Chapter 13: Thirteen.

When Felix entered the house he found Colt stomping back down the stairs, wrapped only in a red towel, the sight made him gulp.

"Kitten, I have so many questions right now," he began. "But, a man only has so much strength, put some damn clothes on, and stop being cruel." He only half joked with her.

Colt sighed, when she looked up at him, there were unshed tears in her eyes and a slightly crooked smile. "I'm so happy to see you, I missed you, Pussy Cat," she said genuinely.

"Don't look at me like that. Fuck," he complained, rubbing his face. His friend was hurting over something, it was written as clear as day on her face, despite her obvious joy at his presence.

"I'm going to grab a quick shower, then we'll talk. Okay?" Colt stated solemnly.

Attempting to lighten the mood, Felix joked back at her retreating form, "Two questions, Kitten. Your version of a quick shower or mine? Or was that an invitation? Because, I'm all cold and wet too you know!"

"Shut up, Pussy Cat," was the only response Colt gave, as Felix heard a door close upstairs.

"Well, guess I'm getting the upholstery wet then," he said to himself, looking around the room.

"You fucking dare, and you'll pay for the cleaning of it!" Colt yelled down the stairs, before closing the bathroom door, again.

Felix ducked as if she had thrown something at him, damn wolf hearing. He strode out to retrieve his clothes from his car, stopping to look at the leftovers of his ruined tent as he did. He smiled to himself, as he thought about their earlier skirmish. He had missed Colt, missed their banter, missed her face. She was the closest female relationship he had ever had, and while he had been fine at home in her absence, an occurrence he once believed impossible, he was definitely delighted to be around her again. Things were never dull around Colt.

During the fling they once shared, the woman unconsciously managed to bury her way into his heart. It left him full of longing and desire for her. Felix wanted to settle down, he was in love, wanting to commit, and as soon as Colt had realised, she stopped any, and all romantic happenings between them. No matter how hard he flirted, and he was relentless, Colt refused to lead him on with a possibility of something she just couldn't give.

Felix could still admit to loving Colt, a part of him always would. But, now he realised, thanks to their time apart, he wasn't *in love* with her anymore. Now, he wondered if he ever truly was. But, regardless of the ins and outs of their history together, Colt was more than just his friend, she was his family. Like a sister he could flirt with, and annoy without it being inappropriate.

Felix grabbed his bag from the back of his rental car, and carried it back into Colt's house. He peeled his wet clothes off, and dumped them on the floor at the foot of the stairs, smirking at the *shlupping* noise the wet fabric made. Then naked, he proceeded to walk around and investigate Colt's new home. Partly, because he was still damp and didn't have a towel to dry off, but mostly, because it would really, really, annoy Colt to find him wandering around without any clothes on.

Stomach rumbling, he followed his nose through to where he presumed the kitchen must be. He padded barefoot around the room quietly, opening drawers and cupboards until he had found what he was looking for, breakfast. Cooking off the venison steaks he found in the fridge, which was conveniently disguised as a cupboard, and adding some fried mushrooms, he proceeded to devour the food, pleased with his efforts, and utterly ignoring the mess he had left in his wake.

Felix was loudly putting his used dishes into the sink to soak, when he heard the shower finally turn off. He decided to make Colt a cup of tea, and himself a coffee, while he waited on his host to come back downstairs. It was only polite after all. He walked out of the kitchen and down into the living room area, before nearly spilling his coffee all over himself, when a woman let out an ear piercing shriek.

The young woman in front of him was beautiful. Similar to Colt, only fairer, she had delicate freckles across her nose and sandy brown curls. Her bone structure bore a striking resemblance to Colt's though, and there was no mistaking those eyes. Felix realised quickly, they must be related, and he couldn't help the lazy smirk that appeared on his face, when she turned to grab a blanket to cover her naked body, and he caught a glimpse of her ass.

Felix was only human, kind of, and he couldn't help the blatant reaction his groin was having at the beautiful girl in front of him - nor did he try to.

Iona, on the other hand was confused, embarrassed, and becoming more angry by the minute, at the self satisfied smile appearing on the stranger's face. She was a wildcat through and through, and they were territorial beasts.

"Who the hell are you?" She shrieked, before adding, "Colt!" At the top of her lungs, calling for back up.

"I'm Felix," he nodded, unfazed. "Coffee?" He offered, reaching out his hand to give her his own mug. He was a gentleman after all.

Iona's brows, shot into her hair line, "Excuse me? Colt!" She cried out again, not understanding in the slightest, what was actually going on here.

