Page 80 of Wedding the Werepanther

Not gonna lie, I also really want her to like me.

Mist goes next, turning into a werepanther. She’s one of the smaller adult panthers, and her werepanther stands only about six feet, but she’s still seriously formidable. In another burst of magic, she turns into a woman with light skin and long black hair tipped with silver. Like Shadow, she’s amazingly nonchalant about her nudity but accepts the robe I hand her.

Shadow crouches down right in front of the kittens and extends his arms. “Put your paws on me and feel my shift.” Then he changes back into a man.

“I want to shift!” Wisp says, screwing up her eyes with concentration. She strains for several seconds before letting out a breath.

The other two try without any success, even though Shadow shifts back and forth several times for them.

“Perhaps they’re too young,” Moonlight says, gripping his shoulder. “We’ve lost so much knowledge over the centuries.”

“I’m sure that’s it.” He stands and grins, but I know him pretty well by now, and I can tell it’s not his real smile.

Those disappointed little faces kill me, so I pick up the remote. “I’ve got an idea!” The TV springs to life, already set to a kids’ cartoon channel.

“Whoa!” Their little eyes get three times their size. “What is that?”

“It’s my favorite cartoon!” Dewdrop settles onto the couch beside them and catches them up on what’s happening. Before long, they’re all cuddled up, with Wisp lying on his tail tucked up against his front legs while the other two sit on either side of him, each wrapped in a wing.

We take the adults upstairs and show them the bathroom and their bedrooms.

“These are called sweatpants and T-shirts.” Shadow points to the clothes we ordered online. “They’re good for around the house, but if you stay longer, we’ll need to get you some clothes spelled to accommodate your werepanther tail.”

The women slip out of their robes to pull on the clothes, completely comfortable in their nudity.

“There are dresses for the ceremony tomorrow, if you like them.” I hold up one of the maxi dresses I found in the attic, the flowing fabric and relaxed shape back in style.

“We even got some kids’ clothes.” I pick up a pile from the top of the dresser. “There are a few sizes to try.”

“It might not be an issue,” Moonlight says. “I doubt they’ll shift in time for tomorrow’s ceremony.”

Shadow makes a face. This is really bothering him.

“It’s okay,” I say. “They can come to the wedding as kittens.”

“You’re okay with that?” Shadow asks.

“Of course. They’re adorable, and they’re your family.” Their father might be one of his distant cousins, but it doesn’t matter. All of the pack is Shadow’s family. It sounds like a dream to know every adult in your life will care for you.

“Let’s go downstairs and order pizza. I bet the kittens will get a kick out of the pixies.”

“Yes, you have to try pizza,” Shadow says, waving Mist and Moonlight toward the stairs. “It’s one of the true pleasures of taking your fae form.”

As they head down, he turns and grips my hands. “Thank you for making my family so welcome.”

“It’s not hard,” I say. “They’re pretty great.”

“And you’re amazing.” Warmth fills his eyes as he leans over to kiss me, soft and sweet and full of promise.

Not a sexy promise, not this time, but a deeper promise.

One that speaks of a future with him and his amazing family and all their support and acceptance.

My heart skips, and I cling to him, prolonging the kiss.

I want it.

I want it all so very badly.