My body protests as I sit up. My shoulder is sore this morning but it is my hip that is the worst. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and carefully ease my weight onto my feet as I stand up. I take several limping steps along the edge of the bed before I am sure that I can walk out to the lounge room without falling flat on my face. I head out towards the main areas of the building and can’t help noticing that the toms have gone quiet at the sounds of my progress.

"Look, its hoppity," Steven says as I reach the lounge room doorway. I grimace at him but make no retort as I pause in the doorway. I eye the empty lounge several moments before starting the marathon to get to where I can sit down.

"Shouldn’t you have that arm in a sling?" Micah challenges.

"Probably but I am not going all the way back to the bedroom to find one," I say between gritted teeth as I manoeuvre around the end of the lounge until I am in front of it.

"Timny, go get that sling you had when you broke your collarbone," Micah orders. I notice both Timny and Justin leave the room and I turn to ease myself onto the lounge carefully. It is when I am sitting down that I realise I should have sat in the middle of the lounge so I could stretch out in comfort.

"Doc has been here nearly an hour. Once he’s checked your stitches and shoulder he’ll probably clear you to change so you had better have a feed," Micah tells me firmly.

"Okay," I say without argument although I had warned him the night before that one side effect I suffered from the painkiller was a loss of appetite for nearly twenty-four hours.

Timny returns with the sling and hands it to Micah and I glance at Timny before resting my head back on the lounge. Malcolm passes me a plate of sandwiches and I sit the plate on my lap before picking one up and taking a bite. I allow Micah to put the sling on for me while I eat. I am still eating when Doc comes in and I eye him distrustfully while I finish my food.

"Are you going to let me look at your injuries or are we going to do this the hard way? I’m sure some of the guys here will sit on you if need be," Doc warns me.

"She’ll be fine Doc. Rosy and I have an understanding," Micah tells him with a firm look my way.

I hesitate a moment before giving a brief nod and handing Malcolm my empty plate. I hold still as Doc pokes and probes my shoulder bringing several gasps from me before he is satisfied there was no damage to the joint. I pull the edge of my shorts up to expose all of my stitches and I jump with a hiss when Doc goes to touch the upper most end of the wound. Micah catches his hand stopping him.

"Doc, look at exactly where the end of that gash is. Look up an inch higher and remember what she’s been through," Micah advises.

Doc suddenly looks up at my face and gives a slight nod. "Rosy, I need to check for signs of infection and one is heat around the wound." His touch is light and brief as he can make it but I can’t prevent myself hissing and jerking when he touches me.

"Two full changes and those stitches can come out, but no strenuous exercise until the fourth or fifth change. That means no running. Trotting is okay, no leaping or pouncing either," Doc pronounces.

"No climbing trees, fences or anything either," Micah orders.

"Out of curiosity, am I allowed to twitch my tail or breathe," I ask seriously. "Because those are about the only things that haven’t been banned."

"Doc do you know what this is and how it works," Sam asks and I look to see him holding the tool he took from the room the previous night. I grimace and long to hide my head but I know it is no option. Doc takes the tool and studies it carefully before looking at Sam startled.

"They’re called emasculators. Some farmers use them on male calves. The pinchers here are positioned above the … testicles, the handles squeezed shut tightly and the blood supply to the isolated parts is cut off and they either fall off after a few days or are cut off immediately. Where did you get them?"

"Holy freaking hell," Steven exclaims and jumps up from where he is squatting watching me. I notice he isn’t the only one of the toms to move uneasily.

"Can they be worked one handed?" Micah asks in a tight voice.

"I’m not sure …" Doc says as he experiments with holding the handles in one hand.

"It can be done by an experienced operator but the … patient would need to be motionless and have the necessary parts … exposed for access," I say as I lift my chin defiantly.

"You know how to work them," Doc asks with interest temporarily unaware of the tension in the room.

"She called them calf castrators," Micah growls and Doc looks at him with a frown before glancing at me.

"Right before I threatened to use them on him," I say and quickly lower my head submissively.

"She’s got a first aid kit that those came out of. Can you have a look through it for anything else that needs to be taken away from her," Micah asks in a hard tone.

"Certainly," Doc agrees readily. I frown as Steven produces my first aid kit from beside one of the chairs and hands it to Doc who places it in one of the seats and begins to go through it carefully.

"It’s basically all equipment for treating injuries. Some of it could be used as weapons if nothing else was available but they’d be along the lines of last ditch efforts of defence," Doc says once he has finished checking my briefcase. "Ah … when she threatened you did you have your pants off and parts dangling in view?"

"No! I was trying to help her," Micah spits out angrily.

"Well you think about where her injury is," Doc says with a laugh. "I doubt you were in any danger other than being bashed over the head with them. So how many of you did it take to hold her down for the stitches or did you knock her out with some of that sedative I left?"

"I held her hand and talked with her while Micah stitched. Once she’d used the anaesthetic on herself she calmed down," Steven informs Doc.

"Well I guess you’ll be capable of taking the stitches out. Won’t be the first lot you’ve taken out," Doc says critically as he turns away. "What stray did you get into a fight with Edwin? Those strips across your ribs are going to need several changes."

"And with every change you want to think about your place in the ranks boy," Micah says on a low snarl. I glance between the two of them uneasily before looking towards Sam and Mitchell hopefully. Sam comes over to sit beside me on the lounge and I grin happily when Mitchell joins us.

"Help your sister into one of the rooms so she can change while Doc is still here. I want him to be able to check those stitches," Micah directs his order at Sam or Mitchell and both of them stand and turn to look at me. I sigh and get to my feet with some difficulty. I would prefer to heal a lot more in human form before having to change but apparently I was under orders to change.

"Hold still," Sam orders and I find myself picked up.

"Gee I should have thought about this before I walked out here by myself," I say.

"You don’t like your brothers helping you?" Doc inquires.

"I don’t mind it," I say and grin at Sam who pretends to scowl at me.

"I can handle it from here," he tells Mitchell before carrying me from the room. He puts me on my feet carefully in their bedroom and holds my arm until I gain my balance.

"You should not have threatened Micah last night Rosy. He had every right to punish you for it and still has if he wants to," Sam tells me sternly.

"Can I just change and get it over and done with? I’m really not into pain so I can’t see why I have to change so soon," I mumble.

"Because changing speeds up the healing process and will help prevent any permanent injury to your shoulder," Sam informs me.

"It’s worse than anyone is saying isn’t it, and it’ll hurt like hell when I change," I mutter to myself.

"Yeah little sis, we think there’s tendon and ligament damage," Sam acknowledges quietly.

"Ok, help me with the shirt then get back," I warn.

When I am naked I sit on the floor with difficulty and manage to balance myself with my hand. I close my eyes and let my head hang for a few moments before taking a deep breath. I try to concentrate the necessity of changing, not the fact that Sam is in the room while I am naked and vulnerable. I let go of my cat and she surges to the front of my mind eagerly. We scream as the pain lances through our shoulder and hip and then I am standing on all four paws and shaking with weakness before stumbling forward and collapsing. I can hear a cat whining and wish it would shut up. The same with Sam who is yelling for Doc making my head feel like it is about to explode.

"She’s coming around Doc," Mitchell says and I feel him stroking my head and neck. I realise I am a cat as I sit up on my chest and lift my head to look around. Mitchell is sitting by my head and I sniff him before rubbing my head on his thigh. Doc is kneeling on my other side with Sam and Micah behind him and I lay my ears back before getting to my feet slowly. My shoulder feels a lot better but it is my hip that has the deep burning ache that informs me there is a fracture in a bone.

I move to sniff Sam and rub my face against his knee before rubbing my body against Micah’s legs. I give Steven the same treatment just outside the door before heading for the lounge room carrying my back leg. I claim one of the few remaining mattresses remaining in the lounge room as mine and stretch out on it rubbing my face on it when I smell Chris’s scent on it.

"Rosy, roll over and let me check your stitches," Doc tells me and I lift my head, turn it towards him and hiss menacingly. My cat remembers him drugging us not too long ago.

