Delvezio slid his car, a classic sports convertible he'd rebuilt...

Happy Belated Summer Solstice howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

Well, it seems not everyone in Talbot's Peak is *overjoyed* with the idea of Mayor Gil's census, even for a larger food supply. This is their side of the story... And! Yes, this flash scene is also a continuation of last week's flash, Amazon Warrioress In Talbot's Peak.

Btw, a warning: the copyright cartel in Hollywood is attempting to copyright everything not nailed down, and nailed down... D*sney, the mouse empire, wants to send you a bill even if you say their company name in a personal email. No, this isn't a joke. This was just reported by Max Kaiser, a man in the know.
~~~~~~

Delvezio slid his car, a classic sports convertible he'd rebuilt...

Determined to wolf-nip trouble in the bud or the butt, Delvezio slid his car, a classic sports convertible he'd rebuilt, into the parking spot closest to the Peak's radio station. Not wanting to miss one word of Mayor Gil's appeal to line up for a census, he touched the volume of his radio on high, then settled back, one arm slung across the back of his two-seater.

On instinct, Delvezio sniffed the wind. The green-blooming smells of summer buzzed pleasurably through him, and he cracked a quick smile. As well, his wolf salivated over the plateful of delicious food odors wafting from various restaurants. For moments, he gathered in the informative scents about his Peakite family, who was in town and their location.

Delvezio couldn't help shaking his head at the current situation. Where the miscommunications had occurred, he and Dante couldn't figure. He swiped his hand through his wind-tangled, longish hair.

Over a late dinner at the English Pub, he and Dante had banged their two brains together in an attempt to discover, to analyze what had gone wrong. Word from their mole in the mayoral mansion was that Gil believed Talbot's Peak was short of food, and needed state aid.

Was new fatherhood somehow causing the mayor to be wrongly concerned about the amount of 'eats' available? Had he forgotten how to decode their emails? Yeah-snarls, coded because hackers ruled the cyber world, and the dark net was a convenient dumping ground for their hacking victories.

Yip-grrrs... obvious as original sin, no one in the outside world needed to know about the gargantuan, five years worth of food, medicines, and other necessities carefully catalogued and stored at the subterranean shelter, that was attached to the Pleasure Club complex.

As the man-wolf in charge of purchasing supplies for Dante's enormous underground emergency shelter, Delvezio had kept the mayor in the loop, appraising him of their latest preparations, of how much food they'd stored, and now had access to -- especially from Zance and Dontoya's cattle-buffalo ranch... and TP's own Digger, the gardening wolf shifter, and his rabbit shifter cohorts. In fact, all around town, in the public areas, folks had planted veggies and fruits that were free for the picking when ripe. And no pesticides allowed.

Delvezio impatiently tossed his head, and bared his teeth for an instant. Then he fine-tuned in the Tabs and Fuzzy show... not his humor bone to chew on, but he admired their early-morning dedication, and their willingness to let it 'all hang out'.

As he kept his outer cool, his inner wolf snapped at the aggravation of having to handle this political snafu, instead of visiting the small, organic berry farm that was willing to sell whatever their regular customers didn't buy. But they'd requested a face-to-face with him first.

Hell howls, for the last year, he and his team had busted their butts setting up an organic greenhouse supply chain throughout their Talbot's Peak territory. They'd also traveled the state contracting with ranchers and farmers. And not to further growl about the local hunters who brought in their surplus meat for storage in the nearby, ice-cool cave his team had outfitted.

Delvezio knew he didn't mean it...Gil was a good guy with a caring heart...but it almost felt like the mayor slapped him across the muzzle.

"Del...Delvie" the feminine, feline voice hailed. With an amused mumble-grumble under his breath, he watched the audacious teenager, Brenda Oldman, head toward him, her gait a slinky run.

"Brenda," he co-opted the conversation first, "heard you had quite the serenade the other night." Delvezio grinned wolf-large.

She sauntered closer, turning on her female charm. Every line of her body oozed with her budding sexuality, as did her smile. "Yeah, well...it was kinda flattering, if you know I mean. Course, Dad, had to make a big production out of it, chase them off by actually throwing shoes." Brenda rolled her eyes.

"Dads are like that. Always protecting their daughters." Delvezio gave her a paternal grin to remind Brenda, once again, that he had no carnal interest in her. However, he certainly appreciated her real enthusiasm as a regular volunteer who collected leftover food from the Pleasure Club's restaurants, then distributed it to area families needing a helping paw -- mostly to those who lived a good long trek from town. "I hope you're planning an extra special day for your Dad."

"Mom, I, and the brother, are treating him to one of McDuff's Scottish meals. Dad's got a thing for the Scot's Best of Breed Pub, and the hearty fare there, as he calls it." With a teenager's patented dismissive shrug, Brenda added. "The scones and clotted cream are always good."

"Nobody does it better than Duff McDuff when it comes kilt-wearin' dining." Delvezio rumbled a short laugh at his botched imitation of the Scottie dog warrior.

"The kilt-wearing scenery is hot." Brenda naughtily smiled as she sidled closer.  She rested a hip on the side of his convertible. "You've never told me where you're from, and I can't place that yummy accent of yours."

"The Basque Country in northern Spain." Delvezio made a show of increasing the radio's volume. When Brenda didn't a chatter a followup, he glanced at her. "Do you need a lesson in geography?"

"Maybe," she sing-sang while rocking her shoulders. "Awesomely explains why you remind me of a matador, but you don't look exactly Spanish."

"I hope that's a compliment," Delvezio bantered as he straightened from the radio.  He beamed a paternal smile at her.

"Sure is. But hey, handsome, why are you in town this early?"

"I'm meeting with the mayor after his radio debut with our infamous local celebrities, Tabs and Fuzzy." 

"Oh...wow. Okay. Gotta run some errands for Mom. See ya later." With a dazzling, come-hither smile, Brenda spun around and hurried off.

"Teenage girls, especially cat shifters... gotta love 'em," Delvezio growly muttered, then eased back against the leather seat. Unlike Dante, and many of the wolf alphas in the Peak, he'd never been a cat-tail chaser, preferring the company of lady canine shifters. Usually.

As he waited, Delvezio waved to many who passed by, including the bunny twins as he thought of them. Since arriving two years ago, he'd become friendly with many in town, especially those he did business with on behalf of Dante's emergency shelter.

Hearing Gil's intro, he laser-focused his attention.

"Mind if I join you?" Kitty's quiet but intense voice cut through his thoughts instantly. Delvezio shot his gaze to her.

