FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

-I-

The little brass shopkeeper's bell rang as Katie Strickland entered the bookstore. She closed the door quickly and quietly and took a soothing breath of cool air. Her shapeless sweater and baggy skirt were not the most practical clothes for a summer heatwave, and she was grateful for the air conditioning. She stepped into the shop, clasping her hands together so she would not be tempted to touch the shelves, packed to overflowing with old hardcover books.

Three years ago a sudden downpour had driven Katie into the little bookshop, and she had returned every Friday since. Most weeks she had books on order, other times she came to browse through the used paperback section. But if she was honest with herself, Katie would admit she really only came to visit him.

“Welcome to Carter's Rare Books and Manuscripts." Simon Carter, a scarecrow of a man in a patched tweed jacket and thin-framed glasses, did not look up from the big book open on the counter at the back of the shop. “Used paperbacks are in the corner."

Katie crossed the room quietly, holding her ankle-length skirt close so it would not snag and topple the books stacked haphazardly on the warped hardwood floor. As she approached the counter she was careful not to block Carter's light, she was happy to wait for him to finish his reading. It gave her a chance to watch him without his noticing. She thought it was adorable how his lips moved ever-so-slightly as he read. He couldn't possibly know he did that, and she would certainly never tell him.

Carter tugged thoughtfully at his black goatee and finally raised his eyes from the yellowed pages. “How can I help you? Oh, Katie!" He straightened his glasses and smiled, his whole dour demeanour changing in an instant. “Is it Friday already?"

Kate nodded, speaking in a small voice. “It is, yes, Simon. Have my books come in?"

“They have, indeed." Carter closed the big book. There was no legend on the cover, but there was something about the way the pale leather binding reflected the light that made Katie feel uneasy. She reached up to touch the cross that hung from her neck, feeling its hard shape through the fabric of her sweater.

Carter reached under the counter and pulled out a set of three freshly-printed paperbacks, spreading them out for Katie to see. “Oh! But I only ordered two, I think?"

“Yes, that's right," Carter said. “Let's see here… You ordered Duke of Scoundrels and The Primrose Bachelor's Ball. You've already paid for those, so we're all set." He slid the third book across the counter towards her. “This one is… well, it's from me."

Katie's heart fluttered in her chest as she saw the cover image of a bestial, hulking figure silhouetted against the full moon. She didn't recognize the title. “The Wolves of Desire Cove?"

“I read it years ago." Katie was one of very few people who knew of Carter's secret love of romance novels. “I think you'll like it. It's your classic tale of star-crossed lovers, but with a supernatural twist! Oh… though I should warn you, perhaps a little steamy in parts. But there's no serious profanity, I know that's important to you."

Katie was uncertain about the subject matter, though something about the cover was… oddly compelling. “If you recommend it, it must be good. How much do I owe you?"

“Oh, no, please." Carter leaned back. “It's yours. A gift. For… ah… being my most reliable customer all these years. I might be out of business if you didn't come in every week." He chuckled lightly.

Katie could feel herself blushing, and she was sure he must notice. She quickly gathered up all three books, hugging them close to herself. “That's… very kind of you, Simon. Thank you."

Carter hesitated a moment, then spoke gently. “You know, you don't have to come in here every week. I'm only ordering those off the internet for you. I'd be… happy to show you how to do it for yourself."

Katie's heart sank. “No!" she said, much louder than she intended to. “I mean… Sorry… No, Simon, I enjoy coming here. I really do."

“Oh!" Carter's thin lips turned up in a smile, and he tugged at his scrap of beard. “Well… that's fine, too. I enjoy your visits, as well. You're always more than welcome here."

She smiled back, relieved… and maybe a little thrilled. He enjoyed her visits!

“You know, Katie, I was planning to close for lunch in a few minutes" Carter tugged his beard again, looking a little bashful. “There's a very nice café on the corner, if you wanted to…"

Katie felt her whole body tense up. She couldn't deal with this! Go out to lunch? With Simon? What if something went wrong? What if he didn't like the way she ate?

“I'll get out of your way, then!" she blurted out before he could finish asking a question she was too afraid to answer. She turned and hurried away, grabbing her skirt close as she dodged between stacks of books. She could feel his eyes on her.

“Wait, Katie," he called after her. “I meant…"

“See you next Friday!" she said, not daring to turn back. She rushed out, the little brass bell ringing frantically above her, and slammed the door behind her. What would Mother think of such rudeness?

Safely out of Carter's sight, she leaned back against the shop door, closing her eyes tight, muttering angrily at herself. “Stupid, stupid, stupid… Why can't you just be normal you… you dumb cow." It was harsher language than her mother would have approved of, but Katie deserved it for such a public display.

It wouldn't do to let Carter find her here, hanging about like some lovesick pup, Katie thought, and hurried away. After that humiliating display, she wasn't sure she'd be able to come back next Friday. Maybe not ever again.

-II-

Valencia stepped down from her carriage, ample bosom straining against the tight lace of her bodice. She ran a blood-red tongue over sharp white teeth, her eyes bright and alive. It seemed she was to have some excitement this night after all; the first she had encountered in this dreary land.

“What is the meaning of this?" she demanded of the men blocking the road. Rough woodland peasants, dressed in the coarse woollen tunics of those who had never known the touch of lace finery.

A leader stepped forward, a big man, tall and barrel-chested, with wild hair and a beard as black as night. He glared at her with piercing black eyes, arrogant in the face of his betters. “You must go no further, milady." There was no fear in his voice, no deference to her obvious higher station of nobility. “You are trespassing on private lands."

“Oh, how amusing," Valencia laughed, musical and mocking in the darkness of the night. “These are private lands, sir, but if anyone is trespassing, it is you. I am the Countess Valencia Bloodthorne, and these lands belong to me now."

“You are mistaken, milady," the big man said, raising his chin in open defiance. “I am Lord Blackmoon, and these lands have belonged to my family for generations."

“I have never heard of any Lord Blackmoon." Valencia's blood-red lips spread in a vicious, predatory smile, revealing razor-sharp incisors. “More likely you are brigands, and my guards shall make short work of you."

Six hale and healthy men-at-arms stepped forward, drawing long swords from their sheaths, gleaming in the pale light of the full moon. The so-called “Lord" Blackmoon did not step back, did not so much as flinch at the threat. Instead he raised his heavy arms, loosening the laces of his tunic and slipping it off, over his shoulders. Valencia's heart fluttered at the sight of the hirsute, virile man standing bare-chested and defiant before her, his big hands clenched into angry fists.