"Hey Rosy, come over here," Edwin invites and scratches around my ears when I comply. I begin purring as he scratches along my back line but I stop purring and turn my head towards the hallway door as a sound catches my attention. I recognise Mitchell as he walks through the doorway in cat form and I swish my tail as he approaches me.

"Rosy, come and let me check your stitches," Doc says again and Mitchell promptly bites me on the ribs. I hiss at him but hop over to Doc and lay down before rolling over onto my back and letting him check the stitches before rolling back onto my stomach.

"Rosy," Micah warns.

"They look fine but the way she’s carrying that leg worries me," Doc admits.

"Could there be anything in the wound?" Micah asks. "I’m sure it was cleaned properly but it went deep into the muscle."

"Hey Rosy," Sam calls and I get to my feet to hop over to him. I purr loudly as he pats my head and pulls on my ears, "Walk on all four feet for me Rosy."

I turn away and limp back to Mitchell where he has curled up on the mattress I claimed, and I sniff him before stretching out beside him on my stomach with my leg tucked up under me.

"OI!" Chris protests. "Can you pair get off my mattress! I don’t want cat hair all over it."

Mitchell gets to his feet and moves off the mattress before lying down once again but I walk around the few mattresses sniffing them. Finding Steven’s I lay down on it and swivel my ears waiting for him to tell me to get off it.

"Rosy, go change so Doc can check that leg out," Micah orders and I turn my head to look at him. "Don’t make me change to make you do as you’re told," he warns me. I get to my feet and head for the bedrooms. I hear Mitchell get to his feet and follow me. When I come to my clothes I halt and Mitchell nudges my side as he comes up alongside me. I turn my head and he stares at me intently. I blink and look away but Mitchell claims my attention and stares intently once again. As I watch he begins to change and I realise he is changing slower than usual. Finally I get what he was trying to communicate to me

– change slower.

The pain hits like a knife being plunged deep into my hip as I force myself to change slowly; I gasp and struggle to maintain the steady change until finally I am lying on the floor in a heap naked.

"Give it a minute," Mitchell advises as he wraps a blanket around my shoulders. I shiver and hug the blanket closer, glad I am not collapsed for a second time.

"Edwin! What the hell are you doing," Steven demands loudly in the room next door and I turn my head to see Edwin glance in the door on his way past.

"I’m just after something in my room," Edwin calls back. I wait until he has passed the door on the way back to the lounge room before reaching for my clothes. I pull them on hurriedly, happy to find that my shoulder is indeed much better and the ache in my hip is a lot less noticeable. Mitchell has finished dressing and is sitting with his back to me; I glance over my shoulder and smile to myself. He really is a good brother.

"Finished," I tell him and he gets to his feet and turns around.

"I thought you might like company," he explains his actions.

"Thanks," I head back out to the lounge room still limping but this time each step doesn’t send needles of pain deeper into my hip joint. Doc looks my way and gets to his feet motioning at the lounge; I walk around to the front of it and put my foot on the seat before pulling the edge of my shorts up above the stitches along the pink line in my skin.

"I think every second one can come out now and the rest after your next change. What happened when you first changed," Doc asks.

"It’s in my hip joint. Going on changing with a cracked rib, I’d say a fracture or a chip in the socket. Shoulder is fine now, a tiny bit of residual pain but that’s it," I explain.

"She changes too fast," Mitchell says.

"What makes you an expert," Edwin cuts in. I glance his way and he grins at me but I don’t smile back. More and more I am starting to see a nasty side to Edwin I am not sure I like.

"Can Rosy come hunting with us today," Micah asks.

"She needs to change several more times with that hip and rest it for a few days. No long treks," Doc warns.

"I can cook up a feed here by myself," I say with a shrug.

"No need to stay by yourself," Edwin tells me.

"I’m used to being alone. It gets too crowded here for me at times," I say brushing his concern aside.

"You want to stay for a hunt Doc? We need to clean out the pasture. Had a big bull and a couple of younger ones get in during the last week and I don’t want to miss anything that might end up dropping a calf," Micah explains.

"I can’t. I got a meeting I have to attend in an hour and a half," Doc sounds sincerely regretful.

"Well in the next couple of days if you can," Micah extends the invitation.

"I’ll keep that in mind," Doc begins to gather his medical bag and coat and I watch as he shakes hands with several of the toms. When he comes to me I hesitate a moment but allow a handshake earning a smile from him before he leaves.

"You sure you’ll be right by yourself Rosy? One of us can take the jeep for you to ride in," Micah offers.

"I don’t feel like doing much running. I’m still sore in the hip and I don’t want to chance ripping out my stitches," I say.

"I’ve got to take some out haven’t I? It won’t take more than a minute," Micah says glancing around.

"Later, after you get back. It’ll give me time to get used to the idea," I tell him. He eyes me doubtfully as if he expects me to be gone when they return just to avoid his touching me.

"Ok, first thing when I get back," he tells me firmly before turning towards the others. "Who’s for lunch on the hoof?"

I watch as they head out the door. Edwin grins at me as he glances back over his shoulder and I smile as he bumps into Malcolm. I move into the kitchen and look in the fridge. I can hear the crunches and pops as the others change and move to where I can look out the small window in the kitchen door. I can see Sam, Steven and Dwayne but it is Steven I watch as his body goes through the stages of his change. I turn away before he finishes and stand staring into the fridge without seeing what is in it. My mind is filled with images of Steven naked and on all fours braced against his change.

I make myself a hamburger for lunch stacking on the salad only to pull the burger apart and eat it a bit at a time before stretching out on the lounge with a can of soda and turning the TV on. The movie is one I have already seen but I lay there too content to bother about moving. My eyelids grow heavy and I yawn before placing my drink on the floor and rolling onto my side.

"Rosy! Rosy! Wake up, get up and give me a hand," Dwayne’s voice cuts into my sleep and I open my eyes and sit up groggily.

"Rosy! Get up now," Dwayne orders and I get to my feet.

"What?" I ask confused.

"Give me a hand, quickly," Dwayne orders and I see the sheet of plastic he holds in his hand. I hear an angry roar outside and glance at the doorway before following Dwayne towards the bedrooms.

"Has someone been hurt?" I ask uneasily.

"Yeah that’s a pretty good description," Dwayne says as he goes into Micah and Steven’s room and heads for Micah’s huge bed.

"What’s happened?" I demand as he passes one corner of the plastic to me and we spread it over the bed.

"There’s been an all-out brawl. Edwin started it. All that stuff in that case of yours, can you sew someone up?" Dwayne asks.

"I’ve sewn myself up a few times. Sewn up dozens of animals. I suppose I could sew someone else up if I had to," I say uneasily.

"Well you’re probably it," Dwayne announces as he throws a light blanket over the plastic sheet.

"But both Micah and Sam can stitch people up … is my brother hurt," I demand scared.

"Sam seemed fine when he sent some of us ahead to get things ready here," Dwayne tells me calmly.

"Where are the others?" I ask uneasily.

"Timny has gone to get Wade to see if he can stop the fight," Dwayne says without looking at me.

"Who’s fighting?" I demand forcefully.

"Let’s get some needles threaded for stitching," Dwayne orders and heads for the other end of the house. I look at the bed for a few moments before fully realising whose it is. As it hits me I take a deep breath and hurry after Dwayne. Micah and Edwin had had a fight yesterday. Had they started up again today?

Dwayne has my first aid kit on the kitchen table and I open it to pull out my supply of suture needles and thread. I hesitate for a moment then open the hidden compartment to pull out my small supply of skin glue and plastic skin. I set water to boil putting aside the sterile gauze for cleaning wounds. Dwayne places a box filled with hydrogen peroxide bottles and thread in plastic bags on the table. The screen door bangs and Justin runs in wearing no clothes - his face pale and sweaty as if he has been sick.

"Chris and Mikkarl are coming with Steven. Dad has gotten Micah and Malcolm separated but…"

"Shut up and get some pants on," Dwayne snaps at his brother and I begin shaking as I realise Sam or Mitchell if not both of them have been involved.

