Chapter 31

Well I am back from Christmas break. I'm sorry I didn't respond to you if you messaged. I was trying to stay away from the computer and apparently I succeeded. I hope you guys enjoy the final chapter I will be back with the epilogue if not tomorrow then in the next couple of days. Before I go I need to thank you all for your support of this series. In six short months it has now gotten over 40k reads and I couldn't be more proud of the gang of Haven High. I will leave you with a wish for a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year.

Donnie's heart was beating a mile a minute. He'd had spent the last several minutes fairly running away from the more mature cat, while he mocked him mercilessly.

It was easy for the king to be cocky. The tables had turned and he now wore the scabbard. Donnie knew with every fiber of his being that his father never would have agreed to the challenge without it, but he felt infallible at the moment and he wanted to make the young upstart pay for exposing him.

Even though it wasn't him that did it, it was Achilles; Donnie had never asked to be born illegitimate. He realized now that Lorenzo and his mother were perfect for each other, neither one was willing to take responsible for their own mistakes.

Donnie deeked and dodged just before his father's left claw could take his head off. He felt it wiz by his neck before he rolled backward and sprung back up again to try and put some distance between them, but he couldn't run forever. His father was too strong.

The only thing he had going for him was his speed and agility, but as soon as he started getting tired he'd get sluggish and inevitably he'd make a mistake.

His father kept chuckling at his near misses like he was playing with him. As if he was a tasty mouse he was toying with before supper.

Donnie landed a kick and quickly wiped the cat grin right off his face, but as his father became enraged he realized that he wished he would go back to toying with him, because the blows were coming faster than Donnie could deal with.

He was breathing heavy sweating profusely and running for his life. Then it happened his father grabbed him around the neck, knocked him to the ground, and pinned him on the spot.

His father squeezed his neck so hard Donnie saw stars in his eyes, but the King wasn't through playing with him yet. He brought his face in close to his and asked him, "Any last words son?"

Donnie had nothing to say to his Stronzo father, but there was something he had to know, so he turned to Kelly who stood being held back by Achilles and addressed her with the question that had occupied his mind for the last month, "Please Cara I must know what does 'Nice Try' mean?"

She looked up from her struggle to break from Achilles grasp and gave him an astonished stare. At first she looked confused and then she just looked resigned before she sighed and said, "Ah sugah don't fuss about it. I know you told Lauren and Kyle about my father. I saw you whispering with them the next day at school, but it's okay Donnie I forgive you. Just please fight, don't give up. "She pleaded.

Suddenly he understood and he wanted to cry for the unwanted pain he put her through.

"Oh Mia Cara, he exclaimed, "I would never hurt you like that. I only ask for their help to surprise you. I tell no one about your father."

She looked bewildered and then incredulous, but then she seemed to hear the truth of his words." Donnie I'm so sorry," she cried out from where she stood. "I thought the worst of you and you are perhaps the sweetest person I have ever met. I've been so ugly with you; can you ever forgive me?"

"Si, always Bella."

"Enough," the king bellowed, "I grow bored." He began to squeeze harder cutting off Donnie's airway for the second time. This time he not only saw stars but he heard a high pitched hum in his head the kind you get before you pass out.

The King chuckled maniacally relishing the pain he was inflicting but wanting to inflict more he bent down to whisper in Donnie's ear, "Say good bye to your little troia.

Donnie's eyes narrowed in rage. How dare he threaten his warrior woman and to call her that was unforgivable?

With the last of his might he brought his two Cait paws together over the king's arm and drove them down into his shoulder breaking the bone.

The Scabbard allowed it to heal almost instantaneously, but he knew from experience it would still hurt he took the opportunity when his father loosened his grip to drive one hand into the broken blade and use it to vault over his head and land on his back. Once there he used his claws to ravage his father's back.

Each claw struck dozens of time until he finally cut loose the leather strap of the scabbard. It fell uselessly to the floor, and when he saw it he used his lightening fast speed to rip out his father's throat with all his claws.

The King's blood spurted like a fountain all over the Italian marble floor. And as he fell to his knees Donnie road him down to the floor.

As soon as his father took his last breath the King's guard kneeled at his feet. Donnie looked on in shock as his cousins did the same.

When Achilles bowed his head and said, "My king." He wanted to be sick.

He'd killed his own father. He felt like a heinous monster. The worst human being to walk the planet, but he wasn't human, was he? He was Cait, and apparently now the new European King of the Caits?

What had he done?

Kelly ran to him then and seeing the look in his eyes she tried to reassure him, "It's okay Sugah you had no choice. He would have killed you without thinking twice about it."

