Kahlee and Phoenix Chapter 2

Growling low she rolled over, looking at the flashing numbers of her alarm clock, 4:56. God it was early and no human should be up this early. Laughing softly, an inner voice told her she wasn’t human and should be okay with that. But last night had been the full moon and she’d had to go out hunting with Nix, as usual.1

Although, the night hadn’t gone too well towards the end. When he had departed her car he’d used her full name, which was something that didn’t happen all too often. It was new to her. Was he mad? Did he feel guilty? All these thoughts were running through her head as she dragged her arse out of bed and towards the bathroom.2

A quick shower and change later she was heading towards her tiny kitchen, a yawn opening her mouth wide. Shaking her head slightly she went through the morning routine of getting breakfast. Sitting at her kitchen table with a steaming hot cup of tea and a couple of slices of toast she looked out the window into the sky.3

Her thoughts drifted to Nix, as they often did after a hunt. She was wondering whether or not he would be mad at her for the way she had acted. It’s not that she didn’t like his caring for her, just being alone for a while had left her independent, a great hate of depending on anyone had developed. So when he’d carried her and insisted on driving her home she’d hated it. She had felt too vulnerable.4

She could care for herself. Had been since her father walked out on them and her mother had turned to the bottle for comfort, leaving poor little Lee to defend herself. As a consequence now, meant that anyone in her life would have to work for every little piece of her.5

Being a were-panther had increased that freedom, that hatred of needing anything off anyone. It had also increased her feelings towards being alone. She didn’t make many friends, preferring to stick with Nix and no one else. 6

As if she could make friends with anyone anyway. As soon as they found out she was a were-animal they’d bolt. They wouldn’t care how nice a person she was, they’d just leave. Scared that she would turn them into something like her, but that couldn’t happen unless she attacked them. So she had no idea why they worried.7

And it wasn’t like there were any local were-animals for her to get along with. As far as she knew, Phoenix and herself were the only ones for miles. It was such a shame, she’d love to have a pack of her own friends to just hang out with and do all those girlie things, or even just friend things.8

But no such luck.9

Finishing her cup of tea she nibbled at her toast and flew out the door, realising she’d spent too much time on her thoughts and that she’d be late. The advantage was that running that little bit late got her through traffic a lot faster. Not so many people were on the road, most already at work.10

When she arrived she saw her first patient sitting there and shaking uncontrollably. This was going to be a long day for her.11

When it was finally all over and she’d sent her last person out the door a soft sigh left her lips, knowing that now she could go over to Nix’s place and enjoy some company. If he wanted to see her, that was. She wouldn’t know until she got there though.12

Pushing a few strands of her green, yellow and black hair away from her face, a smile drifted over her features as she leaned back, her shirt stretching across her breasts as she did. She was wearing just plain clothes today. Some old faded jeans and a black t-shirt, nothing fabulous but it was comfortable.13

A knock made her jump slightly; bringing her back from the nothingness that was consuming her mind. Looking up at the door, she pasted a smile on her face “Come in,” came her happy, cheerful reply. The door creaked open and Phoenix stepped out from behind it with a sheepish grin on his face.14

“I come with a peace offering.” His eyes were sparkling and a devilish grin crossed his face, half of his body hiding behind the door.15

Raising one eyebrow in suspicion at him, she frowned slightly, not expecting him to be at her office. “Nix?” She asked questioningly, eyeing him with pretty dark green eyes, her voice a low, soft hiss of warning.16

A soft meow penetrated her hearing as he stepped around from behind the door, holding out a cat cage with a little tiny kitten curled up inside it. Bringing his hand up to his mouth, he pressed a finger to his lips telling her to shush. “The little thing doesn’t like me much.” Raising an arm he sniffed under it and turned his head away sharply. “No wonder, I smell like dog.” 17

Laughing softly she walked out from behind the desk. The kitten looked up at her with yellow green eyes, its black fur highlighting them further. It reminded her of a tiny her. Smiling she flicked the cage open and the kitten shot into her arms trying to get away from the smell of dog. 18

The fur on its back was standing up as the poor tiny thing hissed at Nix. Running her hand over the tiny thing’s back, purring softly. Slowly the kitten calmed down and curled up in her hands. “It’ll get used to you soon enough.”19

“It’s a she,” he whispered softly, smiling down at the two of them. “I saw her in the shop window and all I could think of is you. Are you going to name her?” He asked with a look on his face that was anxious, hoping she liked the surprise.20

Smiling widely she walked back over to her chair, sitting down, never stopping the constant petting of the tiny kitten. “Hmm, I think I’ll call her Belle Noir.” She said softly, her eyes sparkling down at the tiny little kitten. The kitten having curled up in her arms and was steadily purring, probably having recognised a fellow kind. 21

“Beautiful black?” Nix asked with a slightly raised brow, looking up at him she gave him an ‘are you going to argue about it?’ look and he backed off. “It’s a beautiful name.”22

Laughing he moved to perch on the edge of her desk, looking down at the papers on it. “So are you enjoying work?” He asked the simple question, tilting his head to one side waiting for the answer.23

“Yeah, it’s alright. Off to your place are we?” She changed the subject, the kitten in her arms stirring as she got up and walked past the smell of dog to the cat cage, letting the kitten curl up before closing the door and smiling at Nix. “Movie and pizza night if I’m not mistaken?”24

Nodding he grabbed her jacket off the back of one of the chairs and tossed it to her, his eyes watching her carefully. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking just from the look in his eyes, but she didn’t think it was bad. She couldn’t feel any power radiating from him, so she shrugged it off, slipping her jacket on and moving towards the doors.25

He’d walked here apparently because he followed her to her car; the same almost intense look on his face as he watched her. He was so lost in his own thoughts he obviously hadn’t noticed that she had noticed him staring at her.26

“Is there something wrong Nix?” She asked unlocking the car and gently placing the kitten’s cage in the backseat.27

Shaking his head he pasted on one of those cheeky grins, coyly lowering his eyes. “What can’t I be awed at how well you got that kitten to settle?”28

Laughing softly she answered with a quick, “Nix, I’m a cat.”29

Slapping his hand to his forehead he laughed and acted as if he’d forgotten. “Oh that’s right. I totally forgot that you were a sleek black copy Cat.”30

Rolling her eyes she slid into the driver’s seat reaching over to unlock his side of the door. “Don’t think that’ll get you into my good books, honey.” Smiling softly she pulled her seatbelt around and clicked it into place. She always wondered why he would stare at her but nothing ever came to mind. Although a few times she wondered if he had the same thoughts she did. But that could never happen.