First, let me say thank you to all those who have sent their well wishes to my mother and our family.
I hope to manage to post chapters of my story but the frequency will depend on the demands that my mother's illness puts on the entire family.
Thanks for all the comments left on both ETC and TLAS. I look forward to future comments.
MYGYPSY
*
It's been a long tiring day. The muscles in my upper back and shoulders ache from using a spud bar and shovel to dig holes for the large corner posts on a fence line. I frown as I walk through the quarters towards the bathroom. For the last two months Wade has had me on every hard physical job or demeaning task he could find or invent. For the three weeks prior to that I had been recovering from being whipped.
My only comfort was the fact that in those three weeks of recovery time, Wade had taken care not to have Edwin and his team at the compound or in the quarters. That and the fact I wasn't demoted from my position as chief warrior.
I was surprised when Wade didn't object to Rosy being allowed to 'escape'. But he took exception to my statement that it was my decision to make and that the other warriors present at the time were in no way responsible for my decision.
The entire truth came out when Wade announced I was to be whipped for deciding Rosy would be allowed to escape without asking his opinion or permission. Surprisingly it was Edwin who stepped forward on my behalf stating that all of the warriors were in on the decision. Steven, Sam and Dwayne confirmed it, as did the others when Wade looked their way.
My whipping consisted of twelve lashes, two lashes for each warrior who had been here. I received the first lash because I lied - each warrior was consulted and encouraged to give their opinion before I made the final decision. The second lash was for trying to take full responsibility and cover for each warrior. I was instructed I was not to change form until my body healed, which meant the pain and stiffness would remain much longer than if I shifted.
The day after my flogging Wade visited me in the quarters where I was temporarily laid up. He explained that only an Alpha could assume responsibility for another werecat and protect them from any punishment. As chief warrior I over stepped my bounds and challenged his authority as my Alpha, hence the harsh punishment.
Understanding Wade's reasons for my punishment erased the resentment I felt at the time of punishment and gave me a clearer understanding of his position over this. I can see how I left him with no other recourse but to set such harsh punishment. I challenged his authority. Yes I'd had the best of intentions at the time, but still the fact remained I challenged the authority of my Alpha.
He told me he was aware of the friction between Edwin and me, our subtle struggles for dominance. He didn't want to demote me and reinstate Edwin as chief warrior as
everything was handled much smoother and there were fewer arguments in the ranks while I was in charge.
I am thankful for the support Wade showed me by ensuring Edwin would not be able to challenge me for dominance while I was recovering from the punishment. Knowing he still held my leadership of his warriors in such high respect buoyed my spirits.
Wade's confidence and support mean a lot to me. I want to serve my Alpha and clan to the best of my abilities. Hearing I have his approval and support makes me proud of the quality of work I have performed for them.
I am pulled from my thoughts as I hear Jazzy following me along the sunroom and I glance over my shoulder at her to see a determined look on her face.
"You won't be long in the shower will you Micah," Jazzy asks just before I shut the bathroom door, and I turn around to smile at her. She is dressed in slim legged jeans and a tight t-shirt. I realise suddenly how much she has grown up lately.
"You got something special cooking, kitten," I ask with a fond smile.
"I want to go for a moonlight run and I want my favourite bossy brother there as well," Jazzy says with a wide grin.
"Oh I don't know," I tease her, "I'm pretty tired. Wade has been working me hard lately."
"I made caramel tarts," Jazzy says with a smile. "And I made an extra one just so you can have one all to yourself."
"Not trying to bribe me are you," I ask with a lazy smile as I prop my elbow on the doorpost beside me.
"I might be," Jazzy giggles, "but if you don't want to come I could sneak off with Mitchell all by myself ..." She smiles coyly and there is a mischievous look in her eyes as she goes to turn away.
"Go and let me have my shower you little minx, or you'll have to wait until midnight before I'm ready to change and go for that run." I say with a laugh. I shut the door and turn the shower on, adjusting the water before beginning to undress.
I am washing the last of the soap from my back when I hear the unmistakeable sound of my mobile phone. I pause a moment, then decide that if it is important whoever is calling will ring back. I turn back to my shower and reach for the shampoo before ducking my head beneath the spray. When I do turn the water off and step out of the shower cubicle I dry off and pull clean clothes on before reaching for my mobile where it sits on the chair beside the sink.
