To Love a Stray Ch. 13

PUBLIC BETA

Note: You can change font size, font face, and turn on dark mode by clicking the "A" icon tab in the Story Info Box.

You can temporarily switch back to a Classic Literotica® experience during our ongoing public Beta testing. Please consider leaving feedback on issues you experience or suggest improvements.

Click here

"I knew this was your doing!" Wade snarls on a low hiss of anger.

"Doc?" Baxter asks quietly with a frown towards Wade for his outburst. "Do you know enough of what is happening to have a medical opinion on any of this?"

"The steps Wade wishes to take will undoubtedly be detrimental to both Rosy's physical and mental health. Only last week Rosy came very close to dying because of the collar Wade insisted she wear. If not for extreme efforts on the part of both Micah and Mitchell, to my understanding, Rosy would have died." Doc says soberly and I have to repress the tremors that try to shake me at the reminder of Rosy's brush with death.

"Now since Rosy no longer wears the collar Wade wishes to lock her in a cage once again, she isn't fully recovered from her last stretch in a cage. As for Jasmine, I believe her illness has been correctly diagnosed and treated and she is well on the road to full health. I have no doubt the stress of knowing Rosy has been locked in a cage once again, regardless of whether Jasmine is here to witness it or not, will be detrimental to Jasmine's full recovery." Doc states firmly. "And if one or both of Micah and Mitchell were to be expelled from the clan, I believe it would impact both Jasmine and Rosy strongly."

"Hmm," Baxter says and is silent for a few minutes.

I glance between Wade, Doc and Baxter before turning my gaze back to Wade but listening for any movements from Baxter as well.

"The way I see it Wade," Baxter says in a gentle tone, "for as long as Micah has been chief warrior you have left the day to day running of the clan almost entirely to him. There have been numerous occasions you have cut the ground out from beneath him instead of supporting his decisions, decisions you have forced him to make by not stepping up to make them yourself."

"You have been so busy building your business ventures in the human world. Earning the money necessary to be able to keep this clan alive while your daughter's future was under a cloud of doubt, that you sub-consciously handed the care of the clan to Micah. You didn't choose your first-born son - you chose in the best interests of your clan. I am not saying you shouldn't be proud of Edwin - I hear he has impressed several Alphas with his abilities and knowledge since leaving," Baxter says and I hear Wade give a faint snort.

"Now fate has handed your daughter a gift of time to be able to prove her ability to provide this clan with a future. I know Rosy reminds you of all that is bad in the American strays, yet you yourself told me she shows a lot of promise of being a good Queen. But she needs to stop running away all the time and learn to be respectful towards those in authority." Baxter says levelly. This revelation is new to me and Wade's view certainly is different to mine, I have never seen badness in Rosy only fear, the product of the bad that has been done to her.

"Obviously Micah sees the good in her, and I believe your son also would see the bad if it was there present. What about Mitchell McIntosh? Yes he is a brother of Rosy but he is also the only tom your daughter has been seriously interested in. Why would he permit any threat to his future mate by anyone? Even his own sister?" Baxter shakes his head and takes a deep breath.

"Its time to stop fighting to keep your daughter safe Wade," Baxter pauses for several moments. "You've trained your son well and gathered the best team of warriors around. Take the time to step back and relax, you've got a grandchild on the way and a wife still young enough to lead you on a merry chase through the bush. Doc believes your daughter will recover, so there will be grandchildren there as well. Step down and allow Micah to take over, enjoy what you have built for your children."

"It won't be just Micah, we agreed it would be both of us," Mitchell says on a low growl.

"Yes that's true," I say. "We believe the clan would benefit from both of us making the decisions."

"The clan first, how can you argue with that Wade?" Baxter asks as he folds his arms.

"I am keeping the key to the quarters," Wade announces tightly. "I will not be locked out of any building on clan headquarters while I am still in charge."

"Looks like I will just have to take the key and show you who is in charge," I say as I take a step towards him.

"Not you, that's for sure," Wade growls back as he begins to try to walk away.

"Wade, hand over the key," Baxter advises. "That way you get to keep your dignity and you should get to see your grandchildren grow up."