Colt suddenly came running down the stairs, wearing a sports bra and her leggings. But, she paused briefly with a sigh, bringing her hand to her forehead when she seen the sight in front of her.

"Colt, why is there a lion parading in the buff, around your house?" Iona shrieked horrified.

"I could ask the same about you, Sunshine." Felix retorted, still eyeing the blanket clad woman suggestively.

Colt whacked Felix on the back of the head.

"Behave!" She demanded. "Iona, meet Felix. Felix, meet my cousin, Iona. She is obviously naked having just arrived from her wildcat form. You on the other hand, are just a fucking lunatic! Go put some clothes on. I will be back in a minute," she answered, heading to grab a top out of the drier.

Felix shrugged, handing Colt her tea, when she returned fully dressed.

"I'll be in the shower, I'm sure I can squeeze at least one more in, if you would like to join?" He left the offer open, and not directed at either woman in particular, before grabbing his bag and heading upstairs.

Colt ignored Felix, and headed to relax from her surprisingly stressful morning in the cuddle chair, taking a long and soothing sip of her tea as she did so.

"Colt!" Iona snapped, after dragging her eyes away from Felix's backside, when he disappeared up the stairs. "What the fuck is going on? And why is there a naked lion man, parading about your house?" She asked flustered, still reddened from the whole experience.

Colt looked at her cousin with a mischievous glint in her eye. She was enjoying watching the normally so sure of herself Iona, with ruffled feathers. Calmly she took another sip of her drink.

"Colt!" Iona barked, all but stomping her foot in protest.

"Iona, are you planning on putting clothes on yourself? Or is Felix in for another show?" She asked, watching as Iona's face got redder.

"Yes please," came the sound of Felix's voice from the bathroom upstairs, as Iona burst into her wildcat form and darted to Colt's bedroom, the door slamming behind her shortly afterwards.

Colt laughed, and sarcastically called out, "Sure thing, borrow some of mine, if you want."

Then she proceeded to go to the kitchen to make her cousin a cup of chamomile tea for her nerves, thankful that she never had to share her wardrobe with a sister growing up. While she was there she turned the tap off Felix had left running, noticing with annoyance the carnage that had went on in her kitchen while she showered.

When Iona returned a few minutes later, Colt met her at the bottom of the stairs and handed her the cup with a smile, before collecting Felix's clothes and putting them in the washing machine.

"Don't you think you can pretend everything is normal, and I won't ask questions, Colt." Iona stated suspiciously, when she returned to the living room.

Colt smiled, "I wouldn't dream of it. But, speaking of questions, why aren't you in college?" She asked, redirecting their conversation.

"Smooth, but an utter fail at changing the subject. Anyway, for the record, it's a placement day, but the vet practice has a burst pipe..." Iona began, hoping by answering first, they could avoid any other redirections, and stay on topic.

"And what? You decided to come and investigate what post might arrive today then, I'm guessing?" Colt offered smugly.

"Actually, I came to see if you were okay, with all the crap that's went on this week." Iona stated. "It's all round the Highlands, about you now. There's even a bloody sweepstake, as to who will marry you."

Colt sighed, throwing her hands in the air, and choosing to ignore her cousin's concern she then looked at Iona accusingly, "Before the postman, on an unexpected day off, where most nineteen year olds would still be in bed?" She countered, one eyebrow raised.

Iona spluttered caught out, "I... I... Wait a minute, don't change the subject! Who is that?" She asked petulantly, pointing upstairs.

"I told you, Silly. That's Felix. He is harmless. But, a notorious flirt." Colt shrugged. "He is also a very good friend of mine."

"Clearly." Iona smirked, regaining some of her sass. "What's he doing here then?"

"I don't know, yet." Colt answered honestly. "I haven't had a chance to ask." Inwardly she was laughing at Iona's possessive display.

"He was walking around your house naked, and you haven't had a chance to ask?" Iona retorted, unbelieving.

"Well, there has been a lot going on. I woke up and there was a tent on the lawn." Colt began. "I thought it was likely to be someone, more local if you get my drift. However, it was Felix. We got into a water fight. Then Angus interrupted us. Then Logan and Alasdair appeared, while I was trying to maul Angus. Then everyone left and I came in for a shower. I was getting dressed when you arrived," Colt explained, "So, no, I haven't had a chance to ask, although knowing Felix, he did it purely to be annoying."

"Wait, what?" Iona stated. "Why do I have so many more questions now? Is that really the only reason he was naked? What would he say,

if I asked him?" She asked, trying to bait a rise from her cousin.