“It is you who is mistaken, milady. Gravely mistaken. We are no mere brigands." With a grunt of effort, he hunched his back, shaking and tensing his powerful muscles. Valencia gasped as, before her very eyes, Blackmoon's body started to shift and change. His back and shoulders flexed and swelled, growing thick with new muscle. His powerful arms grew still more powerful, massive biceps pushing against taut skin. Dark hair thickened and spread from his chest, across his shoulders and down his back. He raised his head, stretching a neck thick with muscle, moaning in a mix of pain and pleasure as bones fused and reformed in his face, his jaw and nose stretching and lengthening as great white fangs forced his slavering mouth into an open snarl. He threw his head back, howling like a beast to the full moon above.

The monstrous wolf-man stood there, in all his glory, huge and terrifying and steaming in the cold night air. His broad shoulders slowly rose and fell with each slow, deep breath. He spoke in a deep, guttural voice, full of passion and barely-restrained fury. “Nay, milady, we are no brigands. We are the Wolves of Desire Cove!"

“Oh my," Katie gasped, looking up from her book. Even in the shade of her usual tree Katie was sweating. The heat was even worse this Sunday morning than it had been the day before, and the unexpectedly steamy book was only making things worse. It was a silly fantasy, really, all very gothic and arch, not much of a plot. But that description of Lord Blackmoon, shifting and changing under the light of the full moon… Katie was surprised that Simon Carter would be interested in such fantastical fiction. He had always seemed so down-to-earth.

Katie removed her glasses, wiping sweat from her eyes. Perhaps, she thought, this particular book would be better enjoyed at home, in private. She glanced around guiltily, and then froze, her heart leaping into her throat. Down the path, not far away, stood a huge, hulking figure covered in dark, shaggy fur. As he turned she could swear his face was extended into a long canine muzzle, large ears twitching atop his head, and a shaggy tail at his back.

A strange, thrilling panic overtook her, and she scrambled to put her glasses back in place. The blurry world was replaced with a sharp one, and the hulking werewolf instantly resolved into her friend, Mark Harper, out on his daily walk. He was looking around and calling out, as if searching for someone, but Katie was too far away to make out his words.

Katie let out a shuddering sigh of relief, though she felt something else, as well. A tiny trace of disappointment? She reached to her chest, finding the hard shape of the cross resting beneath her sweater. What did it say about her that she would, even for a moment, look at that nice man as if he were some kind of… monster sex fantasy? What would he think of her if he knew?

What would Mother think!

“What are you reading?" a voice asked suddenly, right next to her. Katie yelped in surprise and nearly fell off the sandstone boulder she was sitting on.

“Whoops!" A hand grabbed her arm, steadying her balance. Katie turned to find herself face-to-face with a stunning red-haired woman, sitting right next to her on the big rock, far closer than was polite for a total stranger. “Sorry, didn't mean to surprise you! I was just curious about your book."

Katie looked down to see she was still clutching the paperback in her lap. “This? It's nothing, really."

“It didn't look like nothing," the stranger said, smiling coyly. “In fact it looked like you were quite enjoying it. Can I see?" Katie was too shocked to offer much resistance as the stranger pried the book out of her hand. “The Wolves of Desire Cove, huh? Sounds interesting."

Katie found herself staring at the odd stranger, unsure what to do as the red-haired woman flipped through the book, dark blue eyes scanning the pages, pausing every so often to say “Oh!" or “Ah!"

“I'm sorry," Katie blurted out, finally. “Have we met?"

“Nope. Not really." The woman snapped the paperback shut. “This book is incredible! Can I please borrow it when you're done? It's full of good ideas!"

“There you are, I thought I'd lost you." Katie looked up to see Mark approaching quickly, a look of concern on his face.

“You'll never lose me," the woman said. “Not that easily."

“You two know each other?" Katie was shocked. Mark was such a nice man! Katie wouldn't have expected him to be friends with someone like this strange woman, dressed so scantily in tight shorts and sports-bra. Mother had names for such women, none of them kind.

“Uh… Yeah, sort of." Mark seemed uneasy, maybe a little embarrassed even. “Katie, this is Vee. Vee, this is my friend Katie. The one I was just telling you about." He looked down at the romance paperback, still in Vee's hands. “Are you reading something? Where did you get that?"

Katie felt her throat tighten, knew she was already blushing. Vee opened her mouth to speak, but then hesitated, turning her dark blue eyes to Katie.

“It's nothing." Vee casually turned the book title-side down, sliding it over to Katie. “Katie was just letting me take a look at her book."

Katie let go of her cross, taking the paperback with both hands so she could conceal as much of it as possible against her skirt. Had she misjudged this strange woman? Extremely liberal dress sense aside, she seemed… kind. And if Mark was friends with her, how bad could she be? “How do you know each other?"

“We met yesterday. Right here in the park," Vee said with a smile.

“Oh," Katie said. “I had wondered why I didn't see you on your way back yesterday."

“Uh… Yeah." Even with his beard, Katie could see Mark was blushing now. “I guess we sort of lost track of time. Talking."

“I see." Katie glanced over at Vee. The red-haired woman was looking at Mark with a strange, crooked smile on her face. Amused and adoring, Katie thought. She suddenly felt very much like a third wheel.

“I see," Katie said, very much feeling like a third wheel. She hesitated, then grabbed her knit wool bag, slipped the incriminating Wolves of Desire Cove safely inside, and stood up from her rock. “I had better be going."

“Oh, are you sure?" Vee turned to her, and Katie was surprised how disappointed she looked. “You can't hang around for a while? I'm dying to meet Mark's friends."

“You don't have to go, Katie," Mark said, concern on his face.

“I'm sorry," Katie said, taking a step back. “I don't mean to be rude." She looked Vee over again. Toned and athletic, with her hair cut shockingly short and styled over her head in a sweeping crest of bright red. Surely that could not be her natural colour. This was not the sort of person Mother would have approved of. Not at all. And yet… “Any friend of Mark's must be… a good person. It was nice to meet you, Vee."

Vee smiled, her eyes startling and bright. Katie had the strange feeling Vee's gaze was piercing right through her, peering into her innermost thoughts and desires. It felt like this woman saw her – truly saw her - in a way no one else ever did. As if she knew something about Katie that Katie didn't even know about herself.

It was too much for Katie to bear. She turned abruptly, walking quickly away from the pair as they called out goodbyes after her. She didn't dare turn back. She couldn't face the intense scrutiny of those eyes again.

-III-

When she got home, Katie immediately drew herself a bath. It had been a terrible weekend. First the humiliating display at Carter's Books, and now this strange encounter with Mark and his new “friend". On top of all that there was this terrible heat wave, which apparently was only expected to get worse. She could allow herself one small indulgence of a cool bubble bath.

She neatly folded and stacked her clothes while the antique clawfoot tub filled. Sweater and blouse, skirt and socks, briefs and plain, practical bra. Simple, modest clothes for a simple, modest woman.

Even if she wanted to, Katie could never dress like that woman in the park. She wasn't hideous, not really, she knew that much at least. Just… underwhelming. Pear-shaped with wide hips and a round bottom and stomach, both softer than they could be. Square jawed with a thin nose, and auburn hair that hung limp and lifeless to her shoulders whenever she let it down from a tight bun.

