The Panther

Cat Tree

Ludwig Van Beethoven- Piano SonataNo. 14, Op. 27 "Moonlight Sonata" No. 21:I. Adagio Sostenuto

The barn is far enough away from the packhouse that I can barely smell the wolves. Emilia told me that she forbade them to come near the barn when they shift. Alpha's orders. The outside looks like a regular old barn matching the main house. Calling it a house feels a little far-fetched. It looks like a private school for gifted rich kids. There are two smaller mansions attached to the sides of it. If it wasn't a historic building, humans would probably be suspicious of what it really is. Especially in New York.

On each side of the barn is a willow tree. Four in total. The grass here is beautiful. There are soil plots all around the house, already prepared for gardening. She asked me to come out here alone so that I can get a feel of it without any interruptions but she's watching me from the porch of her house along with a few others. I looked down at the key in my hand and walked over to the side door wanting to get out of the spotlight. I pushed the key into the doorknob and turned it until it clicked. I pushed the door open. The scent of freshly picked flowers and cleaning chemicals is the first thing I noticed. I looked around until I found the light switch.

A gasp escaped when the lights came on revealing the first floor. The first thing that comes into view is the black grand piano in the middle of the room. Above it, hanging from the high ceiling is a black iron chandelier with lights that are meant to look like candles. It's beautifully decorated with heartleaf philodendron. I've never seen anything this beautiful before.

"This is a replica of one of your favorite historical composer's pianos," Colt walked in behind me. I laughed. Becoming an alpha has done nothing to help him improve his speech. I've missed him a lot. "I had it painted black because you said the only way it could be better is if it were black,"

"The Viennese Piano," I went over to it. "It was Mozart's favorite. It was rebuilt to accommodate Beethoven's orchestra in the nineteenth century. The original was way too delicate for him,"

"V sent it over a few months ago. He said from one sound witch to another. He said you'd know what the meant when I said it,"

"Beethoven was like me. A sound witch," I pulled the bench out and took a seat. "That explains why he's one of my favorites,"

"You took that a little too calmly for my liking," he sat down next to me.

"This is beautiful, Colt. Thank you," I'm trying not to get too worked up.

"There's room for all your musical crap down here. The apartment is upstairs," he pointed up.

"Right. It's a cat tree," I laughed.

I looked around to find the iron spiral staircase but there are several methods of getting to the top floor. Little shelves and ropes that look like rustic decorations but are definitely there with a purpose. Giant cat purposes to be exact. We both went over to the stairs. He stayed behind me as I looked around. This place is a lot bigger than it looks. To the right, coming off the stairs is a kitchen fully equipt for literally anything that I could possibly want. Down the center is a family area. A sectional, TV, and empty bookcases against the wall. Behind the stairs is what looks like an empty library with massive windows. Shelves and study tables with cute little desk lamps on them. At the far end is the bedroom and more windows. Everything is carefully coordinated to keep the rustic aesthetic he wanted to accomplish.

"This is for you and if you want d**k head here, Emy said he's more than welcome. I still hate him,"

"I don't know what to say, Colt,"

"You saved us, Baby. You're my sister and I know you're going through a lot right now. I want you to be okay. Emy's parents are still in charge. We're still in school. I call it Alpha Academy. They wanted me to tell you that they would like for you to attend. They would be honored to have someone with your grades and intellect, as well as talents. They haven't had a big cat like you here in a while and they're really excited to present you to the pack so they know you're not a threat to us,"

"Are you serious?" I looked back at him.

"Yeah, they're super nice," he smiled.

"I'm going to cry," I admitted. He came over to me and took my hand.

"Then cry," he shrugged. He pulled me to him and wrapped his arms around me. I couldn't hold it back anymore. I started to cry. "I know this doesn't fix anything but it's a fresh start. Away from dad and all the witch drama. Even if it is for a little while. You need to clear your head. It's the first step to getting in touch with your panther,"

"I should go thank everyone,"

"Actually, we're having a pack meeting to tell everyone. I didn't think you were going to be so quick to agree," he chuckled embarrassedly.

"It's fine. Gives me a chance to unpack," I nodded.

"A few restrictions before I go. This is a little close to the female dorms so you can't go outside until I come to get you tonight. You're new and your scent is new. Female wolves are a little more territorial, especially those who have pups. Also, in the treeline behind the barn. A couple of miles away is a den of lions. They're harmless and we have told them about you but I don't want you to risk it. We can greet them during the day if you want. You're going to love it here. I mean it's named Babylon,"

"Okay, stay inside. I strive at that," I wiped my face trying really hard not to laugh.

