Chapter 32

When we finished cleaning up the kitchen, Tyler and I joined Ben on the porch. I brought another chair out for Tyler to sit on between us.

“What do you do for a living, son?” Ben asked.

Tyler looked a little startled, and he glanced at me before replying. “Uh…I was laid off months ago. Been looking for work ever since.”

“Damned economy,” Uncle Ben replied, and thumped his chest before burping. “You a farm boy? You got that look about ya,” he said as he massaged his left hand. I didn’t push the issue of pills since I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of Tyler.

“Yes, sir. Long time ago. I grew up on a farm in Oregon. Loved it there. We raised horses.” I could hear the sadness in Tyler’s voice.

“We used to have a pumpkin farm here, and hay rides, too. I got old, though. Can’t stand to sell the place.” Ben shifted in his chair and I saw him rub his stomach, trying to pass it off as scratching an itch. Damn it.

“Got any family left, son?” Ben continued.

“Not anymore. They’ve been gone for a long time. I miss them,” he replied, closing his eyes briefly before opening them to look out on the horizon. It was a beautiful night.

The three of us sat there for a time, just enjoying the silence and the companionship while we listened to the sounds of nature around us.

Uncle Ben stood after a while and wished us both a good evening. “Don’t stay up too late,” was his parting sally.

“Yeah, yeah,” I retorted. I got up and whispered “I’ll be right back” to Tyler before pursuing Ben inside.

“You haven’t taken your pain pills, have you?” I accused him.

“So?” Great, he was being belligerent.

“Can’t you be reasonable for once in your life?” I took the pills out of the cabinet, got the right dosage, and filled a glass with water. I put everything on the kitchen table and left without another word. I may have acted like a spoiled brat, but damn.The only parent I’d ever known was dying and it hurt to see him in pain.

I walked back to the porch and pulled Tyler out of the chair and into my arms. We stood like that, staring out at the dark shape of the mountains against the sky. I soaked up his peace, and my surroundings.

“Enjoying yourself here so far?” I asked, then pressed my lips to his temple.

“Oh sure. Your uncle’s a bit scary, but he’s still a hoot. And all this”—he gestured to the land before us—”it reminds me of home. I could live in a place like this.”

“Good to know.” I leaned down and kissed him quickly. I grabbed his hand and pulled him down the stairs. “Want to shift and play in the woods?” 11

Tyler shifted first after removing all his clothing. His beast was beautiful, the skin a brilliant white, the same pale blue eyes that seemed even brighter now, and claws and teeth that looked quite deadly. He padded over to where I stood naked and rubbed his body against my legs. I could feel the coiled muscles moving under his skin, and I ran a hand over his back, feeling the strength there.

It was my turn to bring out the beast. A second of bliss—it was never painful to go through the change—and I was transformed. Tyler and I took our time exploring the woods. We chased each other up and down trees, rolled on the ground and playfully swatted at each other.

I showed him my favorite place to rest once we’d finished hunting for dessert. The moon shone down upon us, and I lay on the ground, with Tyler’s panther head on my stomach.

We remained like that for a long time, the sounds of the forest around us and the night breeze ruffling our fur.

After a while, I nudged Tyler and used my head to indicate “home.” He followed me back to the edge of the woods, and once we reached our clothing, he shifted first.

Tyler dressed, then came toward me, awe written all over his face. “Wow,” he said, rubbing a hand between my ears and over my back. “You really are a mottled mix of creatures, aren’t you?”

I shifted before answering, “I told you. Am I hideous?” I asked while getting dressed.

“No! You’re unique and beautiful. A whole new species all by yourself. Can you imagine what would happen if you had kids with a human female?”

I shuddered. “I wouldn’t wish that on any woman.” Once clothed, I took his hand and we walked together back to the house.