"I need to know Dwayne, they’re my brothers," I say between gritted teeth.

"Edwin apparently ambushed Steven. I think Edwin’s working on the basis of knock off Micah’s back up then take him on. Mitchell apparently flew in and he nearly had Edwin driven off Steven when Robby stepped in. That’s when Micah and Sam got there. Sam put Robby out of the fight; Edwin went after Mitchell and Micah tried to break it up. That is when Malcolm went after Micah probaly thinking to even up the numbers," Dwayne says holding my gaze. "Edwin’s been after Micah’s job for about a year now. He’s pissed off that Mitchell is ready to stand up for Steven and is backing Micah as the dominant tom."

"They’re nearly here," Justin yells running into the room. "They’re just outside."

I hear the screen door open and quickly load syringes, ampoules, needles and thread onto a clean paper plate and head for the bedroom leaving Dwayne to bring the water and peroxide.

"I’ve got the big bed covered," Dwayne says and I hear faint grunts of pain as they make their way towards the room. I stand by the end of the bed as Steven is helped into the room and I get my first look at his injuries. It is obvious at first glance the fight occurred in cat form. Steven, Chris and Mikkarl all lack any piece of clothing and I swallow my unease as I concentrate on each separate wound. He has long shallow scratches across his chest and right flank, bite punctures on one shoulder, but the most worrying by far is the bite marks on one side of his throat.

"Any wounds on your back?" I ask. Chris and Mikkarl help him turn around and I am relieved to see only several long shallow scratches on his back, but he does have deep claw marks across the back of one thigh.

"Face down so I can do the back of the thigh first to stop the bleeding," I order. "Then I want a close up look at that neck wound."

Faced with stitching up Steven’s wounds I block out everything but what I am doing. I work quickly, numbing and cleaning the claw marks before picking up needle and suture thread. I bite my bottom lip before taking the first stitch and easing the edges of the wound together. It all flows back, the countless times I have stitched wounds in my job, and my fingers fly as I quickly work.

"Turn him over and someone grab a towel or something," I mutter as I stand and arch my back. The neck wound looks nasty with puncture marks and a hanging flap of skin. I numb the area and clean the wound before commencing stitching. Nearly half an hour later, I tie off the last stitch on the long, shallow scratch across the top of his chest. I quickly measure out a dose of antibiotics and half a dose of painkiller. The injection is given before Steven realises what I am about and I move away as I stretch stiffly.

"Everyone else is back. Sam’s been stitched up and he and Micah are working on Mitchell. The others have a few wounds each but Wade said unless anything needs immediate attention they can wait for Doc to return," Dwayne tells me.

"Where are they?" I demand fear for my brothers filling me.

"Can I have a shower?" Steven asks.

"Get someone to go in the room in case you get dizzy from blood loss or something. I don’t want to stitch up split heads," I tell him.

"I’ll see to it," Mikkarl says.

"What room, Dwayne?" I demand as I head for the door with my supplies.

"Out in the kitchen. Mitchell is refusing to lie down while Edwin is in the building," Dwayne explains and I head for the kitchen hurriedly not sure what to expect.

Mitchell is sitting on a kitchen chair leaning on the back of it with his arms crossed over the top of it and his chin resting on his forearms. He stares into the lounge room where Edwin is sitting in one of the lounge chairs, a wad of material held against his ribs. Sam is putting stitches in long deep claw marks down one side of Mitchell’s back while Micah threads another needle. Wade is standing back by the sink watching with a tight face. I spot Robby sitting on the floor by the fridge sporting an array of bruises; I look around and see Malcolm sitting on the floor in the hallway smeared with blood across his chest and one thigh.

"How’s Steven?" Wade asks.

"I’ve stitched him up best I can. A lot of stitches but the worst are his neck and the back of his leg," I answer.

"You stitch everything up that needs stitches?" Micah asks.

"She’s thorough, fast and as neat as you and Doc," Dwayne cuts in.

"Micah, leave Sam to work on his brother while you go get that side of yours fixed up," Wade orders.

Micah puts the needle down and when he turns away from Mitchell I see the three deep claw marks tracing around his ribs for the first time. The fourth one is much shallower and probably won’t need stitches. He heads for his room and I follow behind him suddenly uneasy. He is sitting on the edge of his bed when I enter the room and study his wounds for a few moments. I quickly numb around the wounds then set to work cleaning the long slashes.

"Did any of you get to eat?" I ask.

"No." His reply is clipped and short. With the wounds clean I quickly thread a needle and set to work stitching. By the time I finish the second slash, Steven has returned from his shower and he grins as he eyes Micah’s side.

"How bad did you beat your brother up?" Steven asks.

"Mitchell put him down on his back and made him submit," Micah says tightly.

"Mitchell? Holy shit," Steven says getting comfortable on his bed. "You think he’s going to go after your spot?"

"I don’t think so. Wade tried to break them up but Edwin kept going after Mitchell and Mitchell realized he couldn’t turn his back on him," Micah says and glances down at what I am doing. "You can’t do continuous stitches like that or they’ll tear out when I change."

"I’ll cut the connecting threads when I get to the end. Saves picking up the scissors and putting them down again with every stitch," I mutter as I concentrate. Micah grunts and seems about to argue but I reach the end of the slash and turn my attention to snipping each connection. I start on the last deep slash and quickly stitch it taking care to make sure the flesh sits evenly.

"Are these the only ones?" I ask as I dismiss the last scratch.

"Want me to take off my pants so you can check?" Micah asks with a grin.

"No thanks. I have enough to laugh at as it is," I say dryly.

"Cruel," Steven laughs.

"I’m going to check on Mitchell," I say and head for the kitchen. I find Sam still at work stitching Mitchell’s back up and I move around to his side for a better view. There are numerous pink scratch marks and half healed grazes on Mitchell's skin and I realise how brutal the fight must have been.

"You all finished stitching?" Sam asks.

"Yeah," I answer quietly.

"Just a few more, Mitch, and I’ll be done," Sam directs his comment at our brother.

"A few swigs of whiskey would go down well," Mitchell comments and I hurry to find him a bottle of liquor.

"Hey Rosy, you gonna come stitch me up," Edwin calls invitingly.

I ignore him, angry over the violence of the injuries he has given Mitchell.

"You shut up Edwin! You’ve caused enough trouble already," Wade orders angrily.

"These darned claw marks over my ribs won’t stop bleeding and they’ve opened up old wounds," Edwin calls back.

"I’ll sew him up, sew his damned mouth shut as well," Micah snarls from the door of the lounge room.

"Micah! Back off," Wade orders as he heads for the lounge room. I glance that way to see Micah glaring at Edwin while Wade checks his injuries. Wade makes an angry sound in his throat as he straightens up and glares down at Edwin.

"Some of those injuries aren’t that old. Who the hell have you been fighting with?" Wade demands.

"We had a slight disagreement yesterday," Micah says calmly in the face of his father’s anger.

"What else don’t I know about?" Wade demands.

"Rosy was spooked and ran from the fight. She got hurt, that’s why Doc was here this morning," Micah says evenly.

"As a warrior your first priority is to protect all she-kitts, is it not? You got involved in a fight you had to know would scare Rosy. Is that doing your job? I don’t think so! As Alpha I am responsible for all females under my care and you allowed one of them to be hurt!" Wade is outraged and clearly fighting for control of his temper.

"I should have …" Micah starts.

"A she-kitt got hurt and you didn’t see fit to tell me," Wade yells and heads my way. I move closer to Sam and he slips an arm around me as he stops stitching Mitchell's injury.

"Doc cleared Rosy for changing this morning and she’s already much better after one change," Sam says quietly.

"Is that why you’re limping?" Wade demands of me.

"My hip is sore but I’ll be better after another change or two. I didn’t know changing helps things heal lots quicker," I murmur quietly, scared by his rage.

Wade considers me silently for a few moments and I am sure he knows how scared I am because of the aggression in the two rooms.