"Hop in, Dante's girl. Sounds like our mayor is about to make his pitch."

"You would think our protest-raid when Linc was mayor, that Gil would be smarter than this. Wonder what's got his tightie-whities in a wad? Not enough nuts this time of year?" Kitty spoke as she slid into the seat next to him.

"Could be a case of mind control. Voice-to-skull tech is being used like there's no tomorrow. Although, our cyber team didn't find any conclusive evidence of an electronic attack on Gil." 

"The world is getting more wonky-insane everyday. Stress could be kicking the mayor in the pants, even though we've managed to keep a good quality of life here in the Peak. Still, dangle goodies in front of some, and they can't resist what looks like a free handout."

Delvezio heard Kitty sigh deeply a moment before Gil launched into his well-meant, heartfelt appeal to Peakites. How many would leap like a fish for the baited hook... Delvezio put the bite on his thoughts. If he couldn't convince the mayor TP didn't need state aid, and too many jumped aboard this train to certain hell... other peaceful measures would have to be taken.

"Brain-addled," Kitty muttered in a low yowl, once Gil finished speaking.

"Has da mayor gone bonkers-wonkers? What bad movie am I watchin here?" Ralph the Bear stopped in his tracks, and aimed his gaze at Delvezio. "Who's he tryin' to kid here? I ain't no puppet. Nobody from the government is pullin' my strings, tellin' me what I can eat like they're doin' in those human warehouse schools. Those poor kids ain't got a chance. Their brains are gonna be mush."

Delvezio could only nod in agreement. He couldn't have spoken it better.

"That's right," Sozchy, the Love Wolfess, jumped in, her voice far more strident than when she was on the air with her 'love advice' radio show.  "What is the Mayor thinking? I like Gil, he's been a good mayor. But he's not thinking. Clearly not thinking," she emphasized, her jaw tight. "Doesn't he get the long-term game?" Sozchy balled her fists in anger. "First they lure us in with free food, then they'll tell us we won't be able to forage or hunt in our own forests for food. Not if we want more handouts. And they'll be some who get hooked, and believe they can't survive. That's what they did to the Native Americans. They stole their land, and forced them to become dependent."

"You gotta do something, Del." Graystone, one of the ranchers who sold eggs and chickens to the Pleasure Club, stalked toward him, his face turning redder by the moment. Mostly human, with a wolf shifter grandfather, he'd settled in area, and now had a going concern, and a large family. "And I ain't lettin' my wife or children chomp down on any of that GMO Mon-Satan-O frankenfood they'll be foisting off on us. And if anyone else has got a lick o' sense, they won't mess with that crap either. But there's a group of fools at the post office celebrating like it's... what was that Purple Rain song?"

"Celebrating like it's 1999 by Prince, who isn't Prince, but is," Sozchy answered.

"I plan on meeting with the mayor soon as he returns to his office," Delvezio addressed the growing crowd. 

"They bring that pesticide-laden frankenfood here, and I'll burn it to the ground." Sharla brandished her designer bag. "On second thought, I'm getting my pitchfork and torch ready to run them out of town."

Before his mind's eye, Delvezio all too easily saw Sharla astride her black stallion shifter mate, Zoronado, flaming torch in hand. Everyone knew she was one feisty human, and didn't back down. 

"Hold on." Delvezio raised his hand in a conciliatory manner. "Dante and I will be working behind the scenes to keep everything as it is, and keep the state out of our supernatural-morphing hair."

"I say my mate is quite correct in this matter." Zoronado appeared from somewhere, and claimed his Sharla's waist. "It is wise to prepare now. We cannot allow such a travesty."

"No, we can't," Delvezio firmly stated. "You're right. Everyone prepare. In the meantime, let me talk with the mayor. Nip this in the butt."

"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best." Kitty softly spoke in the momentary silence.

"Recall petition!" Mary Lou shouted in a whinny, being a horse shifter. Even in her human form, she galloped toward them. "What's the mayor doing? Even thinking about letting any state official in our town. If I have to, I'll boycott the mayor and any business that goes along with this... hell's bells, with any state law. I've had enough!"

"Good idea," Kitty yelled to the ever-burgeoning crowd. "Who's onboard with a recall petition? That is, if Gil continues on this 'dangerous to us' all path."

"Besides," Mary Lou sniffed loudly. "What about my business, TP's Livestock Center? I'll lose the business I need to keep going, folks. I've got hay and grain shipments coming in by the truckload. Enough for everyone. And everyone knows I keep my prices fair."

Delvezio knew for a fact Mary Lou did keep her prices fair as possible. He, and one of his trusted team members, regularly worked with her to make certain all the area ranchers received the feed they needed for their livestock.

"Dang, if you're not right on point, Mary Lou. I know I'll lose business, and who knows how many of us small entrepreneurs will lose business, even have to go out of business." Ben, a brown bear shifter, and an organic seed supplier to the local farmers, barreled through the crowd to pin Delvezio with his outraged gaze. "Many of us moved to the Peak for the good opportunities here, and the freedom to do business."

"Here, here!" Stormy, a local rancher, and Dane, the puma shifter's mate, hollered. We got a good thing going in this Talbot's Peak community. We know how to regulate ourselves, and take care of our own. Why are we going to let anyone ruin that?"

"I'm for running anyone going along with this outta town. Like Sharla says. And I got the bikers to do it." Stephanos, a wolf-lion hybrid, barking-roared loud enough to be heard above the crowd.

"Stephanos," Kitty calmly addressed. "I'm with you. I'll ride with you, if it comes to that. But, there's no use in starting a civil war right here in our beloved Peak. I'm certain Dante has a plan to circumvent all of this. If need be."

"Let me say this," Delvezio calmly boomed his voice. "Most of you know Dante has a crack cyber team. Let's just say, this team has stopped certain intrusions by the establishment, and the state already."

Murmurs spiked and peaked around Delvezio as this info was absorbed.

The rapid clatter of hoofbeats startled them all. Delvezio leaped upward, standing on his car seat. What met his gaze simply astounded him, and he was damn well used to the unusual, to any number of paranormal events. His life had been nothing but such supernatural happenings. Since his birth.

A woman warrior, astride a horse the color of burnished gold, galloped in his direction. She reminded him of the legendary Amazon-tribe women, and was so breath-stealing in beauty, he gasped inward.

His heart clattered along with the sound of her horse's hooves, as "Omygawd," tidal-waved around him.

"Has she come to take on the mayor?" Ben, the bear baritone-shouted.

"I hope so," chorused around Delvezio.

****

TO BE CONTINUED...

