I woke up to the floor boards creaking and something akin to a purr. It was still dark in the room, meaning the lights hadn't been turned on yet and it was still night.

I shifted my head, trying to appear asleep while seeing what was in my room. A shadow crept across the floor, it's breathing a cross between a purr and a growl.

I shot upright, and lunged for my sword. The thing jumped into my way and emitted a cackle that grew into a howl. I heard the door handle jiggle as the thing leapt towards me. I sidestepped, but not quite fast enough to avoid the thing's claws. My forearm stung from the cut.

The door flew open, and five arrows sprouted from the monster's back. It made an outrageous noise and swiveled towards the figure in the door. Another arrow pierced the beast, this time through the left eye. As it howled, one last arrow went through it's throat, cutting off it's cry.

I stared, dumbfounded. I turned to see Max, with her bow and empty quiver.

"What? I heard a scary noise from your room and so I came in and shot the thing! I was trying to sleep," Max exclaimed, after about a minute of me staring with my mouth agape at her.

"You... Saved me," I stuttered. She chuckled, and put her bow down next to the dresser.

"That's my job, right?" She chuckled again, shaking her head. She sighed, then sat on my bed as I turned on a lamp. Positives: it lit the room and we could actually see each other. Negative: it also lit the now bleeding carcass of the creature in all it's glory.

The head was shaped like a dog's muzzle with a large cat's ears and eyes. The whole body was the size of a great dane. It had no fur, and the skin was a deep maroon with black spots. It seemed mostly feline, but the arrows and blood made it hard to tell.

"What do you think it is?" Max whispered. I shook my head.

"I don't know, but I think we should probably get someone to look at it," I mutter. She nodded, yawned, and leaned on my shoulder. Within a few minutes she was asleep. I gently slid out from under her and went to go get a guard to see the body.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

"So, you woke up and this... thing was there?" Caleb asked for about the third time.

I sighed. Why is he so protective all of a sudden? I shook my head to clear my thoughts. It was morning now, and at least a dozen guards were investigating my room for clues as to how the creature got in and what it is. Max was sitting on my bed, cleaning her arrows and ignoring the guards trying to interview her for details that she might have forgotten.

"I told you the story at least two times already. Can we please go train, or read, or do something other than this?" I begged. It was Caleb's turn to sigh.

"Fine. I want to see how we match up in bending anyway." He gave his pen and clipboard to a guard and started walking to the training room.

For the first time since I came to the palace, the place was empty. I got into a ready stance across from Caleb.

He moved first. He feigned left and then dodged right into shadows and disappeared. I pulled water to me, waiting for him to come out. As he jumped out at me, I shoved the water in his way. In that same moment, the doors were pushed open by Sam.

"Wade somehow found a girl who isn't completely grossed out by him. And her parents are forcing her to marry him, but that's not the point. Father called a meeting," Sam exhaled, obviously having ran all the way here. "I don't think he realizes that calling meetings is your thing now."

Caleb looked at his now soaked clothing, and I shook my head, amused. I quickly sucked the water from the fabric and dashed for Sam.

The three of us ran towards the throne room, and I pulled my crown out at the last minute and put it on. I'm glad I put that in my bag, I thought. Caleb somehow already had his on.

We walked in, and Wade and a woman around 24, same as Wade, were standing by the thrones. Caleb gritted his teeth. Wade saw us and waved us over.

"Caleb! Kiora! This is Kate Fang, she's going to find her name soon," Wade explained. Kate nodded at me and smiled.

"I'm Kiora Thorn." I shook her hand as she stared at me with awe in her eyes.  Sam chuckled into his fist at her expression.

"I've heard only stories of Sea Shapers! I've always wanted to meet one! I've lived with Shape Shifters my whole life, and this is my first time meeting anyone not Shape Shifter!" Kate squealed. Wade rolled his eyes while Caleb smiled. I squinted at her. She had bright blue eyes and blonde hair. Fang meant she was part of the royal family, which consisted of large cats.

"Are you a lion?" I asked. She giggled and nodded. "Want to show us?" I questioned. Wade perked up and started pulling her in the direction of the training room that Caleb and I just came from. I sighed, and followed.

Max joined us on when we were on our way to the room.

"Who is she?" Max whispered to me. I fell back behind the three Blackburns and Kate to talk to Max.

"She is Kate Fang, a lion Shape Shifter who is Wade's bedrothed." I tried to remain nonchalant, but I had a hard time remaining emotionless. "I never thanked you for saving me, did I?" I asked. She gave me a pointed look. "Well, thanks."

We arrived at the training room, and we broke off to train. And to watch Kate, of course.