Blake   When they returned to their room, Blake put his pup to bed. Eriyumilai rested his little head on the pillow and closed his eyes. With a sweet smile, Blake covered him up and petted his head. “I have to go speak with Clarissa.” He whispered. Eriyumilai’s only response was a deep snort. Blake chuckled as he left the room. It was time that he spoke with Clarissa about their last meeting. Her bedroom door was open, and she sat on the bed next to Mimi, who lay curled up by her side. She gently stroked her familiar with a distant look on her face as she stared at her bed. Her expression was slack, and her shoulders slumped. “Clarissa?” He whispered.

Stefan Sweat covered Stefan’s brow as he faced Lotus. A wicked smile covered his face. This was the moment. Total exhilaration flooded him. Stefan ducked out of Lotus’s stinging bite. As he shifted to recover from the movement, she slashed her tail at him. The tail sliced through his arm, drawing blood. He grimaced and went in for his strike. Smoothly gliding into her side, he sliced her with the small blade his trainer provided. Lotus hissed and lunged at him. Stefan jumped on top of her and she went tumbling into the dirt. Lotus was a fearsome fighter already but this was too close for her. Stefan finished the fight in a couple more movements. “Very well. Lotus, do you concede?” The elder werecat, Dion, asked when he determined the fight was over. He was a greying tiger with bulging muscles and a vicious smile. Earlier in his life, the man stood as tall as Stefan. But now he hunched over and carried a walking stick. His grey eyes were sharp and astute, showing no sign of the n

Clarissa As Chief Yungerr attended to his people without breaks, the day swiftly disappeared. Every time someone left the room, another person entered. The sun was casting long shadows throughout the room when people stopped coming in. Mimi observed everything from the corner of the room. Everyone seemed surprised to see him. He unnerved and distracted them momentarily. But Mimi remained quiet and motionless throughout the day. Clarissa sighed, and Chief Yungerr looked over at her. She stretched her back, realizing now how stiff she had gotten. Chief Yungerr’s chair cushions were essential, and she wished her seat was more comfortable. “So, what have you learned?” He asked, interested. “We saw many people today, and they each asked for something different. But every request seemed to have the same core desires. I counted six of them.” Clarissa said, checking her notes. Chief Yungerr listened attentively. His ears twitched. Smiling, he motioned for her to continue. “More p

Clarissa Clarissa lifted her sleepy head from the table, her thoughts spinning sluggishly. The knock that woke her sounded again. Jumping up, she ran to let Stefan in. She fell asleep waiting for him. Disappointment gripped her when she saw the werecat ready to show them to their lessons again. She rubbed her eyes and stared at her confusedly. There was no way it was time already. She hadn’t even been to bed yet. Blake came out of his room looking refreshed and rested. Clarissa felt the dry spit on her face and knew that her hair was a mess. She couldn’t sit in front of everyone all day like this. “Good morning.” Blake greeted them, smiling warmly. Clarissa tried not to let his chipper attitude bother her. But she was exhausted and frustrated. Ignoring his cheer would be challenging; however, it was not his fault that she had not slept. “Just give me a minute to get ready.” She asked, realizing that they had not brought breakfast this morning. She went into her room to cl