Shifter Legends by Kaylee Song

and the trees, climbing and descending a few hills until they came to a little, out of the way hollow. All four of them skidded to a halt at once, looking over the body of water. It was deep, Briana could tell that much, and in the humid night air it certainly looked inviting.
    Cat or human? Eliza asked.
    Cougar first, Grant said, and without hesitation he dove on in. Paddling around in cougar form he looked absolutely ridiculous. It was enough to make Briana howl in laughter.
    You better get in here, or I will force you in, and you won’t like that as much, Grant said to her playfully.
    Briana aimed her body just right and vaulted in, bringing panther Grant down in a wave as she connected with the water. He sputtered and came back up, throwing his body at her. The two were wrestling in the water in their cat forms. Any human who saw this would not believe their eyes.
    When she finally came to her senses, she realized that Luke and Eliza were also in the water, padding around and enjoying themselves.
    It was the first time since arriving that Briana really felt like she was part of a pack. The four of them… even with all their differences, they just seemed to make sense. Even the way Eliza challenged Luke and he ignored it, purposefully trying to annoy her, it was part of what made them unique. Luke was powerful, maybe only a year or two younger than her, and his aggression seemed to die away as he got into the training. He was strong and assertive, but he was nothing if not gentle.
    Grant climbed out of the pool, and once his four paws were on solid ground his body shifted, turning back into a very naked Grant, his body bare in the bright moon light.
    “Shifting back is easier than making the shift. Your body is naturally yours, so it is easier to grasp ahold of. Briana, I want you to come out and try it.”
    She complied with his wishes, using her cat muscles to pull her out of the pool and onto the ground. As soon as she was out of the water she moved her body to optimize a good shift. Her body changed and morphed almost immediately, she was human in a matter of seconds. She felt her hands up and down her curvy body. Everything was there.
    “Damn,” Grant whispered, pulling her close against him. “Every time I see you, it makes me lose my breath.” She blushed and moved away. They were not exactly alone and they were both naked!
    Neither Luke nor Eliza seemed to mind her nudity as they came out of the water, changing just as quickly as she had.
    Luke was the first to jump back in, forming his body into a giant cannonball and lobbing himself at the surface of the pool.
    All three of them got a healthy splash. Eliza dove in after him, splashing him and throwing him around the pool. If Briana didn’t know better, she would say there was some chemistry between the two of them. Grant gave Briana a wink as he backed up and ran at the pool, his tidal wave a welcome addition to their cacophony. Briana was about to go next when she heard a rustling in the woods. Instincts taking over, she turned her head to follow it and caught sight of a cat that was too big to be a natural one. She shifted in mere moments, the cat taking over her body in defense and followed the sound, unaware of being noticed by her friends.
    What do you want? Briana asked, her words going out into the night, trying to locate the cat.
    A red Cougar came out of the shadows, his hulking figure enough to make Briana flatten her ears against her head.
    That’s easy. We want your turf, great drug running country. Untapped market.
    Yeah. Well, tell that to your buddy, if he didn’t go up in smoke. She was growling, her teeth out, her body posed for an attack.
    Oh, he didn’t. Don’t think we won’t punish you for that little stunt either. His growl was louder, he was more experienced.
    She wasn’t impressed with him, but she wasn’t stupid either. There was no way she would take him alone.
    Grant was right about people like you. All you do is take. You