To Love a Stray Ch. 07

"Maybe you'd be better off letting her know what you want from her after what she let you do." Malcolm speaks up without turning our way.

"I'll be happy with what you allow me to do when you let me. When you say stop I stop." Chris tells me evenly.

I hesitate a moment then nod. 'Okay," I hang on to Chris's hand as we all head towards the quarters and I scan the grounds nervously. I am very tense when we reach the quarter's door and follow Chris inside, everyone is in the lounge room and Chris pauses in the doorway before glancing at me.

"Looks like Rosy is serious about sticking around until Sam and Mitchell get back." Edwin says and turns back to the game he's playing on the x-box with Mikkarl.

I sit on the lounge with Chris still clinging to his hand, I hear Micah take a deep breath and glance his way to find him turning his head towards us slowly.

His chair goes flying as he jumps to his feet before stamping from the room angrily, the door bangs with an ominous sound and several of the others turn to stare after him.

"What's wrong with him?" Steven wonders out loud.

"That," Edwin says with a motion over his shoulder.

"I thought Micah liked Rosy." Robby sounds slightly confused.

"Yeah he does but obviously Rosy has decided she likes someone else. Isn't that so Chris." Edwin says dryly.

"What!" Steven sits up in his chair abruptly and looks at Chris and I. I fidget nervously and Chris squeezes my hand gently.

"It's a wonder you didn't try sneaking around and hiding what you done." Steven says looking at Chris.

"You can't hide a smell that easy." Edwin remarks with a loud sniff.

Immediately Steven, Robby and Mikkarl sniff the air and Steven growls low in his throat, I tense as he gets to his feet but he leaves the room the same way Micah did and I glance sideways at Chris uncertainly. Chris releases my hand and puts his arm around my shoulders pulling firmly against his side; he rubs his chin on the top of my head and turns his attention to the game being played.

"Want to have a turn playing the game Rosy?" Edwin asks with a grin over his shoulder.

"No thanks." I say declining his offer.

The rest of the day passes uneventfully and it is just on dark before Steven and Micah return, supper is the usual noisy affair and I still am hesitant to get too close to the toms while they are dishing out their food. I fall asleep on the lounge afterwards and when Malcolm wakes me telling me to go to bed I refuse saying I want to stay on the lounge because I like the company when I sleep.

I wake in Chris's bed with his warmth wrapped around me; I sigh and yawn before easing out of his embrace and heading for the bathroom for a shower. The smell of cooking food has me heading towards the kitchen and I hesitate in the doorway when I see its Micah and Steven at the stove.

"Hungry?" Micah asks without turning around.

"Yeah," I answer.

"Help yourself then," Micah says, "I don't bite unless invited." I frown as I hear Steven swallow a laugh but decide to eat instead of argue, I move to stand near the counter and look at the wide range of food cooking.

"Pancakes," I breathe with satisfaction and reach for one. Micah picks up a jar of honey and trickles it onto the pancake I hold and I grin with satisfaction as I lift it to my lips, I am on my third pancake before I realise that all three of us are picking up pancakes from the same plate and eating them. I glance at Steven who is picking up a pancake and he grins at me as he stuffs it into his mouth.

"Figured you'd become civilized after a while." Micah says evenly.

I stuff the pancake in my mouth to stop an angry comment about being civilized then when I've had my fill of pancakes I take a piece of crispy bacon and nibble on it as I watch the two toms finish cooking the sausages and scrambled eggs to go with the pancakes and bacon. I check that the coffee is ready before getting myself a glass of juice from the fridge and sitting at the table.

"Should have known you'd be out here where the food is." Chris says with a grin as he comes into the kitchen.

"You missed all the fun, Steven there is lucky he didn't loose a hand." Micah says with a laugh.

"What happened?" Mikkarl asks as he walks into the room with the rest of the toms.

"Rosy caught Steven eating off the same plate as her." Micah explains.

"I thought she was going to crush my wrist yesterday morning when I touched something on her plate. What did she do to you?" Mikkarl asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Went all civilized and just looked at me." Steven laughs and glances at me, I poke my tongue out at him and ignore the laughter that causes.

"Remember Rosy did give you her last bite of food Mikkarl." Edwin cuts in.

"Ok, so I'm a civilized stray. Big deal," I mutter.

