His Oblivious Mate

Chapter 11 : Lions and Tigers and Bears

"Rogues on Cathy's land. Attack!" Caleb mindlinked his pack, as he ran after Cathy. She was completely unaware of the dangerous creatures lurking in the woods, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Two rogues were crouched down in the snow, just behind where the treeline began. Their red, bloodshot eyes following Cathy, waiting for her to get close enough. "Cass, we need to get her away from the woods" Caleb said frantically. "I don't want her to find out this way!". Caleb was gaining on Cathy, and just before the treeline, he caught her, swinging her around back to the cabin. The rogues were watching them intently, getting ready to attack. They were so focused on Caleb and Cathy, that they did not see the tigers creeping up on them from behind. "Alpha, get her to the cabin, we will take care of them" Timothy linked him, Athena beside him.

Caleb picked Cathy up and ran back to the cabin. "I am sorry, I surrender" she laughed. He smiled down at her, putting her down inside the cabin door. "I got you" he said. At that moment, a howl cut through the air, before being cut off. An eerie silence hung in the air. Cathy looked at the woods. "Oh no, that sounds like a wolf. And it sounds hurt" she said, a worried frown etched on her face. "I am sure it is nothing" Caleb said, trying to calm her down and herd her into the cabin with his body. "No. I found an injured wolf in the woods not long ago. I don't know if there are any more traps left. I am going to check" she said, taking the knobkierie, and pulling on her jacket. "She is a determined woman. Don't even bother arguing with her" Owen linked him. "What is happening Timothy?" Caleb asked in link. "We got them. They are dead" came the answer. "Get rid of the carcasses please" he requested. When Cathy pulled open the door, he walked out with her. "We are coming with you". She smiled at him. "Thank you".

They walked into the woods. He could smell where the tigers killed the wolves, and led her around the spot. She found the path and followed it, passing the waterfall. She got to the place where she found Cass, and stopped, listening to hear if she could hear anything. Silence surrounded them. She looked around and then turned back to them. "Thank you guys" she said. "Anytime" Cass answered, smiling at her warmly. "Let's go back" Caleb suggested. She nodded, and they walked back the way they came.

She was deep in thought, wondering how Girl was doing. They passed the waterfall, and just before leaving the woods, she noticed something in the snow. She stopped abruptly, causing Caleb to almost crash into her. She knelt down, inspecting the massive paw print in the snow, then looked at Duncan with huge eyes. "Oh, I have been meaning to ask, apart from wolves and bears, what other predators roam the woods?". "What do I say?" he asked Caleb in mindlink. "Be as honest as possible without freaking her out" Caleb replied. "Well, there is a lion, two tigers, one bear, a pack of wolves and an owl that frequents the woods in the area" he answered truthfully. "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my" she quoted the Wizard of Oz, looking around uneasily. "Don't worry Cathy, they have never attacked humans before. We just let them be. If you don't bother them, they won't bother you" Caleb tried to ease her mind. She got up, dusting the snow from her knee. "Oh, I will definitely not be bothering them" she said, resuming walking towards the cabin. Owen shot Caleb a look. "What is it, Owen?" he linked. "You are going to have to tell her sooner or later". "I know. I will think of a way that will not traumatize her and have her running for the city, leaving us" Caleb replied, watching Cathy closely. She was quiet, and he could see her mind racing. He wished he knew what was going on in her mind.

Cathy and Cass made steaks and vegetables for dinner, and they sat down in the living room, eating n front of the fireplace. The conversation flowed easily, Cathy not mentioning the woods or the creatures within again. After dinner, Caleb and Duncan cleaned the kitchen while Owen and Bert chopped some wood for Cathy again. "Domesticated looks good on you" Duncan teased Caleb with a mischievous grin, pointing to the dishtowel in his hand. "Says the one with a sponge in his hand and foam up to his elbows" Caleb shot back.

"Alpha, more rogues are approaching the border" Timothy linked him. "We are coming, get the warriors ready" Caleb ordered. "Thank you for a lovely day Cathy" he said, "but it is time for us to go". "I have to thank you guys for the help" Cathy said warmly, walking with them to the car. They said their goodbyes, and Cathy walked back inside as they drove off. When they were out of sight of the cabin, Caleb stopped, and Owen and Bert got out. Caleb then drove to the border of the pack's land as fast as he could.

Owen shifted into his owl, and circled over the woods, prepared to end anyone that tried to harm the woman in the cabin below. Bert was in bear form, stalking trough the trees, looking for a vantage point from where he could watch the cabin. He saw the lion approach him and waited. "Not joining the Alpha tonight, Leon?" he asked as the mighty cat sat down next to him. "I was ordered to help guard the Luna" he answered, making himself comfortable on the soft snow. "Great stuff" Bert said "I am going to patrol the woods" before disappearing into the woods. Leon waited till he was gone, then padded to the door of the cabin. "Cold evening, isn't it?" Owen linked, nearly causing him to jump out of his skin. He looked up and saw the owl perched on the edge of the roof. "Indeed" he said, stopping in front of the door, laying down in front of it. He looked at Owen from the corner of his eye, and saw the owl watching him intently.