My stomach dropped like a stone. I fell backwards into a bush, then scrambled to my feet. I had to run. I had to get back to the hollow.
But what if it followed me there? Bear wasn't around to help this time.
My back was turned to the big cat, but I heard the telltalethumpof its paws hitting the ground. It was right behind me. I ran, ignoring the emerging pain in my sides. Shit. I'd moved my body like it was in perfect condition but it wasn't. The sudden motion aggravated my wounds.
A rough meow sounded. The raspiness of it was a dead giveaway that I was right. Mountain lion confirmed.
So why wasn't I dead yet?
I slowly turned around. It was a mountain lion, all right. But not the same one that attacked me. This one was sitting there with a curiously tilted head.
"Starry?" I blurted out. "What are you doing here?"
My cousin beamed, baring her huge fangs in a grin. She sat back on her haunches and signed with her dexterous paws. It was clumsy compared to human hands, but still comprehensible. Starry had always preferred being in her animal form. Kind of like Bear.
"You're not happy to see me?" she asked.
"Of course I am! You just scared the crap out of me."
Starry let out a shocked mewl when she noticed my wounds. "What happened? Are you okay?"
I sighed. "Yeah, I'm fine. Mostly. It's a long story. After I left the party, I ran into trouble."
She craned her neck to sniff my wounds and made a sympathetic sound. "Those look like claw marks."
"They are," I said, trying not to grimace. I didn't want to make her feel bad but there was no point in hiding the truth. "I, er, got attacked by a mountain lion."
Starry's ears flattened with guilt. "I'm sorry! I must have scared you just now."
"It's okay, really. It's my fault for stupidly leaving the hollow."
"Hollow?"
I blushed. This part of the tale was embarrassing to admit. "So, a bear shifter saved me. I've been staying with him in his hollow for the past few days. He's been... healing me."
I wished my cheeks would stop heating up, because Starry definitely noticed. A knowing grin spread over her mouth.
"Is that right?" she teased.
"It's not like that, so don't even think about it," I said firmly.
She let out a chuff of laughter. The sound reminded me of Bear, too. Dammit, why couldn't I stop thinking about him?
"What's his name?"Starry asked.
"Bear."
"B-E-H-R?"
"No, Bear. Like, the animal."
She looked confused. "He's a bear shifter named Bear?"
"Yes," I said. I didn't even know why he was called that, and it wasn't Starry's fault for being curious, but I felt defensive on Bear's behalf. There must be a reason he didn't have a 'usual' name. I had a nagging, dark feeling that it had something to do with his parents.
Which reminded me...
"By the way, Starry? Um, why are you the only person to come looking for me after I disappeared?"
