A Cat named Moon by Amanda and Tabitha (great books of all time .txt) 📖

cats generally teach the new cats what goes on. I set the rules. Those close to me help me enforce them, but mostly I handle keeping things quiet. You are here because you live with King, the cat-killer. I need him."
Chance hissed "Are you insane? He'll rip your throat out, and every other cat!"
"No. He won't. Because he'll be ripping into something more important and bothersome than the cats I look after and govern."
The tom snorted. "Even if you could do it, I know the humans who took me in love that dog. They even named it...for whatever reason."
"He'll return."
I don't even have a choice here, do I?

"Fine. I'll release him."
"Excellent. We'll be watching. Jinx will take you home and explain further."
Then she and Stone scaled the ivy wall and disappeared into the church through a hidden hole. Jinx growled from behind him, making Chance jump out of his skin.
"Follow me."
He shook his head and limped after his guide.


It was almost dawn when he returned to his home, exhausted. Jinx didn't seem the least bit tired, however. Even King was asleep. The dog was snoring so loud Chance was sure Sandy could hear him three houses down.
"When you see an orange cat with a torn ear and long fur release the dog. Not until then. Then get inside quickly. He will do the rest. It will be right before dark."
Before he could say anything she'd raced away, disappearing into the shadows. With a shiver, the cat turned to his house and slipped through the cat door. He found his bed and fell fast asleep.

Sandy and Rex were in his yard around noon, calling to him until he woke up. Chance groomed, drank his cream and headed outside. The three of them chased one another and play wrestled for a while, then sat and groomed one another. It was getting late.
All day Chance had tried to find a way to release King without getting killed. Now he had a plan.
"Let's torment the old fool." Chance flicked his ear at a dozing King. He'd worn himself ragged by barking and lunging for the cats.
"What?" Sandy's eyes were wider than a car tire.
"Common, he's on the chain, right?" Rex meowed confidently.
She shrugged. "Aright. But we'll need to stay out of his range. How do you want to do it, Chance?"
"We should tangle him around that tree over there. If you two scratch him hard enough on the muzzle he'll chase you. Then, when he's tangled up, we dig up the chain thing that keeps in the ground. We race up the tree as fast as we can!"
"And what about you?"
"I'll slip in my cat door. Oh, common guys. He'll be so turned around he'll just pace the tree. It'll drive him nuts, not being able to chase us and all tangled up."
"Can't we race up the tree with his chain in the ground?" Rex sounded unsure.
"I thought you guys were brave! I bet Tiger would play this with me!"
Rex growled. Sandy looked at her paws.
Fine. Plan B then!

"Whoever gets up the tree fastest wins."
"And what's the prize?"
Chance thought on his paws. "Three days of all my cream and a pick from my toys."
Sandy looked at Rex. "I'll make that mutt bleed!"
"But I'll reach the tree first!"
"Yeah right!"
The two rushed at the dog, tag-teaming him. Chance joined them. His furious yelps filled the air. Thankfully the humans weren't home, or they'd be in trouble! When he looked ready to kill, Rex and Sandy tag-teamed getting the dog tangled around the tree. Chance began to dig on the thing that pinned the chain, quickly joined by his racing friends.
"Get up the tree now!" Chance hollered. "Or I keep it all!"
They raced up so fast the dog didn't know they were there. Chance saw the orange cat watching him the edge of his yard; his ear was wrangled almost beyond usefulness. He nodded. Chance finished digging and bolted into his home. The orange cat streaked through the yard like fire was on his paws, bit the dog's tail and turned tail. Enraged, the dog was after the speedy feline.
Chance came out to see his friends at the base of the tree, looking terrified.
"What was that stray doing?" Rex asked.
"Yeah. He's dead."
Chance mumbled about him being pretty fast, that maybe he'd get to a hiding place.
"Anyway, you were both really fast! Rex climbed faster but Sandy got there faster. She can have the cream. Want one of my toys?"
They forgot all about the stray and came inside for a toy. Sandy could have the cream tomorrow.
"Night guys." Chance said."Goodnight. Don't go back out tonight, alright? King is still loose! Be careful going home."
"We will." They left.
Chance lay down in his soft bed, but this time his dreams were tormented by the orange cat being shredded by the dog Moon had him release.

Chapter Three: King's Throne

Moon jumped to the ground, landing beside Thorn. The orange tabby tom was muscular, with broad shoulders. Two dogs stood close to him. In the shadows, she could see her own back up cats.
"I warned you that the dogs needed to stay out of my territory, Thorn. Agree now or you and your mutts will pay a heavy price."
The cat sneered "Sure, and what are you going to do against my ten dogs, miss moon-gazer? All of you will die trying to fend them off. They don't stop killing just cause a cat scratches their noses."
The sound of a low, deep barking made Thorn whirl, as if furious. The two dogs with him, black and tan brutes, turned to see what was going on. Their eyes stretched wide as King came pounding after an orange cat with a mangled ear.
"That ain't my dog!" Thorn snarled. "It's a chained one!"
"He doesn't look chained to me." Moon hissed, leaping onto the fence post and into the trees. Thorn looked at his two goons.
"Go on! Get him!"
They growled.
"Wait a second, puppy. Shouldn't your master teach that cat-muncher a lesson? He is

being a bad boy!"
The dogs looked to Thorn. His eyes went wide. The cat looked back and forth between them, then yowled and took off running. The dogs snarled furiously and took after the tom, barking at him. The orange cat suddenly leaped onto the fence then into the tree. King looked around, confused. The dog sniffed the air. He turned around a few times, found the his old scent and turned back toward home.
"Does King really hate cats?" Moon asked quietly.
"Are you kiddin'?" The orange cat panted. "He kept saying 'play, play, play' in dog. That ain't hate! He thinks I'm a livin' toy!"
"Sorry. Go on home."
"Of course."
He slipped into the shadows and was gone.
Moon waited. Then, as she heard the dogs approaching, she jumped down.
"Thorn ain't no problem, pretty cat." The dog said in rough cat. "But why should we stay outa ur place? I like cat burgers. They's an easy meal."
"Get this right, dog-breath. We can give you wounds that will kill you slowly. We can make everything you eat poison. And I'm really good at knowing what a stray needs. If I work things right, these strays won't have a reason to fear you. Don't terrorize my cats. We won't mess with your dogs. For the love of the moon, Vince, we can even work out some...agreements."
The dog looked thoughtful. "Like what, small fry?"
Moon flicked her tail. Jinx appeared with a puppy trailing after. "Leave us cats alone, Vince. Puppy's are curious, and humans love them very, very much. If you're not careful, my friend, none of your pups will see the streets off a chain again."
"Alright, moony. We'll leaves your cats alone. And these kitties too. But I ain't leavin' this town. Common, son. Let's go home."
The puppy ran up to his father and the dogs took off.
Moon told her. "You know where I'll be, Jinx. Make sure the dogs obey."
"It will be done, Moon."
"Good."
And the she-cat was gone.

Imprint

Publication Date: 01-25-2012

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To all those cats who have died in the streets as a stray, and those house cats who want to do more...