CLARA'S POV
The massive cat shook its head again and waited for my response.
My mind reeled. I figured we had traveled from DC into the mountains of West Virginia. I was pretty sure mountain lions weren't indigenous to the area. Even more bizarre, I was communicating with the wild cat. "Okay. I won't shoot you if you don't try to eat me." My calm voice belied my racing heart. And my disbelieving mind.
A sharp nod came from the cat before it gave two abrupt growls. A higher pitched snarl erupted behind me before a smaller lion joined the first. This one was more white than red and obviously a female. She moved even closer to me and sniffed the air before lifting her ears in interest toward the male, who appeared to almost grin in response. The two turned and took up what could only be described as defensive positions between me and the forest.
