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His harsh response is not expected. My head snaps back as if slapped, eyes widening in shock before they narrow on him in renewed curiosity. "How did you let yourself be caught? You do know you're the biggest cat I've ever seen around here right? You could tear a human in half with one paw. How did anyone force you to be anything?" I can't understand this. I get that I must have offended him but that's never been an issue for me. If someone gets offended by something I say, that's on them. Not me. I'm just speaking my mind, the way I always do. So he had a harsh past. He could have just said that instead of snapping at me. Must be getting hungry or something. His growl only makes me sniff and roll my shoulders, my tail flicking in a "bite me" manner. His attitude only gets worse. Next, he starts spitting insults about throwing my life away and trying to get under my skin. My fur stands on end now, nails digging into the dirt as my muscles tense. "You're an ass, you know that?" I spit right back at him. "If it's stupid for me to stick to my pack because they kept me alive before I could do it myself and to hate humans because it's helped me survive by avoiding them then so be it! If not for these 'stupid things,' I wouldn't be here today. Live your life how you damn well please and excuse me for trying to broaden my horizons by asking questions and giving my own opinion. I didn't know there were laws against free speech in your world." He points out the obvious, that my pack members aren't like me. I look at my paws. I know he's right. I've always known I wasn't like them. I live longer, I age slower. It took me years to get to the lanky awkward status I am now and everyone else my age is starting to have gray hairs. I know they think I'm a freak. Of course Caesar's always looked over that. I snort. "Any alpha would be lucky to have my strength in the pack. That doesn't mean I have to say yes to the first idiot who asks. I have the right to be picky." Next thing I know, I'm leaping off the cliff face, daring him to follow and as I settle in the darkness of the cave, I hear the sound of his large paws hitting the ground in front of me. He would be totally correct in his image of me smirking in the darkness because that's exactly what I'm doing. I flick my tail and stand. "Not with a panther." I turn and head into the cave, always mesmerized by the sounds of water drippling down the walls. It's almost like walking into the waterfall because you feel like you're surrounded by it. Green glowing plants sprinkle the walls. |