"Alpha Rick had the kitchen and the pantry stocked for you earlier today. The right door by your room is the bathroom. On the left is the closet. Wi-fi details are on the table. He said he wants you to be as comfortable as possible,"

"Why?" I asked looking up at him. He smiled.

"I wanted to move back home. I asked Emy to come with me a few months ago and she agreed. We started applying for schools with packs and they didn't like it and they countered with what if you moved here. I told them I would ask you but that I doubt you wanted to come here with your mate being the High Priest at the Cliffside temple over there. They figured if you stayed here a couple of weeks and liked it. You'd be more susceptible to stay so that I don't leave,"

"Wolves are a lot more loyal than cats," I nodded. "Why would you want to go home with me? She's your mate. This is her home,"

"It is, but we've never been apart like this, Baby. I missed you. My wolf misses you. You might not be a wolf but we consider you to be- I don't know ours. Part of our pack," he shrugged. I took his hand feeling a million times better to hear him say that. I feel like as of late no one wants me around because of my choices or rather preferences.

"You don't know how much it means to me to hear you say that,"

"You don't know how much it means to me that you're here. To everyone. They're excited," he grinned.

"I like this side of you. You look a lot better. After your dad and Rite, what happened with your mom and me. I'm really happy right now and I haven't been in a while,"

"I know," he nodded. A knock at the door made him pull away. He had left it open. I can smell the other wolf.

"Alpha, the meeting will be starting soon. Your presence is mandatory," someone called out from the doorway.

"Coming," he called back. "Okay, I have to go. I will be back with food. They always have food at meetings. Like good food,"

"Okay, I'll be waiting," I nodded. "Tell everyone I said thank you,"

"Okay," he let out a sigh of relief. He kissed the top of my head and jumped down the open space in the middle where the chandelier is. He shut the door behind him when he greeted the person at the door.

I can't believe how beautiful this place is. The dark colors are perfect. I went back downstairs to get my luggage. I brought it up with ease which is a good thing I think because I'm usually not this strong. She's curious and is helping me help her take a look around. I placed the suitcase on the naked mattress and unzipped it. I didn't need to bring my furniture but I'm glad I brought everything else. I stepped back, looking over the bare room, and began to picture how I wanted this area to look. The black iron canopy bed is cute. I can't find any foreign scents other than scents coming off the new furniture.

"Quo Pertinent," I whistled.

The sound traveled into the suitcase and lifted what I'm picturing in my head. My things began to come out and move around the room settling into their new homes. I've been trying to perfect this spell for weeks now, unsure why it was so important. I see why now. My thoughts were here before I realized it. Cliffside was never going to be part of my life. I know that now.

Being alone like this is oddly liberating. Although I'm not allowed to leave right now, in no way do I feel like I'm trapped the way I did in my dad's house. I'm not actually having any trouble accessing my power at the moment. Once the sheets and the comforter were in place. The vibrations of my whistle broke apart like tiny fireworks.

"I missed you too," I smiled at it.

"Aww," I screamed, turning around. "Oh, you weren't talking to me," Kam laughed. "I thought I wasn't being sneaky enough,"

"You scared the hell out of me, Kam," I laughed. She ran over to me. I had to brace myself as she jumped on me excitedly.

"I've missed you so f*****g much," she began to cry. "At first, I was like eh, she doesn't need to be here but after a couple of days I would try not to cry when you called,"

"Kam," I rubbed her back unsure of what to say.

"This place," she let go, trying to change the subject. "When Colt first called me, I was really skeptical about what he wanted me to find for him but seeing it all together like this. Wow. Your brother loves you so much and these wolves basically worship him. Emilia's dad really said spare no expense. Rick is awesome,"

"I see that. It's a little overwhelming but I am in love,"

"Me too. I see you're getting comfy. What spell is this? I know it's not a cleanup spell,"

"It's an unpacking one. I've been working on them for weeks. Are you staying here?"

"Yes, Colt said he'd make room for me in the packhouse. Not excited for that," she smirked.

"You can stay here with me. We can rearrange the bookshelves and I have my bedroom set in here," I patted the top of my suitcase.

"Really?" she smiled. "Are you getting your ideas for new spells from Harry Potter?"

"Halloweentown actually. They're my favorite movies right now," I rolled my eyes.

"What is that?"

"You've never seen Halloweentown? That hurts me. Okay, once we get you set up, we're watching them,"

"Them? More than one movie?"

"Mhm,"

"All right. Show me,"

"Okay," I laughed.

