His father knew about the deal he made with the vampires, he knew he was going to donate his blood. Not wanting to throw himself in a trap, though, Mika chose to answer cautiously, not admitting it nor denying it.

"Who told you and what did they say?" Mika said, his head hurting and all those sleepless nights starting to burden his thinking faculties. At any other time, he could have thought of a better way to formulate it, but for now he couldn’t give a flying shit.

"I knew I couldn’t trust you, so I sent a spy to follow you around, and guess what I found? That my own son, my blood and my chair, is planning to become a vampire’s slave!" The lion yelled before stumping on Mika’s knee. The panther gritted his teeth in repressed pain.

Mika cursed in his mind, at his own foolishness for not noticing that he was being followed and also at his father for being so paranoid and against vampires. Mika could understand his father’s anger, but it didn’t mean that he could let himself be hurt because of it.

Making a quick, but meaningful decision in his mind, the black panther took the chance when the King raised his leg to stomp on him to get under the leg and run away. Mika glanced around and chose to jump out of his window. The glass shattered as his body forced itself through it, small fragments staying lodged into his skin.

The wind whistled in his ears as Mika’s body approached the ground. Even though he braced himself for the impact, Mika still found his breath stolen away as his knees fell on the soil. The shock sent tremors all over his body and blood came up his throat, only to be expulsed on the floor.

Mika coughed while holding his stomach, thinking to himself that some of his organs seemed to have been damaged. Even if he was one of the strongest shifters, after his father, of course, a fall of five floors still hurt a lot.

With his healing abilities though, he would normally recover in a few hours. However, Mika’s body was already holding on with difficulties because of all the nights spent working instead of sleeping and the lack of meals. It meant that he would be weak for a while, and it was a frightening discovery.

Mika needed a safe place, somewhere to hide.

He also needed a new place to stay, because the news of his treason would soon be spread all over the Weres’ community and he wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the reserves. 

Taking in a gulp of air, Mika forced himself on his feet and started running, changing mid step into his black panther’s form to go faster. His shift grunted at the pain of becoming on all fours and feeling his body adjust to the change. It was a bad idea to shift when injured, but it was his only option if he wanted to outrun the guards. His panther’s ears twitched as it heard their shouts as they looked all over the place for him, ready to beat him to death if found.

Mika wanted to live.

He wanted to be safe.

He didn’t want to be hurt, nor insulted.

Mika just wanted somewhere to call home, to feel home.

So he ran, he ran as far as his exhausted body could take him. His panther was on autopilot, stopping on the way to the unknown to hydrate himself and to hunt some small animals. He let his animal take over, his human’s mind numb with pain. His people, his father, all of them rejected him, and it was a painful realization.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, nor did he care. The panther let its human side rest as it continued his journey. It let itself be led on instinct alone, no clear destination in mind.

Which is why, a few days later, Doctor Charlie stopped his early morning jogging to look at a shadow near the border of the forest surrounding the city. The vampire sniffed, taking in the familiar scent, before frowning at the whiff of blood surrounding the hidden feline. It had been a shock when the black panther named Mika had shown himself at his doorstep, telling him he wanted to give his blood. However, Charlie had been convinced of his pure intentions and so he had had to make an introspection and doubt his instinct when Mika hadn’t come as promised a few days ago.

Now, however, looking at the black panther visibly in pain and hissing at him as he approached, Charlie could guess that something went wrong.

The vampire slowly walked around the bush, trying to get a better look at the feline. The animal looked absolutely frightening, baring his teeth when Charlie stepped too close. The Doctor tried to make himself appear smaller, crouching down at eye level with the panther and whispering sweet things.

It seemed to calm Mika and soon Charlie was at arm distance. He made big and unhurried moves as he took off his vest. Slanted turquoise eyes looked at him with vigilance, but the hissing had stopped, much to Charlie’s relief. The Doctor put the vest on the animal, trying to warm him and stop the shivers raking Mika’s furry body. The nights were cold and it seemed like the panther hadn’t been able to find a warm shelter.

Charlie took notice of the way the big cat seemed to want to lean in his touch, but still remained tense. Sadness filled his eyes at the thought of how much pain Mika must have suffered to try to deny his submissive’s side that craved nothing but love and affection.

Charlie had known, from the first time he layed sight on the young man, that Mika was more submissive than normal. He tended to hunch his shoulders, avoid eye contact and seek praise and care. He wasn’t weak, nor did he deserve contempt.

In fact, for vampires, submissives were rare and highly sought out. It was an honor to have one. When someone was ready to let you be in control, to trust you, it was a gift, and vampires never denied gifts. It was even more so for their race, as their vampires’ traits made them more dominant and wanting to be in control, so they could rarely be in a relationship if it was not for someone willing to submit to them.

Charlie knew that Mika would be a huge hit in the vampires’ society. A handsome young shifter with a good body, ready to support the vampires and submissive to the bones.

He also knew that the panther would be treated with care and loving, which was exactly what he needed.

But, Mika was far from ready and as Charlie slowly embraced the panther to lift him in his arms, he could feel the way the young man stiffened with fear. He had been hurt, and only time would be able to heal his broken heart, not a vampire.

Charlie could respect that, so instead of calling the vampires’ council, he chose to take the big cat home, where Mika could lick his wounds.

If he was destined to be with a vampire, only time would tell.

Hey dear readers, what do you think of Charlie?

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(1 225 words)