LOGINShare
Chapter Forty-Five
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Panther Chapter Forty-Six
The run wasn't really that bad.Even though I had twice as many laps to run, I still finished before everyone else. Besides that, I took the chance to get to know Thomas, Zach, and Noah a little more. They weren't brothers by blood, but from the in-sync way they all acted, I got the sense that they were closer than any blood bond could've made them.Noah was quiet, he hadn't actually said anything since I came up to him after the fight. Not that he wasn't interacting. He laughed when he was supposed to and would shake his head and nod. Maybe he just didn't like talking? We'll crack him, don't worry.Thomas and Zach were chatty as hell. They both kept bringing up the fight, asking why I fought with my head so much. I hadn't really thought about it before, but I guess I did ram my head into a lot of things when I was locked in battle. Even my panther tended to do it.They also mentioned where they had come from. They all used to be a part of a wolf pack that was at war with another. The
Panther Chapter Forty-Seven-Ike
I loved Cleo so much at that moment.In that moment when I saw her putting in effort to work through a problem we were having instead of throwing a hissy fit and running away.She asked me what was wrong, I told her, she thought about what I said, and then apologized and explained why she did what she did. And I understood, I really did. She was in a new pack filled with people that didn't trust or understand her. She was on the defense twenty four seven. I too would feel a need to prove myself.But I didn't want her to feel like the only thing she was good for was fighting and killing. She hadn't made connections with a ton of people, but each one she had made was a strong one.I was proud of her, and it made me fall even more deeply in love with her.I wanted to tell her. I wanted her to know how I felt about her. But was now a good time? Or should I like, take her to a cliff overlooking the ocean and declare my undying love for her?I shook my head. I was overthinking this. I looked
Panther Chapter Forty-Eight
"You know I've been thinking." Cleo begins as she walks over to what I assume is her bedroom. "It might be time I get rid of this place." She opens the door and turns on a light. I can see a dresser and the corner of a bed, but that's all from the doorway.I was a little surprised she had been the one to bring it up, but relieved. It made it a lot easier if we were on the same page. Rich, coming from you."Can you get out of your lease?" I ask, looking around her place. I had been in here before, but the novelty of seeing this part of Cleo hadn't worn off yet. It just looked like somewhere Cleo would live. Warm and comfortable. It was small, but very cozy. I could tell she had made this place into her home."It'll probably cost me a pretty penny, but I don't see why not." She says as she comes huffing out of her room with a bag slung over her shoulder. "But I'd like to wait until after the challenge ceremony to get that started, if that's okay." She says, stopping in front of me and lo
Panther Chapter Forty-Nine-Cleo
The next few days were relatively quiet.I got up every day at six and went to train with the pack guards. I would kick everyone's ass and then we'd goof off until about twelve. I'd eat lunch with Ike, see what he'd been doing all day, then I'd train with Willow.She was teaching me her family's fighting style. I didn't know exactly what it was called because it was Japanese, but I did know that it was very different from anything I had ever done. Willow said I mostly fought like a dying animal. Every attack I performed was to kill. I ripped with my teeth and claws a lot or used my head and body weight to get my opponent on the ground to pummel them.Willow's fighting style was elegant and quick. It targeted joints and pressure points, making it impossible for an opponent to fight back after a few carefully placed jabs. It involved a lot of footwork and jumping, but also an extensive knowledge of the human body. Willow knew exactly where to hit anyone to get them to crumple into a usel
Panther Chapter Fifty
What are you thinking about over there? I felt both my panther and I jump in surprise. It had been a long time since the voice of another pack member rang through our thoughts.I'm just worried about who's going to show up at this ceremony. I think back to Zach. It wasn't a lie; it just wasn't the whole truth. I still wanted to keep my past from as many people as I could.Don't be. I've seen you fight. You'll be fine. I stay silent, stuck in my own thoughts.We ran around the pack for a few minutes silently. My panther is happy being out and about so often these days. She loves being in control and takes full advantage whenever possible. Currently she's having a tough time simply running around in circles. She wants to run and hunt and be free.If you want to go, go. It looks clear. My panther doesn't hesitate for a second before breaking off from Zach and running deeper into the woods. We tended to travel the same path each time we came here so there hadn't really been much exploring
Panther Chapter Fifty-One
Before I could even begin to process what my panther just said to me, the panther below us began to tremble. He was changing. I wasn't ready for this.Move.My panther listened, pushing herself off the tree branch and flying over the midchange panther. She starts running as fast as her legs can go. Where are we going? I don't know. Back to the pack, I guess. Who was that? We might've been able to find out if you hadn't made us leave. You didn't have to run away. You are in control right now.She's silent after that, focusing on getting us back to the pack.I had... another mate.That much was for sure. I got the same feeling when I looked into his eyes as I did when I first saw Ike. And I got such strong feelings from just his smell. Was he really my mate? Why did I have two? Something else to make my life harder, I guess.We cross the pack borders but keep running.My panther doesn't stop until we're directly in front of Ike's front door. She gives me back control, and I break through
