C8 Cat Out of the Bag

"Are you ready to go? “I ask Snowball and she rolls on the floor, pretending not to see my invitation.

"Come here, I need your accompany." I stretch my arm a little bit to get her but the cat flinches and lays down at an area beyond my reach, yawning lazily.

"You will have a reward after this."

Snowball's ear pricks sharply and her eyes are looking in my direction now, but she doesn't move.

"Sometimes you are as cunning as fox, you know that? I will give you a juicy snapper. " I don't know if Snowball understands what I am saying but the fact is that she comes to me and licks my palm gently.

Cats will be as loyal as dogs if they know there is food in return. Utilitarianism is the philosophy they uphold.

Snowball's behavior reminds me of Zander, the mysterious guy who always possesses an air of calmness. I felt quite disappointed that he treated me like a stranger when we met on Friday morning. I greeted him with a bright smile yet all I received was a polite nod. But I am not angry, for I know this is not personal. Zander is used to estranging other students and I doubt if he was born unsociable or trained to be like this. Won't he feel lonely? Will a cat feel lonely? I should mind my own business.

"Let's go. Good girl." I bend to pick up Snowball who meows so reluctantly as if she were kidnapped.

I arrive at the meeting place, a restaurant with a huge board with Chinese characters on it. The strokes look weirdly beautiful but I don't know the meaning of the character. The owner is an old lady dressed in a cheongsam. She greets me with a warm smile and leads me to a table near the kitchen. As I sit down, a mixing smell of butter and cream fills my nose and my stomach starts to growl.

"Hullo, how are you doing? “The old lady offers me the menu and strokes Snowball's base of ears. For a second, I can't be sure whether she is asking me or the cat.

"Er, we are both great." I smile back and start to look around. There is no sign of Dylan. I glance up to check the tiny mahogany clock seated on the counter and find I've arrived five minutes earlier than the meeting time.

"You look absent-minded.” The lady gives a knowing smile, “are you waiting for someone?”

“Yes.” I nod.

“Boyfriend?”

“No.” I shake my head, feeling a little embarrassed.

“You bet” The lady makes a grimace, “He will be stupid to keep beauty like you waiting.”

“Thank you.” I am blushed and raise the menu a little bit to cover my face and the lady’s smile flickers across her face.

As I show sudden interest in reading the menu, she turns to Snowball and gently pats her cheek.

"Hullo kitten, what's your name?"

Snowball meows and nudges my hand, asking me to answer for her.

"Snowball.”

“What a lovely name!” The lady exclaims, “So cute and quiet. You are an elegant lady, aren’t you?”

“Partly true. She won’t be a lady if she sees fish or dogs around.” I can’t help but point out the truth, “she will be a destroyer.”

The lady laughs and winks at Snowball, “All right. You are the boss and I will not allow other dogs to enter this house when you are here.”

The cat raises her chin to accept the privilege, nose in the air.

“Enough.” I gesture to her to stop the show and start to look at the menu. Snowball leans on me, putting her head between my chin and abdomen, eagerly placing her right forepaw on the menu.

“Oh, now you can read.” I sigh and move away her forepaw and force myself to smile at the lady, "We will order later."

“Ok. Take your time.” She hums and goes back to the counter, putting on a pair of golden-rimmed glasses and starting to read today’s newspaper.

I enjoy the tranquility but the wonderful feeling of peace and serenity does not last long. As the minute hand point to South, Snowball sniffs and sits up, squirming on my lap.

“What’s going on?” I try to hold her still but she takes a leap before I can stop her. She rushes to the doorway and swirls around the guy who just put his left foot in.

Then, Dylan Darcy is petrified on the spot.

Although I had formally informed Dylan that I would bring a cat with me, he seems to forget this issue. He looks dumbfounded and stands still, with a cat walking between his legs.

It is a funny scene to watch but Dylan seems to have a heart attack and blood drains from his face.

“Come here Snowball. Bad cat, leave him alone.” I stride to them to rescue Dylan from the cat but he raises his hand and gestures me not to come closer.

“Stay where you are.” His voice becomes weirdly husky and his eyes darken.

I don’t find this suggestion wise so I attempt to take another step, trying to offer help. But he warns me in an unarguable voice, “Don’t.”

“Are you alright?” I dare not to move, feet rooted to the ground in disbelief.

“Sorry but I need to leave now. I will see you at school.” It seems that it takes Dylan much effort to finish a sentence. His whole body is shaky as he staggers and has to clutch at the door for support.

“Should I call an ambulance?” I ask but no answer comes from Dylan.

In the blink of an eye, he is gone.

“That’s new.” The lady is amazed at what she sees. She comes up to me and her forehead wrinkles like a twisted staff.

“What triggers you, my lady?” I tap Snowball’s head and stare at the spot where Dylan had stood, “Does this guy smell like a merman or something?”

She gives me an innocent look and meows lazily. But she is still on her guard with her ears standing erect as if she had gone through an invisible war.

……

Author's Note

Hello dear readers, hope you enjoy this story. I really appreciate your tolerance and patience. It is your encouragement that keeps me writing on.

I know this story is different from the usual werewolf stories and is a slow burn. But this my writing style. I don't want to write something familiar to most of you——the Alpha shouts Mate and then they make love and then are attacked by rogues and fight back and live happily forever.

As a reader, I love reading such stuff, but as a writer I tend to create something novel and unexpected. Thus, I feel that I have responsibility to inform you in advance, if you are expecting contents like that , you may stop wasting time on this book, for the storyline won't unfold in that way and I don't want to disappoint you.