I check for missed calls and give a slight smile as I see Baxter's name come up. I am returning the missed call when I head out for the lounge room and grin when I hear the familiar voice on the other end of the line as he answers his phone.
"Hi Baxter, you called," I say as I head into the kitchen to grab a cold beer from the fridge.
"Yeah I called Micah," Baxter says gruffly. "I got a bit of news you might be interested in. Today when I was on my lunch hour I happened to see a werecat dressed up like a human and walking around town as happy as pie. Well maybe not that happy but she was there large as day."
"What's going on," I ask with a worried frown. "Cat sightings? Livestock kills?"
"No, no nothing like that," Baxter says reassuringly. "Although I am sure this one could be trouble if she wanted to be. Slender blonde with long hair, moves like liquid silk. No werecat would mistake her for anything other than a cat. Obviously in good health but she seemed a mite jumpy. I just gave her her own space."
"You sure about that Baxter," I demand and notice that Steven has gotten to his feet in the lounge room and is not far from the connecting doorway and he divides his attention between the tv and me as I open my beer.
"I double checked with that sketch that was dropped in here a while back. I got a good look at her face from a bit of a distance and there's no mistake - it's that little she-kitt yous had there not too long back," Baxter confirms confidently.
"That's really great news Baxter. Umm you had better let Wade know what you saw," I say as I clench my jaw to stop myself giving a loud celebratory yell over the confirmed sighting of Rosy from a reliable source. "I don't think you'd want him thinking you're not loyal to him, that you thought it was more important that I know she seems to be coping."
"I saw the look in your eye when you were here, boy. Talk to you again," Baxter says before hanging up.
"There trouble," Steven asks as I take a large plate of food from the oven and head for the lounge room carrying the plate and my beer.
"No," I say as I walk past Dwayne where he sits watching Sam and Mitchell playing some combat game on the play station. He glances my way before turning his attention back to the game being played.
"Pause that game for a few moments, you lot," I say loudly.
Sam pauses the game and looks over his shoulder at me with a slight frown. Dwayne and Mitchell look my way as well as Donny and Jazzy who are sitting on the floor near Mitchell.
"Just had a positive sighting of Rosy phoned in," I say evenly. "She was in the town where Baxter Barnes lives. Seemed ok, sort of passed as a human but he didn't go near her," I relay the information to them.
"Rosy was in town, she really seemed ok," Mitchell questions anxiously as he shares a hopeful look with his brother.
"She was when Baxter saw her today," I confirm.
"Why didn't he go say hallo," Jazzy asks.
"Baxter is as large as your brother. Rosy would probably take one look at him, make him for a cat and panic," Steven explains calmly.
"I like her. I want her to come back," Donovan says unhappily.
"We all like her Donny," Dwayne says softly.
"You're not the only one who would like her to come back Donny," Sam tells him quietly.
"Hurry up and eat Micah," Jazzy orders suddenly, "I want to go hunting."
I catch the glance she gives Mitchell and realise that tonight Dwayne and I will be keeping a close watch on our little sister.
I sit in my favourite chair and Jazzy moves to sit beside my legs, leaning against me as she continues to watch the game and cheer Mitchell on.
"Did you have to mention Rosy? Mitchell just started to stop worrying about her all the time this last week or so," Jazzy says a touch wistfully. "I want him to stop worrying and start thinking about me again."
"Miss Jasmine," I say softly as I reach down and squeeze one of her shoulders gently, "you don't stop thinking about someone just because no one mentions their name. If you care about them, they're never far from your mind."
Jazzy turns and looks over her shoulder at me thoughtfully before getting to her feet and taking my nearly empty plate.
"Do you want your caramel tart now or after the run," Jazzy asks.
"Half now, half later. And I can get it, you sit down," I tell her getting to my feet, reclaiming my plate from her and heading for the kitchen. I hear her following me and I am not surprised when she leans against the bench beside me as I help myself to dessert.
"Donna phoned me today," Jazzy says casually. "She asked how you are, if you're seeing anyone else."
"I hope you didn't encourage her Jazzy," I say as I look at her. "That would only be cruel. Donna deserves a tom who is in love with her."