~~~~~~


Wishing you love and passion on the wild side ~ 

Savanna 

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance

Time to unmask my inner cat...

End of September howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

This week, it's all about celebrating the season of the witch, and enjoying the bewitchment of Halloween. To that end, I'll be writing a series of flash scenes which will lead up to the Halloween Blog Hop ~ October 27-31.

To set up today's short flash scene, here's a small excerpt from HER MIDNIGHT STARDUST COWBOYS , my ShapeShifter Seductions novel.

~~~

From Chapter Sixty-six:

"No worries, gentlemen." Pasha slinked closer to White Fang, resting her hip against him. "Ziva has Nick by the collar, and she's whispering naughty promises in his ear." She spoke in her slow sultry voice, the one that always riled Zance to hot and ready.

But no more. That was reserved for Sherilyn.

"You're surely right, Ms. Pasha." Zance gave her a wink. "Nick is followin' Ziva, and lookin' like a stud on a short leash."

"Like I was telling Zance, rumor is..." Mayor Linc began.

"Tell you what, fellas, Ms. Pasha," Zance interrupted. "I'm itchy as a flea-bitten mutt to get back to my mate. Mayor, me and Dontoya will back you up. White Fang, ole buddy, we'll be attendin' the get-ready meetings like always."

"Congratulations to you and Dontoya on being mated," White Fang offered, his tone genuine.

"Yes, congratulations, and blessed be your union." Pasha glowed, and with his psi-eyes, Zance observed her golden essence whirl, then surround him.
He gave her a slight nod of thanks.

"Your mate, she is Ubarion, is she not?" Pasha smiled, the Egyptian cat goddess who captured any canary she wanted.

Zance answered with a lopsided grin. Figuring the Ubarion cat was now out the bag anyway, and a cat goddess would know the truth, he drawled, "Close enough, Ms. Pasha. But we're keeping it under our hats."

"Of course," Pasha met his gaze squarely, and Zance witnessed the strength of her sacred force. "I will not speak of it. However, if your mate would care to know more about her heritage, I will happily speak with her."

~~~

Time to unmask my inner cat...

"Time to unmask my inner cat," Sherilyn whispered to herself, as she sauntered inside the Cotillion Costumery, a large shop inside the Pleasure Club. The salon like setting -- done in pale shades of peach, rose, and ivory, with accents of antique gold -- had been designed specifically for those planning to attend the UnMasked Beast Ball.

"Welcome," a gorgeous woman who resembled the actress, Halle Berry, greeted. Dressed in an exquisite Louis XV-inspired gown -- the color was graduated tones of icy blue to ephemeral aquamarine -- the petite woman positively shimmered. Her face naturally shone beyond the cosmetics she'd used, and her dark, blue-tinged eyes sparkled like moonstruck water.  "I am Latherese. What is your pleasure today, madam?"

Enchanted by Latherese, and her surroundings, Sherilyn smiled, and entered the fantasy. "I wish to appease my inner feline."

"Yes, of course, madam, the room you seek is to the right. Shall I assist you? Or would you prefer–"

"Why don't you allow me to assist the lady, Latherese?"

Sherilyn spun around at the accented voice, and met Pasha's cat-smug face. The Egyptian goddess feline-shifter lifted her lips in a lazy smile. "White Fang is meeting with Dante as are your two mates. The protection of Talbot's Peak is paramount, of course. However, what a perfect time to select our costumes, don't you think?"

"Yes, purrr-fect," Sherilyn emphasized. Later she'd 'convince' Zance and Dontoya to spill everything. Double entendre meant, she thought.

Pasha's subtle nod, her brilliantly flaring eyes, then the toss of her flaming red hair, let Sherilyn know the goddess-cat had easily tuned into her musing. Mutually they moved together, strolling toward the costume room indicated by Latherese.

"Ladies," another beautifully gowned woman spoke once they'd entered, "if you would care for refreshments, there is a selection of wines and cordials. And a table of petit fours, we hope is to your taste."

"Thank you, Brigelle," Sherilyn smiled, recognizing the young woman from various dance classes they'd taken together at the Pleasure Club. "Dante never fails to impress."

"Wait until you see the barely-there beast costumes. Then the gowns. Oh, and if you don't find a gown to your total liking, one of our costumers will make it for you." Brigelle literally shook with delight. "I'm having one designed now."

"Pasha, have you met Brigelle?" Sherilyn remembered her manners.

"I believe we enjoyed the same pole-dancing class, did we not?" At Brigelle's somewhat shy nod, Pasha continued, "As I recall you were the most sensually limber of us all."

