Birthright

Rhiannon felt the skin changing beneath her fingers as it sprouted sleek, coarse fur. She laughed quietly. “Wow.” The backs of her fingers eased along the cougar’s pliant neck. They dug more firmly into the coat when she scratched the cat’s back, keeping her movements rhythmic and slow. She wasn’t sure how much of Cian was present at those times and didn’t want to raise its hackles. “This is a first for me. You’re a spectacular beast, aren’t you?” The low purr vibrating her side and the creature’s warmth made her feel calm in a way she hadn’t in a long time. “Tell your human he’s spectacular, too.” Though she knew it had many drawbacks, she envied this transition, a secret one could carry into the open without others being the wiser.