We rearranged the shelves and table to make room for the bed. I showed her what I had come up with. Once everything was in place we began to set up her room the same way I had my own. I taught her the spell but it's based on my magical element. I had missed her and if my dad actually comes for her, I am not letting them stay here. They can go to the packhouse.

"They really pulled everything they could to get you to stay here," she is raiding the pantry for snacks while I set up my gaming console.

"I'm concerned," I admitted. "Trouble likes to keep me tucked into its front shirt pocket. Like a pen of a lighter,"

"What?" she laughed. "That was one time,"

"So, you're telling me that once the witches find out that I'm hanging out with the wolves and that they have accepted me as their cat in their barn, they're not going to make a fuss about it?"

"They made their choice," she shrugged.

"Actually, Aspen petitioned for me to be allowed to go back to Cliffside,"

"Pass," she rolled her eyes. "They just don't want you outside their grasp. Coming here was a great idea. I've been thinking a lot about the way they reacted to Asmodeus. It's not the first time they've shunned witches for demonic possession and interactions. Despite them teaching the importance of dealing black magic for the stars,"

"I honestly don't care for it. There isn't much they can teach me. My abilities aren't traditional,"

"Which is why I wanted to put our own coven together,"

"What?" I say up to look at her properly. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, there are dozens of witches who were stripped of their titles over things that could potentially lead them to threaten the established power of the covens. They want to pick the ranks and if anyone challenges that, they snip the buds before they bloom. We can take some of the brightest witches and train them properly. I still have the files. It's something to think about while we get situated. If you're worried about causing trouble, it's best to keep the pack hidden. Meet outside its boundaries,"

"What's outside the territory? I know you've got a place in mind already,"

"There's a place I inherited as a little girl. It's quite the drive from here. An hour into the city. Ten-minute run for a kitty like you," she smirked.

"You're stalling,"

"Because I know you're not going to want to go near it after the whole ordeal with Asmodeus," she tossed a piece of popcorn in the air and caught it in her mouth.

"We're an hour from Manhattan. The only place I can think of is the Dakota. Why would a haunted manor be in the possession of a witch? It's against the laws of the covens,"

"If you're part of them. Haunted places are a witch's muse. Spirits do mean things to mortals because they're bored but they're a witch's best friend. We are their link to the outside world. We let them out once in a while and they will do whatever we want them to do. Find whoever we want on the other side. Intel from where we please. Including hell,"

"I made a promise to him and his father. I'm not going to call on him or contact him unless I absolutely need him. I'm marked for hell and I have a lifetime to cope with the idea of becoming an archdemon or princess of hell,"

"All of that was bullshit and you know it. You don't want him close because you're scared of what he'll do to Aspen,"

"Aspen can take care of himself," I scoffed.

"Then it's a more personal reason. You don't want to hurt him. Baby, he destroyed your life. All of this was triggered because of what he did to you. Aspen is your mate,"

"My mate hates me for being stronger than him. His panther doesn't trust me. He can try to hide it all he wants but the truth is there. The demon tried to make up for what he did. Aspen isn't. He wants power and he knows he needs me for that. We have moments and the thing inside of me craves him but that's all it is for me. I don't know if it will ever mean more but for now, we're stuck with each other,"

"So, why save his dad?"

"A peace offering. His vampiric side is going to be awakening soon. From the notes his dad sent me, he's going to be losing his magic element unless he feeds from me. My bet is he doesn't want the covens to figure that out. They'd strip him from his position. The whole point of killing his dad is to have control over Aspen's powers,"

"You know for a recluse, you sure know a lot about the places you're not welcomed in," she smirked.

"Where is our kicking demon?" I asked.

"You sent her a schedule to follow. You tell me," she turned her attention back to the TV. I looked down at my phone to see she should be at the cargo truck by now. I paused the movie. "Hey,"

"Want to see if she started a fire?" I asked. She laughed. I put the LA news on my phone and linked it to the TV. We watched it for twenty minutes. Just when I was going to turn it off and put the movie back on, the anchor stopped and the live footage from their helicopter came on.

"She started a fire," Kam laughed as they introduced the scene. The armored truck is burning. The firefighters are barely arriving at the scene.

"It's still unknown if the guards were inside when the truck caught on fire," the man continued to narrate. My phone began to ring.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"You're really making me drive across the country with this old geezer?" Morgana answered.

"We need him," I laughed. "Is he awake?"

"Yeah, here old man. She wants to talk to you,"

"Hello? Who is this? What do you want with me?" he demanded.

"Jesse, it's Baby," I tried to calm him.

"Baby," he let out a sigh of relief. "You sent a demon after me?"

