№30|The Rage Within
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“Matias,” Eponine didn't even have to open her eyes to know that Matias was awake, staring at her lovingly, “I know you're awake.”

“Am not, I'm still sleeping,” Matias faked snored, “see, sleeping!”

Eponine laughed, snuggling close to Matias, “Eponine,” Matias ran his fingers through his hair. Eponine purred, Matias laughed, “did you just purr?”

“No…” Eponine denied.

“Yes you did,” Matias pinched her cheeks, “do it again! It’s so cute!”

“No! That wasn’t even me, it was the werecat.” Eponine blushed. Matias sneaked his hand behind her head, stroking her hair, eliciting another purr from Eponine. “Dammit, Matias!” Eponine folded her arms over her chest, “it’s embarrassing!”

“No it’s not, it’s adorable, why do you purr anyways?” Matias questioned.

“It’s the werecat in us trying to communicate with its mate. She’s trying to tell you to keep doing that.” Eponine explained, “there, happy? I told him!”

“Thank you,” her werecat, Weiss, nodded proudly, “he’s not just Matias ya know, he has a wolf too.”

“I’m aware he has a wolf, Weiss, but I’m more interested in the human the wolf is residing in.” Eponine smiled up at him.

“He’s okay, but he almost never lets out Balkin,” Weiss pouted, “I wanna see him…”

“You’re so needy.” Eponine sighed.

“Are you talking to your werecat?” Matias asked, Eponine nodded, “can I see your werecat form?”

Eponine held her head and winced, “okay, okay, stop screaming, Weiss, you’ll see him in a second.”

Eponine sat up, taking a deep breath in and out before morphing into a beautiful white panther with lavender eyes. Matias was star struck by her transformation, he’d never seen a werecat up close due to the tension between Werecats and Werewolves.

She jumped down the bed, prancing around the room with such grace, beauty, and elegance. “She’s truly fit for a queen.” Balkin admired.

“No kidding, she’s magnificent.” Matias agreed.

The werecat jumped onto the bed again, rubbing her face against Matias, purring intensively. “Balkin! Balkin! Balkin!” Weiss cheered.

“Balkin, I think you got an admirer~” Matias cooed.

“She’s alright, she’s a little obsessive though.” Balkin chuckled.

“I love you Balkin!” Weiss cooed, licking Matias’ face.

Matias chuckled, “your werecat form is just as regal as you, Eponine.”

Eponine blushed, “he thinks I’m regal!”

Weiss rolled her eyes, giving Eponine back control as she changed back into her human form. “That was Weiss.” Eponine rubbed the back of her neck nervously.

“She’s amazing, Eponine.” Matias kissed her lips softly, “just like you.”

Eponine chuckled, “I know what your trying to do, Matias,”

“You do?”

“You’re avoiding talking about me leaving,” Eponine held his hands, “it’s alright, but we need to talk about it.”

“Do we have to…” Matias pouted, looking down.

“Yes,” Eponine lifted his chin up, staring into his eyes, “I know we’ve just marked each other and separating isn't a good idea but I’m still the Princessa of the Nekojin Kingdom and having a werewolf as a prince wouldn't look good.”

“Then don't be a princess.” Matias said so simply, shrugging slightly.

Eponine sighed, shaking her head, “Matias, you don't understand, I can't just give up being princess. I swore to my subjects that I’d be there for them, I can't leave them now.”

“But what about us?” Matias muttered, “like you said, we just marked each other, I don't want to leave you yet! There’s so much I wanna show you, like the mechanics, the butterfly house in New York, I know you’d love it because you said butterflies were your favorite insect. I also wanted to show you snow for the first time since it doesn't snow in your kingdom, and taking shopping, show you Times Square.”

Matias gripped her hands, “how am I gonna do all that if we're apart?!”

“We’ll only be apart for 1 month and together for 2.” Eponine reminded him, rubbing her fingers over his, “it’s only 1 month.”

“But werewolves and werecats aren’t good at being away from their mate for long periods of time.” Matias said, he shook his head “I sound so needy.”

“Yeah, you do,” Eponine laughed softly, “but it's alright. I know it's just the werewolf in you being protective.”

“Yeah,” Matias kissed her hands “we don't want to leave you yet.”

“Neither do I but my responsibilities as Princess comes first.” Eponine said, noticing Matias was averting his gaze “Matias, you knew this was coming.”

“I respect the fact that your kingdom comes first, but can't they be second just this once?” Matias requested.

“No, they can't,” Eponine frowned “you must hate me for making you do this.”

“Hate you?!” Matias' sudden spark in emotion made the princess jump up a little as he gripped her shoulders “what in the blue blazes makes you think I'd ever hate you?!”

“I'm pretty sure once you're family gets word of what happened between you and I, they'll try and split us up.” Eponine warned him.

“I'd like to see them try,” Matias scoffed, “anyone who wants to break us up is gonna have to go through me first.”

“I'll gladly take you up on that challenge,” Tangerine smirked, leaning against the doorway.

