A flash of white fur streaked past her legs, making her jump with a startled yelp. Her heart hammering, she spun to track the massive shaggy white dog as it bounded across the lawn. Hot on its heels was what looked like a miniature leopard, its sleek spotted coat gleaming in the sunlight as it pursued the dog with single-minded determination.
Harper blinked, trying to process what she was seeing. The small feline was unlike any house cat she'd ever encountered - its build more muscular, its movements more fluid and predatory. As she watched, mouth slightly agape, the cat-that-wasn't-quite-a-cat launched itself through the air in a graceful arc, landing squarely on the dog's broad back.
The two animals tumbled together in a playful wrestling match, rolling across the grass. Now that they were still enoughto get a proper look, Harper could see the distinctive clouded pattern in the small leopard's coat, its long tail helping it balance as it mock-fought with its canine friend.
Not threat,Reyna assured her, the fox's amusement clear.Playing.
Just then, a second small leopard materialized from behind a nearby bush, joining the first in pouncing on the white dog. The pile of wrestling animals grew as a purebred collie bounded over, tail wagging frantically as it circled the playful melee.
Not shifter,Reyna observed with obvious disdain as they watched the collie. Harper felt her fox's dismissive attitude toward the ordinary dog, though she couldn't help smiling at its enthusiasm.
Harper watched the tumbling mass of fur and playful growls, still trying to process the unexpected sight. Katerina rushed past with a platter piled high with raw meat for the grill, but paused beside her.
"I see you've met some of our more energetic guests," Katerina said with a laugh. She nodded toward the white Great Pyrenees. "That's Liam - he's a veterinarian like Troy. The two clouded leopards are his wife, Naomi, and her twin sister, Beth."
Harper's eyes widened as she studied the identical spotted coats of the two felines. Even in animal form, their matching patterns made it clear they were twins.
"And the collie?" Harper asked, watching the enthusiastic dog bouncing around the wrestling shifters.
"That's Cherie - she's Troy's dog. Just a regular collie, not a shifter," Katerina explained. "But she loves playing with everyone, shifter or not. She has no idea they're anything but other animals."
The innocent joy of the scene made Harper smile. There was something heartwarming about watching shifters at play in their animal forms, completely unselfconscious as they roughhousedon the lawn. Even more touching was how they included the regular dog in their games, treating her as an equal despite her non-magical nature.
Fun den-mates,Reyna observed approvingly.Good pack.
Beside her, Nathan's warm laughter filled the air. "It's always a madhouse like this," he said, his eyes crinkling with amusement as they watched the tumbling mass of fur.
Katerina grinned, shifting the heavy platter of meat. "Always! You should see it when everyone shows up. Pure chaos." She hurried toward the grill where Troy and Jake were waiting impatiently.
Harper marveled at the easy camaraderie of this unusual group. The casual way they accepted each other's dual natures touched something deep inside her. Here, no one batted an eye at leopards wrestling with dogs or discussed the logistics of grilling enough food for hungry shifters.
Strong bonds,Reyna commented, radiating contentment.
Harper had to agree. The sense of community was palpable, warming her from the inside out. These people - shifters, Djinn, and humans alike - had created something special here. Something she'd been searching for without even realizing it.
She felt Nathan's shoulder brush against hers as they stood watching the playful chaos unfold. The contact sent a pleasant tingle through her, and she found herself leaning slightly closer, drawn to his steady presence.
Harper's breath caught as Nathan's hand found hers, his fingers sliding between her own. Her heart skipped, and warmth bloomed in her cheeks. She glanced up at him, unable to suppress her smile when she found him already looking down at her with those gentle eyes.
Reyna stirred contentedly.Good mate. Strong. Kind.
A gentle breeze carried the mouthwatering scent of grilling meat. Harper savored the simple pleasure of standing there,Nathan's hand warm and solid around hers, watching the playful chaos of shifters and pets romping across Troy's sprawling backyard.
"You two look thirsty!" Jacinth's musical voice interrupted Harper's reverie. The Djinn gestured toward two large silver tubs nestled in the shade of a maple tree. Condensation beaded on the metal sides, and chunks of ice bobbed in the water. "We've got beer in that one," she pointed, "and water and sodas in the other. Help yourselves!"
"Thanks, Jacinth," Nathan replied warmly. He gave Harper's hand a gentle squeeze. "What would you like to drink?"
"A soda would be perfect," Harper said, reluctant to let go of his hand but knowing they couldn't stand there forever.
Harper watched Nathan select two cans from the ice-filled tub, droplets of water running down his forearms as he fished them out. He handed her a Sprite, keeping a Coke for himself. As they popped the tabs in unison, movement caught her eye - Becca waving enthusiastically from her picnic table perch.
"Harper! Come here a minute!" Becca called out, gesturing them over.
Harper and Nathan exchanged glances, then headed toward where Becca sat near Jake at the grill. The wolf shifter wielded a long fork, transferring chicken breasts from a loaded platter onto the grill, one eyebrow raised skeptically as they approached.
"I told Jake that foxes laugh," Becca announced as soon as they were within earshot. "He doesn't believe me."
Inside Harper, Reyna perked up instantly.Change?the fox asked eagerly, practically vibrating with excitement at the prospect of proving Jake wrong.
