Free Wolf Women (The Madison Wolves Book 10) by Robin Roseau

Monique." I used the reflectors to fill in her face and add some gold tone. Portia took the photos.
    "What does that do?" Monique said.
    "Easier to show you," I said. "Okay, you two switch." I helped Monique. After she had taken a bunch of photos, I handed her my reflector and said, "Now you two take turns with me."
    Ten minutes later, we were inside. We had to use my computer, as Portia didn't have all the right software yet. I loaded Monique's pictures. Then I put several of them on the screen.
    "Okay, which one do you like the most?"
    "This one," they both said.
    "Why?"
    "I don't know."
    "This is one with the gold reflector. Does that help?"
    "It feels warmer, and you can see more details here." Portia gestured.
    "Understand? You can also use the reflectors for shade when it's too bright. After that, it's art, and you have to experiment."
    I loaded Portia's pictures, picked my favorite of Monique, and then spent just ten minutes, doing the things I might normally do. When I was done, I showed the picture of her full screen.
    "I'm... I'm...."
    "A hottie." I said.
    "That's not really me."
    So I showed her the before picture. "You're still a hottie here. You are still you when I'm done, but I fixed a few specs of dust on the lens, adjusted the lighting a little, things like that. Want to see what you would look like with long hair?"
    "Yes!"
    That took longer. I had to play for a while. I didn't go for long, long, but I brought it down past her shoulders. Finally I was really pleased.
    The two of them sat there quietly the entire time, not saying a word. But when I was done, Monique said, "I don't know what to say."
    "Monique," Portia said. "You are a wonderful woman any way you look. The alphas and all the enforcers have nothing but the best impression of you. You're diligent in your studies and will be a very good enforcer. You are bright and inquisitive. Furthermore, you are kind, generous, and fun to have around. But you have a confidence problem with your appearance, which is both a little shallow and, as you can see, unjustified besides."
    "Everyone wants to be attractive though," she said. "Don't they?"
    "Yes," Portia said. "Most people want to be attractive."
    "Well, I didn't do this to make any points about your appearance, Monique. I was showing some of the things you can do."
    "Still..." She stared at the screen. "I've always worn my hair short, because that's how enforcers wear it. Portia, is it required to be short?"
    "No, Monique. If it's too long, it gets in your way. And if you're in a hurry, which we often are, then it slows you down in the morning. But I know of female enforcers in other packs with long hair. Wear your hair how you want, but keep it out of your face when you're on duty. Braiding it is best, if it's long enough to interfere. If it becomes problematic, one of us will tell you."
    She nodded.
    "Well," I said. "I've given both of you things to get started. So I have assignments for both of you."
    "Homework?"
    "Fieldwork," I said. "I want you to find a model and practice photographing people. Present me with your ten best shots. You may borrow my reflectors, if you want, but it might be more fun to find other things that work instead. You can use poster board or almost anything. That's assignment one. Assignment two is to go on a nature shoot. I want to see ten good, interesting photos. You both have Macs, so you can do basic editing in iPhoto. Our next class is next Monday afternoon unless either of you have to move it for something. Class dismissed."
    * * * *
    For the three days of Portia's mini-vacation, we set our patterns. She got us up early each morning for a trip to the gym, and that was a pattern we would maintain moving forward. I had never been afraid of exercise, but it had never been a main factor in my life, either; what exercise I got in the past was ancillary to the other activities I did. I knew Portia would be getting me into better shape.
    After our showers was breakfast. Some