"Don't be so hard on yourself; it makes it much nicer to be around you." Chris says bluntly. The conversation gets changed to other topics as everyone sits down and helps themselves to breakfast, Chris offers me a piece of extra crisp bacon and I grin before nibbling slowly on it enjoying the salty flavour and crunchy texture.

"There any good fishing places around here? Maybe with an overhanging bank?" I ask curiously.

"Remember we agreed no shifting," Micah says calmly and evenly.

"I remember no such thing, I only remember some overbearing male chauvinistic pig ordering me not to shift." I say just as calmly as I look at him where he sits directly across the table from me.

"What did you just call me?" Micah asks tightly in the sudden silence.

"Sounds like you think the description fit," I say and snap the piece of bacon with my teeth.

"Rosy, Micah is the dominant tom. You do not speak to him like that." Chris warns sternly.

"So it's okay to think it and believe it just not say it?" I ask as I look straight at Micah.

"Just because you're a she-kitt do not think you will not be put in your place." Micah warns in a hard voice.

"I don't need to shift to catch fish," I say dryly, "fishing pole, net, trap or even bare hands. It's easy if you know how."

Micah growls low in his throat as he gets to his feet, I realise I have been glaring at him and hurriedly drop my gaze and lower my head in submission. In the past when I have felt threatened I had always acted aggressively in return.

"Do not try to stare me down. It will get you no where." Micah warns coldly. Sounds outside catch my attention and I look towards the hallway, boots crunch on the gravel outside for a few moments before the screen door opens.

"Shit she's got good hearing," Robby whispers. Wade walks into the room and glances around everyone at the table, he nods as if to himself.

"Jazzy and Donny will be spending the day here." Wade announces, "Micah and Edwin, you two look out for your sister."

"Great," Micah mutters to himself and Wade looks his way with a frown.

"Is there a problem I should know about Micah?" Wade asks.

"No there's no problem Boss, I'll see to it." Micah says and by the tone in his voice I know he has looked my way.

"Good morning Rosy, I'm glad to see you're looking much more ... rested today." Wade says tactfully, "Sam's team should arrive home shortly before dark."

"Thank you Wade," I say evenly. I am becoming more used to him and although I still find him very intimidating I am getting more confident around him, as long as he doesn't appear by surprise.

"Can I have a word with you outside?" Micah directs his question to his father and Alpha.

"Sure," Wade agrees and they walk out of the building.

"Rosy, look at me for a moment." Edwin sounds very serious and I glance his way, his dark eyes hold my attention. "Now this is very serious Rosy. You have to be really good around Donny and Jazzy no matter how much they annoy you ..."

"I like Donovan," I cut in.

"That's good," Edwin smiles at me, "but you have to be nice to Jazzy as well. Even if she makes you mad with her ... "

"Because she-kitts are special." I say.

"Exactly," Edwin says seriously and I nod, "Jazzy is little more then a kid and there is no way you are to shift while they are here understand?"

"Why?" I ask curiously.

"Because I forbid it." Micah says from the doorway. I look his way and nod my acknowledgement of his order.

"Promise you'll try to be on your best behaviour?" Edwin asks levelly.

"I promise to be nice to them and I promise not to hurt either of them." I say as I meet Micah's gaze and he nods.

"Exactly," Edwin says softly, almost on a sigh of relief.

"Let's get this place cleaned up before they get here." Micah commands and even I get to my feet to help. I am putting the cushions back on the lounge after dusting off all the crumbs from the previous night when I hear running footsteps and then the screen door bang, I turn around in time to see Donovan run into the room ahead of his sister before he grabs me around the waist and hugs me.

"I'm so glad you came back Rosy! I haven't got to go hunting with you yet!" Donovan exclaims and leans back to look up at me, not that there is much difference in our height.

"Hallo Rosy, I bought my hair brush and hair bands so I can do your hair up for you." Jazzy says shyly.

"Hallo Jazzy, Donovan. Can I do your hair when you finish mine?" I ask as I smile at her, already I like her.

"Mum's already done it but you can do it again." she offers seriously. We end up sitting in the lounge room; me on the floor with Jazzy perched on the lounge behind me while Donovan settles down to a game on the x-box with Edwin while all the other toms gather around, Micah on one side of Jazzy and Steven on the other while Chris stretches out near me.