"I want to know if there are any problems in the future and I had better hear that Rosy has recovered fully in the next few days," he snaps before looking at Mitchell's back. "Edwin needs stitches in his side now; it can’t wait for Doc to get here."

"Doc said he left sedative here last time I run off … knock him out and I’ll stitch his side up," I say coldly.

"Oh come on Rosy, I’ll behave for you," Edwin whines at me.

"You got both of my brothers hurt and you think I’m going to care if I’m causing more pain stitching you up than when the pain first hit after the injury?" I ask in a deadly voice. Edwin looks at me and wisely keeps silent as I glare at him.

"I’ll get the sedative," Micah says and heads towards the bedrooms.

"I am not getting knocked out here! There’s no guarantee I’ll ever wake up," Edwin denies before Micah reaches the door.

"They weren’t just going to make Steven back-off; he was going to put Mitchell out of the picture at least for a while," Micah declares angrily. "This was an outright challenge of my authority and position!"

"Get the sedative, and before you protest again, Edwin, you get stitched up here then taken to the main house. Malcolm and Robby can spend the night locked in the containment room for their own safety. Tomorrow I am going to get to the bottom of all this business," Wade orders, his authority ringing in his voice.

"Let me finish up here," Sam says gently beside my ear and I move away wanting to hold Mitchell’s hand, but I know it would be seen as weakness on his part by some of the others.

When Micah returns, Wade takes the syringe from him and goes over to Edwin, making him move to the lounge before giving him the injection. Within minutes Edwin is out cold and I gather what I will need.

"I’m finished here now," Sam says, "I’ll give you a hand Rosy."

When I get my first clear view of Edwin’s wound, I am glad for Sam’s offer of help. The new claw marks have torn open one of the older claw marks leaving a large flap of skin and tissue dangling. I set about cleaning the wound taking special care to clean out beneath the piece of skin and am pleased when I finish this task. I use several dissolving stitches to hold the flap in place before starting to stitch the long gouges. By the time I am finished stitching I am sick from the smell of blood and aggression that still clings to the toms. I clean my tools and pack them away before heading towards the back door to go outside away from the smells. I barely glance up when Dwayne and Chris carry Edwin over to the main house under the directions of Wade. They return and take Malcolm and Robby over to the stone shed.

"Hey Rosy, Timny and Justin are cooking up a feed. You come back in and join us when you’re ready ok," Dwayne says as he stops and squats beside me where I sit against the side of the building. I nod but don’t say anything and he gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze before heading inside. I sit outside for a few more minutes before getting to my feet and heading inside so no one would feel they had to come and find me. Steven is stretched out on the lounge and goes to get up when I walk in the room but I shake my head at him.

"You stay there," I say before heading to the kitchen and washing up at the sink. Dwayne hands me a towel to dry my hands then turns me towards the lounge room.

"You go sit down with Steven," he orders before turning back to help Justin, Timny and Chris finish putting the food on large platters.

Mikkarl comes to the lounge room doorway and I see he is helping Mitchell who is limping heavily on one leg. I can hear Micah and Sam talking in soft murmurs at the other end of the building but I pull an end table over for Mitchell to rest his leg on when he sits in one of the lounge chairs before I sit on the floor in the middle at the front of the lounge.

"Food’s ready," Justin calls as they carry in the platters of food.

Dwayne brings in a paper plate that he hands to me. Micah and Sam make their way out from the other rooms and sit down on either side of me. Micah takes my plate and fills it with food before passing it to Steven.

"I got that for Rosy so she doesn’t have to worry about us all eating from the same tray," Dwayne informs his brother.

"Rosy’ll be right," Micah tells him.

"We’ll look after you," Sam says with a grin in my direction before passing me a large mince patty between two slices of bread. We all eat in silence. Sam and Micah hand me food as we go until I shake my head and lean back relaxing as I watch them all finish the food off.

"I was mighty pleased to see you didn’t turn on me Chris," Micah comments as Dwayne hands around several bottles of rum and bourbon.

"I didn’t consider it my fight against you," Chris says levelly. "I got no problems with the way things are or were."

"Glad you see it that way," Micah says as he stretches and lays his arm along the lounge behind me. "So has anyone got a problem with me or the way I run things around here?" There is silence for several minutes as he waits for any possible replies.

"Does anyone in this room have a problem with anyone else in this room," Micah asks inviting the others to speak up.

"Yeah, I got a big problem with the way Rosy runs away from us," Sam says flatly. "Point in case- yesterday."

"I wasn’t running away from you!" I deny hotly. "It was all the aggression near the food. I could smell it and feel it rolling off Edwin and Micah in waves! It was like having claws rip across my nerves!"

"You kept running and you made that stupid jump," Mitchell shoots at me.

I get to my knees and turn to face him across Sam and Dwayne. "And I was being chased! By cats that had claws and teeth to use if they caught me," I yell at him angrily.

"Why did you stop? Because you were injured?" Mitchell demands just as angry as me.

"No! You all stopped chasing me! Stopped scaring me and I could think beyond RUN! I heard you guys calling me! Not just a bunch of cats out to hurt me!" I yell as the tears start leaking from my eyes. "That’s when I knew I was safe and not about to be ripped apart," I go to jump to my feet but find myself clasped to Micah’s chest. I struggle briefly but stop when his hold merely tightens.

"You want to yell at us some more? We were all chasing you, we were all hoping to catch you before you hurt yourself," Micah tells me.

"Well don’t chase me! It’s hearing you behind me chasing me that does it," I protest as I try to lean away from him.

There is silence for several minutes before Micah speaks again. "Anyone else with a complaint or problem?"

"Yeah the whiskey bottle is empty," Steven protests.

"Justin grab another bottle, would you, and there’s beer in the fridge if you’d like one," Micah says.

"Great!" Justin is quick to comply with the request and I wonder how much of it is the lure of a beer and how much is wanting to get away from my yelling.

"You going to sit down again or are you going to yell at your brother some more?" Micah asks. I shake my head and push away from Micah careful not to touch his injured side. I move back to my spot and settle down to wipe the tears from my face.

"I’m going to change to heal these stitches a bit. Anyone else," Micah asks.

"Me too," Sam says.

"I’m in as much pain as I want to handle. I’d prefer to wait til morning," Mitchell grimaces even as he gets to his feet.

"I’ll wait. Not disrespecting your needle work Rosy, but I’d like Doc to take a look at my neck before I change," Steven tells me.

"Well you are my first werecat patient … other than myself," I admit.

"I’m changing here so either run and hide in your room, close your eyes or watch the show," Micah tells me with a huge grin as I turn my head to look at him.

"You just want to get your clothes off around her," Steven laughs as I cover my face with both hands.

"Yeah but it’s getting her clothes off that’s the point," Micah shoots back with a laugh.

"Well if you want Rosy to change as well you should ask her, not try to blind her," Steven laughs.

"No! I’m not taking my clothes off or changing in the same room as you," I deny before I can be asked. It’s hard enough forcing myself to trust they aren’t going to hurt me, but to place myself in such a vulnerable position as being naked near them is more than I can handle.

"It’s your right to choose," Micah says.

There is silence for a few moments then the first of the sounds that tell me someone is changing. Soon the noises come from several different directions and I slowly turn my head to peek between my hands. A quick glimpse is all I need to tell me all three toms are changing and I close my eyes and cover my face once again. I listen nervously until the sounds stop and I hear a cat yawn. Slowly I uncover my face and turn my face towards them. Mitchell, the smallest of the three, walks over and begins to rub his cheek on my knee. I gasp and jump then laugh nervously; it is the first time I have been so close to someone in cat form who has not been intent on attacking me while I am in human form. I reach out and touch his head only to jerk my hand back almost instantly. He blinks at me and turns his head slightly onto the side as if he doesn’t understand my reactions. I reach out a second time and this time I don’t jerk my hand away. I reach behind his ears and scratch remembering how good it feels.

"Your fur feels so silky smoothe," I say in wonder. Something nudges my other knee and I look startled to find Sam rubbing his head on my thigh. I laugh as I place my other hand near his face and he rubs his cheek against the palm of my hand.

