She rested her chin on one outstretched paw, feeling it dangle slightly over the edge of the cage. Her whiskers twitched with satisfaction as she caught the various scents of the recovering cats below, their quiet purrs a soothing melody.
Her eyes drifted closed, though her ears remained perked and alert, swiveling to catch every small sound. The quiet hum of the heating system, the soft shuffling of the cats settling for sleep, the occasional whine from the dog ward - all normal, peaceful nighttime sounds that told her all was well in her domain.
Her leopard spirit practically glowed with happiness. This was exactly where she belonged - caring for these animals, using both her medical training and her shifter abilities to ensure their well-being.
Beth dozed contentedly atop the cages, the quiet purrs from below and gentle hum of equipment lulling her into a peaceful half-sleep. Her tail swayed lazily over the edge as she drifted deeper into slumber.
A presence tickled her awareness. Her eyes snapped open as her body tensed, claws automatically extending with a softsniktagainst the metal cage top. Her ears flattened against her skull asshe twisted into a defensive crouch, a warning hiss escaping her throat.
Tyr stood in the center of the aisle, his tall form casting a shadow in the dim night lighting. His leather jacket creaked softly as he raised his hands in a peaceful gesture.
Beth's racing heart slowed as recognition set in. Her hiss transformed into an irritated growl as she glared down at him. How dare he interrupt her well-deserved nap! Whisper bristled with annoyance, though she retracted her claws and settled back into a more relaxed pose. Still, she maintained her growl, wanting him to know exactly how displeased she was about having her rest disturbed.
Her tail twitched with irritation as Tyr's intense blue eyes studied her feline form. His gaze traveled over her coat, taking in the distinctive nebulous pattern that gave her species its name.
"Well, aren't you just the prettiest little clouded leopard," Tyr murmured, his voice carrying a note of genuine admiration that made her whiskers quiver.
Whisper, the hussy preened under his admiring gaze. She rose to her feet, arching her back in a long, languid stretch that rippled through her clouded coat. Her whiskers twitched with amusement as she noted Tyr tracking her every movement, his blue eyes bright with fascination.
With fluid grace, she gathered her muscles and launched herself from the cage top. She moved with perfect precision as she landed silently on the clinic's floor beside him. The familiar thrill of feline pride coursed through her - clouded leopards were renowned for their agility.
She hummed with pleasure as she wound her way around Tyr's legs, letting her fur brush against the soft leather of his pants. She couldn't resist rubbing her head against his knee, marking him with her scent. Her sensitive whiskers picked up his unique vampire essence - leather and night air, with anunderlying sweetness that made her want to purr. Well, if she could. She gave a chuffing moan and preened
Tyr's hand hovered uncertainly above her head. "May I?" he asked softly, his blue eyes seeking permission.
She dipped her head in a graceful nod, her whiskers twitching with anticipation. His fingers sank into her thick fur, stroking with such perfect touch that pleasure sparked along every nerve. Typically feline, Whisper practically liquefied beneath his hands, each gentle caress igniting warmth along her spine.
A deep rumbling chuff - she'd purr if clouded leopards could purr, which they couldn't - escaped her throat as his skilled fingers found the perfect spot behind her ears. She leaned into his touch, her eyes drifting half-closed with pleasure. His gentle scratching sent waves of contentment through her entire being.
The careful reverence in his touch made her untamed spirit sing. Here was someone who appreciated both her feline grace and respected her as a person. She gave a rumbling moan as his fingers continued their delightful exploration of her ears, hitting all the right spots that made her want to puddle at his feet.
"I'll leave you to your patients," Tyr said softly, stepping back with obvious reluctance. "Stay safe, little leopard."
She watched him stride away, her leopard still rumbling in content from his touch. With a contented stretch, she leaped back to her perch atop the cages, settling in to monitor her patients through the quiet hours.
Beth stifleda yawn as she gathered her belongings at the end of her shift. The clinic's night lights cast long shadows throughthe quiet halls as she made her final rounds, checking on their overnight patients one last time.
Tyr materialized beside her at the back door. "Ready?"
She nodded, pulling her coat tighter against the pre-dawn chill. Their breath fogged in the frigid air as they crossed the empty parking lot, their footsteps crunching on fresh snow.
At her car, Beth fumbled with cold fingers to unlock the door. "Thanks for the escort."
"Drive safe," Tyr's deep voice carried concern as she slid behind the wheel.
Beth watched in her rearview mirror as his tall form stood sentinel, waiting for her to pull away. Her headlights carved twin paths through the darkness as she navigated around the long side of the clinic building toward the driveway.
She hit the brakes so hard her seatbelt cut into her chest. There, impossibly, was Tyr straddling a massive black motorcycle, helmet dangling from his fingers. The same Tyr who had been standing behind her car moments ago. Her brain struggled to make sense of what she was seeing. For a moment, she thought it might be Tobi - but no, she knew for certain that it was definitely Tyr.
Beth rolled down her window, ignoring the blast of cold air. "What in the world?"
Beth stared between the clinic, where Tyr had been standing behind her car on the far side, and where he now sat on the motorcycle, her mind struggling to process how he'd moved so quickly. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she gripped her steering wheel tighter.
"But you were just—" she pointed weakly toward the back of the clinic, then at him. "How could you possibly?—"
Tyr followed her bewildered gaze back toward the clinic and laughed, the rich sound carrying clearly through the pre-dawnair. "Vampire speed," he explained with a wink. "Faster than a speeding cheetah, but we can maintain it over distance."
Her jaw dropped even further, the scientist in her immediately challenging the claim. "But... that's impossible! The fastest recorded cheetah sprint is..."