"The key," I say in a hard voice as I hold my hand out towards him once again.

I see anger flare in his eyes and he hesitates a second or two before reaching into his back pocket and dropping the key into my hand.

"What are you going to do? Marry your own sister?" Wade taunts.

"Do you have any copies of this key?" I ask coldly.

"Unfortunately I gave all the copies to you traitors," Wade hisses.

"If any copy was to mysteriously appear and you were to enter the quarters with out an invitation I am likely to believe you are up to no good, forget myself and kill you." I tell him coldly. "I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to remove any threat to the safety and wellbeing of Rosy and Jazzy. Now get the hell out of here before I forget myself and only remember that you would lock Rosy in a cage, and expose Jazzy to a lot of stress and trauma that will not aide in her recovery from her illness. You have blatant disregard for the health and well being of both she-kitts belonging to this clan."

I watch as Wade walks to the main house, I don't take my attention off him until I hear the screen and wooden doors open and shut. I look towards Mitchell first and find him watching me.

"Hope you don't mind the promotion," I say lightly. "It's time you thought about letting my sister make an honest man out of you anyway."

"You explain it to her," Mitchell says with a bit of a laugh.

"Does this mean Mitchell is the brains and Micah is the brawn of this outfit?" Doc asks with an uneasy glance between us.

"No, they will have to work as a team in all aspects," Baxter says quietly.

"You need to come in as soon as you can," Sam says soberly from the doorway and I turn to face him. "We heard part of the argument from inside. Jazzy is upset and Rosy is ready to start ricocheting off the walls. I think that will happen when she realises who the clan Alphas are."

I almost groan aloud at his announcement. I have been trying to find the words to start the conversation with Rosy about the change of authority since it happened just over an hour earlier. Now it is all about to come out in the open with the thick and bitter tang of aggression in the air.

"Doc, it might be wise for you and Donny to stay here tonight," Mitchell says with a glance my way. "Wade is going to be really upset."

"Mitchell's right," I agree when Doc turns to me for conformation. "And he is co-leader of this clan. He has just as much say in matters as I do."

Sam heads back inside followed by Doc, Baxter and Donny before Mitchell and I follow. I take the time to ensure the main door is locked securely before heading through to the lounge room and kitchen.

"You gave him a beating?" Dwayne asks levelly.

"He refused to hand over the key to the quarters he had when I asked for it," I say with a shrug. "Luckily Baxter arrived in time to talk some sense into him."

I follow Jazzy into the kitchen slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements as Rosy takes a couple of uneasy steps away from where I head. I sit down at the kitchen table and watch as Mitchell folds Jazzy in his arms.

"Jazzy, I kind of promoted Mitchell to your fiancé outside," I say with an apologetic smile.

"Impossible," Jazzy snaps as she pulls out of his embrace and turns to face him. "Mitchell has never proposed to me!"

"Well, umm," Mitchell goes red faced as he glances around the two rooms self-consciously. "Will you marry me Jazzy?"

"Only if you promise that from now on I am in on all decisions about our relationship," Jazzy says soberly then flings her arms around Mitchell's neck bringing laughter from several of the toms.

"Alright then, who wants a cup of coffee or something stronger?" Baxter asks as he steps into the kitchen and heads for the percolator.

"Why don't you sit down at the table with me Rosy so I can explain to you what has happened?" I ask quietly. I take a seat at the table so I am facing her and she is glancing between me, Mitchell and Baxter nervously.

"I can hear just fine from here," Rosy says uneasily as she watches me.

I can see her nostrils flaring as she breathes and I realise she is most likely subconsciously reading the scents in the air even as she watches the interaction between all of us.

"Mitchell and I are now the co-Alphas of this clan," I say quietly and her eyes narrow in suspicion immediately. "I intend to try to devote some time each day to explaining how werecat society functions and I will also try to help you understand the rules and regulations of not just our clan but other clans as well. You are free to talk to your brothers about anything you choose if you prefer that."

"Is Rosy free to come and go from clan lands as she chooses?" Baxter asks as if curious and I see the way Rosy's gaze sharpens as she watches me.

