A Summer To Never Forget {Complete}

2. Riley

        ~~~~

        A few days later I was perched on top of my favourite tree branch; enjoying the late afternoon sun rays when I heard someone stumbling about. Curious to whom might be stupid enough to wander into my territory. Due to the height of the branch; people on the ground couldn't see me, but I could see them.

        I was very surprised to see the little beauty we picked up days ago stumbling along, muttering profanities under his breath. I grinned a little; well as much as a cat can grin as I watch him stumble around my little clearing. The little clearing is mine. I had it marked with claw marks and some odour marks. No, I didn't pee against trees like dogs or wolves do; I rubbed along the trees marking it with my scent.

        Since his arrival he had been arguing none stop with his dad about the most trivial things; about how he should dress to cleaning his room. The gossip never made so many mouths babble. That and the fact that there weren't many rumours about Sterling, to begin with. Most blame it on the fact that Archie and his mom lived way outside the Pack boundaries and never visited.

        I thought it was a load of bull. If Sterling wanted to, he could have forced her to give up Archie and nobody would say a thing about it. Nobody would dream of defying the fool. Just because he personally knew the Alpha King and they were terrified he would tell the Alpha King about their bad behaviour. For gossip was frowned upon in our community; since everybody is connected through the Pack Link one would know a lie when they heard one. Most things about Sterling and Archie was speculation at best, not many knew what actually went on in that house behind closed doors.

        I was pulled out of my musings when the wind changed and his scent was carried up to me. It was a bit weird how quickly his scent had changed over the few days he had spent here. It started out as a deep woody scent but changed to the scent of a rain forest after rainfall. It made my mouth water and stimulated other parts of me. I was never the one for wanting to be close to my fellow Pack member, but I wanted to be close to this boy.

        [Riley? Have you seen Archon? I can't seem to find him and his scent trail leads to your clearing]

        I rolled my eyes as I got up and stretched, making the leaves on the branch rustle and Archie look up at me. That was also one of the basic Pack rules; nobody enters another's territory unless invited. Archie didn't know this, at least I didn't think he did. Knowing Sterling he probably didn't mention it and left it all for Niamh to explain Pack rules to Archie. Who forgot that everything we took for granted wasn't so common outside the Pack.

        [Don't worry old man, Archie is fine. He's here with me.]

        I cut off the Link after that, I wasn't in the mood to listen to him ramble on about Archie not knowing Pack rules and such.

        However, I was far more intrigued by Archie and his scent than Sterling's rambles. He was sitting on a fallen log opposite my favourite tree. He stilled completely when he saw me jump down the tree; he stopped fiddling with his music. Eyes wide he kept staring at me as I advanced on him. His eyes trailed my sleek coat and strong physic. I stopped a few feet away from him, sat there looking at him.

        It was hard, every instinct and nerve practically urged me forward to pounce on him. "Are... are you part of the Pack? Please nod or something..." He pleaded. "So I know I am not talking to a real black panther." He quietly whispered. He looked so pleadingly at me that I against my better judgement nodded.

        His shoulders sagged with relief before he tensed up once again. He glared at me "Did my dad sent you?" He didn't wait for me to confirm or deny it before rambling on. "I can't believe it! I told him I needed some alone time!" He started muttering things under his breath once again as he got up leaning on his none wrapped ankle, stunting with the two crutches and the undergrowth.

        I saw it coming and yet, I was powerless to stop it. As he was messing around with his crutches, I saw him wobble dangerously. Before I knew it I was in motion; the thought of him being more hut than he already was, was unacceptable. Luckily I was within reach before he toppled over and crashed to the ground. Archie landed on top of me with a grunt, I yowled a little to his added weight.

        If I was in my human form, I could have stopped him from toppling over and steady him instead. Seeing as that wasn't an option with me being in my feline form, I just acted like a cushion. I heard him wince at the sound of bones crunching, he immediately scrabbled away from me.

        "Oh, My GOD! Are you okay?" He looked around helplessly, there wasn't much either of us could do at this stage. He slowly inched his way back over, gently petting my coat. Most likely checking my body for any type of injury I might have sustained during our little tumble.

        Unintentionally I let out a purr of contentment, startling Archie. After seeing I didn't move he resumed his petting. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this shouldn't happen. I wasn't one to let anybody touch me willingly, not in my human form and especially not in my feline form.

        What makes Archie so different from all the others?

        I don't know. At the moment I don't particularly care; as long as he keeps up the petting, we're cool. I will worry about what comes after he stopped petting when we cross that bridge, right now I just want to enjoy it.

        I must have dozed off. The sound of Archie's stomach rumbling brought me back to the present. It felt like only five minutes had passed, but as I look at the position of the sun it proved me wrong. Two hours had passed.

       Two freaking hours!

       This never happened to me before!

        Snarling at my own incompetence, and stupidity I move away from Archie. Who looks sad at the loss of my body heat. I guess I was the only thing keeping him a bit warm. His flimsy shirt and pants couldn't be too warm now the sun was close to setting. Trying my best to be as threatening as a newborn kitten; I nudged Archie into motion.

        We needed to get back to the village, the curfew will start soon. Nobody is allowed outside after curfew except the guards on duty. He laughs a little at my antics before slowly but surely getting to his feet. Once he regains his footing, we're off on our quest. Making it back to the village in one piece would prove to be quite the challenge.