Chapter 35: No Cats Here

“You’re lying,” Eliana bites out, her entire being wracked with a shockwave reverberating through her. She grits her teeth, trying to hold herself together. “Why would you even say such a thing?”
“Because it is the truth,” Olisnia sighs. “I know it is difficult to comprehend, but it is a fact of your lineage.”
“It is impossible. My grandmother passed before my mother ever gave birth to me. Neither me nor my mother have any abilities.” Anger rolls through Eliana, the edges of her vision darkening. She stands her hands tightening into fists.
“It is simply because your blood has mixed with that of a human. You do not hold the same abilities as a fullblood Kexon. You most likely cannot shift completely, but you are still considered a Pivurlion. Your golden hair is proof of this.”
“What—my hair? Why?” Eliana reaches up and gently tugs on her locks.
“I am sure you are aware that every clan has their own specific trait. The werebears are overtly large, and the werebirds are thin, short, and frail beings even in human form. Werecats have bright, golden hair. It was made so by Drulians so that we could directly identify them. They are the most dangerous and wild of the Pivurlion and the ones we had to watch out for the most. With golden hair, there would be no way of hiding, at least not from us.”
“Why are you lying? There is no way I can be a werecat. I am human,” she hisses out, fear grabbing ahold of her heart.
Olisnia remains still, calm, “You may not have any abilities right now, but I can help you to awaken them.”
Eliana shakes her head roughly, “I told you, I do not have any.”
“What about Jasper?”
“W-what do you mean,” she chokes through her words.
“I know the way you both feel toward one another. It is much stronger than that of human love. If you have one trait from the Kexon, it is the soul bond.”
Jasper, her soulmate? “No, you’re wrong,” she forces out as her body begins to shake. “There is no way.”
Irritation twitches in Olisnia’s brow as she bites out, “A soul bond is not a topic I would open irrationally. I am very serious.”
“Even if I was part werecat, I thought the bond itself is meant to keep the purity of the race. How does that make sense?”
“A bond is created once you reach the age of fifteen, sometimes later in life, as some mates vary in ages. Your soul bond is meant to be what is best for you, personally. Your blood is so faint that it needs a thicker tie to the race than another partial. Jasper’s bloodline is stronger. None of his ancestors has so much as strayed from the clan before. A mixture of both of your genetics will have your children stronger than either of you.”
Eliana throws away the hope building in her chest, “Wait, stop. I am not a werecat. Stop getting in my head.”
“Eliana do not brush this off. Being even part werecat is a great honor. They garnered respect everywhere they went.”
She huffs, “And now they are feared.”
“This will change the tide of the war. A werecat, especially one that has found their mate, can lead the world once more.”
Eliana spins toward Olisnia, anger boiling up, “I am not mated.”
“Being mated is something to rejoice in. To have someone bound to you with their very soul. That you two are meant to be together. It is a wonderous thing. Humans and Drulians do not have the luxury of experiencing such a love.” She glances down, her entire demeanor falling. She fiddles with the silver bracelet around her wrist.
Eliana observes the Drulian momentarily, her heart softening, “What is his name?”
“Jacniel. He awaits me back on my island.”
“You will see him soon,” she smiles trying to be reassuring.
Olisnia’s own smile grows sad, distant, “I fear not. I will not be returning home in the foreseeable future. I must help you realize your power and get you home.”
Eliana nods, “That should not take long.”
“Princess,” Junet’s voice echoes in from outside the tent. “Your provisions are ready.”
“We should rejoin the others,” Olisnia sighs.
Eliana nods as the Drulian stands, her heart breaking for the woman.
Jasper, Alma, and Evyn all stand around the horses as the sun begins to hang low in the sky. Prince Drake remains close to the camp, several of his men surrounding him, glowering at the Pivurlions.
“Is this how I will be treated once they find out who I am?” Eliana furrows her brow and rids herself of all such thoughts.
“Are you positive that you do not wish to stay the night,” Drake questions as Eliana approaches him.
“Yes, we need to begin our journey as quickly as possible.”
He nods, watching her friends closely. “Just be careful and I shall meet you in Zaline,” he smiles softly, raising his hand and catching a stray golden lock as it whisps in the wind.
Eliana chokes on her surprise, heat blasting her face at his action.
Her first thought is, “Did Jasper see that?”
“Thank you for everything, and I will be awaiting your arrival. I will be looking forward to our wedding.”
She forces a smile on her lips, her heart in her stomach. Drake’s own expression falls momentarily before he glances behind Eliana.
“Yes,” he says softly, returning his gaze to her.
As Eliana reaches her group, she moves toward Alma. She notices instantly that there are only four horses, and with the two men being too large, she figures Alma’s horse will have more room, and energy, to hold both of them.
She opens her mouth to speak, but she is unable to utter a word as a strong arm picks her up. She kicks out briefly before inhaling the hazy lavender scent. She is placed gently on one of the horses before Jasper swings up behind her, his entire body pressing against her. She bites back her gasp as everyone stares up at them. Her body pulsates, on fire.
She tries to glance back, to make eye contact with Drake, but Jasper forces their horse to move as the others shuffle to follow.
They take the lead, the steeds moving quickly across Drein, but all Eliana can think about is the friction that Jasper’s body creates, rubbing on her back as the horse jostles them about. There is a ball of fire in the pit of her stomach, and she swallows in order to control herself.
She finds herself hoping, secretly, that Jasper actually is her soulmate.