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When we are both bare, the change comes easily. Magic sparks in the air.

My cheetah has been so eager to come out to play.

My paws land on the soft, slightly damp earth, and peace rushes over me. Tears come to my eyes from the relief and joy of being in my cheetah form again. I don’t remember the last time she was able to run free. For the first time, I see Elijah in cheetah form through my animal’s eyes. I can see better through her eyes. Every sense is enhanced. The smells. The sounds.

Elijah is stunning.

He is bigger than me even like this. The shine from his coat almost blinds me. I bet it feels like silk.

He nudges with his head, rubbing gently. He runs his nose down my side, and I shiver. The mark on my neck, visible even in this different body, throbs. My animal loves being on display for her mate. She wants to show off. To preen under his attention. To run with him and show off how fast she can be.

I stand still, letting him circle me, smelling, tasting, and basking in his love.

I talk to my cheetah in my head, almost as if she is a different person. Some shifters don’t acknowledge their animal as a different part of themselves. We all have our own ways of relating to our animals. Some may not see a difference. I think ofher as part of me, but at the same time, she has separate feelings. We communicate, similar as with other shifters, in pictures.

Elijah finishes his examination and steps in front of me.

I dip my head and bump his chest with my head, communicating my submission with the action. I then slide my forehead up and tilt my head in front of his mouth. He licks his mark in approval and respect. He is my Alpha. I will let him guide me.

He eases back and turns.

I follow.

We run.

Sometimes side by side. Sometimes with him in the lead. We race through the trees and grass. We leap over random rocks. The wind skates over our coats. Not many shifters could catch a cheetah. We are in our element sprinting through the trees.

Fuck, I missed this. I needed the freedom it brings me. Having Elijah with me makes it so much sweeter. I may have not expected him, but I don’t regret finding him.

Even when I was with my mom, I didn’t feel so free. We were always looking over our shoulders. We tried not to shift for long periods of time. Our scent is stronger while we are in animal form. I don’t miss the constant fear. As much as I miss her, there are things I don’t want to remember. Elijah is right—it wasn’t always good. I shove the bad things deep down inside.

My ears perk at the sound of water. A small creek comes into view. I follow Elijah into it. We drink and then play. I don’t remember the last time I have seen water.

We lay on the grass beside it in the sun, drying our fur.

He shifts back and I watch him as he walks a few yards away, picking up a pile of clothes from behind a bush.

“I always keep some clothes around the area,” he explains. “Shift back, Kitty Cat.”

I do immediately, taking the shirt he holds out. “Thank you.”

“It’s more for my benefit. I can’t concentrate with you naked,” he grins. Once we’re covered, we sit, our arms brushing. “I needed that.”

“I did, too.” His body is relaxed now, the anger lessoned. “I understand your frustration.”

“I can’t make a mistake,” he admits, staring at the water. “I can’t lose you. I am already very possessive of you. The thought of something happening to you makes me sick. Having you out of arm’s reach makes me anxious.”

“You don’t have to explain. Even though I haven’t bitten you yet, I feel the pull.” I pull my knees up to my chest, my chin on top of them. “Sometimes, I’m so fucking angry at my mom.”

“Why?” He turns so he is facing me.

“You were right. Things weren’t always good. I ignored the bad. She was an amazing mom, but I wish she would have fought. All those years, we ran away. Always worried. Always scared. She did try to make it seem normal—fun even. When I was little, I didn’t know any better. As the years passed, and I grew up, I knew it wasn’t normal. I would see other people sit with friends.

“One time, we were in the car across from a school. I was so jealous of all those kids. They had no idea the horrors of life. They got to have sleepovers, go out with their best friends, and have boyfriends. Their parents always had food for them. They would have birthday parties, get presents. I was so envious of their normal lives. I’m sure some of them had it hard. But I didn’t see that then. Maybe they were putting on a mask like I was.”

“A mask?” he asks lightly.

“My mom would get sad and quiet anytime I would complain or whine about something we had to do. If we had to leave a town in a hurry because he found us, or if I voiced my wish for new clothes. I stopped doing it then. I put on a happy face. I triedso hard to always be positive. I felt as if I couldn’t have feelings. I always had to stay in control. I couldn’t let a frown slip through or a tear.