“She wants out. I don’t know how to bring her out,” Catarina whispered into the mattress, on the very edge of despair. If the leopard didn’t get out of her, she was going to burst into flames and turn to ash. She couldn’t stand the heat or the terrible burning that refused to stop between her legs. She didn’t even know anymore if she was the one burning or her leopard was, only that she had to find a way to help the other get free.

“I know what will call her, Kitten. Trust me now. Let me do this for you.”

It always came back to Eli—everything. She needed him. She wanted him and God help her, she loved him. She knew he would see her through this. “Please, Eli, please help me with her.”

At once she felt the slide of fur up by her shoulder. A hot burst of air hit her and then teeth sank deep. She forced herself to breathe, accepting the bite, knowing his leopard called to hers. It was Eli’s hands on her, his body locked with hers, but somehow he had managed to shift his head and allow his leopard to call to the female. She couldn’t believe he had that kind of control.

Catarina breathed away the pain as she felt the female leap toward the male leopard. At once, Eli slipped out of her, and stepped back, still holding her up.

“We’ve got to get outside. Can you walk?” His voice was rough. Growling, already animal.

Her stomach cramped and she slipped to the floor on all fours. Pain was back in every joint, and her skin itched so bad she wanted to scream. Eli didn’t ask again, he swept her up, cradling her against his chest and ran through the house with her.

“Breathe deep and don’t try to hold her back. You won’t disappear, baby, even though the first time is scary and painful. You’ll be with her and you’ll feel a sense of freedom that’s unbelievable.”

“I want this.” She tried to tell him but her voice was different. “For you, to be with you.” She wanted him to know. She was afraid, and yes, it hurt, but she knew Eli’s leopard needed her female the way Eli needed her—and she needed him.

By the time Eli had leapt from the porch with her in his arms, her body had begun to contort. Sweat beaded on her skin and she scented the feral creature. The female leopard was as afraid as she was and that made her all the more determined to make certain she could shift properly.

“Tell me what to do.”

“Breathe and relax. Let it happen. Don’t fight it, baby. I’ll be right here with you. The whole time, I’ll be at your side.”