Panther Chapter Fifty-Two
I feel a little better once I've put myself together.I pull on my favorite leggings and sports bra, and one of Ike's sweatshirts. I wear my socks and Birkenstocks and leave my hair down to dry.I step outside and scan the area. Everything seems quiet. A lot of people have come back by now. Some are arranging things in the middle of the pack; some are off doing their own thing.I stick my nose up in the air, inhaling deeply. I could smell a lot of things. Wet moss, cold cuts, perfume, beer. But I was looking for one smell in particular. The smell of my mate.He's behind us. I nod and begin making my way around to the back of the house. My heart was racing. Why was I so nervous?I broke through the trees, stretching my ears and nose out to try and narrow down where he was. My senses weren't quite as good as my panthers. I had to focus more on picking through each individual scent and noise. I would let her take over, but I wanted to be able to communicate with my new mate when I found h
Panther Chapter Fifty-Three
Surely this couldn't be what Ike was keeping from me for the past few weeks.Surely, he wouldn't hide something so... big from me.Right?That's what I kept telling myself as I stood in the forest in front of my new mate, who was currently staring at me waiting for a reaction.I looked up at the sky. It was already starting to get dark. Anyone could see winter was almost upon us.What are we going to do about this? Whether or not Ike lied, we now have two mates. One of which is a very protective Alpha.I looked back into the eyes of my new mate."What's your name?" I ask.He seems to think for a second before responding. "Nate." I nod, pursing my lips."Well, Nate. I guess we might as well get this over with. The sooner we tell Ike about this the sooner he can get the fuck over it." I say sharply. I turn away from him, back towards the direction of the pack."I sense some hostility towards Ike coming from you." He says as he follows closely behind me. So closely in fact that he's smack
Latest chapter
Panther Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Six (Ten Years Later)
"You little shit, get your ass back here." I laugh from my spot on the kitchen counter, watching Nate chase our naked child, Liam around the living room with a yellow bath towel clutched in his hand. Liam stops then, turning around to grin at his dad. He was only three, but was already extremely mobile, and had a smile just like his dad's. "Are you going to help me?" Nate sighs, glaring up at me as Liam yells and resumes running around like a mad man with his arms up in the air. I shake my head a little, pointing to where Liam is now standing on the couch. He grins at his dad, who finally swoops in and grabs him in his arms, wrapping the towel around him tightly as he does so. "Ha! Got you!" Nate declares as he wrestles Liam so he's upside down in his arms. He squeals with delight as Nate carries him like that back towards his room to put clothes on, calling him a weakling the entire time. But Liam loves it. He loves his dad, and he loves playing and "fighting" with him.I smile a
Panther Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Five-Cleo
Why is it so often when I'm waking up in the morning, I'm in pain? I groan, stretching my arms above my head and blinking away sleep. I wince as harsh daylight assaults my eyes. My head pounds, and I bring a hand up to rub at my temple."Fuck." I groan, sitting up and leaning against the bed's headboard. I look down at where Ike is facing away from me, towards the wall, hugging himself and with no blanket. Nate is on the other side, also facing away, burrioted up in the entire blanket. I fall forward and start to crawl between them to get out of the bed. I stop when I feel a hand grabbing my ankle. Nate's green eyes are already staring at me. He's rolled over and untucked himself from his blanket tomb. "You're not going to make me chase you again, are you?" I furrow my brow, sitting in a crawling position, trying to think why I would run away. "Oh." I say when I finally realize what Ike had done to Nate last night. I didn't actually see anything, but I remember one of Ike's hands
Panther Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Four
I leave Ike at the bottom of the stairs, taking Cleo into my bedroom first and laying her down gently. She starts wiggling around, smiling and rubbing all over the sheets. Weirdo. I go back for Ike, who is pulling himself up the stairs, or trying to. He's got one hand on the second step, his other on the first. "Can I help you?" I ask, bending down to wrap one of his arms around my shoulder and putting my arm around his middle. "Here we go." He mumbles as I half drag him to my bed.I let him fall onto it, barely avoiding Cleo, who has taken her leggings off finally and is laying like a starfish on the bed. I sigh. I turn and flip the light off, kicking my shoes off as I do. Off come my pants and shirt. "Move." I huff, closing Cleo's legs and scooting her to one side of the bed. "You too." Ike listens for once, but only because he wants to be Cleo's big spoon. I roll my eyes and fall into the empty space beside them.I lay on one arm, staring at the ceiling for a moment before clo
Panther Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Three