Brigelle, a Siamese cat shifter, blushed at the praise, and Sherilyn understood why. Pasha's mere presence could be intimidating, given the granddaughter of Bast could control the force of the cosmos itself.

Having gained more of her latent, supernatural powers since Zance had saved her life, Sherilyn knew she could hold her own... well, enough to feel comfortable in getting to know Pasha better. They'd spoken on several occasions, mostly at the various entertainment events Dante, and his ever-growing staff, put on.

However, there was one question Sherilyn hadn't asked Pasha yet -- one that haunted her every single day, one she kept closeted in the background. True, the time had never seemed quite right. Also true, the emotional difficulty of adjusting to some of her paranormal abilities had caused Sherilyn to keep counsel with only herself, and her two mates. .

But, was now the time? She'd searched for more information about her Ubarion heritage. All to no avail.

"Pole dancing," Sherilyn repeated, her gaze on Brigelle. "I will definitely be joining that class."

"I'm teaching one that begins in November," Brigelle offered. "I'll give you the details later." She spoke quickly. "Right now, ladies, I'm keeping you from choosing your costumes."

Anticipation zinged through Sherilyn as she and Pasha moved inward. Big cat and domestic-breed costumes surrounded them. Even fantasy felines had been included, one being a purple lioness.

Pausing in their steps, she and Pasha took their time eyeing the scanty, naughty yet elegant costumes. Decorated with lace frills and satin ribbon, some of them had obviously been erotically themed around the Louie XV era.

"Wow," Sherilyn murmured.

"Double wow," Pasha languidly purred.

TO BE CONTINUED....

~~~~~~


Wishing you love and passion on the wild side ...

Savanna 

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance

White Fang ~ A Shapeshifter Memorial

Tuesday howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

I wondered how one of our own in Talbot's Peak would view Memorial Day. White Fang, my super wolf hero, spoke to me for this flash scene.
~~~~~~

White Fang ~ A Shapeshifter Memorial

The wildness of the tall-tree forest raced through him as White Fang loped along the trail -- still damp and slick from the lightning storm that had blown through during the night hours.

White Fang kept his pace steady, sure-footed. He breathed in the new-growth pine, springtime's chlorophyl-rich leaves, and the blood-tangy scent of foraging creatures.

The afternoon winds kissed his muzzle, stroked his fur, then slipped over his tail. Feeling the not-to-be-ignored tug of his soul, he'd decided on this small pilgrimage to the isolated mountain lookout he favored most, on what American humans called Memorial Day.

Even though, Earth was not his native planet, White Fang had gradually developed a fondness for Mother Earth. Between his investigations as a crime reporter, he'd explored her splendid untamed terrains. Now, as his paws struck her fecund surface, Gaia's varied harmonies, her forest song flowed through him, fierce as a jolt of electricity.

Seeing the familiar tower of rock, the gateway to his lookout cathedral, White Fang slowed his gait. Sunlight and shadow played over the shades of gray, and he took moments to appreciate nature's beauty.

Once he stood on the rock shelf overlooking the monumental grandeur of the valley, White Fang slowly shifted to his human form. The need to honor the fallen warriors and warrioresses of his homeworld burned like a blazing torch inside him.

The wolven shapeshifters who had bravely battled, and given their lives to protect their families, their kind, their world... his world, lived again for long moments before his mind's eye. He'd witnessed every battle as part of his education, his warrior training.

Some of the fallen had been his ancestors, and White Fang accessed his genetic memories. Opening his arms wide, he offered his sacred heart, his eternal gratitude.

Once the conflicts, the warfare had ended on his home planet, the gift of physical immortality had been bestowed by the creator gods and goddesses. Currently, most of the fallen had incarnated, becoming guardians of the wolven people.

White Fang swept his gaze over the magnificent rock face of the mountainside. After listening to the deep trombone tones of the ancient stone, he recalled each and every shapeshifter he'd known, or knew of, who had sacrificed their lives in battle. Had died for the sake of their kind, to protect their family, their pack, their mate -- to save all those they loved.

As their images appeared, he honored each one of them. Finally lowering his arms, White Fang stood in the stillness, the silence -- that which was truth and goodness and universal justice.

The sun's rays embraced him, streamed inside him, a sacred and powerful guiding light. With his eyes still closed, White Fang morphed to his wolven self.

He sat on his haunches, quietly taking in the spectacular wonders around him. Once the shadows lengthened, and the mountain peak claimed the sun, he trotted toward the trail that would take him home to Pasha, the cat goddess he loved.
 
Home, to Talbot's Peak.
~~~~~~

 
Wishing you shapeshifting love on the wild side… 

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance

Don't step on White Fang's cape...

  
Tuesday howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

I've been putting together a cast list of all my Talbot's Peak characters. No easy feat I discovered. I did have a names' list of my heroines and heroes to start with, one that I began awhile back for the sake of not duplicating names, but it was nowhere complete. Yep, there were big ole gaps.

So, as I described at my blog, Kougar Kisses, the project turned into a sort-of Medusa like operation as I began searching through all of my prior flash-scene posts. Oh, I had my main characters, and last year's heroines and heroes all lined up... but, dang, three days of intense work, and I'm still not completely finished. Close, but no cigar... as they say.

One dilemma I've come face to face with is this whole BIG BULLY MEDIA copyright/trademark thing going on, whereupon one innocent infraction could get you unmercifully pounced on, and devoured by the legal system. I won't expound any further on that now.

Suffice it say, I'm faced with changing my super wolf's name from White Fang Kent to White Fang [something else]... because, hey, it too closely resembles Super Man's alter ego, Clark Kent. But, damn, if I can come up with suitable alternative.

Thus, today's flash scene...
~~~~~~

Don't step on White Fang's cape...