As time passes I am surprised to find Jazzy is older than the twelve or thirteen I had first thought her to be, she is eighteen but had suffered from early childhood ailment that had seen her fail to grow as she should have. But now she is recovered and is starting to catch up with her age group. She had asked me once to shift so she could see my spots but Micah had immediately cut in saying I wasn't some play toy and not to bother me about shifting. Lunch is thick sandwiches made by several of the toms and I lay on my back waiting for Jazzy to take her pick of my sandwiches with my plate sitting on my stomach when her plate of sandwiches holds no appeal.

"Daddy said we got to be careful because you're a bit feral." Jazzy tells me levelly.

"Yeah, I probably am." I admit easily.

"Mom said you didn't know Sam and Mitchell are your brothers because you got stolen by a human father." Jazzy says innocently sparking my temper.

"I don't have any brothers, I'm a stray." My voice is hard.

"Rosy!" Micah's warning growl is hard as he gets to his feet.

"And my father didn't steal me he raised me as best he could by himself. I know we didn't have a lot at times but I never went hungry and I never wanted for love and affection or attention, he always put me first no matter what!" I snap and turn my face away from her but find several of the toms watching me so I cover my face with both arms but stay on the floor where Jazzy is using me as her table.

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad or angry." Jazzy says and I feel her pat my shoulder gently.

"Don't worry about it," I say brushing her concern off.

"I'm sorry." Jazzy insists and I move my arms to look at her, she looks totally dejected.

"You didn't make me angry." I whisper to her and she looks at me, "It was your big brother growling at me. I hate getting growled at it makes me growl back."

Jazzy laughs clapping her hands over her mouth and I hear Micah snort.

"That'd be right, make me out to be the bad guy." he grumbles and Jazzy laughs again. I watch as she continues to pick at my lunch until only several small crusts are left on the plate, all the other sandwiches have been eaten but I am content to just be allowed to interact with Jazzy and Donovan. Soon Jazzy lays down using my shoulder as a pillow and Donovan moves to use my stomach as a pillow, I lay there with my eyes closed and have nearly drifted off to sleep when the screen door bangs and boots stomp noisily into the quarters.

"You are back," Micah sounds slightly surprised and I frown as I open my eyes.

"Yeah we finished up quicker than we thought we would." Sam's voice has me turning my head to look towards the doorway but I can't see anything because the lounge is in the way and I can't move because of Jazzy and Donovan who are asleep.

"Yous better come around here," Steven says from above my head and I turn my face towards the place they will walk into my sight.

"Something wrong?" Sam asks.

"Mikkarl and I caught a trespasser two nights back, made it to only half a mile from the main house." Robby says sounding stern.

"Shit!" Mitchell says and I nearly wriggle with excitement. He leads the way into the lounge room but doesn't notice me at first, it's Sam who spots me first and he grins widely as he elbows Mitchell.

"Look on the floor." Sam says.

"Rosy!" Mitchell exclaims with excitement, "Did you come back by yourself?"

"Yeah," I say and glance past them at Dwayne and Justin before looking back at Mitchell and Sam, "It's great to see yous again!"

"Donny, wake up. Jazzy come on wake up kiddo, yous need to let Rosy get up." Micah says as he moves to touch Donovan's shoulder and lift Jazzy and put her on the lounge.

I get to my feet in a hurry and run to give Mitchell a huge hug before turning to Sam for a hug, I give Dwayne a hug and grin at Justin who grins back and startles me with a hug as well.

"I see you've been getting to know Donny and Jazzy." Sam comments.

"Rosy's great," Jazzy declares and I grin at her.

"We've been doing girl stuff while Donovan played silly old boy games." I say with a laugh and glance between Mitchell and Sam.

"Well I don't know about anyone else but I could do with a decent cup of coffee," Sam announces as he heads for the kitchen. I sit on the lounge with Jazzy while most of the toms head to the kitchen, Donovan returns shortly with a drink for him and Jazzy and I grin when Chris comes back with a glass of juice for me. He sits on the arm of the lounge beside me and remains there when all the others return. Mitchell returns and goes to sit on the floor against my legs between Chris's legs and me, he pushes at Chris's legs.

"Move." Mitchell orders.

"No you move," Chris tells him in a firm voice.

"So what's everyone been up to?" Sam asks as he stretches out in a chair not far from the lounge then grins at me, "Besides coming to visit."

"Well Chris has been doing your sister." Micah announces as if discussing the weather.

Sam snarls as he gets to his feet and points at Chris. "You outside now!"

