Ch 26

Shifting

POV: Stefan

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My speed as a lynx can only be surpassed by my speed as a falcon. Gliding high on the wind, I make it back to Felicia's place long before the girl, Leah, would have had time to clothe herself. My sister is still out and I have the place to myself for a while yet.

Standing by the window, I pull on my shirt, and watch Leah's human form running pell-mell out of the woods. As she nears, I move into the shadows, continuing to keep my eyes on her. She seems to sense me. Her finely formed nose rises in the air, sniffing slightly. Her watchful eyes make a sweep of the property.

I hadn't realized I'd been holding my breath. I watch her shake her head, her black locks falling onto her face, perhaps silently convincing herself there's nothing to worry about. I hear her swift foot falls, the slam of a door, and the turning of the lock as she rushes into the unit next door searching for Bella.

I shouldn't have stayed in the woods once I realized her presence. But I was mesmerized when I saw her pulling off her shirt. My curiosity and, of course, my maleness were intrigued when I realized she was intent on stripping naked. Her lean muscles rippled beneath her taut skin and even in my animal form, I felt myself respond to her.

I wondered what she was doing. It was far too cold to be that naked. Was she Wiccan? About to perform some ridiculous, useless spellbinding chant? I stopped my silent laughter a moment, pausing to remember that not all witches were powerless. But her looks were native, maybe she was going to send a spiritual dance to the heavens requesting an end to this unbearably cold winter?

Her quiet, graceful movements indicated neither. I had been hypnotized as I watched her hands unselfconsciously move behind her to unclasp...

It was too late when I realized she'd caught me staring. I'd startled her and before my eyes she transformed into a light grey wolf, smaller in stature than the were-women I'd previously encountered in my lifetime. I couldn't move in my shock. I'd thought they were extinct.

Leah, the wolf-girl, was poised to pounce at onto the perch I'd chosen to watch her. The scent of her fight instinct rising had me quickly shifting to from lynx to falcon. I took off, gliding soundlessly high into the sky. I hovered unseen by her, watching her confused movements from above.

Her mere presence as a human girl was potent enough. Soaring, I grimaced even with my unbendable beak. Knowing she was magical, like me, her pull was simply irresistible.

Now in the darkness of the apartment, without my sister to stop me, I release my unique, internal power that can call out to this girl. I feel her spirit answer through the unit wall.

With a predatory smile I move to stand at the door...

waiting.