A Tale of the Other Kind: A Therian Novel by Leandi Cameron Page A

control of his body. He knew it would cause havoc if he stuck around town and somebody saw him while this was happening, so he headed home through the forest. The only things that could see him here were the animals with which he shared his days and they didn’t care – he was now one of them. 
    The painful change didn’t last long as his movements became eloquent as his elongating muscles stretched out in front of him, tearing every piece of clothing he had on. His hands – now paws - touched the ground as he made a break through the thick bushes, running away from the life he needed to leave behind. Things were now out of his control. A new sense of freedom overwhelmed him as the cold air nipped at his face. Running like this seemed so natural, as if he was born to move like this. But he fought these thoughts; disgusted by the comfort his new form was providing him – wishing it away. 
    The moon was disappeared as the thick trees overhead shielded him, like a mother protecting her child. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his shoulder and his heavy body fell to the ground in a slump. Fear struck his heart as he glimpsed behind him before being tackled to the ground by some unknown source. He bared his teeth and growled in pain. 
    A sharp knife stuck out of his shoulder, making it difficult to fight back. He slashed at the attacker with his razor sharp claws, hoping to deter whoever was attacking him. His attacker jumped back as his claws slashed flesh, leaving deep, seeping wounds. 
    ‘What the…’ the attacker yelled. Kai rose up onto his hind legs, trying to regain his balance. He ripped the knife from his shoulder and threw it aside. In front of him was Astrid, glowing. 
    ‘Come on pussycat. You too scared to play?’ she hissed, flashing elongated fangs. Her eyes seemed different – more prominent, even frightening. ‘Aren’t you going to say something pussy?’ she teased. 
    Kai stared at her, confused but somewhat interested. ‘What the hell … what are you and what do you want?’ 
    ‘Oh come now my little black pussycat, I won’t bite ... much,’ she teased, moving gracefully around him, playing with him. 
    ‘I said ... what are you?’ 
    ‘Oh, you can call me a ... well, how shall I phrase it ... friend ?’ Astrid giggled out loud. 
    ‘You are really working on my nerves!’ he growled, getting ready to pounce if she made any sudden movements. 
    ‘Ooh, a feisty one. I knew you would be from the moment I saw you. And look at you now. Isn’t it exciting! Such a big and fierce leopard.  Very impressive. 
    ‘However, I didn’t see the “cat” thing coming. I thought more along the lines of vampire, but hey, we can’t all choose what our shapes will be when we finally transform. 
    ‘I, at least, thought you would change into something, well, less old-school. There hasn’t been a black leopard around these parts in years. But, I must say, I like the whole black-spotted look. It’s fitting,’ she snickered. 
    ‘What are you talking about?’ Kai asked, even more confused. 
    ‘Oh, come on Kai, don’t play coy with me,’ she thundered. ‘Do you really think that you’re that special? You aren’t the only one here my little kitty. 
    ‘Our kind is everywhere - werewolves, vampires, goblins, fairies and all kinds of supernatural beings. We surround you, everywhere, and you don’t even know.’ 
    Kai kept his gaze focussed steadily on Astrid. ‘You mean there are more of you ugly things out there?’ 
    Laughing loudly, Astrid suddenly jumped forward and grabbed Kai tightly around the neck. He responded fiercely and they stumbled to the ground. Astrid tried with all her strength to keep him down, but Kai was stronger and flung her against a tree, splitting it in half as her cracking spine hit against it. She fell to the ground, unconscious. He stooped down to see whether she was breathing, when he heard a strange sound. Her slumped body lay broken on the ground, but