Chapter 45

Without checking that Asher was still there, she picked up the pace after she jumped over a grouping of rocks. When she made a sharp left, she saw the blur of spots turn in the same direction. It was invigorating, so she kept going. If there were so many trees, she could have run full speed, but after spending the last few days stuck in one form or another, she wasn’t going to do anything reckless.
Daigo howled his displeasure that he’d been left behind, so she slid to a stop and had enough time to crouch down as Asher lept over her. He skidded to a stop and then gave her a look that made her wish that cats could laugh because she wanted to. Journee chirped at him, spun around, and started to head back in the direction they’d come.
She passed the others going in the opposite direction when she spotted Daigo. He pranced in a circle and then yipped at her. Her cat slowed enough that he would get a start, and she could follow his lead. He would honestly pout if he didn’t get to take the lead from time to time. There were days she wished he’d grow faster so he was better able to keep up with her when she needed to cover more ground faster. She wondered if he would go off to his own life once he was grown, but she didn’t allow herself to think of that too often because it made her sad.