"You know what her parents told me earlier?" Ike tilts his head to stare at me. I shake my head. "They told me, that this is the last time they'll be seeing Cleo." I freeze at his words. My eyes dart around to try and find the two in question. "Don't bother looking for them. They went back to their place and are leaving first thing in the morning. They aren't even planning on saying goodbye." He shakes his head at me. "I mean, why come in the first place?" He scoffs, finishing off his drink. "Just to rub it in her face that you exist?" He's staring at Cleo, muttering to himself now really more than talking to me. "Did they say why?" I nudge him to try and get his drunk ass to focus. He kind of blinks and shakes his head before looking back to me again. "They said they couldn't stay or come visit her because of the rules of being part of The Circle," He scoffs at their title. "And that she couldn't visit them because if anyone knew they had a daughter out there they'd try and make he
Panther Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Two
My peace with Cleo is ripped away by that fuck head Thomas, who snatches Cleo away over his shoulder and yells something about loving tequila. Had he just been waiting for the perfect chance to steal her away again? "Oh my god." I rub the bridge of my nose and make eye contact with Cleo as she sits up on Thomas to grin at me like a child. I lean back and cross my arms as I watch him take her to a group of guards. "I got her!" He yells in victory. The guards cheer and whoop in excitement. "Your mates have had enough of your time!" Zach proclaims as Thomas sets Cleo down. "And besides, it's your turn to chug something!" I groan, and I'm about to rush over and stop her, but I halt when Ike and Parker walk up to me from their spot in the crowd. "I wanted to introduce you two." Ike says, stopping in front of me. I'm half sitting, half standing, midway to snatching Cleo away from the frat boys. I glance at her for a second and see her snapping the neck off a bottle of tequila. I sigh,
Panther Chapter One Hundred Ninety-One
"Why do you people insist on doing this to me?" She complains as I carry her away from her group of fans. "It's just easier than arguing with you." I reply. She makes an offended noise, struggles to sit up for a moment, and then flicks me on the back of the head. I roll my eyes, hiking my shoulder up a little into her gut and smiling at the noise she makes. I approach a table that's empty on one end and set Cleo down in a chair. "Wait here." I look her in the eye to make sure she's paying attention, and then turn to track down some water.I spot coolers near one of the tables closest to the fire and make my way through chatting and drinking people. I didn't realize how many people were a part of Ike's pack now a days until they were all converged together like this.I finally make it to the line of eight coolers and start opening them to find one not filled to the brim with liquor. Finally, I get my hands on a cold bottle of water. There was only a single cooler with them in it; ty
Panther Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Nate
Fuck that guy. Fuck him. I fucking hated him. He was fucking dick. I wanted to shove his face into the ground and rub it in. I ran through the trees, pine needles whipping at my panther's face as we escaped, past the pack's borders, further and further into the forest. My rage drives me to run for almost three hours before my panther finally stops, gasping for air and muscles aching. He finds a stream nearby and hunches over to take a long drink before we head back. What did I think was going to happen? I mean, I knew who this guy was, or at least what other's told me about him. And no one had anything good to say, not so far. They all said he was mean, and petty, and demanding as hell. He abandoned me in the woods to fend for myself when I so small, I couldn't even remember it happening. But the way he looked at me, pissed me off. Like I was scum. Like I was the one who should be begging for forgiveness. He was the asshole.But as we start running back to our pack, I can't st
Panther Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Nine
I look away from the lively party scene after a moment, back to the table behind me. "Ooo." I snatch an unopened bottle of tiny blue vodka someone had left behind. Hoped they hadn't planned on coming back for it. "Excuse you." I make a whining noise when Nate is snatching the bottle from my lips before I can chug it. "Drink this instead." I sigh at the cold bottle of water he's put in my hand. "If I must." I crack the top. "You must." He plops in a chair beside me, sighing heavily and watching me drink. "Where have you been?" I ask once I've twisted the top back on the now half empty bottle. "You've been gone a really long time." I raise by brows at him, and the corner of his lip lifts up a little."And that drove you to drink?" I laugh loudly. "No, I just felt like it was time to get drunk." "Right." He nods, eyeing me. I blink innocently at him. "Can I say something?" I blurt out as he watches me. He ticks his eyebrow. "I think your dad is a fucking chode." He shakes his hea
Panther Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Eight
"You better chug that shit!" "Come on bitch!" I jump in the air, yelling with Noah and Thomas at Zach, who was halfway through chugging an entire bottle of peach flavored vodka. "Don't be a pussy!" I punch him in the arm, a grin spread across my face. He pushes me off a little, flipping me off and continuing to guzzle the artificially flavored rubbing alcohol. "Let's go!" Thomas yells, throwing his half full beer on the ground in overly excited celebration at his friend finally reaching the neck of the bottle. Zach holds his hand up, and we all stare at him silently in eager anticipation for a moment, until he finally pulls the empty bottle away and makes a loud "ah" noise like it was a refreshing drink on a hot day. "Suck it, sluts." He slurs, grinning at us and throwing the bottle on the ground. I laugh, clapping my hands and stumbling back a little. "You thought I couldn't do it." He points his finger towards me, wiggling it a little in my face. I grin and clap him on the shou