"Personally I hope Rosy chooses to stay here, living alone would not be a safe option," I admit with a glance towards her stomach. I see the way she instantly folds her arms protectively about herself.

Please rate this story
The author would appreciate your feedback.
  • COMMENTS
Anonymous
Our Comments Policy is available in the Lit FAQ
Post as:
Anonymous
52 Comments
AnonymousAnonymousover 11 years ago
Disney's The Lion King

I think incest is a little nasty but everyone should let the incest thing go. On Disney's The Lion King franchise Simba married Naila (sp?) who is his half-sister or cousin, and his daughter, Kiara (sp?) married Kovu (sp?) who is her great-uncle's son and with lions prides may have one male with a few females and he mates with them all. That's how cats are and as far as this story goes, that's how werecats are.

canndcanndalmost 12 years ago

hey gypsy,

I know you're getting alot of flack from the rape and incest and all the other hard topics. I think one thing people have to keep in mind is that these topics aren't being addressed by you or a human (except for Rosy through her mainly human context). The topics are being addressed by these werecats. Since I've never met one :) I can't ask how they would feel on the topics, so as the writer, you decide that. So, I guess people have to stop acting like you think these things are ok.

That said, I agree that it was a bit offputting that the warriors who all seem so much more upstanding than the wade and edwin's of the story that it was disturbing to my human mind that they would see incest as ok. But, I realize they aren't human. I am glad that Micah has finally taken over. I have questions as to how he could do the co-alpha thing with Mitchell. The reality is that Mitchell isn't an alpha. He just recently was moved up the heirarchy. Is it smart for him to ask Mitchell to take that spot just to keep Jazzy in the clan?

Q= I know baxter thinks it's the only way. But, can it really work for the two men? Can't there only be one top spot?

Q= Why was it not addressed by the guys, especially Micah (Sam was wrong not to admit what he said that set her off. He's allowing her to be seen as unstable just to not get in trouble?) or Rosy herself, about this new reason for her not to trust? I am surprised she slowly started being near him again. It didn't feel like the move she'd make to me. She usually would stew longer and in some way have it come around to being addressed. I also don't understand why Micah hasn't told her about the mate bond. He knows that she must have had other mate bonds if the others locked up in her like she said. Now, he may not wanna think about that, but at minimum he owes her the explanation of what a mate bond is so she understands what she's feeling. Afterall, he was feeling it, so shouldn't she have been?

I can't imagine how terrifying it would be to have someone in your mind directing you which she mentioned and which scared her so much when he tried to calm her down. I loved how you showed she was able to shut those bonds down b/c it means she could have the bond with only Micah if she lets it develop again. I'm just growing frustrated that Micah went from being an overbearing lug to now pussyfooting (pun intended :) around her. He HAS to start communicating with her or they will never get a good go at a life together. He has to stop treating her like a child.

I hope you can change the dynamic of their relationship soon! It was so hard seeing their slight progress destroyed. If Micah doesn't start getting to her feelings and talking shit out, then they will never have a good thing.

I LOVED the showdown with Wade. Good ole Baxter called in to support him and handing him his ass. loved it! Micah's patience and learning from Baxter paid off.

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 12 years ago
5/5

Loved it :P

MygypsyMygypsyalmost 12 years agoAuthor
Re previous question

No Rosy’s shift was not timed, the speed at which she shifted startled everyone except those who knew she could shift so fast.

She can shift so fast that if she is standing still when she drops to her hands and knees she has nearly completed her shift. When running from others she can be human in one stride and as her shift hits she can lean/fall forward and be in cat form when her hands/front paws hit the ground.

A shift so fast is extremely painful and Rosy often screamed from the pain as she shifted.

Other werecats would be able to shift with the same speed if they felt the same desperate need to be a cat to be able to escape from danger that Rosy felt before Mitchell taught her how to voluntarily control her shift. Until then she could not change at will only when driven by severe stress or fear.

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 12 years ago
Question?

How fast exactly can rosy shift? She asked what was so impressive about 30 sec. Without clothes? Did they time it that day (at the meeting few chapters bac?)