"Well, Sunshine," Felix interrupted from the stairs, "I would say, if you've got it flaunt it," he stated with a smile. "Which makes me wonder, why are you not naked anymore?" He winked teasing her.

Colt smirked as Iona turned red again.

"Felix, she is engaged, and you met her true mate earlier. Back off." Colt intervened, coming to her cousin's rescue.

"Well, that sucks for me. Unless you are offering instead, Kitten? For old times sake?" He shrugged his brows suggestively, before walking over to sit beside Colt, in the cuddle chair and wrapping his arm around her.

"You're disgusting at times Felix," Colt sighed, though she didn't bother to pull away, her inner wolf enjoying the comfort from his contact.

"You love me," he affirmed, his damp blonde hair dripping onto Colt's face.

"Well, someone has to. Although, if you think for one minute that I will be cleaning up the mess you made in the kitchen, you have a screw loose." She retorted, wiping her face from the water drips.

Felix's head flopped backwards in defeat. "Damn it. I should have showered for longer."

Colt laughed, "Wouldn't have saved you. Though, maybe you would smell better. Oh, and you can buy Iona and I, dinner later as well. Since you ate ours for breakfast," Colt added, winking at Iona in triumph.

Felix shrugged, "Sounds fair. Dinner with two beautiful felines on my arm? That makes me one very happy lion, one might even call me *prideful*" He offered up in response.

"Was that a joke?" Iona asked, looking back and forth between the two sitting together.

"It's best to not bring attention to them," Colt advised, "It will only encourage him," she teased.

"You forget, Kitten," Felix objected, "I know all the best ways to make you laugh. By force."

Colt's face lit up in alarm, as Felix grabbed a hold of her and proceeded to tickle her until she was gasping for breath. Periodically he would pause, just to allow her a moments respite before he would begin again. Enjoying the sounds of her screaming in laughter, amongst her cursing him to the depths of hell, as her body thrashed around wildly in his arms.

Iona stood back laughing, shaking her head at the crazy pair, but enjoying the side of Colt, that Felix seemed to bring out. She seemed less rigid around him, more carefree, and Iona started plotting whether or not, Felix could convince Colt to loosen up properly, maybe go on a full night out.

Finally, after what felt like forever, and not merely fifteen minutes, Felix stopped tickling Colt. He had gotten the result he wanted, along with some minor bruising from the way her body jerked and lashed out, while he was administering his revenge. Colt was panting hard, trying to catch her breath, while Iona sat smugly drinking her tea.

"You two so used to have sex, didn't you?" She asked brazenly.

Felix just winked, before adding, "Fancy trying it out?" Almost like an after thought, before he let out a pained grunt, "Oooft!"

Colt had struck his gut with her elbow, "I told you, to leave her alone. She is already trapped between two potential mates, without you messing it up further."

Iona scoffed, "No, just one man for me thanks. Anyway, theres no need to hurt him, Colt, he's nothing I cant handle," she stated, confident she could see through his playful banter and flirting.

Felix was on his feet in an instant, one arm around Iona's waist as he pulled her flush against his hard front.

Leaning into her ear he whispered, "Please, let me prove you wrong. You would really, really, enjoy it, Sunshine."

Iona could feel his breath against her neck as his stubble scratched her cheek, and she began to push him away.

"Get your hands off of me!" She hissed out, her claws lengthening and beginning to dig into his shoulders as a warning.

Felix stepped back with a smirk, holding up both hands in surrender, "And here, I thought you could handle me," he winked satisfied. "I am only messing around, Pretty Kitty, no need to look so worried."

"Felix, last warning - leave her alone," Colt reaffirmed.

"Oh alright," he huffed out, flopping back down on top of Colt in the chair.

Iona smiled at the two, "I'm heading out, I'll be back around five," she said, deciding to leave them to it.

Iona turned and ran upstairs to get changed, returning a few minutes later in her cat form. She dutifully hissed at Felix before jumping up and out the open window, running off when her paws hit the ground.

"So, that's where she came from then," Felix concluded, before Colt finally managed to shove him off of herself, and he landed on the floor with a thump. "Well, that was mean, I would have gotten you off, if you asked," he winked.

"You're a dick, you know that right, Pussy Cat?" Colt told him, ignoring his twisted words.

"You missed me, admit it," Felix responded, with a smile.

Colt leant forward, "I already did, remember?" she replied, "But tell me, what are you doing here?" She asked him.

"I was told you needed me," he answered standing up, "and that I was an idiot, if I believed you were in France. Which begs the question, Kitten, why all the lies?" He asked, getting straight to the point.