Cal
The cat ran until it collapsed in a heap under a spruce. It panted, trying to breathe, and then just lay there for a long time.
Its muscles had been strained to their limit and it felt how far it had run. It was late now. It could still see well even inside the forest, but it started to get hungry. Expending all that energy had wiped it out in too many ways to be safe.
It struggled to its feet, swaying as it peered around. Of course nothing here was familiar, it hadn’t been here before.
With unease growing under its breastbone, the cat began to sniff and listen, hoping to find food. It didn’t know what lived in these woods. All it knew was to be careful, because a cat its size, there were always bigger and badder things around.
Suddenly it heard something. A snuffling sound, heavy, slow steps, and loud breathing.
The cat retreated back under the spruce and crouched low, belly to the moss underneath. It barely breathed as it watched a large bear lumber across its view. The bear knew it was there, but paid no attention. It wasn’t a threat for the king of the forest, after all.
Once the bear was gone, the cat felt exhaustion hit, hard. It curled up under the tree for a little nap. Soon, it would have to eat, but it couldn’t hunt when this tired.
On the inside, Cal trembled. He wasn’t sure how to get control back. He’d never felt this sort of disconnect from his cat before.
He realized that on some level, even when he never wanted to shift again, he’d thought he’d still have control if the shift took him over.
Knowing Kit must be worried out of his mind at least initially made him feel like crap. Sure, things would be explained to everyone by… byhim.
As soon as the image of Derek entered his mind, the cat pushed to the forefront of their shared mind and took over completely.