Katie could do something about that, she supposed. There must be some product, some style that would work much better for her. And make-up, of course. She could even get her ears pierced, now that Mother was gone, maybe join a gym. But she wouldn't know where to begin. She'd have to ask a hair stylist, or some saleswoman at the makeup counter. That would be too much, admitting that she didn't know about any of these things to a stranger. Katie didn't have the courage to face that. She couldn't even accept a lunch invitation from a gangly book-seller.

She wasn't hideous, but she wasn't special, and she never would be. Not like that woman, Vee. That was about more than looks, it was about confidence. Attitude. And Vee seemed to have plenty of that. It was no wonder Mark was attracted to her, really. He might be a kind man, but he was still a man.

Katie realized she had let the water run too long, and quickly shut it off before the bath could overflow. She lowered herself into the cool, refreshing water, placed her arms along the sides of the tub and slid down until the bubbly water closed over her modest bust and the little silver cross she still wore hanging around her neck. The cool water was bliss, a real relief from the day's relentless heat.

She reached over and picked up The Wolves of Desire Cove, and started thumbing through it. She had lost her place when Vee took the book, but she should be able to find it again easily enough…

_ Lord Blackmoon snarled and thrashed, struggling against the silver chains that held him fast to the stone dungeon wall._

_ “I've told you, there is no point struggling." Countess Valencia Bloodthorne smiled, thrilling as she watched the bestial Blackmoon flex and strain against his bonds, powerful muscles rippling beneath his thick black fur._

_ Blackmoon snarled, baring great huge fangs. “Have you come to gloat again, vampire? Did you not get your fill last time?" He gazed over her voluptuous form, watched her every sinuous, snake-like movement. He would not admit that her presence here only filled him with new strength, new vigor. How the stinging barbs of her mocking words were nothing compared to the ache he felt when she was not here._

_ She stepped closer. The werewolf lord was so huge, her head barely came up to his chest. “My dear Lord Blackmoon, I doubt I shall ever have my fill of you," Valencia said, placing her hands on his broad, powerful pectorals, running her slender fingers through thick, warm fur. “You are such an… impressive specimen, after all."_

_ Blackmoon growled, low in his throat, tensing at her touch. When she was this close her scent was almost overwhelming in his sensitive lupine nose, all foreign spices and exotic incense. He lowered his massive head towards her, sniffing deeply at her hair._

_ “You cannot hold me here forever," he growled, low and rumbling._

_ Valencia's undead heart fluttered in her chest. She must not reveal that reaction to her enemy. Must not let him know how she could feel every deep, rumbling word he spoke as if it reverberated within her. Must not reveal how she thrilled to feel his eyes upon her. “You are my prisoner, Lord Blackmoon," she said, reaching up to his face, guiding him to nuzzle at the curve of her pale, smooth neck. “You are mine to do with as I please."_

_ Blackmoon was breathing quickly now, drinking in her exotic scent, massive shoulders shaking. “What are you doing?" he asked, lips curling in a snarl. “I could tear your throat out in an instant, you know."_

_ “Then do it," Valencia mocked. She angled her head and pulled closer to him, pressing her neck right up to those sharp, bestial teeth. She felt him shudder, felt his great jaws open around her pale, delicate flesh._

_ She ran a hand down his body, across his powerful stomach, seeking the fleshy tube of his sheath. She rubbed and squeezed gently, feeling the thick werewolf cock hidden within immediately harden at her touch. “I have never tasted werewolf, Lord Blackmoon," she whispered into his furry ear. “Have you tasted vampire?"_

_ Blackmoon moaned. He need only close his powerful jaws, sever the life of his tormentor in an instant, and claim his freedom from this delicious torture. It was his responsibility as clan leader, as steward of this land. But try as he might, he could not bring himself to end this._

_ “I thought not." Valencia stepped back slowly, taking her neck gently from his jaws. Her hand lingered on his sheath, fingers playing idly around the already damp opening, where a bit of glistening red flesh even now peeked out, threatening to emerge more fully._

_ She watched him a long moment, running blood-red tongue along her sharp fangs, ample bosom heaving against the tight leather of her bodice. Then she took her hands from him, and produced a tiny silver key. She lifted one of his massive hands, and with only a moment's hesitation, unshackled the huge silver manacle around his wrist. And then the other._

_ No longer chained in silver, Lord Blackmoon was free to escape. To fight. To run. He did none of these, only gazed down at the entrancing vampire countess standing before him. If this was some kind of trap, some kind of trick, it no longer mattered to him._

_ “What do you want with me?" he asked._

_ Valencia smiled, ran her tongue over her teeth. “A taste," she said, hands drifting to the laces of her tight leather leggings. “On your knees, Lord Blackmoon."_

“Oh my!" Katie nearly dropped the book right in the bath. She held it further out to one side, over the edge of the tub, in case her grip faltered again. Her other hand had already slipped beneath the water's surface, stroking gently between her legs as she read further.

“Oh… Oh my…" She let the book fall to the bathroom floor and leaned her head back against the porcelain tub, sinking deeper. When she closed her eyes, she could almost see Lord Blackmoon standing before her, huge and bestial and wild…

It's pretty good, huh? a voice said, echoing in her head rather than heard in her ears.

“Mmhmm," Katie agreed in a drowsy tone.

Wait until you get to the next bit. That's when Lord Blackmoon's squire shows up, trying to rescue him.

“Don't spoil it, please," Katie said with a snicker, and lazily opened her eyes.

At the foot of the tub perched a small red fox, head tilted and watching her with the most intense dark blue eyes.

Strangely, Katie was not alarmed to see a wild animal in her bathroom. “This is a dream," she sighed, irritated at herself. “I've fallen asleep in the bath again."

Not exactly, the fox said in her mind. She could somehow tell it was amused. There was something very familiar in the fox's intense gaze. It seemed to pierce right through Katie.

“Do I know you?" It was a stupid question to ask a fox, even in a dream.

We met earlier. In the park, remember? The fox stood, padding gracefully along the side of the tub, somehow keeping its footing as it moved around behind her, bushy tail caressing her shoulders. I'm a friend of Mark's.

“Vee?" Katie turned her head and peered into those deep, dark eyes. “You… weren't a fox then."

I'm not really a fox now, either. Don't worry about it. The vixen leaned forward, nuzzling Katie's neck. Is it true? Has no one ever told you how beautiful you are?

“I… No." Katie raised a wet hand out of the bathwater, gently stroking the nuzzling vixen. She wrapped her tail around the back of Katie's neck, like a strange little hug. “No, I don't think so… Thank you."

The vixen – Vee? - nuzzled up against her a moment longer, warm and soft against her wet skin. I've brought you a gift , she said, suddenly jumping down from the tub and trotting over to the bathroom door. The doorknob turned on its own, the door pulling open just a crack. You're going to like it. It's even better than your book. The vixen looked back once, then swished its tail, and vanished through the gap in the door.