White Fang snuck a peek inside Nick's office before entering, instinctive since the smell of Ziva and Nick's recent mating romp still hung heavy in the air. That, and the odor of heated wood.

Grinning to himself, White Fang pushed open the door. "Boss, what's on your mind?"

"Have a seat, ace reporter."

The werewolf alpha editor of the Guts and Butts Gazette snarled the words, his tone absent of any snideness however. He waved an impatient hand toward the chair, then swiped his hair as if he carried the weight of the world on his broad shoulders. Certainly, he carried the weight and well-being of Talbot's Peak on his shoulders.

White Fang perched on the sturdy wooden chair, a relic of a forties newsroom, and leaned forward. "I'm seated," he prompted. "Looks like you got a case of fleas, boss. Couldn't be you're about to get on my case. I just turned in my latest story."

"Yeah-yeah, has nothing to do with your job performance. Outstanding as normal. Got quite a devoted following, Kent." Nick folded his hands behind his head, and square-eyed him. "But, I'll save us a dance around each other, and get down to brass tacks."

"You're not my type as a dance partner," White Fang drily quipped, and kept his smile to himself.

"Why would I be?" Nick snapped. "That cat shifter femme fatale of yours has more curves than Route 66." Nick scowled, and lifted his lip.

"Problem?"

"Take off those damn glasses, will ya? And don't raise your eyebrows at me like I got a story you can pry outta me, Kent... another life, another time. Enough said."

"Got it, boss." White Fang slipped his horn-rimmed glasses off, pocketing them. "May I assume you didn't call me in here to hand out a plum assignment?"

"Nope." Nick rocked forward, his gaze serious as if prey crossed his path. "We all know around here, you're some sort of super wolf."

White Fang hesitated only a moment. "Right, then, it's on the table. No use trying to keep my true identity a secret in this 'where the shapeshifter world turns' town. Except from the humans, of course."

"Yeah, the humans. And those who keep their noses buried in their butt holes. Besides," Nick continued in a surly voice, "using the name, Kent, is a dead giveaway...doncha think?"

"A tip of the reporter's fedora to Clark Kent, and admittedly, a private amusement on my part. Didn't hurt as a byline either, with my past newspaper gigs."

White Fang flashed a toothy grin just to dig into Nick's hide a bit. The name had garnered him much needed attention as a virgin reporter on the scene. Then, his investigative journalism into crime had done the rest, elevating his readership faster than a speeding bullet.

"Yeah-yeah, dug into your past. You got the best credentials I ever seen, uh... Kent. Gotta quit calling you that. Scat." Nick twisted, and leaped from his chair, not disguising his werewolf strength and speed.

"Look," he growled, pacing behind his desk. "It's a copyright or trademark thing. Hate those scat-bloated corporate... never mind. The point is I can't afford trouble..." Nick let his words hang, even as he whirled around, his gaze pinning White Fang.

Ignoring the alpha glint in the werewolf's eyes, White Fang eased himself from the chair, and stood asserting his own dominant nature. After a moment, he delivered his words in a calm measured tone. "You want me to change my byline. Right?"

"It's not your real handle... why not?" Nick's eyes yellowed to feral, his frustration driving him.

White Fang didn't bother with what would be an obvious answer. He let his steely silence do the talking.

Nick growled, an abrupt harsh sound. He spun around, stalking to his office window. "I got that pea-parrot assistant of mine poking my ass... reminding me every friggin' day we could get sued. Worse, Talbot's Peak doesn't need this kind of national spotlight."

White Fang absorbed Nick's words, while weighing his options. Circumstances demanded he remain in Talbot's Peak. Not only for the sake of his wolfkind, but to continue protecting those he'd come to care for in this haven for shifters and other supernaturals.

He certainly wasn't leaving without Pasha by his side, and he'd allied himself with Dante. That was not a promise he took lightly, despite the understanding between them that the future could alter their arrangement.

White Fang growled silently. "Right, boss. We don't need a barking army of legal beagles."

The tenseness of Nick's stance lessened, and he glanced over his shoulder. "Got an idea what name you want to use instead?"

His usual quickness of thought deserted him, and White Fang possessed not a clue what byline would keep his global readership. Of course, he could explain a change to his Peak readers easy enough.

"No, nothing comes to mind," he rumbled, even as he realized he'd become quite fond of the earth name, White Fang Kent -- especially the way Pasha sultry-purred it during their intimate times together.

"Any suggestions, boss?" White Fang arched his brows in the way he knew put a burr under Nick's tail.

"Go to the library," Nick groused. "Look in on one of those baby names books. Or, hell, go surfing on the world wide web."

"I'll grab a telephone book on the way out. More private. No nano spy cameras inside those yet."

After a growly harumph and sharp intake of breath, Nick faced White Fang. "Sorry, ex-Kent. You know how the bitten ball bounces."

"Your balls are going to bounce, lover, after I fang them," Ziva shouted through the door. "You forgot our appointment."

"Leaving." White Fang smirked, then pivoted toward the door.

"I need that name by tomorrow," Nick threw after him.

"Don't step on White Fang's cape... boss."

After a polite nod to Ziva, White Fang strode for the outside door. He couldn't miss the large phone book Penelope, the pea-parrot dominatrix, held out to him. Nor could he miss her all-knowing smile.