"This is cool," I say in amazement as my brothers rub against my hands. I move to kneel on the floor and laugh as Mitchell rubs against my side nearly knocking me over. Sam moves to stand in front of me and I put my arms around his chest and hug him. Mitchell pushes his nose against my side and I hug him as well but I am careful not to bump any place where he might have stitches.

A huge head pushes in against my chest and I run my hands down over Micah’s powerful shoulders. I can feel the muscles ripple beneath his fur as he moves and I run my hand along under his stomach. He turns around and I run my hand the length of his tail careful not to grasp it too hard or pull it as he turns to face me. He rubs his head against my shoulder and I find myself knocked back against the lounge as he lowers his head to rub it against my stomach. Micah lifts his head and sniffs at my face before moving closer, running his cold nose across my collarbone and up the side of my neck to sniff just below my ear noisily. I laugh as I push his head away and sit up straight once again. He turns his attention to my legs sniffing from my knees down to my feet before licking the bottom of my foot making me gasp and attempt to get my foot away from him.

"He wants you to change," Steven tells me.

"No, I don’t want to," I deny quickly glancing around uneasily. Micah huffs noisily then lays down beside me his body pressing gently against my leg. I settle myself comfortably once again and sit with one hand resting on his shoulders.

I notice Sam and Mitchell have stretched out comfortably near by and they are busy grooming themselves. I find myself scratching down along Micah’s backbone to the base of his tail. He rolls onto his side and when I stroke the soft fur on his stomach, he rolls onto his back with his four legs in the air. He rolls onto his stomach and rests his chin on my thigh for several moments before moving out of reach. I lean forward and reach towards him just to run my fingers through his fur again.

"Rosy no! Micah’s about to change. Don’t touch him," Steven warns and I sit back pulling both hands close to my body.

"I didn’t realise," I say and watch in fascinated awe as he begins the changes that will render him human once again. I look away in flustered embarrassment when Micah stands up and faces me and I realise he is once again human and naked. I hear his soft laugh and the whisper of material then the rasp of a zip.

"It’s safe to look now," Micah says his voice coloured with laughter. "Mitchell, let me look at that back of yours."

I watch while he parts the fur to inspect Mitchell's wounds pronouncing his approval of their condition before Mitchell moves aside and Micah checks some stitches on Sam’s hind leg when Sam moves closer for inspection. Micah turns so Steven can see his side and lifts his arm up standing still for a few long moments.

"How do they look?"

"The top line needs another change. There’s still a lot of barely sealed slash," Steven announces.

"That doesn’t surprise me. Edwin wasn’t mucking around when he got his claws into me," Micah grunts angrily he settles down to sit beside me once again. "Did you guys think to cook extra?"

"Yeah there’s some cooked meat on a plate in the microwave. Plenty for when you three have changed back," Timny answers.

"How’s the pain? Do you need something," Micah asks Steven.

"Rosy hit me with some of that stuff she has. The pain is mostly gone but I’m still aware not to move too much or too fast," Steven informs Micah.

"And broad spectrum antibiotic," I add. "Claws hold lots of bacteria."

"You’re good with the needle and thread," Micah comments.

"Plenty of practise on animals in the vet surgery and quite a few on farms," I shrug his compliment off.

"How do you get close to animals? Most take off as soon as they get a whiff of us," Dwayne asks.

"I stumbled onto a way to hide my scent. Plus I make special effort to be as noisy as a human. No stalking or slinking," I say with another shrug.

"So what’s this scent hiding secret," Steven asks casually - too casually.

"I take my personal scent off, fold it up real small and tuck it in my back pocket," I say with a snort of disdain. I still don’t trust any of them enough to divulge my secret.

"If you hide your scent how come we can smell you," Justin asks curiously.

"Because I haven’t been hiding my scent," I say glancing his way.

"Seriously, how do you do it?" Steven asks and I glance in his direction uncomfortably. I shake my head as I get to my feet.

"I’m off to bed, goodnight." I hurry from the room and retreat to the small room that has been converted from a storeroom to a bedroom just for me, even if I do tend to sleep in someone else’s bed rather than sleep alone. I can hear the toms breathing and moving occasionally in their seats in the lounge room when I climb into the bed.

"She still doesn’t trust us completely," Micah says and I strain my ears to listen to any replies.

"Personally I think Rosy is doing real well to trust us as much as she does," Sam says. He must have been changing back when we were talking and I hadn’t noticed. I wonder if Mitchell is still in cat form or if he has changed as well.

"The only way she’ll learn to trust us is to stick around as long as possible. See for herself how we treat her," Micah sounds like he has been drinking some of the whiskey, his voice slightly raspy.

"Rosy did admit yesterday that she wants to come back because Sam and I are here," Mitchell comments and I distinguish the sound of a zipper closing.

"I notice she has stopped wanting to rip heads off every time being related is mentioned and you two don’t seem so pissed off about her being raised as a human," Chris says quietly.

"It’s all quite complicated but the three of us have tried to make our peace about it," Sam states simply.

"Well she’s certainly warming up to Micah. Yesterday after he stitched her up and was going to give her that painkiller – which is great stuff by the way – she didn’t rip his head off when he mentioned he intends on being able to give her children one day. And that was after she had threatened him with that tool thingy," Steven says with a soft laugh.

I sit up in bed as I hear that remark and frown. I think back carefully on the previous day and realise that Micah had indeed made that comment but I hadn’t taken it in at the time. I had been too worried about whether or not I would be able to avoid getting the needle that would end up knocking me out.

"She was more interested in keeping her eyes on the syringe than anything else. She really seemed freaked out about being vulnerable," Micah says softly.

"I can understand that. I wasn’t too keen on the thought of having Edwin and Malcolm in here while I’m laid up like this," Steven admits tightly.

There is silence for a few moments then the toms start talking again but this time it sounds like they are heading outside or into the kitchen and I lay back down again. I lay awake for a long time and hear the toms as they make their way to their rooms. I hear someone maybe Dwayne helping Micah get Steven to their room then the hushed sounds of night take over.

I wake several times during the night with nightmares I can’t remember that leave me shaking and crying. I pull my blankets closer and cuddle my pillow miserably because Sam and Mitchell are both injured and I don’t want to disturb their sleep.

"Hey Rosy, you okay?" I turn towards the door at the sound of Chris’ voice and sit up slightly.

"Can you sleep in here with me?" I ask softly. I want, no need, his physical presence even though I suspect he won’t touch me sexually unless I make it clear I want him to.

"Bad dreams?" Chris asks as he gets into the narrow bed beside me.

"Yeah," I confirm as I cuddle up against his side. He cuddles me close resting his chin against my temple and his hand in the small of my back. I close my eyes and sigh softly with contentment when no unnamed terrors make me look around the dark room.

I wake in the hour before dawn and slip from Chris’s arms to enjoy a shower before I remember my own stitches and decide to change. My hip still hurts during the change but I do it slower like Mitchell told me and I am soon walking through the building silently. I pause in the doorway of Micah and Steven’s room and stand there a few moments to sniff Steven’s scent. It is the quickest way for me to check his health without disturbing him.

I prowl around the kitchen and lounge room sniffing the faint traces of scent left behind from the night before then head outside and trot around in the cool grass for a few minutes before heading back inside. I return to the bathroom to change before dressing and heading out to the lounge room with tweezers, a small mirror and a suture blade so I can sit on the lounge and hopefully remove my own stitches before anyone wakes up. I have removed all the stitches and I am running my hand over the site of the wound, checking for any signs that it still needs to heal when I hear footsteps heading my way.

"Good morning," Sam says as he heads for the kitchen. "What are you up to?"

"Removing my stitches," I answer evenly.

"I’m not even going to go into the should you have thing. Want a cup of coffee while I start breakfast?" Sam asks.

"I’ll make the coffee for both of us, and I changed again so my stitches were to come out. Some should have come out last night, according to Doc, but it got forgotten in everything," I say getting to my feet before heading towards the coffee pot.