Katie stared after the vixen a moment, then blinked and shook her head. She touched the little silver cross around her neck, felt the firm solidness of the porcelain bathtub. Was she awake now? Had any of that actually happened?

Either way, if she didn't get out soon she was going to prune. She pulled herself out of the tub, grabbing a towel and patting herself dry before wrapping it around herself. The terrycloth felt surprisingly soft and pleasant against her skin, as if she were feeling it for the very first time.

She cautiously opened the bathroom door and stepped out. Katie always kept the lights low, as Mother had, and the curtains drawn to frustrate the efforts of window-peeping perverts. It made the old house rather gloomy, but it was surely worth the price.

“Vee?" she called out softly, feeling rather foolish. Of course it had been a dream.

Suddenly a figure loomed in the darkness, a black silhouette against the glow of curtained windows. It turned to face her, tall and hulking, with a massive chest and broad shoulders covered in thick, shaggy fur. Katie looked up to see not the face of a man, but the bestial head of a vicious wolf, angular ears twitching and turning towards her voice.

“Katie…" The creature's voice was a deep rumble.

She swallowed, feeling a huge, heavy lump in her throat. “Lord Blackmoon?"

-IV-

The monstrous shadow loomed over Katie, all rippling muscle and dark fur. It seemed to fill the room, blocking the light from the curtained windows behind it as it stepped towards her. When it spoke, its voice was a deep, bass rumble that Katie could feel as much as hear. “Who's Lord Blackmoon?"

For all its masculine depth and bestial power, the voice was also familiar. Very familiar. Katie felt like she had snapped out of a trance, and reached back quickly, hitting the light switch. “Mark!?"

The monster yelped in surprise as the lights snapped on, stepped back and immediately crashed his head into the faux-crystal chandelier that hung from the ceiling. He raised huge, clawed hands to his head, struggling with the strings of glass beads getting tangled in his shaggy hair. He took another step back, caught the coffee table with the back of one big leg, and toppled over. The big creature hit the floor with a tremendous THUD!

“Oh my God!" Katie rushed over, kneeling over the fallen monster. “Are you okay?" She placed a hand on his chest to check. Beneath the thick coat of tan and black fur, he felt like solid muscle, and Katie wasn't sure she could help him up if she tried. Suddenly self-conscious, she pulled her hand back, clenching it against her own chest.

“I'm fine. I'm okay. Ow…" The monster that spoke in Mark's voice sat up, untangling a few fallen strings of faux crystal from his fur. “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Katie stared at him in total disbelief. “Mark you… You're a werewolf?"

Mark's ears turned back and flat on his head, sheepishly. “A German shepherd, technically." He carefully pulled his feet free of the fallen coffee table. They were huge canine feet, elongated from the ankle and with broad paws, a blunt black claw on each padded toe. “I wasn't expecting to look like… this. She didn't warn me."

“You're in my house!" Katie cried in alarm. She stepped back, tugged up her towel so it wouldn't slip any further.

“Right, I can explain that," Mark said, uncertainty in his voice as he turned his body away from her, pushing himself up to a standing position. He had a tail as well, Katie saw, tucked down tight against his firm, muscular ass.

“And you're naked!"

“So I am." Mark's tone was defeated as he turned back to face her, covering himself with his big clawed hands. It was too late by then, Katie had already seen the huge tan-furred balls hanging beneath a long, thick sheath. It was just like in her book, only instead of being tied up in some gothic dungeon, Mark was standing in her living room and shedding all over Mother's antique furniture.

“What the he-… heck is going on?" It was harsh language for Katie, but surely justified. She took another step back from the towering dog-man, pulled her towel tighter. She was blushing, she was certain of that. As bizarre as this all was, it was also… exciting. Hadn't she been imagining the fictional Lord Blackmoon just like this, only a few moments ago? Huge and intimidating, yes, with a raw, masculine power and a monstrous visage but… when she looked up to his eyes, it wasn't a monster looking back. They were still his eyes. The brown, kind eyes of her friend Mark Harper.

Don't worry, Vee's voice echoed in Katie's head. You're safe. We aren't here to hurt you. The little red vixen appeared again, as if out of nowhere, weaving between Mark's dog-like legs, caressing him with her bushy tail. Mark smiled down at the fox, and Katie could see his tail start to wag slowly behind him.

The fox turned around Mark's side, and seemed to stretch and grow, smooth and fluid like a drifting cloud of smoke. The fox stood upright, rear legs lengthening and reforming up to smooth, feminine hips. Paws became black-furred hands that wound around Mark's arm. The vixen's bushy tail grew larger and fluffier, wrapped itself around Mark's back. She stretched out a slender neck, and leaned a head that blended human and vulpine features against Mark's powerful arm.

The fox woman made a contented sound, leaning against the big dog man a moment, then turned startling blue eyes to Katie again. Katie had never seen anything like her, but she immediately recognized Vee.

“You're naked, too," Katie observed.

Vee laughed, a light and musical sound. “I don't know why you humans wear clothes to begin with."

Vee's chirpy attitude took a lot of the edge off this impossible experience. Katie did feel safe – for the moment at least – if very confused. “So you're… not werewolves?"

“Oh no, nothing like that." Vee shook her head. “No, Mark here is still just Mark. The same guy you know. I've just made some… modifications." She ran one hand playfully down Mark's arm, to where he was still bashfully covering his groin with his hands. He swatted her hand away.

“And you're… what, exactly?" Katie asked. “Some kind of… magic fox?"

Vee smiled, but seemed to think on it a moment. “I'm… something else entirely."

“She won't explain it to me, either." Mark smiled apologetically. His tail wagged cautiously behind him, like a dog seeking approval from its master.

“This is too much." Katie grabbed the crossed around her neck and stepped over to the antique loveseat, hidden under a cover as it had been for years, at Mother's insistence. She kept her distance from the two creatures that had invaded her house, dropping down heavily on the covered cushions and pulling her knees tight together to protect her modesty. “What is happening? Why are you in my house? What do want from me?"

“Oh no, Katie, we don't want anything from you." Mark took a step forward, but he stopped dead when Katie tensed up, his tail dropping between his legs and his ears drooping.

“We're here to help you, Katie." Vee had a concerned, sympathetic look on her face. She unwound herself from Mark and moved gracefully across the room, perching herself on the edge of the loveseat next to Katie. She was much closer than Katie would have preferred, but still giving her space. “You're sitting here in the dark, alone in this big house, surrounded by the crumbling possessions of an old woman, reading about the sort of life that you could be living instead."

“No, I'm… I'm fine. I'm happy," Katie lied, staring down at her knees.

“You're not, Katie. I can tell. I can feel it. You're lonely. Terribly lonely. And you don't have to be."