Achilles pointed at the dead king and commanded, "Guards take this piece of filth to the dungeon."

Donnie looked up in bewilderment at his cousin to say, "He's dead. There's no reason to imprison him."

Achilles looked incredulous before he said, "Donovan Alfero what are these school's teaching Caits these day? Do you not know we have nine lives?"

Donnie couldn't believe his ears, he hadn't killed a person after all. He wasn't a murderous psychopath like his father.

He picked Kelly up and swung her around in his arms. And maybe it was the relief at still being alive or the adrenaline from the fight, but he didn't think twice before he kissed her long and hard, and her lips were just as he imagined. They were as soft as rose petals and as sweet as candy.

When he finally risked looking at her, he fully expecting her to knock him out for his impertinence, but his Cara shocked him when, instead, she smiled and laughed. He watched her beautiful face suddenly turn serious though, before she asked, "Donnie what are you doing next weekend?"

"I have nothing planned Cara."

"That's perfect we have a concert to go to."

When he cocked his head to the side in askance, she said, "What? You said I could invite anyone I wanted."

He hugged her close and announced, "*Mia Regina of course I go, I go anywhere with you, but I think you are wrong Cara. The concert it is tonight."

He watched as her beautiful smile melted into a disappointed frown, and then she said, "Oh nuts. I think you're right. Even with the nine hour time difference I doubt we'd make it back in time. I'm sorry Donnie I truly wanted to go with you."

That's when his cousin stepped forward to say, "I think I can help." And he leaned forward to whisper in his ear.

Kelly watched as Donnie's eyes grew as large as saucers and a self satisfied smirk bloomed on his lips. He truly looked like the cat that ate the canary.

When Donnie asked excitedly, "Cara do you trust me?"

She surprised him when she nodded emphatically and answered, "With my life. I'll never doubt you again."

With those words Donnie swooped her up in his arms and swung her around before capturing her lips with his once more.

He did as his cousin instructed and was relieved to see a ball of black shadow rush to him. As soon as it was big enough he dove through it. There was no time to waste. The Umbra Road cannot be traversed by other creatures. The air is toxic to them. So he left his lips on Kelly's and breathed for her.

The surrounding air was frigid, so much so, that he could feel frost forming on her face as she kissed him passionately.

Even though the feel of her mouth on his made his heart beat a rapid staccato in his chest and he almost lost his way, he ran through the pitch black of the shadow road determinedly. His Cara would need to breath for herself soon. He nearly despaired when it seemed to take forever to get to California, but was relieved when he felt he'd reached his destination. Hurriedly, he tore through the passageway into Kelly's room.

The Cait in him leapt through and did a tight little somersault with her still in his arms to land on his feet at the side of her bed where he gently laid her down.

When he looked at her he sucked in a shocked breath and rushed to cover her with her duvet. She was covered in a thin layer of frost even her lashes looked white, and she was shivering uncontrollably, but a contented smile lay across her lips making him think that perhaps she was not so effected by the road.

When she purred and said in a shivery voice, "Do that Again Sugah."

What could he do? She was his Regina and he would do anything for her. So he sat down on the edge of her bed and leaned forward to capture her lips once more, but this time she didn't wait for him to kiss her, she grabbed the front of his shirt, and kissed him first.

Later as they snuggled under her quilt he was relieved to find that her body temperature had returned to normal.

Her head lay on his chest, and her long blonde hair cascaded over his fingertips. He was playing with the ends like a cat would play with string and being mesmerized by its silky softness when she spoke.

"Donnie I'm really sorry for doubting you."

"That's all right Cara. I understand."

"No, I should have known better. It's me. I have trust issues. Until I met you, I never met anyone that didn't eventually let me down, but that's my damage Sugah."

Donnie turned her head so she could look into his eyes before he said, "I know Cara that your first love he break your heart.

"Oh Sugah, Xander was never my first love. I think deep down the only reason I was with him was because I didn't think I deserved better."

Donnie's heart skipped a beat at her words but they still confused him, "What do you mean Cara?"

"You've never let me down, you've stuck by me even when I've been ugly, and I trust you with my life. If that isn't love I don't know what is."

Donnie went to tell her that she could never be ugly in his eyes, but she halted him with her hand.

"Let me finish. Donovan Alfero, as far as I'm concerned you are the sexiest sweetest boy I've ever known and I would be lucky to have you as my boyfriend, and even though I don't think I deserve you, I hope you'll be my first love."

Donnie stared into her azure eyes and said with as much conviction as he could muster before he captured her lips,"No Cara I will be your last."

*Mia Regina: My Queen