I woke in my bedroom, Kara was sitting at the end of my bed with her eyes closed. She seemed to be half asleep. I sat up but my body hurt all over. Frank had really hurt me but I had killed him. He was more powerful than any other vampire I had fought. My movement woke Kara up, she looked very tired.

"Oh Victoria, you're awake," She yawned, " I found you on top of a building bleeding and took you home what on earth were you doing?"

"I killed Frank, he became a vampire," I told her.

She smiled, "Well done. That's one vampire we really don't want to deal with."

"I know right.... he deserved to die," I muttered.

She nodded, "Yeah.... get some rest Victoria. Werecats heal quickly so you should heal soon."

I lay back down, realizing how tired I actually was. Kara stood up and turned to leave.

"Kara," I whispered but she heard me and looked at me.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

She smiled at me "You're welcome."

"You should sleep too you look tired."

"It's true healing magic does take its toll on me..." she trailed off.

I patted the bed next to me, "I don't mind if you sleep here, but you better not snore."

She giggled cutely and lay down next to me. It had been a while since I had someone sleep beside me.

I smiled and closed my eyes, "Goodnight Kara."

"Goodnight."

***

"You think you're so good kitty-cat," the vampire spat at me.

"Oh yes I do," I replied as I lunged forward with my sword. He blocked it but the strength of my attack sent sparks flying. I disengaged my sword quickly and lashed out stabbing him in the stomach.

He fell to his knees clutching his stomach, "you're going straight to hell."

"At least I'll have an afterlife," I replied then kicked him in the face.

I sheaved my sword. That's the last of them. I cleared out a whole castle building of them and it took far too long. I yawned then stretched in a cat-like way. Better go back home.

I strutted out of the building stepping over all the corpses of the freshly killed vampires.

Kicking open the door the sunlight blinded me for a second. It warmed my body. I started to purr as I walked into the sunlight. Winter was finally starting to give up its hold. It had been such a long winter, for me personally everything had changed. I started winter a lonely girl with no one by her side constantly bullied. Now Frank was dead.

I started to run. It wouldn't take long if I ran. Everything was a blur as usual but I knew the way. It felt like flying though it had become normal it always inspired a smile from me. It had become something very comforting and familiar to me.

Now I had gotten over Flame. I wasn't as angry. The heartbreak had started to fade. If I ever saw him again I'd probably just ignore him. I just wanted to stay alive with my brothers. Kara told me that there were other werecats I really want to find them but it's a little too dangerous to look for them with my brothers. I get worried when I leave them alone for too long. I'm sure the other werecats will come for me.

I arrived at my house and walked inside. My brothers were watching the TV. Vampires had taken over all the stations and have really strange shows. The news was on at the moment. Ignored it and walked past.

"If anyone knows the location of the leopard werecat... " that caught my attention and I quickly looked at the screen. There was an image of a woman in armour which was splattered with blood, holding a sword into the air. She was smiling and had pointed teeth similar to mine. Her hair was golden brown and blowing in the wind. The most amazing thing about her was her eyes they were a beautiful bright green like a highlighter.

"... Zara or the puma werecat Medusa please contact this number."

Another picture appeared beside it of a woman in the forest she had beautiful long brown hair and brown eyes to match it. She was dressed in leather. There seemed to be something very mysterious and dangerous about her.

"There they are," I whispered under my breath.

My brothers looked at me.

"The other werecats, I'm sure they will find us then together we can be a ... pack together," I said smiling, "Wait no ... a Pride!"

I had finally seen them. Not in person but now I knew what I was looking for. I had a purpose and that was to find them.

"Are we going to leave here to look for them?" Jake asked.

"No. They will find us," I told him, "I'm sure of it."

Kara walked up to me, "It will be so fun to meet their guardian witches," she squealed.

I smiled, "How many do you think there are?"

"Not too many, around six I think," She replied thoughtfully.

"That's awesome, I'm sure they're going to be so nice," I couldn't stop smiling.

"Let's watch the rest of the news, there might be more on them," Jake suggested.

I sat down on the ground beside my brothers and Kara joined me. Like a happy family.