“No," Katie squeaked. “I'm just… a little shy, that's all."

“You're not just shy, Katie." Vee slid a little closer to her on the loveseat. “You're not just modest. You're afraid. Afraid of what people will think. Afraid that they'll reject you. Afraid that you'll be punished just for having perfectly normal needs and desires."

She moved even closer, right next to Katie now, and reached up to place a hand over Katie's, where she was holding her cross. “Afraid of this, for some reason… I don't really get that part." Vee looked puzzled a moment, then shrugged it off, smiling kindly.

Katie was shaking. Who was this woman? What was she? “How do you… know these things?"

“I just know," Vee said softly. She took Katie's face in her hands, velvety paw-pads cradling her cheeks. Katie could feel that big, soft tail wrapping around her shoulders, warm and comforting. “You are a beautiful, powerful woman, Katie." She brought her face close, almost nose-to-nose with Katie, speaking in barely a whisper. Katie found herself staring into the vixen's deep, dark blue eyes. Those eyes seemed to go on forever.

“There's a fire inside you, Katie." Katie found herself leaning forward, releasing her cross and reaching, shaky and uncertain, towards the beautiful vixen. “You've felt it, too. A burning passion." Katie shivered, tilting her head slightly as she and Vee came ever closer. “A deep… consuming… desire…"

“Yes," Katie whispered. She could feel Vee's breath hot on her face, the soft fur and firm flesh of her sides under Katie's clumsy groping fingers, the great fluffy tail wrapped around her, holding her close.

“I can show you how to command that fire, Katie." Vee ran her hands down Katie's neck and chest, black furry fingertips resting on the edge of her towel. She was so close, so warm and soft… “I can help you share it with the world. Do you want that?"

“Yes," Katie whispered, her eyes fluttering shut. “Please…" She parted her lips, leaned forward.

Instead of the lips she expected, Katie found herself kissing empty air. She blinked her eyes open to see that Vee had backed off, just a little. Had she misread the vixen?

“No, no," Vee said softly, as if answering Katie's unvoiced question. “Nothing like that." She stroked Katie's cheek, ran velvety fingers softly over her trembling lips. Katie could see that Vee was breathing just as heavily she was, gazing at her with the same desire Katie was feeling. “I would if I could." Vee smiled, and leaned forward again, wrapping Katie in a tight hug.

Katie hugged back, and looked past Vee to see Mark still standing across the room, watching them with his ears standing high up on his head, his chest and shoulders moving with deep, even breaths. She ran her eyes further down his big, furry body, towards his… “Oh!"

Mark still had his hands down to cover himself, but he was no longer doing an adequate job. His slick, tapered cock had emerged from its sheath, several inches rising up past his hands.

Vee leaned back from the hug, pulling her feet up on the couch to snuggle up against Katie. The vixen grinned at Mark. “Enjoying the show, are you?"

“Huh?" Mark blinked like he was coming out of a trance, and looked down. His ears went flat back on his head. “Oh! Sorry!" Mark tried to re-cover himself, but when he brushed against himself his cock only throbbed and swelled even larger.

Vee laughed, and Katie found herself laughing along with her. “No, don't hide it!" Vee said. “Katie wants to see!"

“This is embarrassing," Mark said.

“You love it!" Vee grinned, then turned back to Katie. “He loves it, don't worry. Do you want to see?"

Katie hesitated, glancing from Vee's intense eyes to Mark's face, and then irresistibly back down to his groin. She put her hands firmly in her lap, trying to stop them from shaking, fingers curling over the edge of her towel. “I… kind of do, yeah."

Mark sighed theatrically. He straightened his back and spread his arms out to the side. His cock fell forward, red and engorged, bouncing a moment before coming to rest at a slightly upward angle. Katie had never seen anything like it, thick and glistening, with a little bead of pre already sitting at the tip, like a tiny white pearl.

“Oh wow," she gasped.

“I know, right?" Vee snuggled against Katie, stroking her own white-furred stomach and watching Mark with a sly smile.

“Happy now?" Despite his tone, Mark's shaggy tail was wagging quickly back and forth.

Vee nudged Katie. “He likes your body, too, you know."

Katie could feel herself blushing again, and looked down at her feet, hiding a tiny smile. “You do?"

“I mean… I haven't given it a lot of thought or anything."

“Liar," Vee teased.

“Not a lot of thought," Mark said firmly. “You always seemed so… shy. I never would have said anything, I didn't want to creep you out. But… yeah, I always thought you had a very pretty face."

“And you wondered about the rest," Vee said, her voice a purr. “You imagined…"

Mark turned his long canine nose down, averting his eyes. He shrugged, but his tail was going faster than ever. “A little. Yeah."

Katie felt very warm. She glanced over to see Vee already watching her with a smile. The vixen nodded encouragingly, then leaned back, taking her weight off of Katie and drawing her tail back across her bare shoulders.

Katie raised her arms to hold her towel in place and stood, a little shakily. She took a few breaths to steady herself, and then unwrapped the towel from around her body, letting it fall to the floor.

Mark's tail had stopped wagging, and his ears sat straight up on his head, pointing towards her. She spread her arms to her sides, shivering a little despite the heat. She had never shown herself to anyone like this. It was frightening to stand so vulnerable and exposed before another person… but exhilarating, too.

She watched Mark as he ran his eyes down her pear-shaped body, over the slope of her modest teardrop breasts, down to her wide hips and settling on the bush of auburn hair between her legs. She blushed ever deeper as she saw his cock swell and rise to a higher angle. How big was it going to get?

Mark smiled, and spoke softly in his rumbling voice. “You're beautiful, Katie."

She smiled and wrapped her arms around her stomach, which only pushed her naked breasts up and together. “Thank you."

“I told you so. Everyone thinks you're beautiful." Vee jumped up and crossed over to Mark with a bounce in her step. She moved like a dancer, brushing a hand tenderly against him, crossing behind him and pulling her bushy tail along his body, wrapping it around his waist. Mark's attention was entirely on the vixen now, his tail wagging and a dumb smile on his face, his ears sitting at a floppy, goofy angle as he took her hand.

He was so much taller than Vee - her head barely reached his shoulder – but seeing them together, Katie thought Mark was the one who looked small and vulnerable.

Katie felt just a little bit of jealousy, but not as much as she felt their happiness. “You're more than just friends, huh?"

Mark looked up, like a deer caught in the headlights. “Oh… Uh… We… haven't really put a label on it. Right?" He looked at Vee, but she was just smiling, clearly enjoying his squirming.

“Today, he's here for you." Vee let Mark's hand go and crossed in front of him, trailing a hand across his chest. “I don't mind sharing. This should be shared. That's the whole point of it."

Katie nodded. “Right. Okay. I've never… What do we do now?"

“Whatever you want," Vee said. “I know you've already got ideas. You want to touch him… You want to feel him touch you… You want… Oh!"

