Free Shifting the Night Away by Terra Wolf, Artemis Wolffe, Wednesday Raven, Rachael Slate, Lucy Auburn, Jami Brumfield, Lyn Brittan, Claire Ryann, Cynthia Fox

I’m a shifter, might fuck things up?"
    "You have a point, but we’re getting a little too old to play hide and seek in the park.   Just make her fall in love with you fast."
    "Is that all?   I’ll do my best.   I think she actually likes me, though."
    "They all like you.   I want you to eat all those dog treats so she loooooves you."   Charles wrapped his arms around his chest and made kissy faces.
    "Asshole," Peter said with a laugh.   "If I do that, you better be ready with the stomach pump."
    "The things I do for you," he said, shaking his head.   "Now let’s go find your mate."
    They drove around for twenty minutes to scan the area and give Mia time to settle in.   Peter made his way to the stone bridge and waited until the coast was clear to sneak closer to the thicket.   Her scent intensified the moment he shifted and stepped out of his clothing.   He also smelled the cheap dog bones she had placed in random patterns throughout the dirt rows, patterns that all led within three feet of the tree she was now sitting next to.   His ears perked up as her faint whistle broke the air.   He chuckled softly as he realized his body was propelling itself to her without instruction.  
    Peter peered through a shrub and watched her for a few moments.   The tall lampposts throughout the area provided just enough lighting to give the thicket a soft glow.   She was holding the box of bones tightly to her chest while her eyes scanned the trees somewhat nervously.   He stared at her full lips as they puckered for another quiet whistle.   Not wanting to make things too easy for her, he waited a few more minutes until she sighed from frustration and adjusted her body into a more comfortable position with her back against the tree.   Peter slowly edged into the pathway until his white coat caught her eye.
    "There you are!   Are you hungry?"   She pointed at some of the treats lying around the thicket.   Look.   Right there, boy."
    Peter bent down to smell one and quickly recoiled, purposely shaking his head with a sneeze for added dramatic flair.
    She watched him and frowned.   "You don’t like those?"
    He stared at her, the only movement coming from his occasional blinking.   She reached into the bag from the pet bakery and pulled out one of the peanut butter cookies.   Mia secretly hoped he hated these as well, so she could tell Peter he was wrong.   She tossed one near his front paws and he quickly gobbled it up.
    "Damn it," she said with a laugh.   "You’re supposed to be on my side."
    She threw another one even closer.   Peter didn’t hesitate and took a few steps in to devour it.   He stared at the bag and licked his chops, enticing her to deliver another treat.   Each toss brought him closer until he was only a few feet away.   He wanted so much to feel her hands along his coat, but didn’t want to stray too much from wolf-like behavior.
    "This is the last one."   She broke off a tiny piece and sent it flying towards him.   "You would like the guy who bought these cookies."   She brought her knees up to her chest and crossed her arms on top of them.   "I like him."
    Peter’s ears perked up as he slowly chewed the small pieces.   Do tell.   He lowered himself to his belly and stretched out his front legs.
    "What are you doing here?   Where did you come from?"
    Who cares?   Tell me you like the guy.   Peter rest his head on his paws.
    "You sleepy?"   She stared at him and suddenly started giggling.   "I named you Max.   You do sort of look like a Max."   She jostled the remaining piece of cookie in her hand and released a long, slow sigh.   "Would you pose for the guy?   Of course not, you’re a wolf.   But should I?"
    Peter released a low howl at the thought of her in lingerie.   "Really?" she laughed.   He covered by pretending to want the last bit of cookie.   "Okay, but this is the last of it."   She tossed it and held up both her open palms to him.   "All gone."
    She