Chapter 12 #2
I’d seen snow leopards in documentaries, so I recognized the long fluffy tail. It was designed to keep the cat warm in cold temperatures.
Melody strolled in and plopped down on the hearth. “All this time, I thought she might be a deer. The mind boggles.”
I crossed my legs. “You’ll need to alter her clothes to accommodate that gargantuan tail.”
“You’re right.” Melody worried her lip. “She should avoid wearing thick material like jeans until we figure something out. If her tail gets trapped, it might cause an injury. We can’t exactly cut a slit into the back of all her pants, so I’ll have to think about this.”
“See where the tail is attached first. It might be higher than you think.”
Voices overlapped as the pack filtered into the room. I stood, anxious to see my cool hall neighbor. Cleo bolted into the art room and slammed the door.
Krys stalked toward the room. “I’ll talk to her.”
Tak gripped his arm. “I’m her alpha.”
“Yeah, but I’m the only one who can calm her down. Give us a minute.”
Darcy appeared, walking alongside Archer as if the two were old friends. I hated how much she was sticking her nose in our business.
“I saw where she went,” Darcy remarked. “The poor thing was crying up in a tree.”
Krys closed the door to the art room after going in.
While everyone milled around and spoke quietly, I attempted to eavesdrop. I’d never seen Krys so distraught. When Cleo jumped out the window, he fought back tears.
Darcy watched the door with an inquisitive stare before poking her head inside. When she pulled back, she gave me a sheepish grin. “You said no bedrooms, and this isn’t a bedroom. Do you want to know what they’re saying?”
I rested my head against the door.
Darcy put her ghosty little arm through mine, and when she did, I heard Krys and Cleo with perfect clarity. “Trust me,” Darcy said. “Close your eyes, and I’ll show you what I see.”
She stepped inside the room but kept her hand within my crossed arms.
Curious, I closed my eyes.
I’d never experienced anything so artificially vivid, even during my wildest sensory trips. It was as if I were standing in the room with Cleo and Krys.
Cleo stared sullenly at her reflection in the standing mirror behind the door. “What am I? Who’s gonna want me?” Tears streamed down her face, and she squeezed her eyes shut. “I wanted to be a wolf like you.”
Krys stood behind her, hands on her shoulders, his blue eyes steely as they looked at her through the reflection. “Stop the trauma drama. You hear me? Open your eyes.”
After what seemed like an eternity, she reluctantly opened her eyes and stared at her animalistic features.
Krys tipped his head to the side. “You’re not a freak.
You’re cool as shit. You even have fangs when you get pissed off.
That’s what Lucian has. Even Atticus has fangs.
That and a sharp mind will always protect you.
And look at those eyes. Holy shit. They’re wild.
I wish I had eyes like that. Can you see in the dark? ”
She shrugged.
I’d never heard Krys so supportive and complimentary to anyone. He wasn’t emotionally expressive, but you couldn’t hide your feelings from kids. They needed reassurance, and seeing him comfort her warmed my heart.
Krys circled in front of Cleo and took a knee. “Does it feel like your animal’s in charge right now? Like she’s wanting to take control?”
Cleo’s nose twitched. “It kinda feels like we’re fused or something. Like we’re stuck together, and some of my thoughts aren’t mine. You guys always say it’s like taking turns, but it feels more like I’m her and she’s me.” She glanced down at her tail. “Can I switch back?”
“Usually after the first change, your animal stays out the whole night. It’s their first time seeing the world. Try not to control her too much. You gotta give some of that up.”
Cleo squatted in front of him and cocked her head to the side. I could see what she meant about being fused. She was obviously fighting her nature, trying to be Cleo, but her animal was influencing her reactions and behavior.
Krys rested his arms on his knees. “Do you have super hearing and super smell?”
“I can smell”—she drew in a breath—“your soap. And bubble gum.”
“Bubble gum?” Krys stood and looked around before checking the bottoms of his shoes. One of them had a pink streak of gum squished between the treads. “I hope you’re not spitting out your gum in the yard.”
Cleo shot to her feet, her pupils dilating. “Are you blaming me?”
“I’m not blaming you. If you say you didn’t do it, I believe you.” He took his boots off. “I probably got it at the bar parking lot. Hey, you okay now? Are we all good?”
She directed her attention to the door, and for a split second, I thought she could see me. “They’re gonna laugh.”
Krys pulled her into a fierce hug and cradled her head. “Nobody’s gonna laugh at you. I won’t let them. I’ll break their legs.”
“What if Hope laughs at me? Are you going to break her legs?”
Krys barked out a laugh. “Jesus, kid.”
“I wish I were like you.”
He held her at arm’s length and bent down to face her. “Listen to me, and listen real good. You’re a badass. Don’t ever forget that. Come on. They won’t bite.”
She smiled as they headed to the door. “Yeah, but I might.”
As soon as the door opened, I pulled Cleo into a hug and twirled her around.
“How’s my favorite girl?” Seeing that tail swish and the look of surprise on her face was everything.
I had no problem showing my affection, and I wasn’t about to see Miss Pouty Face turn this amazing transition into a funeral procession.
“I may have to call you Catwoman.” I set her down and smiled at our brave girl. It was a strange feeling looking into her eyes and seeing flickers of both her and her animal.
Eden gave her a hug. “You’re gonna love being a cat. I can’t wait for our girls to meet! I always knew we had something in common.”
Archer touched her shoulder. “Look at it this way: Now you don’t have to wear those cat headbands. You’ve got your own ears!”
Cecilia nudged him, but Archer was too charismatic to be mad at. Cleo smiled as she walked to the center of the living room, her nose twitching.
Darcy sidled up next to me.
When Atticus approached Cleo and wasn’t paying attention, I whispered to Darcy, “Thanks.”
“De nada.” Darcy hooked her thumbs behind her overall straps. “If I could choose to be any kind of Shifter, I’d want to be her. Wait a second…” She jumped in front of me, eyes rounded. “Does this mean centaurs aren’t fictional? What about werewolves?”
Krys brushed up beside me and rested his arm over my shoulder.
“Productive talk?” I asked, ignoring Darcy’s hypothetical speculations.
“She can’t hide this. We need to show the town we’ve got her back and not to fuck around or they’ll find out.”
I had an impulsive urge to put my arm around his waist, so I tucked my hands in my pockets to keep them occupied.
Cecilia branched away and went into the game room. I wondered if Catcher was spooked by the half-leopard girl, because he was sitting across the room near the gong.
Tak snapped his fingers, and Catcher approached obediently, his head low and tail straight. The Packmaster held his snout to grab his attention. “This is our newest packmate. Cleo’s animal is very special.” He stroked Catcher’s head and firmly said, “Be good.”
Catcher sniffed Cleo, who backed up a step. After a few more sniffs, the wolf flipped over and twisted playfully.
Robyn chuckled. “Catcher doesn’t let just anyone rub his belly.”
I knew that feeling all too well, but he was also looking as submissive as possible so her animal wouldn’t see him as a threat.
“Go on.” Tak nudged her. “Give it a rub. A genie might pop out,” he said with a laugh.
Cleo knelt and scratched Catcher’s belly.
When she did, he twisted around and licked her arm.
Then he flipped over and licked her neck until she giggled, all while using the playful moment to sniff her animal.
Even though Cleo hadn’t shifted fully, her cat was partially out, and that changed her scent.
Our wolves needed to go through the same introductions as we would with any other packmate.
When he walked around to sniff her behind, Tak nudged him out of the way. “That’s enough.”