"Your leg feel better?" Sam asks with a quick glance my way.

"As good as new. The hip joint is slightly tender and my shoulder’s fine." I say with a smile. "How are your injuries?"

"Nothing serious, and one change fixed them. Would you mind taking a cup of coffee and two pain tablets in for Mitchell? He’d probably prefer to see you rather than me," Sam tells me with a smile when I glance his way.

"Is he okay?" I ask in concern.

"He’ll be fine in a day or two. You might take Steven in the same when he starts moving around," Sam mentions.

I return to making the coffee, putting extra cups out to fill before passing Sam his freshly made coffee. I pick up the cup I made for Mitchell along with the pain tablets and head for his room. He is propped up in bed and grins when he sees me.

"Coffee and little white capsules," I tell him with a smile.

"Good, I’ll take them and get up in a little while. How’s my favourite sister this morning?" Mitchell asks with a cheeky grin.

"I’m fine," I say handing him his coffee and tablets before sitting on the edge of his bed. "Can I ask why you got involved in the fight yesterday?"

"Edwin might be a top class warrior but not the calibre of tom that Steven is. Do you understand what I mean?" Mitchell asks seriously.

"You believe Steven is the better person … tom/werecat, call it what you want," I say meeting his gaze levelly.

"Yeah. Steven is just as good a warrior as him, I wasn’t saying he isn’t," Mitchell makes that clear and I nod. He watches me closely for a minute before taking the tablets and swallowing them. "What are you thinking?" he asks before taking several swallows of coffee.

"I don’t know what you mean," I say glancing towards the door as I hear someone approaching on their way to the kitchen or lounge room.

"Okay if you want to play it that way," Mitchell says quietly.

"I’m not playing anything," I say levelly when I look back at him.

"So how are you this morning? I notice you’re not limping," Mitchell comments.

"Good, nearly completely better," I say as I ease off the bed. "You coming out to eat?"

"Yeah once the pills kick in," Mitchell tells me.

I leave him to go and check on Steven. I pause in the doorway and look in the room. Micah isn’t in the room and I can tell by his breathing that Steven is awake. I head out to the kitchen and make another two cups of coffee before heading towards Micah and Steven’s room; I can hear someone moving around in it as I approach the door.

"Hallo, anyone want a cup of coffee?" I ask as stop in the doorway.

"Yeah, come in. You wouldn’t have any of the painkillers Doc left would you," Steven asks with a tight smile.

"Sure do," I say as I stop beside Micah who is looking for a clean shirt. "Coffee?" I ask him offering one of the cups.

"You’re a life saver Sweetheart," Micah tells me with a smile and I move over to where Steven is sitting himself up in bed. He takes the capsules I tip from the bottle into his hand and follows it with nearly half of his coffee. I climb onto the bed and sit on my legs as I glance between the two toms. Steven grins at me obviously pleased with my presence.

"I changed this morning and took my stitches out afterwards. My leg’s all good," I announce.

"Show me," Micah orders. I take a deep breath about to protest then decide against it as I turn my leg and show him the mark. I brush my hand over it and glance between Micah and Steven once again.

"No lumps or soreness?" Micah asks.

"It seems all good," I answer.

"Take it easy on it for a few changes. Muscles take longer to heal than skin," Micah warns.

"Ok," I say guardedly, expecting more than this but neither makes any further comments.

"Sam’s started breakfast. I’ll go help him," I say as I slip from the seat on the bed.

"Let someone else do it. You take it easy," Steven tells me. I smile at him from the doorway and give a shrug before heading for the kitchen.

In the kitchen Dwayne and Timny are helping Sam with the breakfast so I head off to the lounge room with a glass of juice. I’m sitting in one of the chairs when Mitchell makes his way out to the room limping and moving stiffly. Justin and Chris are with him and all three of them take up chairs around the room. I turn my head and listen when I hear the faint sounds that tell me Steven is coming and I watch a few minutes later when he makes his way to the lounge with help from Mikkarl. Micah heads through to the kitchen and I smile at Steven when he sends a strained grin my way as he settles himself on the lounge.

"Food’s ready," Sam announces as he comes in carrying a plate of food for Mitchell.

I watch surprised as Micah does the same for Steven, but I remember how I have been told on several occasions that clan members look out for each other. But it is more than that I realise as I remember that Micah and Steven work as partners as do Sam and Mitchell while they work as warriors. I go out to the kitchen with the others and hang back slightly as usual as they grab their first picks of the food. When a few of them step back chewing on food and waiting for others to fill their plates I move forward and quickly fill my plate before heading back to the lounge room. I am sitting in the chair eating when the screen door opens and Donovan and Jazzy rush into the building.

"Hey! Where is everyone?" Donovan calls.

"In here," Dwayne answers and the two youngsters come into the room wide eyed.

"Did you and Edwin have a fight," Donovan demands as he stares wide-eyed at Micah.

"That was the day before yesterday. Why?" Micah asks.

"Edwin is all clawed up and in a real bad mood. He wants to come here but Dad won’t let him," Jazzy says seriously. "He’s being a real arsehole."

"Who, your father," Micah asks dryly.

"Noooo! Edwin," Jazzy answers with a toss of her head.

"Don’t use that kind of language Jazzy," Dwayne tells her.

Jazzy walks over and picks up a piece of my bacon popping it into her mouth and chewing noisily, "Hhhmmmmm, that’s good."

"Jazzy, " Micah asks, "Did you have breakfast at the house?"

"Yeah, Mum made pancakes," Jazzy answers and takes another piece of my bacon and pops it into her mouth.

"Well then leave Rosy’s food alone and let her eat," Micah orders firmly.

"Yeah don’t touch Rosy’s food. She got real mean the time I wanted some of her food," Donovan says staring at his sister with worried eyes.

"Rosy’s a lot more civilised now but that is her breakfast you were eating," Micah says to Jazzy who I can feel staring at me.

"I don’t believe you, Donovan Jacob Williamson! Rosy hasn’t got a mean bone in her body," Jazzy tells her youngest brother off wagging her finger at him before turning her annoyed gaze on Micah. "And you, Micah Stanley Williamson! You stop being a bossy boots!"

"They’re right Jazzy; I was as mean as a stray when I first came here. Remember you weren’t allowed near me until … well you weren’t allowed near me," I tell her calmly as I look at her.

"But you’re all right now Rosy, ‘cause we’re friends," Jazzy declares.

"Rosy, eat up." Micah says firmly and I turn my attention back to my food.

"Wow! What happened to you Steven?" Donovan asks surprised.

"Don’t you worry about it. Now you go take your sister back to the house and tell Dad we’ll be ready here in half an hour," Micah says firmly. "Now scoot, I’m going to change and I will want the rest of my breakfast when I’m finished so no food sneaks you pair."

I watch as Donovan and Jazzy leave the room. I hear the now familiar rasp of a zipper and turn my attention down to my plate as I hear Micah start to change. He rubs his head against my knee when he has changed into cat form and walks around the room a few times before returning to his plate and eating what’s left in two large bites. I offer him a large piece of steak from my plate and he looks me in the face.

"Go on, I wouldn’t offer the food to you if I wanted it," I tell him. He takes the meat from my fingers delicately before turning away and stretching lazily. The half hour is nearly up before Micah changes back, and I am in the kitchen washing up the dirty pans from breakfast when I hear him walk in and stop not far from me. I glance back over my shoulder at him and I am pleased to note he has both jeans and a shirt on.

"You want me to go for a walk while Wade is here," I guess when he doesn’t say anything for a minute or so.

"The opposite, in fact. You need to be here. What happened affects everyone who lives in these quarters and unless you plan on leaving soon, you might want to have a say in anything that is decided today," Micah says evenly.

I glance at him surprised but don’t say anything. He waits for a few moments before turning and heading towards the bedrooms where the other toms have gone. I am checking that there is fresh coffee brewing when there is a knock at the screen door.

