CHAPTER TWO

Mercy had grown up around werewolves all her life, so that was where her expertise laid, it wasn't often she hung around with other kinds of weres. They were far and few between.

The she-cat coiled herself as if on springs, long, powerful tail twitching, and gave another warning roar. Her fangs were like sabers. She was three times bigger than a normal snow leapord and Mercy only knew that because she'd seen them at the zoo.

The bear turned and ran off, and it was a few moments before the leapord relaxed her pose and turned back to her and Zee, who only stood staring.

Up close, the wereleapord was gorgeous. Shaggy silver and white fur with beautiful clouded spots and the brightest vivid blue eyes. Her behavior was catlike, not that of a wolf, and Mercy found herself caught flatfooted. If this were a werewolf she'd either meet its eyes or drop them, but this was essentially a big cat. Since when did cats care who was dominant and who wasn't?

"That was a close one," said Zee finally.

"What the HELL was that about!?" demanded Mercy. She fed a little pack magic, dominance into her voice, something that made most people obey her when she spoke but the cat just gave a cranky growl and yawned. She lowered her head and yowled, ears back slightly. Mercy took it as an apology.

Just then the cavalry arrived in the form of Adam, as a wolf, and his second Darryl, plus three other of the pack, all in human form. Adam in his wolf guise was colored like a grey and black siamese, and he saw the snow leapord and snarled.

The leapord spun around, flat to the ground and hissed. Her fangs were bigger and she had more muscle on her, her claws were longer and sharper... dominant as he was, if he got into a fight with her he could lose.

Mercy changed back, and unmindful of her nudity snapped "enough! Everyone, garage, human, NOW," she cast a pointed look at the snow leapord.

Zee shrugged and stepped off, shaking his head. Mercy couldn't tell if he was irritated or amused. For Zee sometimes the two went hand in hand. The snow leapord followed him in at a brisk pace that made no sound at all, liquid mercury on four legs. Mercy had to admit the animal she became was beautiful.

As soon as they were all inside, Adam and the woman started the change back. It was painful to watch and Mercy knew it was even more painful to feel. Unlike when she did it, weres went through all the torment of having bones and muscle shift, rearrange, even re-orient. For Adam, the last to change was his skin. For the woman, the last to go was her tail. They both stood naked, something Adam was used to. Clearly the woman didn't care either way, but she walked to her car and brought out the clothes she'd had on before. Darryl handed Adam a pair of sweats and a t-shirt.

"What the HELL was that about!" demanded Adam right away.

"I'm sorry to say it's probably my fault... that was my ex," said the she-leapord. Her face wasn't happy but her body language said she was beyond pissed.

"Your ex is a werebear who just happened to come across you when you came all the way from Maine?" said Mercy, not believing it. She could usually smell a lie, but there were some who did it well.

"He must've followed me... I'm really, really sorry, really," she looked around at Zee. "He's... kind of insane. I broke up with him weeks ago and he's been stalking me. Part of the reason mum let me have the car so long. He's delusional," she sighed. "... I can pay for the dents in the garage door...," she added in a slightly more meek tone of voice.

"Do not talk to me about dents, the garage belongs to Ms. Thompson," said Zee, though he seemed to be thinking of something.

"Start from the beginning, please, Mercy...," sighed Adam. So she did. She started from the time the woman drove in, and ended with them arriving.

"So she drove off her ex, that's... something. You alright, Zee?" asked Adam. The Fae and the local pack had an... understanding. Not best of chums, were they, but they worked together when need be. Associates one could say.

Zee took a moment to answer.

"I will be fine. What is your name, miss?" he asked the woman.

The woman pushed her hair back again, though there was little need. Mercy guessed it was a personal quirk. "Ramona Dunbar," she replied.

"Ah, Scotland. Uncle Mike would be very interested to meet you, little werecat..," Zee smiled. Mercy groaned. "You HAD to apologize directly to him, didn't you?" Zee would probably now expect a repayment. She wasn't wrong.

The woman seemed to realize this and did what Adam's daughter Jesse would call a facepalm. "Wasn't doing much anyway...," she muttered.

Adam gave Mercy a kiss and circled an arm around her shoulder. "You gonna be okay? Should I leave someone with you?" he asked.

"No, I think it'll be alright... you go, I'll see you at home," she gave him a quick squeeze.

"If you're sure...," he trailed off.

"I'm positive, she doesn't mean me any harm personally and it looks like Zee's about to have a field day with her anyhow. Go," she insisted.

"I expect a favor in return for the damage your... aquaintance did me and mine, fleeting as it is," Zee said sternly. Ramona instinctively shrank back a little. If she were her leapord self, her ears would be flattened. If she were a wolf, her tail would be between her legs.

"Name it...," she sighed.

"I owe a favor to an aquaintance of mine who goes by Erik. I would like you to pay it for me. Tell him I sent you by proxy and do what you can to aid him. I will consider us even. You can find him at a bar called Uncle Mike's. Tell him I sent you, too. I don't expect the bouncer will let you in elsewise," said the one called Zee, and he began writing an address down for her.

She took the slip of paper. She could feel the magic rolling off of him. It was how she knew the Fae for what they were, not only by their smell. She could feel magic if it was nearby. It felt... kind of tingly.

"I have GPS... I'll fix that sparkplug and hope the engine likes me for another few days, get right on it," she tucked the paper into her bag.

"I shall know if you do not," he reminded her firmly.

"Only a moron would piss off the Fae," she responded with a touch of her usual charisma. Zee managed a smile, so she guessed that was alright.

"I have heard the like before," he agreed.

"Right... well. I'm gonna go... now," she trailed off lamely. LAME, she thought to herself in her head. She turned and headed back for her car, very aware of the eyes watching her as she went. She'd been born after the Fae had come out of hiding, so she'd never not heard of them. How stupid could she get...