Matias growled, his eyes flashing gold “how, and why, the fuck are you here?!”

“Well, it's quite simple Matias,” Tangerine then disappeared from their view, “when your animalia allows you to harness the Chameleon's power of camouflage.” she whispered in Matias' ear, appearing next to him.

“You bitch!” Matias went for a swing but she disappeared once again, reappearing next to Eponine, holding her against her body.

“Bad wolfie! You know there's no fighting before the tournament day begins,” Tangerine clicked her tongue, making a 'tsk' sound, “you wolves are always so quick to fight. I'm just here to talk that's all.”

“Like we would ever talk to you!” Eponine scolded, glaring daggers at Tangerine.

“Shh, shh, shh,” Tangerine used her Spider Animalia to cover Eponine's lips in a sticky spider web, preventing her from speaking. She patted her cheeks “the grown ups are talking, love.”

“What do you want, Tangerine?” Matias gave her a look of disgust.

“I think we all know we're gonna fight today,” Tangerine began, “with that being said, I have a little proposition for you.”

“And that is?” Matias asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“I will only use 1 form the entire fight,” Tangerine held her hand to her heart, “and since I'm so nice I'll let you pick the form.”

“Alright, I choose wolf.” Matias was cautious of this proposition but he didn't want to pass up this rare opportunity to get an advantage over his opponent.

“You would choose the only form you can morph into,” Tangerine scoffed, “figures,” she rolled her eyes, “so do we have a deal?”

“What's the catch?” Matias questioned.

“No catch,” Tangerine said, “I just want this to be an equal fight. So, do we have a deal or not?”

“Deal.” Matias nodded.

Eponine muffled in protest to their decision, Tangerine pulled back her arm more, twisting it to the point where it became dislocated. The princess hollered out in pain, but the web muffled it.

“What happened to no fighting before the tournament?!” Matias growled.

“That only applies to participants,” Tangerine squished her cheeks together, “your princess here is still our prisoner.” Tangerine smirked, “which brings me to my next proposition.”

“Another?”

“Yes, another,” Tangerine groaned, “if I win, the princess stays here to marry me-”

“Since when do you like women?” Matias questioned.

“Did you really think I’d be attracted to your species?” Tangerine scoffed, “please, if there weren’t pickle jars to open and babies needing to be made your gender would have been wiped out by now.”

“She is very cute though,” Tangerine groped her chest, “my my...what are you double D? E?”

“28E.” Matias answered. Eponine blushed, scolding him.

“Of course you would know that,” Tangerine rolled her eyes, “once you lose, we’ll marry and I can have this lovely princess’ fortune all to myself.”

Matias gripped the sheet, ripping them. Tangerine smirked widely, “see you soon, Matias, I can't wait to beat the living snot out of you.”

With that, Tangerine disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Eponine tore the web off her lips, holding her dislocated arm, “shit…” Eponine slumped into the chair beside the bed.

“Diane!” Matias yelled, Diane dropped the fork she was using to eat her pancakes and rushed to Eponine and Matias’ room.

“What happened?” Diane asked, crouching down beside Eponine as he healed her arm. 

“Tangerine - AGH! Dammit Diane! Warn someone before you pop someone’s arm back into their socket!” Eponine scolded, rubbing her arm.

“Sorry.” Diane muttered. 

“It’s alright, it was just sudden that’s all.” Eponine smiled, stroking Diane’s cheek with her thumb, “your powers truly are a gift, darling.”

“Thank you, princess.” Diane smiled.

“Please, call me Eponine, I don't want my friends to define me by my royal status. I’m just one of the girls.” Eponine giggled, her and Diane walking to the kitchen, laughing as Eponine recounted her adventure with Matias last night.

Matias sighed in delight, “don't worry, Eponine, we won't be leaving each other anytime soon.

◥✥◤

“Stop looking so worried mi amor, (my love),” Matias kissed Eponine’s nose, “I told you, anyone who wants to split us up they’ll have to go through us first.”

“Tangerine isn't someone to mess around with, my love.” Eponine warned, “she’s brutal.”

“So am I,” Matias kissed her lips, “now don't worry, you’ll be free soon my love.”

Eponine hugged him, “don't die out there,” Eponine kissed his cheek, whispering, “I’ll be cheering for you, my white wolf.”

“Contestants please report to the ring for your match!” Keiko announced.

“That’s me,” Matias was about to leave but Eponine caught him in a kiss.

“Don't forget you’re mine.” Eponine muttered through the kiss.

Matias chuckled, “now look who’s being possessive.”

Eponine blushed, folding her arms over her chest, “shut up...I was trying to be cute…”

“And you were, but I have to go,” Matias leaned in, “we can have our own little celebration party afterwards.”

Eponine blushed even more, “ju-just go wi-win!”

“Will do, my love,” Matias kissed her hands, getting on one knee, “I shall fight vigorously for your honor, Princess Eponine.”

