The sun was setting when Troy heaved the canoe back up onto shore. Blake stretched and nodded at the road.
“I have to get going.”
“Do you need a ride?” Troy asked.
Blake shook his head. “I’ll walk, I need to let the lion roam for a while or I’ll go crazy.”
Troy nodded. “I know what you mean.”
“Do you have the urge to howl at the moon?”
Troy grinned. “Something like that.”
Blake glanced around. They stood on the edge of the resort. Seagulls squawked overhead. Blake reached forward and pulled Troy into him. Troy reached up and tangled his fingers in Blake’s hair and they kissed. Blake led the kiss, pressing his soft lips against Troy’s and holding his body close like he never wanted to say goodbye. Troy melted into him, listening as their heartbeats sped up together. This man was his mate.
Blake broke the kiss and said, “Meet me tomorrow.”
“Where?” Troy asked.
“I’m camping,” said Blake, “by the river. Meet me tomorrow night at sunset and you can help me hunt.”
“Deal,” said Troy. “I can’t wait.”
Blake winked and said, “Make sure to bring my clothes, all right?”
Before Troy could ask what he meant, Blake tossed his shirt at him and dropped his pants. For a moment, Troy took in the naked body of his lover. Then, he watched as Blake shifted. His nose and mouth elongated to become the snout of a lion. His back legs grew shorter and feet turned to paws. His arms grew longer and fingers shortened. Hair sprouted from his skin and covered Blake’s body in a glossy coat. In a few seconds, the dark eyes of a mountain lion blinked back at him.
The animal flicked its tail lazily. Then, Blake turned and ran off into the forest. Troy watched after him, in awe of how graceful Blake moved. Wolves were built for power and speed, not beauty. Blake moved with the effortless grace of a creature built for better things. Troy felt a pang of sadness when he watched Blake disappear into the forest.
He gathered Blake’s clothes and turned back to the family home.
“What are those?” Troy’s dad asked as soon as he entered the house.
Troy shifted with discomfort. Brandon, Bekah, and their father sat around the dinner table. Hunks of steak and potatoes littered their plates. Troy’s food was untouched. He was late for dinner.
“My friend’s,” Troy said, walking quickly to the stairs. He could escape to his room in just a few steps.
“Those don’t look like John’s clothes,” his dad said.
Troy stopped in his path. He knew he wouldn’t be able to leave now.
Brandon skewered a piece of steak on his fork and bit into it with relish.
“Troy has a new friend,” Brandon said, eyes flashing in Troy’s direction. “His name is Blake.”
“They went to a movie together,” Bekah offered, helpfully. “He’s cute!”
“Shut up, Beks,” Troy said, praying that he wouldn’t blush now and give everything away.
“I don’t know him,” said Troy’s father. “He’s not from our pack?”
“He’s a lion,” Brandon said, still picking at his meal.
“A lion?”
“A mountain lion,” Troy said.
Their father put down his fork and sat back in his chair. He stared at Troy, face devoid of humor.
“Mountain lions are tricky,” he said. “They aren’t pack animals. You can’t trust them.”
“They spent a long time together,” Brandon said. He raised an eyebrow at his younger brother. “I think Troy really likes him.”
“Be careful, son,” said Troy’s father.
“I’m always careful,” said Troy.
“Now,” his dad said, “go and put that away and join us for dinner.”