Nathan's warm chuckle filled the air beside her. "Reyna wants to change, doesn't she?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with understanding as he glanced at Harper.
Harper scowled at Jake. "One minute," she told him, already heading for the kitchen door. Reyna's eagerness bubbled through her as she slipped inside the cool interior. Her gaze swept the space, spotting a half-bath tucked under the stairs.
Perfect. She darted inside, closing the door half-way. The change rippled through her smoothly, her clothes dissolving as russet fur sprouted across her body. Her bones shifted and realigned, dropping her to all fours as her tail emerged.
Reyna nosed the door open, her sharp vulpine senses taking in every detail of her surroundings. Her claws clicked softly on the hardwood floor as she trotted through the kitchen. The screen door wasn't latched, making it easy to nose it open and bound outside.
The scent of grilling meat filled her sensitive nose as she zeroed in on Jake. His back was turned as he arranged chicken on the grill. Perfect. She crept closer, then darted forward, grabbing the hem of his jeans between her sharp white teeth.
She yanked hard, making Jake stumble backward with a startled "Whoa!" His arms windmilled as he reached for balance.
Reyna released his jeans and sprang upward in a fluid motion, snatching a plump chicken breast from the waiting platter. The raw meat was still cold from the refrigerator as she clamped it firmly in her jaws. With a triumphant bound, she darted away across the lawn, her prize secured.
Behind her, she heard Jake's indignant "Hey!" mixed with Nathan and Becca's delighted laughter.
Reyna bounded across the lawn, her prize dangling from her jaws. The raw chicken breast was cold and delicious-smelling, making her mouth water. Darting under the picnic table, she dropped to her belly and made quick work of the stolen treat.
The meat was perfect - fresh and tender. She gulped it down in a few swift bites, her sharp teeth easily tearing through theflesh. The taste was exquisite, and she licked her chops to savor every last bit.
With her belly full and satisfaction coursing through her, Reyna flopped onto her back in the cool grass. Pure joy bubbled up inside her as she began to roll back and forth, her russet fur collecting bits of grass and leaves. Her bushy tail swished through the air as she let loose with her distinctive fox laugh.
"Heehee, heehee!" The sound carried across the yard, her vulpine voice filled with mischievous glee. She continued rolling and laughing, thoroughly pleased with herself for proving Jake wrong and scoring such a tasty snack in the process.
Nathan dropped onto the grass beside her, his fingers finding the soft fur of her belly. She squirmed in delight as he tickled and stroked her, unable to contain her vulpine giggles.
"Heehee! Heehee!" Her fox laugh rang out across the yard, pure joy bubbling through her at Nathan's gentle touch. His fingers found just the right spots, making her wiggle and roll in the grass.
The sounds of conversation around them died away as people turned to watch. Harper was dimly aware of their audience through Reyna's heightened senses, but she was too caught up in the moment to care.
"She's laughing..." Jake's jaw dropped open as he stared at them. "She's actually laughing!"
His incredulous tone only made Harper laugh harder, her fox voice rising in pitch. "Heehee! Heehee! Heehee!" She rolled onto her side, pressing against Nathan's leg as his fingers continued their delightful assault on her belly.
"I told you so," Becca told Jake in a smug tone. "Foxes can laugh."
A dark blur shot across Harper's vision as one of the clouded leopards pounced, landing beside her with a playful growl. The second leopard joined an instant later, their identical spottedcoats gleaming in the sunlight. Before Harper could react, a massive white form bowled into them - Liam in his Great Pyrenees shape, his tail wagging furiously.
Harper found herself at the bottom of a squirming pile of fur and paws. The leopards - Naomi and Beth - batted at her gently with velvet-soft paws while Liam's huge form provided an anchor for their wrestling match. His thick white fur tickled her nose as she wiggled and twisted, still giggling in her distinctive fox laugh.
Cherie, the collie, raced circles around their tumbling mass, barking excitedly. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and a flash of brown tabby fur caught Harper's attention as Katerina Changed. The Maine Coon cat was massive compared to a regular housecat, though still dwarfed by the leopards. She launched herself into their midst with characteristic feline grace, managing to squeeze between Liam and one of the leopards.
Harper wiggled free enough to playfully nip at Katerina's ear, earning a gentle swat in return. The pile shifted and rolled, a tangle of spots and stripes and russet fur. Reyna's joy bubbled through Harper as they played, her fox laugh mixing with various yips, growls, and purrs.
The late afternoon sun warmed their fur as they tumbled together on Troy's lawn, all pretense of dignity forgotten in the simple pleasure of play. Through Reyna's heightened senses, Harper caught the amused reactions of their human audience, but she was having too much fun to feel self-conscious.
Harper extracted herself from the playful pile of shifters, shaking grass and leaves from her russet fur. Her keen fox eyes immediately sought out Nathan, finding him perched on a nearby picnic bench with Jacinth and Douglas. His face lit up with pure delight as he watched their antics, and warmth bloomed in her chest at his obvious enjoyment.
Nathan's eyes met hers, crinkling at the corners as his grin widened. He raised his Coke can in a playful salute, and Reyna's joy bubbled through Harper like champagne. The fox's approval radiated through their shared consciousness -Good mate. Understands play. Accepts us.
Harper had to agree. Nathan didn't just tolerate their dual nature - he embraced it completely. Where others might have been uncomfortable watching their girlfriend roughhouse in fox form with other shifters, he simply enjoyed her happiness. The easy acceptance in his expression made her heart flutter.
Strong mate,Reyna purred contentedly inside her.
Jacinth caught Harper's eye and winked, clearly noting the exchange between them. The Djinn's knowing smile suggested she understood exactly what was developing between Harper and Nathan. Douglas just shook his head with fond amusement, taking another sip of his own beer as he watched the continuing chaos around them.
Harper's keen fox senses detected the patter of small feet heading her way. Three excited children converged on her position, their eyes wide with wonder.
"Can we pet the fox?" Molly asked, her dark curls bouncing as she practically vibrated with eagerness. Beside her, Benny's expression mirrored his sister's enthusiasm, though he held himself more carefully in check.
