My little run-in with the wolves used up most of my night-time, so my original plans for that night would have to wait until midnight the next night. For now I had to make it to my apartment without being seen by prying eyes, before the sun rose. As soon as that orb topped the horizon I’d be caught outside with out a stitch of clothing on. Not an image I want to give my neighbours, I mean my naked body is mine alone and I don’t show off to just any one, anymore…
Luckily I made it back to my apartment just as the sun peeked over that horizon line, literally. I jumped from the fire escape into my living room window and the sun hit me, but being a cat, I landed on my human feet and bound into my room. Tobias is back? Why? I thought as I shut the door behind me.

“Aleca is that you?”

Shit I forgot about her. “Yeah, I’m home Anastasia. I thought you were at your father’s place for the month?” I called to her as I threw on some clothes and brushed the leaves from my hair, running through that stream after being in the sewer had been a brilliant idea, but I still needed a long shower to get rid of the smell.

“Sweetheart, I don’t mean to be rude but what is that god awful smell? And I just got back from father’s right before you catapulted through the window.” She said as she walked into my room with out knocking. Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce Anastasia Robertson, heir to the Robertson line of pure blood Werecats, super rich and spoiled rotten, also my roommate and close(ish) friend. Yay for me.

“That’s what happens when a cat gets chased into a sewer my dear, of course you wouldn’t know anything about that, not with Daddy’s bodyguards surrounding you on every trip out side.” I told her bitterly.

“Well Aleca, you could have had some too. But you told me not to bother.”

“I’m a thief, and a Cat Burglar. Body guards would just get in the way.” I rolled my eyes, “Want some breakfast?”

“Not until you shower.” She announced, wrinkling her delicate little nose in disgust. Rolling my eyes, I did in fact go to get a shower, and stayed in extra long just for her. By the time I got out it was noon and Anastasia already went to bed.

My luck was endless, just when I thought I had the apartment to myself the damned apartment buzzer went off. “Apartment 15 C.” I called into the small speaker.

“Aleca it’s me, buzz me through.” A male voice called through the small box on the wall.

“I have a better idea; I’ll come down to you.” Who in the hell? I grabbed my pack and left the apartment, through the front door this time. Waiting for me just outside was a man I hadn’t ever expected to see again. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I just decided to stop by for a chat love. And maybe a spot of tea?” Brayton Stardancer asked casually.

“Not on your life.” I laughed. “I thought you were being executed?”

“Me? Executed? Whatever for?” He asked me sarcastically, “I was pardoned after I won an appeal. Apparently killing a man because he likes men was finally deemed a crime against Felines and a very human thing to do, ye ken how much they hate being referred to as humans. They believe themselves to be above everything and everyone. Now are ye going to keep me standing out here or are ye going to let me in?”

“My roommate’s home so we’re going out my fine feline companion.” I smiled slyly as I opened the apartment door and stepped out into the afternoon sunlight.

“Alright then, so tell me what’s been happening since I was lead away in chains a couple of months ago?”

“Try two years ago.”

“Months, years it’s all the same to me. Now what’s been happening? And donae leave anything out.” He latched onto my arm as we walked down the street. I filled him in on everything I felt he needed to know by the time we reached that late night Café. “Really that’s all that happened? I think ye left out something love.”

“Oh like what?”

“Like that hunky Werewolf, Tobias is back in town. I heard his father finally croaked and now he’s the Alpha dog of his clan. I also heard a certain black cat had a run in with the entire clan last night.”

“You heard all that did you?”

“Yes, from a little birdie who has been watching ye. By the way ye should really think about hiding that pack of yers when ye leave by way of fire escape, any Joe walking in off the street could break in and steal yer Catnip stash.”

“Only you would think of ca… hold the phone. I’m being watched? By who? Since when?”

“Ye didnae ken? The Councilors have been watching ye since yer squeeze got back into the country.”

“He’s not my squeeze any more Brayton. He hasn’t been for the last twenty years, and you know that.” I said narrowing my eyes. The Councilors are watching me? Why?

“Yes I do, but they donae seem to care. I mean come on Aleca, a Werewolf? Of all the species ye could have had a fling with.”

“First off Brayton, I wasn’t a Cat when we started dating, second, it’s none of your business nor anyone else’s who I decide to date. Now, why are they watching me Brayton?”

“Quite frankly love, I donae know. How long have ye been back in London? I thought ye cursed this city and all its inhabitants’ years ago when ye left for Spain. The Spanish Conquistador’s not all they’re cracked up to be?”

“I was only in Spain for four years Brayton. I thought we went through all this when you were visiting me in Paris three years ago? You know right before you were arrested? So what brings you back to London? I seem to remember you cursing the inhabitants’ right along with me.”

“My heart yearned for home soil?”

“Liar, you’re from Scotland.”

“Yeah I ken.” He answered with a sigh. “Rehab.”

“Again? For the Cat nip?”

“Yeah, it seems that I have a problem and I need to deal with it. Say ye don’t have any on ye do ye?” His golden eyes were so very hopeful.

“No, even if I did I wouldn’t give it to you. I’ve made that mistake once before, and never again.” I laughed; we had reached a little bistro with amazing sirloin steaks and ducked inside. “How long has it been?”

“Uhg, three months! I’m dying! I swear I am!” he exclaimed as we waited to be seated. A tall hostess lead us to the back of the bistro and once we were seated, handed us menus. “Let’s see what we’ve got here…” He glanced thoughtfully at the menu’s single page as a waitress came up to our table. “To start I’ll have the Cranberry, Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad, then Caribbean Fish Curry and Rum Banana And Coconut Trifle for dessert.” He told her handing the menu over.

“And for you miss?” She asked writing down the order on her note pad.

“I’ll have Garlic Bread to start followed by a Sirloin Steak and Toffee Fudge Ice cream.” I told her as she took our menus and left. “Brayton you’ve been here for three months and you’re just calling on me now? What gives?” I asked, playfully punching him in the arm.

“Rehab rules, we aren’t let back into the world of temptation until we have successfully lasted three months with out the nip. It’s pure torture I tell ye!”

“How many times has your mum sent you to rehab now?”

“About twenty-six. She just doesnae learn.” He said shaking his head. Brayton’s mother wasted a lot of money sending him to these rehabs, yet he never stayed clean for long, the stupid git. The rest of our meal was spent reminiscing about some of my more interesting heists and the spoils that resulted.