***

It was late and I had just finished tucking my brothers into bed. I walked back to my room. We spent a long time watching TV but they didn't end up showing much on the other werecats. It didn't matter though now I knew what they looked like.

I opened my door and the first thing I noticed was the window was open and the cold winter air was filling my room. I closed the window. Someone had been in here. I took a deep breath. Griffin. He was in here! Why? I looked around for any changes. I checked my underwear draw first then my desk then under my bed. No changes, nothing stolen. He wouldn't have just come in then left. Then I spotted in my cheetah statue's mouth a letter.

Did he write me a letter?

Unlikely. Must have been from the alpha or something. Let's see what that idiot had to say. I took it from the Cheetah's mouth and opened it.

Dear Victoria,

        I know how much you must hate me for this. I lied to you and I regret it so much. You are my mate and I should have put you before my pack. I really don't expect you to forgive me for this. I know what it's like to have your parents be killed. I hated everything to do with werewolves when my parents were killed and tried countless times to kill myself.

But this isn't about me. If there is anything I can do for you I'd be happy to.

I know werecats don't have mates but I know they can still love. Even so, I broke your heart and you probably don't love me even slightly but I want you to know I do love you. So much. I wish could have helped you. I really hate this pack and just give me the word and I'll leave it forever.

Love from Flame.

PS. Griffin if you read this I will murder you.

***

I sat on the roof watching the sunrise. Flame's letter was still in my hand. I opened it and read through it again. I should forgive him.

Now that I think about it he was only following orders even if he shouldn't have been following those orders it's not all his fault. His pack meant to much to him. If he really meant what he said about leaving then maybe I could find it in my heart to love him again. He can help me find the other werecats. I stood up and jumped off the roof.

Talon though, I want to murder. No, I will murder because it is all his fault my parents are dead.

I came to the packhouse. Here I was again. I remember the first time I came here on Flame's motorbike. He told me he was a werewolf. It seemed like an eternity ago. How innocent I was back then, it almost made me laugh.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the gate but as I started to see the mansion I knew something was horribly terribly wrong.

Dead bodies lay on the grass. I ran up to one. Golden hair. My heart fell. I turned it over only to my horror to see that it was Summer. No this can't be happening! She can't be dead. Her kind soul was gone from her body and only a look of horror remained on her face. The other corpses were of other werewolves from the pack but some were vampire too. Vampires attacked this place. I started to panic.

Where is Flame?

He better be ok.

Fear filled me but I ran into the house. Blood streaked the walls and there were dead bodies of werewolves I knew everywhere. I even tripped over a few as I blindly rushed into the mansion.  No.... I felt tears run down my face. "No!" I screamed.

I got to the stairs and tried to run up them but I stood on a corpse and together we fell down the stairs. I landed on top of it.

To my horror, I realised I was face to face with Griffin. His eyes were closed. I sat up.

"No Griffin..." I started crying "You can't be dead!"

He remained still, I could feel his skin was cold.

"Come on Griffin get up!"

No response. I slapped his face, "Come on Griffin!!! Drop the act!" I screamed, "Don't be such an idiot! Get up!"

I slapped him again but he still wouldn't respond. "Griffin!..." I cried.

No reply.

My tears fell onto his face, "If you just open your eyes I'll let you hug me."

No reply. But I hugged him anyway, "Please...."

I stayed like that for a long time. I knew he was dead but I just didn't want to believe it I just wanted him to open his eyes and tell me it was all just one big joke. Hope kept me there with him. Someone who had brought such light and laughter to my life. Sure he annoyed me but that was all a part of his appeal. Those who make you smile and laugh feel immortal. And my heart was broken once again.

Suddenly I realised I still hadn't checked on Flame. I kissed Griffin on the cheek and whispered to him, "I'll really miss you."

I stood up and climbed up the stairs, tears streaming from my eyes making it so hard to see.

I walked up to Flame's room. Please be in there and be ok. I took a deep and shaky breath.

I opened the door and the first thing I remembered seeing was Flame's orange hair, red.

Flame was dead.

Edit - 16/2/2021

Published - 28/2/2015