"She's cool. I know this is unexpected but I need you to stay with her. She's going to keep you safe. They're not going to find you where she's taking you. Once you're safe and settled, I'll go to you myself,"

"Does he know?"

"No one knows. As of now, they'll either think you're dead or missing. She's not the best company but she's all you have for now,"

"What do you plan to do with me?" he asked.

"For now, keep you alive for both our sakes,"

"Thank you,"

"Don't do anything to call attention to yourself. You're kind of a hostage,"

"Right," he sighed. "Still, thank you,"

"I'll see you in a few days. Put her on,"

"You haven't apologized for what you did,"

"I forgot you didn't like pineapple on pizza, Morgana. I feel like I more than made up for it when I had you hijack an armored truck. You got two souls from that,"

"Okay, it was fun. Whatever. Bygones. Where am I going?"

"The Dakota. Kam is sending you the address now,"

"Oh, that s**t hole. Okay, do I have to break in or-"

"No, give your name to the girl at the front desk and she'll let you in," Kam answered. "Please, don't kill anyone in there, mom. Their soul will be stuck there for all eternity,"

"Are all the souls that died there still there?" she asked. "Because there were some pretty f****d people who died there,"

"When I get there, I'll get rid of the ones we don't need," I promised. "Perks of being loved by a prince of hell,"

"I forgot about that. The tween that thawed the merciless Asmodeus's heart. I'll call you when I get there. I'd actually prefer it if you got rid of what you don't need before I arrive. Souls that are owed to the dark lord are there and when demons try to take them, they get violent. I rather not be ripped apart. You'd have to have a mortal summon me again,"

"Sure, I can do that. I have a counter,"

"No,"

"You didn't even hear me out,"

"You're going to try and make me eat the pizza. Hard pass,"

"You've never even tried it,"

"I will rather be ripped apart by vengeful dead psychopaths," she scoffed.

"We'll see," I laughed. "Have fun,"

"Shut up," she hung up.

"Messing with your demon mother is fun," I looked over at Kam.

"Yeah, she loves you too," she grinned. "Put the movie back on. Marnie is seriously adorable,"

"Do you mind if I play the piano?" I asked putting the movie back on. She sat up.

"No, actually. I'd prefer that. I have wine and some cool books I want to show you. I can get your little library going while you get acquainted,"

"Okay," I nodded.

"Okay," she smiled.

I got up and went downstairs with my suitcase. I set it down and went over to the piano. My heart is racing as I look it over with interest. I've only ever seen drawings of it. I sat on the bench. It only looks like a bigger version of the original. I thought it had been glossed to give it a shinier effect but it's resin. V built this himself to accommodate my power as it develops. I put my fingertips to the keys and caressed them lightly before clearing my head. I rotated my shoulders and positioned my fingers over the keys.

A wave of suppressed emotions flooded over me as I pressed down and began to play my favorite song. The very first song I ever learned completely. Moonlight Sonata. I shut my eyes just feeling the keys, letting the sound wash over me. I can feel my affinity being released from the tips of my fingers. I opened my eyes to see the baby blue smoke swirling into the air above me. I looked up to see Kam watching me with a wine glass in her hand. Her expression is serious.

"Luna," she whispered holding her hand out.

The smoke began to take a different form. The streams turned into puffs to act as clouds. A full moon appeared between them. My body tensed up, my eyes locked in on it as it began to move around the room, slowly. Tears slid down my face as I followed it and continued to play. The knot in my belly slowly began to disappear. The tension in my body gave way to the sound. Breathing became easier as I pressed down on the keys gently.

"You know," I whispered to myself. "If you come out now, I'll let you enjoy it. I won't fight it anymore. I'm really sorry about what I did. I didn't mean to go back on my word. He doesn't trust me and I don't trust them but I trust you," I groaned when I felt my muscles tighten again but didn't stop playing. "We can start over if you like. Hi, my name is Baby. What's yours?"

"My name is Citlali," she purred.

"Citlali. That's a beautiful name. I'm honored to meet you," I let out a sigh of relief.

"You have to prove it. Show me how honorable you can be,"

"You're mistaken. I don't have honor. If that's what you're waiting for, I can tell you now that you're clawing at the wrong scratcher. Where we're going, honor is the last thing on anyone's mind,"

"And where are we going?" she asked.

"A den of thieves. We're going to have to get him back,"

"Our male?"

"Yeah, that ass hole," I sighed. "And I'm going to need your help, Citlali,"

"I'll help you. We can make peace for their sake. If nothing else. Deny me what I want again and I will hurt you much worse than before. Do you understand me, Babylonia Collin?"

"Yes, I understand,"

"We'll start over in the morning. You should rest. We will speak again then,"