"I wouldn't mind stepping on your cape... no, not at all," she throatily crooned as he took hold of the phone book.  

~~~~~~

 
~ Have a Magickal Shapeshifting Week ~ 

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

The Capricious Wolfen Countess

Tuesday howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

Winter has returned to my tame prairie, with a thin blanket of snow and lots of glistening icicles. There's a Full Moon in Libra tomorrow... definitely a time to balance out your life. Or, in my case walk that tightrope of trying to get everything done, but never succeeding.

I did get some promo-ing done for my ShapeShifter Seductions' release: HER MIDNIGHT STARDUST COWBOYS. For a couple of excerpts just click on my page above.

So, my flash scene for today... it's rough around the edges, and not fully developed... but I like the idea, which was inspired by Pat Cunningham's post a week ago Monday, titled: "Horse Whispering"... and by Kirsten Lynn's wonderful guest post at Wild and Wicked Cowboys, where she blogged about -- yes it's a real sport, Cowboy Polo -- the history and the present.

And, since I've always wanted to learn how to play Polo, well... besides, my Muse wanted to play this way, and I'm too worn out to deny Her anything.
~~~~~~

The Capricious Wolfen Countess

Kwolfie swung around sideways, getting comfortable in the library's old stuffed chair. She kicked off her loosely tied running shoes, and dangled her bare legs over the cushioned arm.

Probably a relic from the fifties, the chair smelled like someone's garage. The variety of odors rather appealed to her sensitive canine nose, and Kwolfie inhaled deeply as she cracked open the paperback romance novel -- a new one she'd been counting the days to read.

Given her three brothers, along with her sire and dam, teased her nonstop about her taste in literature, Kwolfie usually escaped to the Talbot's Peak's library. Because no matter the torment, she just had to indulge her insatiable appetite for paranormal erotic romance novels, especially the shapeshifter love stories.

Grrrr...go to dog pound hell, she mentally cursed her annoyingly uncouth brothers.  Although, she gave them high marks for being true protectors of their wolf shifter kind.

With anticipation zinging through her, Kwolfie turned the pages to chapter one. Before settling down to lose herself in the story, she wiggled with excitement, and gave her unruly hair a toss.

As she focused on the opening paragraph, Kwolfie halted the uninhibited swing of her legs, crossing them. But her reading enjoyment was interrupted.

Aware she'd become the object of someone's scrutiny, Kwolfie didn't look up. Instead, she carefully sensed for malevolent intent. She'd undergone rigorous training by the three Mages, who had traveled to Earth with her extended family -- about three spins of sun now.

Feeling no threat from the man standing behind the nearest row of bookshelves, Kwolfie put up her mind shield, and blocked out his thoughts. After all, she only had about an hour of Earth time to read before one of her brothers would track her to the library, and make a smirking, big-lump nuisance of himself.

***

Holy hell, it is the countess. Stunned that he'd found her so easily, Dak nearly forgot about the rare prize he held, the autobiography of a polo pony shifter.

He stared at the alien-world wolfen countess, downright captured by her girl-next-door beauty. As she dangled her legs over the arm of the chair, then swung them in a carefree manner, his tongue almost lolled out.

Down, son, he told is cock, no misbehavin' in a public library.

Dak forced his gaze from her naked shapely legs, even though her human gams begged for his touch, and so much more. Damn, the council's snake shifter informant hadn't spoken with forked tongue.

Having observed the royal cruiser's approach to Earth -- some three years ago -- from a high point in the Rocky Mountains, the Lupine Council had attempted to mind-scan their off-world relatives. Only able to learn the ratio of males to females, and verify they were an aristocratic family pack, the Council elders decided to use their network of informers.

He'd been summoned now that they'd finally gotten some info. As a dilute Lupine, or what some called a half-breed, Dak moved easily in the human world. Over the years of going on these scouting missions, he'd learned the ropes, and earned the top spot.

Most comfortable in the world of cowboys as a lone wolf type, he currently worked on a Sheridan, Wyoming ranch that was famous for their first-rate polo ponies. And heckfire, if he hadn't developed a real yen for the sport.

Dak fought the urge to make immediate contact with the countess. The beguiling beauty's mind shield had slammed him out so fast, she hadn't known he tried to telepathically probe her.

Just as well for now, Dak figured. But, he had gotten a mental glimpse of the book she'd buried her pretty little nose in.

One of them romance novels with all the explicit sex. Dak decided as he watched her read like there was no tomorrow, all curled up and wolf-woman adorable -- oh, yeah hell, believe it son, he'd read one of them erotic romances out loud to her. He'd read every last one of 'em in the shapeshifter town's library.

~~~~~~

 
~ Happy Full Moon in Libra Howls ~ 

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Dante's Love Song

Tuesday howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

So, once again I have neglected my flash scene in favor of editing HER MIDNIGHT STARDUST COWBOYS, my ShapeShifter Seductions erotic romance menage. Gotta go with the flow, since I've already had so many roadblocks.

Right now, I'm on the final six chapters, and there is! light at the end of the editing-cave tunnel. At this point in the story, Sherilyn, Dontoya, and Zance are enjoying New Year's Eve at the grand opening of the Midnight Stardust Supperclub -- designed by Dante, and located inside his underground Pleasure Club complex.

One of the reasons, my Talbot's Peak story is now over 100,000 words is because many of the Peakites have cameo appearances, and are integral to the overall plotline.

In this scene, Dante dances with Kitty, the woman he loves but can't make his own yet. He's written a song only for her.
~~~~~~

Dante's Love Song

From ~ Chapter Sixty-nine

Once they broke eye contact, Dontoya gestured with his coffee cup. The three of them gazed in that direction, seeing Dante escort Kitty to the middle of the pearly rainbow floor.

As the alpha werewolf romantically took his beautiful little cat shifter in his arms, strains of music began over the sound system.

"Dante's song," Sherilyn reminded.

My forever love, midnight stardust when you finally come to me,
Our gazes cling and once again I am fierce with ecstasy.
My arms lock around you, grateful to hold you one more time.
When our hearts embrace, I hear the rhythm and the rhyme.