Eponine rolled her eyes, doing a small curtsy, “thank you, Sir Matias.”

Matias laughed and walked down to the ring, his smile turning into a scowl when his eyes locked with Tangerine’s.

“Alright, due to this being the semifinals, the rule of being outside the ring for 5 seconds or more that results in a loss has been removed, you are free to fight anywhere you want.” Keiko explained.

“Perfect,” Tangerine cracked her knuckles, “can't wait to kick this wolf’s ass all over this town.”

“Don't be so cocky, Tangerine,” Matias growled, “I will win at all cost.”

“Enough talking!” Keiko groaned, “I want some action,” she blew her whistles, “GO!”

Matias’s eyes flashed with anger and pushed Tangerine, hard. Tangerine flew backwards.

“And here we go,” Eponine muttered to herself quietly.

Tangerine rose, outraged, throwing her head back in a growl, vibrating violently.

“I haven’t seen her this mad since we were little and Cruella stabbed her in the side.” Gillian reminisced.

Tangerine fell forward but halfway to the ground there was a loud popping noise and Tangerine exploded in a silver-grey fur, becoming a massive wolf crouched and ready to spring.

Eponine, horrified, grabbed the railing of the view box, “Matias, no! Stop--!”

Matias wasn’t listening. He dived headfirst into the air - with another sharp tearing sound, shreds of cloth blasted into the air, fur bursted from Matias’ skin - he landed on the ground a gigantic white wolf, charging at Tangerine.

Eponine reels as the two wolves crash into each other, snarling and ramming one another. The sound is deafening. Their teeth flash at each other’s throats.

Eponine stumbled backwards as the fight carried the two wolves beyond the arena and into the woods. They fight deeper and deep into the dark...until they disappear. The horrible sounds of the fight still echo.

Back at the arena, Eponine starts after them, leaping down from the viewing box and she shifts into her white panther form.

“Eponine! Where are you going?!” Cruella shouted.

Eponine didn’t answer and followed the path of destruction the two wolves left. Cruella shifted into her black panther form, running after Eponine.

“Cruella! Wait!” Hex called out, Cruella looked back at him, “we’re coming with. Matias is my cousin, I’m worried he’ll go too far.”

Cruella nodded as the group followed the white werecat, “you don't think he killed her...right?” Emmanuel asked.

Hex shrugged, “maybe, Matias isn't one quick to anger unless it comes to the people he loves,” Hex gulped, “so there's a 90% change she might be dead.”

“That wouldn't be too bad, I’ve been waiting for the bitch to die!” Marmalade cackled, soon frowning, “dammit! I wanted to do it!”

“I know, baby, I know,” Emmanuel patted her back, jumping slightly when a loud howl pierced through their ears.

“He’s over here!” Sergio yelled, the group ran towards the howl to see the white wolf holding Tangerine’s arm in his mouth as the animalistic trembled, scooting against a nearby tree.

“Blood...blood…” Matias growled.

“Yo-You mon-monster!” Tangerine stammered, running back into the forest.

“Matias...hey buddy.” Gillian said delicately. Matias spat out Tangerine’s arm, snarling at Gillian.

“We aren’t trying to hurt you,” Hex said, trying to get closer, “we just want you to morph back, okay Balkin...or Matias...which ever one of you is in control right now.”

Matias looked at Eponine, her eyes covered in worry and sadness, “just come back to me, Matias.”

Matias whimpered, making him morph back, he hugged Eponine tightly, “I told you I win, Eppy.”

Matias picked up Eponine, carrying her princess style, “what are we gonna do with the arm?” Eponine asked.

Matias shrugged, “I say we keep it, serves her right for trying to break us up.”

~B~

Carlos, CJ, and Natalia all sat with the mouth wide open, “he ripped off her arm?!”

“Yep,” Cruella nodded, “we don't know what happened in that forest that day,” Cruella smiled up at the ceiling, “all he said was that what happened in that forest stays in the forest and that’s the way it is.”

~B~

Eponine snuggled close to Matias chest, “thank you for this, Matias.”

“Don't thank me, my love, I’d do anything for you, mi princesa.” Matias kissed her lips, “I’d run to the moon and back for you, Eponine.”

~A/N~

Okay, so recently I've been getting comment about the story POV. Let me explain.

THIS ENTIRE STORY IS CRUELLA TELLING HER KIDS THIS STORY. LIKE ITS ONE BIG FLASHBACK. HOWEVER THE POV OF THE STORY IS 3RD PERSON. OKAY!

IF THIS IS CONFUSING, THINK ABOUT THE SHOW "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER". THE ENTIRE SHOW IS TED TELLING HIS KIDS HOW HE MET HIS MOTHER. CRUELLA'S STORY IS JUST LIKE THAT.

EVERYTHING CLEAR?

Btw sorry I put this all in caps. I'm not normally a all caps person I just wanted to make this clear as day because some people don't understand it.

If u any questions please put them on the comments or contact me personally in DMs.