Oath Sworn - K.N. Banet Page 0,38

was no exception. It was a slow Change for me, too. I was fighting it as I tried to get everything off.

Once my underwear was on the ground, I dropped to all fours, resisting a scream or snarl as I let the full moon take me away.

I was panting at the end of it, angry, hungry, and out of place. I was a werecat off my home territory, which made my feline edgier than normal, something I could ignore in human form thanks to the distraction that was Carey, but not now. I hissed as I began to sniff the new woods around me, unsure. Needing to find prey, I picked up the faint scent of a doe and took off, silent and powerful.

This was why I wasn’t worried about the werewolves attacking. During a full moon, the animal was mostly in charge and I was pretty much along for the ride, the human part of my soul taking refuge as its partner decided to kill, eat, and run.

It was a strange detachment. I knew there was a doe in front of me. I knew I was hunting it, but it felt like I had no control over the steering wheel. The control would slowly come back as the cat satisfied itself, but not in the beginning. Not right then.

I felt my claws sink into the earth. I felt the powerful muscles twitching under my skin tense. I felt my body crouch. Stalking in the underbrush, I approached, already considering what sort of meal I was about to have. I had skipped having a human dinner because I knew this was coming and the feline was going to gorge herself on the wild raw meat.

I was not even five yards away when its head came up, looking out into the darkness directly at me, but not seeing me. I was downwind, so my scent couldn’t have carried to the doe. It was dark except the light of the moon, barely able to get through the thick canopy over my head. I must have made a heavy step then that drew its attention.

It didn’t matter. It was too late for the doe.

I pounced, silent and fast, taking it down in that single move, I clamped my mouth over its throat, sinking my long saber fangs through the windpipe and jugular, maybe even the carotid artery. It was the perfect kill, something the cat was pleased with as blood filled its mouth and the struggle of the doe ended before it ever really began.

Eating wasn’t pleasant, not for my human side, but necessary. I never begrudged the big cat for taking what it needed and leaving the carcass for the rest of the wild.

Once full, my girl was content to let us wander the woods, soaking up the new atmosphere. It looked, to my human perception, just like any other piece of East Texas forest, pine trees. Well, those were the standout, anyway.

She took me further from the motel than I wanted to go and even picked up speed when a new scent hit our nose. I was just along for the ride until she wanted to give it back, so I didn’t bother to fight with it. It would have done me no good.

We stopped on the edge of a pond and she took a long drink before lying out under the moonlight, finally letting us relax and digest the meal.

“Ah, good evening, cat,” a male voice said politely. Both sides of my soul jumped at that, hissing as we spun to see the intrusion. Brin walked slowly towards us, smiling gently as he drew near. “It’s a wonderful evening, isn’t it? Not too hot, not too cold. Perfect August night.”

I bared my teeth, but the cat also bobbed our head. Fantastic. She liked that a fae walked in on our full moon nap. Full moons. It was the worst time for me to be a werecat. Normally when I Changed, I retained a majority of the control and blended nicely with my feline half, but not tonight. Tonight we were on opposite pages. Not a good place to be and not safe for Brin, who could make easy prey or a serious threat.

“You know the fae love cats, right? I’m not going to harm you. This is my pond, I’ll remind you, and this is pretty far from your territory. Show respect where respect is due.” He folded his arms behind his back, patient with me.

I lowered my head in