"Micah, we’re coming in," Wade calls. I hear the screen door open and Micah and the other toms come into the lounge room. None of them sit down as they all turn to face the doorway. Wade comes in followed by Edwin, Malcolm and Robby.

"We are going to get things straightened out here and now," Wade says with authority.

Micah steps forward so he is in front of the other toms while Sam, Steven and Mitchell move to stand directly behind him. I hear Edwin draw a sharp breath and I am suddenly uneasy by myself in the kitchen so I make my way towards the lounge room. I hesitate when I see I’d have to pass close to Edwin and change course slightly to sneak between the wall and one of the chairs as I go to stand behind Sam. Wade nods as if understanding something.

"I want everything sorted out peacefully here and now," Wade says firmly

"I’m head warrior and I have some conditions I want met," Micah says and gives a brief bob of his head towards his father, "if my Alpha would hear me out."

"I’m listening," Wade assures him.

"Firstly, Robby Inness is gone. I do not want him as one of my warriors. He hasn’t been here six months and he turned against me, seriously questioning my authority. If he isn’t with me then he’s against me," Micah snarls.

Robby swallows nervously and takes a step backwards. "You can’t just go breaking up a partnership," he protests as he glances at Mikkarl.

"I don’t want a partner I can’t trust," Mikkarl states and I glance at him to see him glaring at Robby.

"Secondly, I can’t afford to lose any other warriors but I won’t have Edwin and Malcolm here. My three top warriors have injuries of some degree or another because of those two, and I do not trust either of them not to start something behind my back against my warriors," Micah says firmly with a glance towards those behind him.

"As you said, we can’t afford to lose any warriors," Wade points out.

"Edwin goes and works for someone else or him and I take it outside right now and settle this for once and for all. If you look at the injuries to Steven and Mitchell, you can see Edwin wasn’t just going to put them out of commission. He was going in for the kill. It will be him or me," Micah states coldly. "I will not have him where he can endanger my warriors any time he chooses."

"I sincerely wish it hadn’t come to this," Wade says regretfully with a glance at Edwin before looking back at Micah. "What about Malcolm?"

"Before this I have had no complaints with Malcolm. Yes he was involved in the fight yesterday, and he had chances to attack both Steven and Mitchell when they were out numbered. He didn’t become involved until I tried to stop Edwin, and then it only involved body blocks," Micah says on a low angry growl.

"Unfortunately I need a warrior. If he goes then half a team is gone. Maybe we can get by with three until I find some more warriors willing to work for us," Micah says tightly.

"What do you have to say for yourself Malcolm," Wade demands.

"I thought Edwin took things too extreme, I didn’t want to be involved in such a plan," Malcolm answers contritely. "But I wasn’t going to stand by and see my partner out numbered two to one when one of the opponents was Micah. Micah out matches Edwin by himself."

"He would have to be on a trial period if I was to agree to him staying. Put someone I know I can trust in charge of the team and Malcolm’s on probation," Micah concedes sounding far from happy with the idea.

"No! Malcolm and I have been partners from the start! I won’t let you break that up! You are pushing me out so I am not here when she comes into heat, and I’m not letting you break up my work partnership as well," Edwin yells angrily.

"Rosy do you want Edwin to be here when you come into heat so he is available if you want to invite him into the cage?" Wade asks and I feel my face go red as everyone looks at me.

"I don’t like him like that," I deny.

"Rosy, your Alpha wants a simple yes or no," Sam tells me. I look at Sam startled by his wording. I open my mouth to protest it but find it’s not in me to.

"No my Alpha, I do not want him here."

"Malcolm Inness, it is your choice. You can stay here in the job as warrior or you can leave with your partner Edwin Williamson," Wade says formally.

"I swore an oath to serve and protect you and your family. I wish to keep it," Malcolm says with lowered head.

"Micah?" Wade questions.

"Six months probation to be reviewed then and extended if I think necessary," Micah insists.

"Great! Just fucking great," Edwin yells angrily and storms from the quarters followed by Robby.

"Well I’ll leave so you can sort out the order of things. And Rosy, welcome to the Clan," Wade says before leaving.

"Looks like you’re stuck with us now Rosy. Not only are we your brothers we’re warriors for the clan you’ve been adopted into," Sam says with a wide grin.

"Move Rosy out of the way Sam, I got some business I need to take care of," Mitchell says firmly. Sam steers me towards the kitchen as Mitchell advances on Malcolm displaying an aggression I’ve never seen in him before.

"I don’t want any fight with you Mitchell," Malcolm says holding his hands up at shoulder height as he takes several steps back.

"That is not the way it seemed yesterday," Mitchell hisses tightly.

"I’ve got no intentions of starting anything you’re more than capable of finishing for me," Malcolm says as he avoids looking Mitchell in the face.

"Mitchell is asserting his dominance over him," Sam whispers to me quietly. "Mitchell’s moved up in the ranks and he’s just making sure Malcolm knows and understands."

I nod my understanding and watch what is playing out in the other room. After a minute or two Steven walks over and puts a hand on Mitchell's shoulder. "How about we take up the lounge before Rosy steals it?"

"Yeah okay," Mitchell agrees and turns away from Malcolm. I watch as Malcolm eyes Mitchell and Steven uneasily before walking over to his brother Chris.

"We all good?" Malcolm asks.

"We’ll see," Chris shrugs but sits across from his brother when Malcolm finds a space on the floor to play cards.

Micah wanders over to where Sam and I stand and he raises an eyebrow at me, "So it looks like you’ve decided to become a clan cat now."

I shrug as I glance at Sam, "It just seemed the right way to address Wade at the time."

"I had to try," Sam says repressing a smile.

"Hey why didn’t you tell us Rosy would be acknowledging Wade as her Alpha?" Steven asks as he limps over stiffly. He glances from Micah to Sam and back again.

"I sprang it on her. Figured if she had too much time to think about it she’d talk herself out of an answer," Sam tells him.

"Hallo in the quarters," Doc calls before opening the screen door. He walks in and Steven heads over towards the lounge.

"I understand I’ve got some stitching to check out," Doc announces. "Now who has changed and who hasn’t?" I watch as Doc inspects the injuries of each tom pronouncing Micah and Sam healed enough for removal of stitches and Mitchell, Steven and Malcolm to do at least one change each before their stitches can come out.

"Ok Rosy, your turn. I want to make sure your leg is healing nicely," Doc tells me.

"I already took the stitches out, all of them," I say without approaching him.

"Come on Rosy, I just want to make sure the muscle underneath isn’t damaged," Doc tells me. I hesitate for a moment before walking over and putting my foot on the arm of one of the chairs. I flinch as Doc runs his hand over the pink scar lightly but there is no pain and he only touches me as much as necessary for the examination.

"It appears to be healing well. Take it easy and it should be completely healed within the week. How is your shoulder and hip?" Doc asks.

"My hip is still a bit tender but my shoulder is fine," I say and move my arm in a big circle to prove the point.

"Good and you did a first rate job stitching up the toms yesterday. Both Steven’s neck and Edwin’s side look like they were tricky jobs," Doc compliments me.

"Hopefully I won’t have to do it again," I say.

"Well I’ll go and let you lot get back to whatever you have to do," Doc says before heading away.

"Since you stitched me up you can remove your handy work," Micah tells me with a grin and holds out a pair of tweezers and a small sharp knife.

"Wait a moment, I got something better than that knife," I say remembering the specialised blade I used earlier. I get it and sterilise it in hot water before approaching Micah with it and my good tweezers.

The rows of neat black knots look alien in the healthy skin with only slight marks left by the wounds. I work steadily removing the stitches and dropping the cut sutures onto a piece of paper towel. When I am finished I run my hand over the injury feeling for any evidence of deeper trauma. I jump nervously when he catches my hand and I look at his face startled. His eyes have darkened in colour and his pupils seem huge as he fixes his gaze on my face. My mouth suddenly feels dry and I lick my lips nervously. He watches the small movement closely and I suddenly seem to have difficulties getting enough air into my lungs as I breathe. I feel movement under my hand and glance towards it. Micah has moved my hand onto his stomach and I can feel his rock hard abs beneath the skin as me moves my hand up towards his chest.