My forever love, beneath midnight stardust skies where we run free,
Our hungering lips welcome each other passionately.
Always the sweet fever of our kisses steals away the night.
For, I am yours, my soul twined with yours during daylight.

~~~~~~

 
~ Have a Magickal and Miraculous Month of March ~ 

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Christmas, A Magical Portal Day ~ Part Three

Happy Howlidays, shapeshifter lovers.

I hope you are having an exceptionally wonderful holiday season.

Here's the final flash in the three part series, themed around the magical portal days of 12-12-2012, the Winter Solstice, and now Christmas day. On December 25th, the sun begins the journey from his lowest point in the sky, moving northward to his highest point, or the Summer Solstice.

This bit of astronomical trivia is not meant to disrespect the spiritual meaning of Christmas. After all, the grandeur of our cosmos is a Divine creation.

Here's what Volcano, my hero in WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS, says in his Weekly Angelic Forecast about the opportunity of Christmas week.

"During this week of celebration and good tidings, look for the wonders in your life, and the signs of wonder around the world. For, with each passing moment, the divine miracles increase."
~~~

Love and Peace out, until the New Year, 2013.
~~~~~~

Christmas, A Magical Portal Day ~ Part Three

Winter of discontent. The phrase from Shakespeare's "Richard III" repeated itself inside her mind, driving Sharva ever closer to the fairy window.  

"Your winter of discontent." Her lips barely moved as Sharva mocked herself and her impossible situation.

Even through her glove, there'd been nothing but a warm inviting tingle as she'd touched her finger to the fragile weave of light.

Why not try going through? If it was a portal, what did she have to lose at this point in her miserable excuse for a life?

Yeah, who knew what was on the other side? It might be a trap, and she'd be some reptoid's holiday dinner. At least, that's what she'd heard on the paranormal radio shows she listened to regularly. That a race of advanced, space-faring raptors enjoyed dining on human flesh -- as well as some of the reptoid races living underground on Earth.

Yet, the urge to find out if she could pass through, grew by leaps and bounds, until Sharva felt almost consumed by it. With a prayer on her lips, she stepped forward, pressing her shoulder against the delicately pulsing shimmer.

Before Sharva knew it, she scanned a different snowscape. Where? She had not a clue, except the cold bit her nose. And someone...no, check that...something bounded straight for her.

Something large and furry that seemed to morph, and now she could clearly see the running man was absolutely, totally buck naked. Instinctively, Sharva moved backward.

Oh God! What she'd just passed through, now felt like a sturdy wall against her back. And, she wasn't going anywhere.

Startled by what looked like someone's shadow in her peripheral vision, Sharva spun around. More handsome than sin, a man with a perfect tan, and flowing hair that looked like it had been spun out of gold, stood not fifteen feet away from her.

Even as his winning smile seemed to slice inside her, Sharva shied away. He wore a long tailored black coat and appeared to be expensively outfitted for an evening on the town. Had he come through a portal as well?

Saying not a word, he extended his hand as if he knew her, and now invited her to dance.

"Don't touch it!" the running man yelled. Odd, how his voice seemed much farther away than...

Shivering coldly inside, with dread making its presence known in the pit of her stomach, Sharva clutched at the invisible wall. She risked a glance in naked man's direction.

No naked man. Only an ungodly large wolf barreling through high drifts of snow from a different direction. A scream lodged in Sharva's throat at the killer ferociousness she witnessed on his face. He meant to eviscerate...her?

Or, she whipped her head around. Mr. Handsome as Sin raised his arm with military precision, and aimed at the wolf. Sharva envied his icy calm. It was as if he faced such attacks everyday.

She jumped as bolts of lightning streamed from his fingertips. Suddenly caught inside a bizarre nightmare, she threw her gaze toward the charging wolf.

Something inside her suddenly became desperate to save the wolf. But how?

****

Flung backward by the sorcerer's formidable blast of power, Durc's heart plummeted. His beloved, was she lost to him again?

In moments, he shifted to wolf. His fighting spirit blazed his blood, and he hurtled over the deep snow.

How Sharva had been detected by a dark-side immortal, he might never know. He'd taken every precaution while performing his magick against their 'seeing', their discovery of her.

She would be mind-altered, trained in their ways, and used for their evil purposes. Likely, every last ounce of her force would be drained from her over time. And again, she would pass from this world.

With each racing stride, fury gripped Durc harder, tighter. His muscles bunched and burned, fueled by rage, and he flew through the large drifts of snow.

Shielding himself against the sorcerer's attack beam, Durc made the dark-sider's exposed jugular his prey. With his mental shield weakening, he smelled his singed fur as he gathered his hind end, bared his fangs, and launched.

Durc sailed through smoke, the residue left by the evil immortal as he vanished. Obviously, the mysterious sorcerer had not realized the strength of Durc's magick.

Thump!  Durc bounced off his closed portal.

Sprawled in the snow, he quickly bounded up before thinking how that would look to Sharva, as if he meant to attack her.

When he gazed at her, she stood rooted to the spot, staring at him, her eyes wide with fright and shock. Durc promptly sat his butt down, and tried to look appealing.

"Were you, you trying to protect me?" she asked in a wavery uncertain voice.

Durc decided a nod of his head would work better, right now, than their telepathic link.

"Th–thanks...I think." Looking more vulnerable than Durc had seen anyone look in a long while, Sharva eyed him and clenched her shoulders together. "Are you part dog?"

What did he say to that? Another problem, he needed to shapeshift fast to his human form before his adrenalin spike wore off.

Durc had spent his vital energy on shielding himself. Reluctantly, he began slowly morphing, well knowing he was about to increase Sharva's level of shock, and her fear of him.

His plan had been to change from wolf to man on the run, and sweep Sharva through the portal. They'd be delivered to his home near Talbot's Peak, and he'd explain everything.

Thus, he mind-constructed the etheric gateway to open once again, only when he touched it as a man.

Durc watched the scream die on her lips, once he stood nude before Sharva. As she backed away out of pure fright, he snatched hold of her arm. Given her shock had set in too deep, she struggled very little.

"Baby, it's cold outside," he sang the Christmas-time lyric, hoping it would calm her enough. Durc gently pulled her closer, then wrapped his arms around her rigid body.

"You're, you're not cold," she uttered through stiff lips.

"Metabolism." Durc palmed the portal. "I can't wait to kiss an angel."

****

Sharva tucked her arm inside Durc's arm, and snuggled closer against him. Since regaining enough memories, albeit snatches, about her lifetime with her Mage Wolf Protector, she'd come to accept him. And his ongoing courtship of her.

Along with other Talbot's Peak townsfolk, they stood in the square before a strangely decorated but beautiful Christmas tree. Sharva squinted, not quite believing her eyes. "Is that a squirrel with a star climbing to the top of the tree?"

"Mayor Gil. The moon phase got him this year. But, no one wants to disappoint the children. Besides, it's tradition," Durc added, amusement in his rough and ready voice.

Around them, several children pointed, their excited shrill voices urging Mayor Gil up to the top of the towering fir tree. Sharva smiled, happiness bubbling up inside her.

She might be in the midst of weird-landia, but so far no one belittled her, or showed her an ounce of disrespect. No stinking up of the soul, as she called it -- the words courtesy of a friend who had commiserated with her.

"I dare you." Sharva heard the hushed tones of a child close to her. "I dare you to sing that here."

"Oh yeah. I can sing it wherever I like."

A beat or two later, as the Mayor leaped for another strong bough, Sharva heard...

"All I want for Christmas is my two front fangs...my two front fangs...grrrrrr...if I only had my two front fangs, the Christmas goose wouldn't need to be cooked..."

Then, the commotion really broke loose. A gang of wolf pups circled playfully, chasing each other's tails. When they spied Mayor Gil, they rushed the tree, yipping and jumping.

"Don't worry, Mayor. I've got a call into the police chief," a man yelled above the festive din, since no one else seemed particularly concerned, but in fact seemed to be enjoying the bonus merriment.

"I got candy canes to pass out," Santa shouted in a Jersey accent. "Or I'd wave t-bones in front of 'em. Help you out there, Mayor."

"Cookies, anyone? They're fresh. Plenty here." With a bow, the good-looking man presented his cellophane-wrapped treats to Sharva. After a glance at Durc, and his nod, she accepted the gift with a smiling thank you.

Meanwhile...the over-eager wolf pups were being rounded up, and there were murmurs about heading over to the coffee shop once the star sparkled atop the tree.

After all, Montana was damn cold this time of year. But, Sharva wasn't complaining. No, not at all. There was no place she'd rather be.

"Got your dancing shoes ready for the supperclub? I plan to spin you around the dance floor until you fall into my arms," Durc teased in that gruff wolf voice of his. That is, once the ceremony resumed with Gil again winding his way up the trunk, the star between his teeth.

"Oh, oops. I must've forgotten them. You'll just have to conjure me up a pair like Cinderella's fairy godmother," Sharva bantered, and squeezed his arm.

"As your Mage, and your personal Santa Clause, your every desire is my command."

Standing on tiptoe, with her lips close to his ear, Sharva breathlessly asked, "Every desire?"
~~~~~~


