I looked over to see Tigra jogging with them, there was no mistaking it was her as she was the only Album Tigris. She glanced in my direction and smiled. I felt so happy to see her, almost like her presence was something I had needed at that moment.

I had not seen Tigra in weeks, we had been both so busy with training, that our times of playing hide and seek had almost been forgotten. I’d heard not only did she have a master here at the academy now but also a private tutor, they wanted the crowned princess to be strong.

“Sis.” Loki waved excitedly, she remained quiet but waved back.

“Training nobodies, what have you come to Master Lance,” she snorted as they came to a stop at her signal. I caught a glimpse of Tigra’s anger, she hated it when others said that about Loki and I.

“They have much potential,” responded Master Lance calmly.

“The prince who never learnt to control his power and a patched up baker’s boy.” She looked down at us with a strange malice I suspected came from the darkness swimming around her.

“They will be powerful warriors for Cathopia one day, no student is useless, with the right training anyone can be great,” said Master Lance glancing at me.

“I bet they can’t even outrun my class.” She was trying to annoy us.

“Wanna bet.” I spoke up.

“Fang.” hissed Master Lance, not wanting me to put up a fuss.

“Aren’t you the confident one,” she smiled.

“You can’t take on a challenge after you’ve just used up a high percentage of your power,” warned Master Lance.

“So.” I didn’t care I’d take on any challenge.

“You sure master,” whispered Larana. I nodded, ready.

“Don’t have much confidence in your own student,” she smirked. “Can your best take on mine.” Tigra stepped forward, signalling she was the best within her group of sibling students.

“Well…” Master Lance glanced at me then Tigra. “Yes.”

“Excuse me.” She didn’t like that. “Let’s have them race around the grounds.”

“Alright,” nodded Master Lance. “It’s all he does anyway.” He shrugged, accepting he would not be able to talk me out of this.

Tigra and I stood side by side, we didn’t say a word to one another, just focused on the challenge ahead set by our masters. I glanced at her, wondering how her training was coming, she’d worked harder than me, so I knew this would be difficult.

“Get ready, set,” began Tigra’s master.

“Go!” shouted Master Lance.

Tigra got the lead, using her lightning abilities to give herself a head start, she’d seemed to have even more control over it. The sparks flowing all over her body, almost showing off every inch of her body in a different light.

I shook my head, smirking as I ran after her. This was just like the cat and mouse games we loved to play. Tigra glanced back with a smile on her face, she was enjoying this too.

It didn’t take me long to catch up, running next to her I felt my heart racing with excitement, an overwhelming feeling of happiness to be running with Tigra again. I knew it was a competition, who was the best trained student but that didn’t matter I was with my best friend having a race.

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“Oh, you can keep up,” she taunted.

“I’ve been training hard since that flame attack,” I answered. “Plus, how else am I going to become your Guardian.”

Tigra’s beautiful smile grew, slowing down at the thought. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet, am no Guardian,” I spoke.

“I have faith in you.” She said as I ran in front of her. “Wait…” She’d noticed her own hesitation. “Don’t think I’ll let you win.” She speeded up again.

“I don’t need you too,” I grinned, easily keeping in front. She tried running around me, but I moved and blocked. “This race is mine.” I cheered becoming overconfident.

“Oh no you don’t.” Tigra pounced. I felt her claws on my back, forcing me over.

As I fell forward, I twisted around grabbing hold of her arm, pulling her down with me; I wasn’t going to let her just win like that. We both struggled to pin down the other, rolling along the ground trying to overpower each other until it ended with me on top of her.

Panting out of breath, my heart racing wildly. I looked down at her pinned under my weight, so close our faces were almost touching, I felt this strange tightness in my chest. I had never noticed before but Tigra was so beautiful, her fur so silky, her deep blue eyes shimmering in the sunlight, her beauty took my breath away.

Tigra puffed out her cheeks, most probably annoyed I had pinned her and not the other way around. I noticed her cheeks go red, was she embarrassed?

“You can get off me now,” gulped Tigra.

“Oh, sorry.” I moved off her, sitting beside her I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

“What are you staring at?” She snapped. I quickly looked away getting another glance at the shape of her body, why did I keep looking at her like this?

“Your highness.” Tigra’s master came running over. “Are you alright?” She glanced at me as Tigra sat up. “Master Lance, you should teach your students not to touch royalty.”

“It was an accident.” Master Lance shook his head.

“I don’t care, mangy thing.” She spat helping Tigra up and pulling her away.

“Fang.” Tigra looked back at me, reaching her hand out.

“Tigra.” I called after her, confused at the way her master was acting, the way she dragged Tigra away.

“Fang are you alright?” questioned Master Lance.

“Fine.” I got to my feet, confused at how I was suddenly seeing Tigra, had she always been that beautiful? “I think I’ll go home.” I just walked off without another word.

“Fang?” Master Lance called after me, but I just kept going.

I headed straight home to the bakery, where mum was both surprised and glad to see me. She was just closing the bakery for the day, a bit earlier than usual but it sometimes happened when mum sold out of everything, it just showed how popular the bakery was nestled in the heart of the castle.

“Alex, you’re home early,” she commented.

“Done with training that’s all.” I shrugged as if it was no big deal. “Dad home?” I wanted to talk to him about what had happened today.

“No, he’s talking with King Alton,” answered mum.

“Another meeting,” I sighed. “He’s been going to those a lot lately.”

“Things are close to either staying peaceful or bringing about the destruction of that peace.” Mum responded almost absentminded.

“Mum?” I looked at her concerned.

“I’m fine,” she smiled.

I was about to head to my room, when I noticed an Avis sitting in the living room, her eyes full of tears. I stared at her for a moment, she was different from any Avis I had seen before, she had white feathers covering her body and bright blue wings; her face was different she didn’t have a beak, she looked more like Larana.

“What’s an Avis doing here?” I questioned; she had the wings so she must be an Avis. If not, then what was she?

“Her name is Athena; her home was attacked. As far as we know she is the only survivor,” informed mum. “Queen Daz decided she would be best here, where the almighty Fang could watch out for her.”

I snorted at her comment. “But this is a city mainly of Feles.”

“I know but she is a very special Avis,” as she said those words, I moved a little closer, she was like no Avis I had seen before.

“So, she’ll be staying with us.” I verified.

“Yes,” nodded mum. “Be a good boy and take care of her.”

I stared at Athena for a moment. I wasn’t ready for something else to happen today when I was already processing the strange feelings I got when I was looking at Tigra. “Not today.” I went in the direction of my room.

“Something happen today?” asked mum. I glanced at her but said nothing, heading into my room. I wasn’t sure how to answer mum or even my own questions, maybe tomorrow I would gain the answers I wanted to know, what were these feelings the sight of Tigra would inflict upon me.