The vixen locked eyes with Katie, a toothy grin spreading across her face. She knew, somehow. Katie couldn't guess how, but Vee knew exactly what Katie had been thinking.

“Lord Blackmoon," Vee purred. “Oh yes… Good idea."

“I still don't know who that is," Mark said.

“Hush." Vee stood on her tiptoes and reached up to guide Mark's face to hers. His ears flicked, and he put one big hand on the vixen's back, steadying her against him.

They kissed. It was just the smallest peck, a tiny show of affection, but its effect on Mark was obvious. Every muscle in his massive body seemed to tense. He tightened his grip on Vee, pulled her tight against him. His huge erection quivered, the pearly bead of fluid growing, spilling over and dribbling down the length of his throbbing cock. As Vee broke the kiss, his lip turned up in a shuddering snarl, and he leaned in for more.

“Uh-uh." Vee pressed a finger to Mark's snuffling nose. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. “Focus, Mark. This is for Katie.

Mark clenched his jaw, nodded shakily. With what seemed like great effort he released Vee and turned towards Katie. He stepped forward slowly, muscles rippling beneath his fur.

“Oh… my God." Katie felt weak at the knees as Mark towered over her. In his eyes she could still see the kind, gentle man she knew, but there was something else there now. A powerful, bestial hunger. An insatiable need… for her.

“Say it, Katie," Vee purred. “You know you want to."

Katie looked up at the looming beast. She swallowed nervously. “On… On your knees," she said, very quietly and not at all commanding. Then politely added, “Please."

Mark's ears twitched, and a smile tugged at his lips. He lowered himself carefully to the floor and brought his muzzle close to her auburn muff. She could feel his breath hot on the inside of her thigh, coming in short, sharp breaths as he drank in her scent. Katie reached out with both hands to gently rub his big ears.

“Careful! Those are sensitive!" Vee said, as Mark started to growl. He reached out suddenly and grabbed Katie's hips, gentle but firm, and he pulled her forward, buried his muzzle between her legs.

“Oh!" Katie laughed in surprise, then gasped as she felt his hot, wet tongue press firmly against her pussy, drawing slowly along the delicate flesh of her labia. “Oh God…" She nearly fell forward, steadied herself on his head, ran her fingers through his shaggy fur. She gasped again as his tongue explored deeper, parting her labia and passing between them, just barely entering her.

Mark paused, and she looked down to see him peering up at her, brown eyes hungry, but questioning. She nodded. “Yes," she whispered. She was okay. She was enjoying this. She wanted more.

Mark dropped his eyes and changed his grip, moving his hands behind and supporting her round ass. His shoulders flexed, and Katie's stomach fluttered as she felt herself lifted up off the floor. He laid her down on the loveseat, hips hanging off the front, supported by the huge shepherd. Katie let go of his head and braced herself against the loveseat cushions instead. He gently lifted her legs up and over his shoulders, laying them across his muscle-bound back before reaching to support her hips again.

His tongue entered her again, drawing up slowly as she moaned, inner walls fluttering against him. She felt his tongue slide up further, wet and warm as it found and pressed against her clitoris. Katie moaned and lifted her hips, rubbing her sensitive button against him.

He went on, slowly and patiently, rubbing and licking her clit. He moved one hand from her hip, and she felt a furry finger press against her slick, wet cunt, then slip gently inside her. “Don't stop…"

She shuddered as he slid his finger carefully in and out of her sopping sex. She writhed and moaned as he licked her clit, slowly grinding her hips against his touch, trying to pull him deeper and deeper inside.

A tension was building in her, spreading from her loins and running down her body. Her legs tensed, pulling tight against Mark's back. As she watched, her feet started to shift and change, her heels sliding up her legs, her toes expanding, spreading into broad, cat-like paws. Sharp black claws burst, one by one, from the ends of her toes, though she felt no pain as they emerged.

“What's… happening to me?" Tawny yellow fur was sprouting from her feet, short and sleek, running up the length of her legs as they tensed with slender muscle, excess fat melting away.

Mark lapped and licked at her, faster now, his finger pressing deeper within her, seeking her pleasure spots. There was a pressure at the base of her spine, and she lowered her head to see a long, slender tail snaking out below her, slapping the floor in a random staccato pattern. She gasped as it reached its full length and the end suddenly burst into a puff of thicker reddish-auburn fur.

She reached out for Mark, grabbing the back of his head and pressing her hips forward into his face. “Don't stop!" she cried. “Oh drat… Oh heck…"

The pressure built inside her as tawny fur spread up over her hips, across her pelvis, and then suddenly bloomed into a great, pillowy patch of red-auburn fur, burying Mark's face entirely. She came hard, pussy clenching tight around Mark's finger.

“Oh fuck!" she cried out, squeezing Mark's head tight between her furred thighs, her whole body shaking as intense waves of pleasure wracked her body.

Mark held her in place until the powerful orgasm was spent, and she felt her body go heavy and limp, a tingly warmth passing through her limbs. He raised his head, smiling, her fluids dripping from his shaggy chin. He licked his chops happily.

Katie smiled back, slowly catching her breath. “What… What happened? What is this?" She weakly lifted one feline leg.

“It's okay," Mark said, backing up a little, gently lowering her legs to the floor. “It's something Vee does. It's not permanent."

“Do you like it?" Vee asked, appearing behind Mark and placing a hand on his shoulder.

Katie tried to lift herself up, and Mark moved quickly to help lift her up onto the seat properly. She waved her tail at one side, slapping against the covered furniture. She rubbed her thighs, feeling the soft golden fur between her fingers, the great puff of reddish-auburn, damp with her own juices.

“I love it." Katie looked at her still-human hands. “Is there more?"

“There can be," Vee grinned. “I just think it's more fun when it lasts longer." Mark smiled at the vixen, putting a hand over hers and squeezing affectionately. “Do you want me to…?"

“No! Not yet." Katie looked over her shoulder, towards the bedroom door, then back to Mark and Vee. “There's a full-length mirror in the bedroom… I want to see it happen."

-V-

The bedroom mirror had been covered as long as Katie could remember, hidden behind long curtains to protect it from dust and sunlight. To protect a young woman from catching an accidental glimpse of herself, admiring what she saw, and becoming conceited. Now the curtains were open at last, and as Katie looked over her sleek feline legs, admiring the long tail draped over her round bottom, she wondered what was wrong with a little conceit, anyway? She was a beautiful woman, and always had been. Why had it been so hard to recognize that?

The whole house was like same, Katie realized. The mirror, the antique furniture, every knick-knack and ornament her mother had collected over her life… Even sunlight had been forbidden entry. Everything of beauty had been covered and concealed, hidden away to protect it from the world.

What was the point of protecting beauty that no one would ever see? Beauty that would never be shared with anyone?

