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

back to rushing."
    "All it takes is one phone call and you’ve got cops searching the grounds with a tranquilizer gun."
    "I know, I know."
    "Do you really?   It’s one thing to take a little stroll at midnight or 2AM, but you’re out when the park is still crowded.   We’re getting sloppy."
    "She’s more open with me there.   She tells me her hopes and fears.   That hasn’t happened yet over dinner.   She wants children, worries about her students, her parents…"
    "That’s a little unfair."
    "How so?"
    "She thinks she’s sharing her secrets with a wild animal, not a shifter who actually understands what she’s saying."
    "That hadn’t dawned on me.   I let her touch my coat the other night.   I thought she was going to faint.   You should have seen it.   Her eyes got so big and she held her breath…"
    "Focus!   You need to stay out of the park."
    "Where should I take her?"
    "You’re not understanding me.   No more shifting in the park.   Period.   You have to wean her off eventually.   Let her fall in love with human Peter now."
    "By the end of the month, I will…"
    "No, it’s done.   I can’t help you if you’re trapped in a zoo or…"   He shuddered.   "Or even worse."
    Peter stared down at his feet.   "You’re right.   Let’s just make sure she’s safe."
    They waited near the park and saw her enter carrying the usual bag of treats.   Mia was practically skipping as she rushed to the thicket.   Nearly two hours later, she made her return.   Her gait was now slow and labored.   She wiped a tear as she looked around her, hoping she would catch a glimpse of his white coat.   The scene repeated over the next few nights until she finally threw the bag of treats into the garbage as she exited.
    "I feel like a jerk.   She looks so sad," Peter said as he slumped down in his seat
    "It’s for the best," Charles reassured him.
    "I know you’re right, but it doesn’t feel like the best right now."
    At the end of the week, they met up again for kebabs.   It had become their human hangout.   He waited until she started on her second glass of wine before reaching across the table and gently clasping both her hands.
    "You’ve seemed sad lately.   What’s up?"
    "I’m fine."
    "Really?   That first glass of wine went down pretty fast.   You know you can tell me anything."
    "All is well."
    "Any dog sitting lately?"
    She winced at his question.   "She found someone else to watch him."
    "Oh, I’m sorry."
    "No, it’s for the best," she said with a shrug.
    Interesting choice of words.   Charles would get a kick out of that.   "So, if you don’t have to rush off tonight … how about a test shoot?"
    "For what?"
    "Oh come on, you know what I’m talking about.   I haven’t bugged you about it for weeks, but you agreed that night in the car."
    "We just ate dinner.   I have a food baby right now," she said, pulling one hand free and patting it on her belly.
    "You look beautiful.   This line means a lot to me and I want you to be a part of it."
    She tilted her head from side to side and scrunched her eyebrows.
    "What is it?"
    "Your eyes," she said as she studied him.   "They reminded me of a friend.   Must be the wine."
    "Somebody’s a little tip-say," he joked.   "You’ll be nice and relaxed for the shoot.   Let’s do this."
    She only hesitated for a moment.   "I did agree to it, although it was under duress and probably wouldn’t hold up in court…"
    "I don’t think withholding dog bones counts as duress."
    "But, I am your friend and I will do this."   She stood up and knocked back the rest of her wine and motioned for him to follow her out the door.   "Quick, before I change my mind."
    Peter held her hand once they entered the car and didn’t release it until they reached his office.   He was prepared, having selected the outfits and set out his camera and lights before dinner.
    "I’ve only pulled the more conservative stuff.   I know you don’t want to wear anything