"Rival patrols! They scented the strong male!" one gasped, collapsing.
The sun was barely rising when the pounding on the door turned into desperate screams. I yanked it open, still naked, with Lira and Mira on the bed, their hot bodies still trembling from the intense night.
"Kai, danger!" Lira cried, ears flattened against her head.
Two scouts stumbled inside, panting, tunics torn and stained with fresh blood. One had a deep gash on her shoulder; the other limped, her tail dragging limply across the floor.
"Rival… patrols!" the first one choked out, leaning against the wall. "They scented us… they're hunting the strong male."
Mira tensed beside me, ears straight up, low purr turning into a growl. "Speak clearly. How many?"
"Five, leader," the shoulder-wounded one answered, pressing the bleeding wound. "From the Shadow Clan. They caught Kai's scent from far away. One said: 'There's a potent male here. Sylva will want him for herself.'"
Lira pressed closer to me, small and fragile, golden eyes full of submissive fear. "Kai… will they attack us?"
"Not while I'm here," I answered firmly, dressing quickly. My new strength burned through my muscles like fire. "Tell me everything. Now."
We went to the center of the village. The two scouts knelt before the gathered crowd, speaking between gasps.
"We saw tracks to the north," the older one said, voice shaking. "Big, fresh. Five armed cats with sharpened claws. They surrounded us fast."
"What did they say exactly?" I asked, voice low but commanding.
The other scout looked up, blood dripping from her leg. "One sniffed the air and growled: 'It smells like a real man. Powerful. Sylva will pay well for his head… or his seed.' They attacked to confirm."
The name hit like thunder. Shadow Clan. Old rumors: ferocious warriors led by Sylva, an alpha who crushed weaker clans to strengthen her own.
"Sylva?" Sira murmured from the circle, ears trembling. "The one who unified three clans with raw strength alone?"
"Yes," Mira confirmed, growling. "She's cruel. She doesn't share males. She breaks them or claims them."
The cats murmured, ears flat, tails restless. "If they come here…" a young one said, voice scared. "What will we do?"
"Fight," I answered, raising my voice. "Village on maximum alert. No one goes out alone. Reinforced patrols now."
I organized fast. "Sira, Nia: north front, bows ready. Gia, Bara: east and south. Report any strange scent."
"Yes, Master," Sira answered, tail lashing with determination.
"And us?" Lira asked.
"You two stay with me in the center," I said, stroking her head. "Mira, coordinate the traps."
"As you command," Mira purred, green eyes shining with loyalty. "I won't let them touch what's yours."
The day passed in frantic preparations. "Sharpen your claws," Mira ordered one group. "Prepare the nets."
"Do you think they'll come soon?" Nia asked while stringing her bow.
"I smell it in the wind," I replied. "The forest is too quiet."
At dusk, total silence. Too much.
A patrol came running back. "Stealthy figure!" the leader gasped. "West perimeter. Pure black ears… she saw us, smiled, and vanished into the shadows."
"Did you recognize her?" I asked.
"No, but she smelled like Shadows. Strong. Arrogant."
I looked at the growing darkness, muscles tense. "A spy. The Shadow Clan is already here. Prepare the weapons."
Lira trembled against me. "Kai… I'm scared."
"Don't be," I whispered, holding her tight. "I will protect all of you."
(Continues…)