Mellissa snorts in amusement. “that’s what I need. A painting to remind me of ‘the great phoenix’” she giggles as she does air quotes.

I chuckle in response. “You know it would look good hanging above your bed.”

“The Painting is placed 40 miles north of this spot. Do not go into human land when you are in your form.” The man nodded at everyone.  Mellissa clapped and pulled off her tennis shoes and pants.

Everyone was stripping down to their bare essentials. Some proudly displaying their goods. “Common.” Mellissa whispered pulling off my belt and unbuttoning my pants. She quickly slide them down and tugged at my hoodie. “Wanna go away from the crowd a little?” I nodded softly and stepped out of my pants and followed Mellissa into the shrub.

Mellissa was completely naked in front of me. And of course being the awesome friend that I am. I check her body out and smile. Hot as usual. I shake my head slightly trying to escape those thoughts from my mind.

Mellissa turned to me and smiled. “If only you weren’t being stupid.” She stepped closer to me and pulled my hoodie off. I didn’t wear a shirt underneath because there was no need to. “You know we would make a powerful couple.” She stared up into my eyes and I sighed.

She was completely right. I did have feelings for her but it wasn’t meant to be. I had other purposes that needed to be fulfilled.

She shook her head and looked down. She knew that I couldn’t. but it didn’t make it any less painful for my best friend. “Common. Before we get left behind. Keep up with me!” she laughed running toward the clearing.

Her body shifted into a beautiful leopard. It was strange, even I did not know why she did not carry the spots like other leopards do. She only had 6 charcoal discoloring against her fire color fur. She was small compared to other leopards but it didn’t make her any less weak. She was the greatest warrior of her tribe when I met her; I know it is a great honor to have her as my friend.

I watched as she moved toward the others as they all transformed into the true selves. I looked up at the moon one last time before I twitched my head to the side and morphed in a much larger leopard than Mellissa and trotted over to her.