Katie reached out, touching her own fingertips reflected in the mirror. “I've wasted so much time."

“Don't worry about it." Vee sidled up next to Katie, gave her a comforting squeeze around the shoulders. “You've got plenty of time left to make up for it."

Katie leaned into the hug and wrapped her new tail loosely around the Vee's legs. The tail felt so natural, like she'd been using it all her life. “I don't think I am Katie anymore. I mean, I'm still me, but… Katie was what my mom called me, you know what I mean?"

“Not really," Vee shrugged. At least she was honest. “I don't really remember my parents. I just have a vague sense of some really extreme daddy issues. What's wrong with Katie?"

“Nothing, really. It's just a name for a little girl, don't you think?" Katie gently stroked the tawny fur on her stomach. “I'm not a little girl anymore. I haven't been for a long time, I guess."

Vee hugged her a little tighter, smiled at her in the mirror. “Well, then what should we call you now?"

She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “Kate. You can call me Kate." She turned to face Vee, confident now. This felt right. “My name is Kate."

“Well it's very nice to meet you, Kate," Vee grinned. “I knew you were in there, somewhere."

Mark stepped up behind them, catching his breath. “Alright, Katie-…"

“Kate!" both women snapped in unison.

“Okay," Mark said in the tone of a man resigned to never knowing what's going on. “Kate it is. Is this about where you wanted it?" While the two of them had been talking, Mark had been tasked with pulling Kate's heavy four-poster bed halfway across the room, positioning it in front of the mirror.

Kate climbed onto the bed, careful not to extend her claws and shred the comforter. “I think this will do," she said, facing the mirror. From here her own reflection would fill most of her field of vision.

Kate lay down on her back, but she had to crane her neck over the raised foot of the bedframe to see herself, and once she did her glasses immediately fell from her nose and against her forehead. “This won't work. Hang on." She turned on her side, tried bringing her body across the bed, but that wasn't going to work either.

Kate pushed herself back up to her knees, sat back on her legs. Her tail flicked back and forth on the bedspread. “I think this will do." She leaned forward and braced her hands on the bedframe, pushed her feet back along the comforter, stretching her back, slowly, like a cat. She lifted her rump high into the air, tail snaking above, and smiled at herself in the mirror. Ass high, shoulders low, breasts hanging bell-like below her, little silver cross dangling between them.

“This will do perfectly," Kate said. She turned her head to see Mark staring at her. He had never entirely lost his erection, but now he was showing even more glistening cock than he had a moment ago. He was holding Vee's hand, and seemed to be gripping rather tight.

In as husky and seductive a voice as she could manage, Kate said “I'm ready for you now."

Vee nudged Mark towards the bed. He let the vixen go and climbed up on the bed behind Kate. The old springs creaked in protest under his weight, the mattress shifting so much that Kate nearly lost her balance. Mark gently pulled her legs a little further apart, making room for himself between them, and Kate slapped her tail playfully across his face, grinning at him in the mirror.

Once he was in position, Mark reached a hand out and pulled Vee up onto the bed next to him. The vixen wrapped her tail around his back and leaned forward over him, stroking and teasing his dick.

“Are you sure about this, Kate?" Mark asked, meeting Kate's eyes in the mirror.

Kate nodded. “I trust you. Both of you."

Mark pulled himself a little closer, while Vee guided his throbbing member to Kate's loins. She felt the hard shaft slide between her legs, and rocked herself back a little, rubbing her pussy across his slick length.

“I'll be gentle," Mark said softly.

“Not too gentle." Kate grinned as Mark's ears went back bashfully.

Vee wrapped an arm around Mark's neck and dropped down to hang against his chest. “Brace yourself Kate, I'm going to give him a kick-start." She checked the mirror, re-positioned herself so that Kate could see Mark's face clearly.

Vee hesitated a moment, stroking Mark's face and muzzle with a tenderness that melted Kate's heart. “Focus on Kate," the vixen whispered

Mark nodded, locked eyes with Kate in the mirror. “You ready?"

“I'm so ready," Kate said, pressing herself back against him.

Vee lifted her head and kissed Mark. The effect was immediate, just like before, but this time, with her body pressed against his, Kate could feel Mark's reaction. He tightened his grip on her furry thighs, blunt claws pressing into her skin. His cock swelled and flared, pressed up hot and hard against her wet pussy. His chest and shoulders heaved with excited breaths, and a great deep growl rose in his chest, so low and powerful that Kate could feel it reverberating through her own body. His eyes stayed locked on hers in the mirror, alive with wild passion, burning with an insatiable sexual hunger.

Vee pulled herself up and out of the way, drawing her long tail across Mark's stomach. She seemed just as excited as Mark was, turning to face Kate in the mirror and sliding one black-furred hand down to her own crotch. That same consuming hunger was in her deep blue eyes.

“Take me," Kate said. She shifted her hips forward, found the wet, quivering tip of his cock. “I'm ready. Take me." She pressed back, shivering as she felt her pussy lips part around his hot meat, bringing him inside herself.

Mark shuddered lips turning up in a grin that showed sharp teeth, then suddenly thrust into her. Kate had thought she was ready, but it took her by surprise anyway, and she cried out as she felt herself stretched around his girth. She immediately clenched down around him in response, and fell forward onto her elbows and chest, wincing.

Mark looked horrified. “Kate! I'm sorry!"

“No… Shut up…" Panting, Kate pushed herself back up, stretched her legs further apart. “Do it again."

His ear flicked, and she felt his cock twitch inside her. “I… okay." She gasped as she felt him sliding back, pulling just a little ways out of her. Then he thrust forward again, a little more gently this time. She couldn't help but clench around him again, and pushed her hips back, wanting him deeper.

“Again!" she cried, rocking forward and then back. He met her with another thrust, pushing deeper and deeper inside her. “Oh… you're so big! Don't stop!" He felt enormous inside her, stretching her wide open. It hurt, just a little, but it was a good hurt.

She rocked herself back and forth in time with his pounding cock, moving faster and faster with each thrust. In the mirror she could see tawny yellow fur spreading across her back, feel it growing along her stomach, up over her swaying breasts. A warm pressure built in her tits, and she moaned as they started to fill out, growing rounder and firmer as her cross bounced against them.

“Oh f-fuck," she gasped. “I like this." Fur ran over her shoulders, down arms that tensed and toned with new muscle. She adjusted her grip on the bedframe as her hands shifted and changed, soft fleshy pads forming on her palms. She yowled as sharp black claws burst from the fingers of her right hand, and then again on the left. Kate grabbed tight to the bedframe, digging her new claws into the dark-stained wood. She tensed her feet, popping her rear claws and digging them deep into the bedspread, holding on for dear life. The bed creaked and groaned in protest.