"I’m ready to get my stitches …" Sam’s voice breaks into my shocked mind and I jerk away from Micah with a startled gasp.

"Rosy …" Micah says taking a step towards me but I am already turning towards the door and his voice just lends speed to my feet as I race for the freedom of the outdoors.

I don’t slow until I reach the shadows beside the brick shed, then I turn and look back the way I have come. There are no signs of pursuit and I turn away relieved. The strength of the attraction I feel for Micah scares me. It would be too easy to give in and let myself get lost in the need for him. I head for the tree line at a more sedate pace lost in my turbulent emotions; I nearly don’t hear the faint sounds of the footsteps following me. I turn around ready to yell at whoever has followed me. I nervously return the faint smile Edwin gives me.

"Hi Rosy. I just wanted to tell you I got no hard feelings over you doing what your brothers would want and saying you didn’t want me here … well you know," Edwin smiles as if it hurts him and he looks away.

"Edwin I …" I start but let my words trail off because I don’t know what I want to say.

"Don’t worry about it. I understand really. All you have to do is tell Marissa and she’ll send for me. I promise I’ll come for you," Edwin says as he holds my gaze.

I realise with a start that he is now much closer to me than when he had started talking, "I can’t …"

"It’s not up to them," Edwin cuts me off once again. "It’s your choice. Don’t let them tell you who to choose; they’re only looking to further their own interests. I’m the one who really cares for you." His hand is gentle as he takes hold of my arm and he smiles reassuringly at me. His gaze is almost hypnotic and I start to lose track of my thoughts as he moves closer.

"You know I care about you Rosy, I always have. I’d never do anything to hurt you," Edwin's voice drops to little more than a whisper and I feel his breath brush against my lips as he leans closer. His eyes are very similar in colour to Micah’s but they lack the light scattering of golden flecks around the pupils.

"No! Stop it Edwin!" I give a startled cry as I jerk away from him but he has hold of both my arms now and I can’t break his hold.

"It’s okay Rosy. I’m not going to hurt you. I’d never hurt you," Edwin tells me a whisper away from my lips as he leans close. I close my eyes as his face blurs and I feel his lips brush mine lightly. I give a soft surprised gasp and his tongue finds its way into my mouth. I’m surprised by how much I want him to kiss me and I sigh softly as I allow the kiss.

"Rosy," Edwin breathes my name against my mouth before kissing me again. I clutch his arms and kiss him back enjoying the sensation of his mouth moving against mine. He lifts his head with a jerk and looks down at me, his pupils are so large they make his eyes appear black except for the multi hued brown ring around the pupils.

"Rosy, come with me today. We can both leave here," Edwin urges me and I tense as I turn my head slightly and watch him from the corner of my eye. I cast my gaze over the familiar surroundings as I consider his plea. I’ve only just found my brothers and am getting to know them plus the idea of going somewhere I know no one is terrifying. Fear starts to rise in me smothering any attraction I feel towards Edwin.

"No! Edwin let me go! Edwin! Stop it," I cry as he refuses to let go when I begin to struggle.

"Rosy, come with me," he pleads as his fingers bite into my arms.

"Sam! Mitchell! Micah! Anyone," I scream as I struggle against his hold.

"Hey! No need to get upset," Edwin says as he lets me go hurriedly and backs away from me.

"Rosy," Sam yells as I hear the screen door of the quarters slam.

"I’m here Sam," I call to him, "Go away Edwin! I don’t want to talk to you," I yell at him. Edwin grits his teeth but continues to back away from me; he keeps casting cautious looks towards the quarters and speeds up his retreat when both Sam and Micah come into view.

"You okay," Sam demands as they reach me. I nod and step into his arms allowing him to cuddle me close.

"Edwin surprised me is all. It scared me," I say not wanting either of the toms to go after him.

"He didn’t hurt you did he," Micah asks suspiciously.

"No, no I’m right," I answer and put my arms around Sam’s waist as he pats my back gently.

"You did the right thing calling us like that," Micah tells me gently.

"Can we go back to the quarters or something? I don’t want to be out here until he’s gone," I say looking up at Sam.

"Ok, come on then," Sam says.

I am relieved when he keeps his arm around me as we head back to the quarters and Mitchell and Steven meet us just inside the door, both of them in cat form. I allow Sam to guide me into the lounge room and I sit on the lounge at his urgings. Steven climbs onto the lounge and rubs against my shoulder while Mitchell rubs against my knees. When I go to pat Mitchell's head I realise I am shaking and I slip to my knees down beside him and bury my face against his shoulder as I dissolve into tears. I hear him meowing at me but I can’t speak so I hold him tighter.

"Hey, come on now. It’s alright, you’re safe," Sam says and I feel him hugging me.

"What’s wrong with Rosy?" I hear Justin ask.

I turn my head to rest my cheek against Mitchell's shoulder as I sniff noisily. I’m suddenly not sure what or how I feel about Edwin leaving. I hear the screen door slam noisily and I cling tighter to Mitchell fearing it is Edwin coming to take me away from my brothers.

"It would appear we have a problem," Wade announces as he walks into the room.

"What do you mean?" Micah asks guardedly.

"I have just been informed by Edwin that Rosy told him she wants him here when she comes into heat. She denied it before because she thought it was what her brothers wanted her to say," Wade says in an unusually even voice.

"I don’t believe it," Sam says angrily.

"Edwin will be notified when Rosy comes into heat because from what I witnessed outside, he may have a valid point. Rosy didn’t protest when he kissed her," Wade announces and I close my eyes as I turn my face back against Mitchell's shoulder.

"He what?" Micah roars angrily and I flinch. I feel Sam’s arms tighten around me and I hear Mitchell making concerned little murrs.

"Remember, it is Rosy’s prerogative to have as many toms present as she chooses," Wade tells them firmly before he leaves.

"Did you tell Edwin you want him here when you come into heat?" Sam asks calmly.

"No I didn’t! He told me he knew I only said what I did because it was what you want. It was him who said it not me," I protest as I look at him tearfully. I don’t want to upset or anger either of my brothers.

"It’s okay, I believe you," Sam tells me reassuringly as he eases me away from Mitchell to cuddle me comfortingly.

"And you let him kiss you," Micah says tightly.

"Yes," I admit quietly. "And he asked me to leave with him today. That’s when I started screaming ‘cause he wouldn’t let go of me. I thought he was going to make me go with him."

"I’ll kill the bastard," Micah hisses angrily and heads for the door.

I feel Sam release me and then he is gone amid the general rush for the door. Everyone is yelling and I tremble as I huddle against Mitchell.

"Leave it be Micah," Sam urges.

"Get the hell out of my way," Micah roars angrily.

"Edwin is trying to jerk your strings," Malcolm yells. "You can be sure he didn’t reveal that last part to Wade, and if you go over there after him it will look like Rosy made it up to try to divert attention off her for kissing him. If he can’t win fair and square, he’ll play dirty."

"Of course you’d try to stop me. You’re his best friend," Micah says savagely as he turns towards Malcolm.

"I am not going to stand by and let him make Rosy out to be a manipulative nasty little stray," Malcolm snarls. There is a sudden strained silence and I cling to Mitchell too scared to look around.

"He’s right you know," Timny says quietly.

"I know it! Doesn’t mean I have to like it," Micah hisses and I jump nervously when I realise he has moved near to where I cling to Mitchell. I hear the springs in a chair protest as he sits down and slowly everyone else makes their way back to their seats.

"Come on Rosy, stop strangling Mitchell and let him go so he can change," Sam tells me. I allow him to ease me away from Mitchell and into a lounge chair; he brushes my hair back off my face and dries my cheeks before sitting on the arm of the chair sensing I need him near. I don’t look at Micah, I’m too scared to. As much as he stirs strong desires and attraction in me he scares me with the force of his personality and air of dominance and power. I am smart enough to know he is angry with both Edwin and me, and realistic enough to know that my actions helped cause his anger.