MygypsyMygypsyalmost 12 years agoAuthor
Chapter 14

Ch 14 has been submitted. expect it online from the 8th on.

Jinxy20Jinxy20almost 12 years ago
Please continue

I've been reading this story for the past 3 days I love it so much. It touches my inner cat and has made me cry more then once for Rosy. It also has made me wet with want for Micah. Please continue the story it is so amazing and I wish to find out what happens with everything.

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 12 years ago
MORE MORE MORE!!!!

PLEASE. Xxxx

katgoddess1katgoddess1almost 12 years ago
For the good of the clan

Very clever way to gain control without bloodshed! Now Micah should just tell Rosy that he loves her and just wants the best for her, and apologize for previous high-handed measures. All those rules about clan cats will eventually take root once she commits herself fully to Micah.

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 12 years ago
Finnally

It's about time Wade gets a bit of what is coming to him (hopefully more will follow, and Edwin will live to regret his part it that aberration.) One thing though, Micah needs to tell Rosy that he loves her, she doesn't know what to think. Man up!

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 12 years ago

Mygypsy, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Since in fantasy stories the "world building" is almost a character itself, it must be hard for an author to answers questions and not give away plot twists they've spent chapter upon chapter setting up. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to do this.

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 12 years ago
Thanks for the explanations

I like your stories. I just wish I had this information from the beginning so I could have understood your story a lot better. Instead I was wondering why they were making the type of decisions they were.

MygypsyMygypsyalmost 12 years agoAuthor
Answers from the Author

Okay, good questions – I had to stop and think about a few answers, also some answers to emailed questions.

First a quick clarification of the difference between Clan cats and strays.

Clan cats are born into werecat families and are raised knowing and understanding what they are, as a consequence they can function rationally/normally in both forms – cat and human.

Strays are born to a human and have usually grown up unaware of their inheritance. They are not ‘infected’ or ‘turned’; their mutated gene is usually activated by illness, injury or severe shock. Strays very rarely function well in either form after their first change due to mainly mental difficulties dealing with ‘being’ what was formerly believed to be a ‘monster’ or ‘sideshow freak’.

If a clan cat becomes aware of a child that may possibly be fathered by a tom, the child is kept track of and if paternity can be proven then the paternal clan will try to ‘educate’ the child at a suitable age to their true nature.

In my werecat world there has been no evidence that being bitten or scratched by a werecat in either form causes the victim to become a werecat.

Side note: The incestuous relationship between Malcolm, Chris (to a lesser degree) and Lotty – their sister – is of great concern. Any pregnancy would be terminated by order of the Board or the Kitt destroyed at birth. Malcolm and Chris are banned (not banished) from their birth clan to prevent any further sexual incidents.

When Steven blew up and had harsh words for Rosy he spoke out of his own fear for what might have been her punishment. A stray or rogue who threatened an Alpha with even a water pistol would have been executed, revealing the existence of werecats to someone even if they were aware of werecats existing – imprisonment and a severe punishment many would not survive. No, Steven did not condone what Wade decided but ALL were powerless to stop it. If Micah had interfered Wade would have thrown Micah out of the clan for challenging his authority.

The Were Board of Governors is made up of a combination of retired Alphas and some former Chief warriors, all of them with many years of experience leading or protecting werecat clans.

Strays are answerable to the Alpha of the territory they are in. Clan members are answerable to their Alpha and Alphas are answerable to the Board and their own clan members.

There are certain rules that have been in place for the good of the collective werecat society. First and foremost is that ALL females – werecats as well as humans, are to be protected from strays.

Most laws and rules have general penalties, a minimum and a maximum penalty. The exact penalty handed down is up to the Alpha of the territory the crime was committed in – in the case of a stray or rogue cat (clan cat gone bad). In cases where clan cats are involved a relative or clan elder is generally called on to speak on behalf of or for the defendant.

Kurt Black spoke on behalf of Rosy and possibly put Wade in a position where he could only punish her the least possible.

In most clans decisions involving the clan directly are usually a joint decision of the Alpha and his Queen – this is the Australian werecat way - whereas for the American werecats it is mostly the decision of the Alpha.

A hostile takeover can only occur in 3 instances.