Kate pulled her lips back in a snarl, teeth growing huge and sharp in her mouth as fur spread up over her chin, across her strong jaw. Her face ached and stretched, jaws pushing out into a short feline muzzle. Long black whiskers sprung out to either side of her flat pink nose. Her ears were growing rounder, sprouting their own fuzz and sliding up the sides of her head.

Suddenly her vision blurred, and she surprised herself with a guttural, animal snarl. She gripped the bedframe tight with her right hand, and reached up with her left to pull her glasses off her face, hurling them across the room.

With clear vision now, she saw her own eyes in the mirror, no longer a muddy hazel brown but a brilliant emerald green set in a fierce leonine face. Her hair was turning redder, to match the patch below her waist, growing longer and wavy, cascading down across her shoulders and over her swaying breasts. “Oh fuck… Look at me!" she roared.

Kate pushed herself further up on one hand, raising her body to get a better look at herself. She could still recognize her own shape, a little more toned and fit than before, but still with the smooth curve of her stomach, the narrow waist flaring out to broad, pear-shaped hips. Bell-shaped tits heavier than before, bouncing and shaking with every powerful thrust from the massive shepherd grunting behind her, his thick cock vanishing into her red-auburn muff, swollen knot slamming against her.

Vee was pressed up against Mark, practically spread across his back, grinding her body against him. She met Kate's eyes in the mirror, smiling and licking her lips.

“Fuck me, Mark!" Kate howled, grabbing onto the bedframe with both hands again, digging her claws in deep. “Show your girlfriend what you can do!"

The whole bed was swaying now, back and forth with their movements. She could hear wood cracking, but she didn't care. “Don't you dare pull out," she moaned. “Fill me! Fill me the fuck up!"

She felt his cock swell inside her. He made one final, powerful thrust, slamming hard into Kate and pushing her whole body forward. Kate's eyes rolled back in her head, every muscle in her body tense and spasming as she clenched down hard around the huge cock inside her. She swore she could feel him come, thick ropes of heat flooding her, filling her to overflowing, trapped inside by tightness of her cunt around Mark's monster dick.

The bed collapsed with a loud crack, toppling forward as the footboard broke away from the frame. Kate fell flat on her face against the mattress, arms stretched out in front of her and claws still deep in the broken footboard. Mark nearly fell on top of her, putting his hands down to either side of Kate at the last second, still shaking and coming inside her. Vee squealed and tumbled past his shoulder, out of sight of the mirror.

“Oh shit," Kate gasped for breath, trying not to laugh. “Oh shit… Fuck. Fuck cunt shit," she babbled happily, trying to remember any other swears she might know. “…Tits."

“Y-Yeah," Mark said, panting for breath. “Oh shit! Vee?"

“Is she okay?" Kate chuckled, peeling her claws free of the footboard.

“I'm fine!" Vee's arms appeared over the side of the bed, and she pulled herself up, grabbing Mark's leg and collapsing against his side, out of breath and beaming. “Oh I'm so much better than fine. Kate, you're incredible! I knew you would be. All that pent-up sexuality…"

“Thank you," Kate said, then gasped as she felt Mark start to pull out of her, still tight and hard against her sensitive flesh. “Oohhh… Your boy isn't so bad himself."

Mark glanced up, smiling sheepishly in the mirror as he pulled himself free and settled back on the bed. He wrapped an arm around Vee, pulling her close.

“Yeah, I guess I'll keep him," Vee said softly, running a hand through the fur on Mark's chest. “You can borrow him any time you want, though."

“I don't get a say in this?" Mark asked.

“You love it!" both women said in unison.

Kate turned over onto her side, pulled herself around to face the two of them. Mark was leaning back against the headboard, and Vee was leaned back against him, both gazing at each other with stupid smiles, holding each other's hands.

Mark might not want to put a label on it, but whatever you called what he had with Vee, that's what Kate wanted. Well, that and sex with lots and lots of people. She had a lot of missed years to catch up on, after all. But she wanted that as well, more than anything.

“I think I owe someone lunch."

-VI-

The little brass shopkeeper's bell rang as Katie Strickland entered the bookstore. She let the door fall shut loudly behind her and took a deep breath of cool air. A midriff-baring shirt and cropped leather jacket were far more appropriate clothes for a heatwave than heavy skirts and sweaters, but she was still grateful for the air conditioning. She stepped into the shop, trailing a hand along a bookshelf filled to overflowing with old hardcover books.

This was the first time in three years she had come in on a Wednesday instead of Friday. She had wanted to wait, but she couldn't help herself. She had no books waiting on order. She was not interested in browsing the used paperbacks. She just wanted to see him.

“Welcome to Carter's Rare Books and Manuscripts," Simon Carter said absently from his place behind the counter, not looking up from his reading. “Used paperbacks are in the corner."

Kate's heeled boots tapped sharply on the warped hardwood as she crossed the room with feline grace and confidence, black jeans fitting too snugly to risk catching and toppling a stack of books. She went right up to the counter and leaned against it, intentionally blocking Carter's light.

“Did you know you move your lips when you read?"

“I beg your pardon?" Carter scowled, looking up and straightening his glasses, clearly ready to give her an earful. He stopped dead when he saw her, his mouth hanging slack open.

“It's adorable," Kate grinned. Vee had seen to it that she would not need her own glasses anymore. Kate would keep her new emerald green eyes even in human form.

Carter furrowed his brow in confused recognition. “Do I… know you?"

Kate laughed. “Yes Simon, you know me." She toyed with the little silver cross that hung around her neck, drawing Carter's attention to her full cleavage, beautifully supported by a properly fitted bra, for once. “I wanted to stop by and thank you for Wolves of Desire Cove. It was… incredible. Full of so many good ideas."

Carter's eyes opened wide in disbelief. “Katie?"

“I'm going by Kate now," she purred, letting just a little hint of her inner-kitty out to play.

“I almost didn't recognize you," he said in awe. “Are you wearing makeup? And you've gotten your ears pierced! And your hair… I don't believe I've ever seen you with your hair worn down."

“You like it?" Kate tossed her head, sending a cascade of wavy red-auburn hair over her shoulder.

“It's… very you. Yes." He smiled sheepishly, and tugged on his little beard, running his eyes over her body appraisingly before nervously clearing his throat. “It's not Friday already, is it? No, no it can't be. You're early this week."

Kate nodded. “Yeah, I know. I was in the area and thought I would stop by and ask when you're closing for lunch."

“Lunch? Ah… Noon, I suppose."

“Good." Kate grinned, wide and predatory. “I hear there's a lovely café on the corner. You can meet me there." She turned and walked away from the without waiting for an answer. She could practically feel his eyes following her ass. How would he react if she 'went wild' right now and let her tail out?

“I've made some life changes, Simon." Kate stopped by the door, turned back to give him one more good look at her. “You're going to like them."

Carter just stood there in stunned silence as she stepped out into the blazing sun. He had better not be late for lunch, or she'd come hunting for him.

In fact, Kate thought she might even prefer it that way.