"Yeah!" Mitchell snarls as well as he stands over Chris. Chris stands up making Mitchell who is smaller step back; he glances from Sam to Mitchell and back again before glancing down at me.

"I'll be back shortly," he tells me before heading outside.

"Leave him alone!" I protest as I get to my feet but Steven grabs me and prevents me from following the three toms outside, I turn on him but he shoves me so I fall back into my spot on the lounge.

"Don't be nasty to Rosy!" Jazzy admonishes Steven as she takes hold of my hand.

"Let Chris sort this out himself," Malcolm tells me as I look towards the hallway worriedly.

"Did you get to kick any stray's butts?" Donovan asks Justin.

"We mainly patrolled the border but we did chase a stray for a couple of hours before he headed back into no-mans land." Justin says proudly.

"Justin done real well." Dwayne says. I hear several dull thuds from outside and get to my feet but Steven stands up and I sit back down reluctantly.

"Stay," Micah orders firmly. I glare at him where he stands near the doorway with his arms crossed across his chest and he grins back at me. I turn my face away from him and notice that our arguing is upsetting Jazzy I sit back down, put my hand on hers and she grips my hand tightly.

"We came across four new strays, a couple of older strays had told them enough for them to be able to blend into human society." Dwayne remarks.

"Do you know who these older strays are?" Micah wants to know. I look towards the door worriedly as I hear the screen door open and footsteps head inside. I am relieved when all three toms come into the room with no signs of injuries and Chris resumes his seat on the arm of the lounge but lets Mitchell sit against my legs.

"You and I are going to have a serious talk later Rosy." Sam tells me sternly. I turn my face away from him without responding and glance down at Mitchell where he has propped an arm across my knees to lean on me.

The screen door bangs again and I jump nervously making both Chris and Mitchell glance at me, I hear the faint sounds of footsteps and look towards the door.

"You're back early. Donovan, Jazzy come on let's go back home." Wade says.

"But Daddy!" Jazzy protests, "I want to stay here with Rosy! The boys are being mean to her!"

"I'm sure Rosy can take care of herself, now come on before your mother comes down here to drag you home herself." Wade tells her. Donovan and Jazzy get to their feet reluctantly and follow their father from the room. I listen intently to be sure Wade has left before I relax totally once again.

"You're really doing much better Rosy!" Sam says warmly.

"Rosy is a lot better with food as well aren't you?" Micah smiles at me. I shrug and look away but their remarks make me feel happy just knowing they understand it isn't always easy for me.

"Since we're all here how about we go on a hunt for tea?" Micah asks.

"Do I get to go this time as well?" Justin asks.

"Yeah, your one of us now." Edwin tells him.

"If we leave now we can take our time." Steven says standing up and pulling his shirt off over his head.

Several others get to their feet and follow his lead and faced with the choice of both staying here and being surrounded by naked toms or changing elsewhere I opt to hurry to Chris and Malcolm's room. I leave the door slightly ajar and quickly strip my clothes off, shifting only takes the usual moment and I have plenty of time to stretch and flex my claws before I nose the door open and head back towards the others.

Steven and Edwin are finished changing and I give a slight snort before heading outside, I sniff around the quarters with interest noting the different scents as I go. The screen door bangs several times and I lift my head to glance towards it, I recognise Mitchell as one of the cats and bound over to greet him. Chris rubs his head against my shoulder and I purr as I turn to rub against him, I glance at the doorway as more cats emerge and I step forward to greet Micah. He goes to lick my neck and I remember the last time we ran together and hiss at him as I move away from him, the small cat just behind him catches my attention and I move towards Justin with a purr. I allow him to rub himself up and down both my sides before stepping away to greet Sam, everyone is here now and we all twine in among each other before Micah roars and opens his mouth baring his teeth in a wide yawn.

We all look at him and I hiss uneasily before moving to put as many of the toms between us as possible. Micah leads off towards the tree line at a trot and I fall in with the others, I move alongside Chris and match my pace to his. When Micah changes to a lope I give a few high leaps before taking off after the others, Justin gives me a nervous look but I pass him by without worrying about him as I move through the clan to run level with Mitchell and Edwin. I listen intently to the sounds around me and when I hear the tell tale rustle of a mouse I don't even break stride as I snatch it up chewing it once before swallowing. Several more mice follow the first but all they do is serve to welt my appetite and I am keen to begin the hunt for real.