will do.

Even though I spent most nights with Kat, I still lived with Dio right across the hall on the fifth floor of the apartment complex. When I reached the door, I searched my pockets for my room key before realizing that I hadnt brought it with me. Dio! I shouted, pounding on the door. I was soon greeted by a very sleepy-looking amber-and-sand pelted saber-tooth tiger with a recent marking--a large, matte gold star over his right eye. He rubbed his eyes and yawned toothily. Whatcha need, man? he asked drowsily. I told him that I came to get some clothes.

He pulled the door open. I followed him through the apartment to our room, which now had a bunk bed after the time that Kat left her key card in her apartment and had to sleep in ours. She was also the reason that Dio claimed the top bunk--so that Kat and I wouldnt shake the bunk while cuddling. I watched as Dio climbed the wooden ladder and collapsed into the top bed. Hey, Nightshade, he called. Yeah? I responded.

We still going back tomorrow?

I sighed. Yeah.

Yay

He was referring to my plans to take him and Kat to visit my old pack. I hadnt seen or talked to them since Dio and I moved a couple of months ago. It had been his idea to leave, but my idea to not tell them. And I would soon face that. I was bringing Kat and Dio as a show of good faith, and to give them a chance. Even though the reason I left in the first place was because of how they had treated me; their rules and traditions.

Remembering why I was there, I opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of black boxers. From a lower drawer, I produced a pair of red athletic shorts. I didnt bother grabbing a shirt, as I usually slept without one. I turned back to Dio, but he was already lightly snoring. With the clothes draped over my arm, I walked out of our apartment and back to Kats. The door was still open. Kat was sprawled across her velvet sofa listening to music through her dark violet earbuds, still wearing her dark denim jeans and black sleeveless shirt. Her sapphire blue-tipped tail waved around aimlessly and she hummed the words to the song playing. I smiled and walked past her, through the bedroom and into the connecting bathroom. Before undressing, I opened the glass-doored shower and turned on the water to let it warm up. Steam soon began rising from the shower before I stepped in.