1) The Queen dies without producing a female heir. As was believed to have happened to Jeddah – Rosy was born months after Jeddah left Ray. And yes, Jeddah went against werecat law and custom to be with a human male – Harry Caruthers.

2) There is a stronger, more suitable tom with the backing to overthrow or kill the fiancé chosen by a young she-kitt and force a shotgun wedding on the grieving she-kitt.

3) A tom with adequate backing and support goes rogue and kills his brother-in-law and kills his own sister or commits incest.

An Alpha male will sometimes allow his wife to have a ‘consort’, another male he knows and trusts. Basically this arrangement is to fulfil any sexual appetite if the Alpha is away. Very rarely are there any children born sired by the consort, any and all children born to the Queen are seen as the offspring of the Alpha who has all the rights and responsibilities. Most definitely none other than the Alpha would get the chance to sire a kitt the larger a family gets, as it is believed there must be at least 3 or 4 sons born before a daughter is born. All Alphas want to be the sire of a daughter. (One of the warriors that work for the Williamson Clan has a sire different to his mother’s husband and in a later chapter there is mention of a kitt that closely resembles the wife’s consort.)

Rosy has no understanding of the bond that can occur between werecat couples. She only knows it is an uninvited intrusion and violation of her personal space. (There will be more information on the matebond in ch15.)

Hope that covers it all.

Mygypsy

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 12 years ago

Mygypsy, thanks for offering to answer questions. I do have some about the "world" you've created.

How much power does the Council have? Are they merely arbitrators or do they have enforcement powers? Are the members of the Council all ex-clan leaders (ex Alphas)?

The clans Alphas seem to have extensive powers in deciding the laws/rules governing their territories. The rules seem to vary widely, clan to clan. Does this power come from the Council, societal convention, or is it based more on the strength of the clan (resources, warriors, allies, etc.)? How much power do the queens have over the Alphas wielding this power or does it vary clan to clan?

Are hostile takeovers a common occurrence? Is the acceptance, by general society, of any takeover based on some rule of law or is it based on the ability to pull it off (resources, warriors, allies)?

In general werecat society, are married queens allowed the choice of the biological father(s) of their children? (This seemed to be hinted at in my reading of this chapter) If so, do the biological father have any rights/responsibilities concerning these children or is the husband of the queen (Alpha) viewed as the father and given all rights and responsibilities?

Does Rosy understand the bonding thing or does she see it as something Alphas (or maybe all toms) can do?

I'm hooked on your story and I'm very glad that you have decided not to do the same old PNR. Not that there's anything wrong with that but I'm so enjoying reading something that twists thing up and illustrates how thin the veneer of any civilization really is.

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 12 years ago
I just don't get it

The main character is found injured, raped and help captive by some evil 'strays'.

The 'good guys' repeatedly claim that they are better than that.

They have killed multiple strays with no explanation. They have repeatedly injured, raped and held the protagonist captive. She's currently in what could be described as a forced marriage [regardless of feelings, she has very little choice].

And yet, no one ever bothered to do something?

Take that last punishment - for the offense of unauthorized borrowing of the Alpha's vehicle [as the other charges were dropped] she was subject to imprisonment and rape. Yet the protagonist didn't enter a catatonic state or flee, but merely sulked. Edwin was complicit in the rape - he didn't stop. The alpha's wife didn't take action. The warriors and brothers didn't raid the house. Visiting alpha's merely tried to reduce the jail time so on and so forth.

The complete hypocrisy on from the goods guys side renders any future actions mute - it's simply too late for redemption.

In all honest, Rosey was better treated by the Strays.

Show More
Share this Story

READ MORE OF THIS SERIES

Similar Stories

Bound to My Mate Ch. 01 A chance encounter with her life mate.in NonHuman
Claimed A hybrid shapeshifter is asked to help wounded tiger.in NonHuman
A Slave to the Servants Ch. 01-02 Earth woman finds herself sold into intergalactic slavery.in Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Hearts of Warriors Ch. 01 Into the lion's den.in NonHuman
Pawn Among Wolves She's used in a fight between werewolves.in NonHuman
More Stories