Have a magickal Christmas Week!
Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~~~~

A Magical Portal Day ~ Part Two

Merry Tuesday howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

Success has found me this week. The Muse has gracefully cooperated for the most part. Although, it was touch and go there for awhile. So, we'll see if Part Three will be written. The little minx does keep me on my writerly toes.

Anyway, here is the next flash scene, themed around Winter Solstice 2012.

Not to disappoint anyone... that is, if anyone is interested... so, yes, here's what Volcano, my hero in WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS, says in his Weekly Angelic Forecast about the opportunity of December 21, 2012.

"This week, journey through the Winter Solstice Stargate, and enter a profound realm where the dreamer brings forth the dream, the most desired of dreams. It is this act of creation that will make the real 'difference' in our precious world. For, those who dream splendidly will bring about an Aquarian Age paradise for one and all."
~~~

Love and Peace out, until next week, on Christmas Day.
~~~~~~

A Magical Portal Day ~ Part Two

'Walk through.' Durc shadowed his mind inside hers, not wanting to frighten the woman he'd journeyed far and wide to find.

Debating with herself, Sharva stood within inches of the portal he created night after night. In a manner pleasing to her, Durc wove the subtle energy strands with the power of his mind.

The stargate vibrations of the arriving Winter Solstice assisted him, and this evening after offering his gratitude, Durc had been able to construct the etheric gateway with a strength that allowed his mate safe passage to his location.

If only she would walk through, come to him.

With his hunter's gaze trained on Sharva, he watched her inch forward, and stand on the precipice of either entering, or retreating from his portal. 'You're safe,' he whispered the encouragement inside her mind. Only once.

Already jittery, and untrusting, because of her sorrowful life, Durc knew Sharva would turn tail and run if she felt pressured. She was so close, so close to the weave of delicate energy, that faint traces of her scent wafted through, tickling his nostrils.

Her fragrance, similar yet unique to her current physical form, teased Durc unmercifully. The instant the old gods gifted him with her scent trail, his ceaseless days as a vagabond, of roaming and protecting Earth's wildlands ended.

He'd made a home in Talbot's Peak, and become part of the backwoods patrol team Dante relied on.

Tempted to morph into his human form as Sharva tentatively touched the etheric gateway with her forefinger, Durc reminded himself his magickal prowess remained stronger as wolf. He could mindspeak easier with her, as they'd done before when he'd been both her Protector wolf and her Mage Protector.

Now, even as man, Sharva would not know him. She would possess no conscious memory of him as her devoted lover.

With the rise of the lost-soul sorcerers...when the world descended into the dark ages...his beloved Sharva hadn't been able to sustain her life force.

Humanity fell into the abyss of fear and ignorance, and magick, as once practiced on Earth, came to its endtime. With the dense entrapment of energies, Durc had failed to keep his beloved's beautiful body alive.

Once, by her mere presence the lands, the beasts and birds -- all of life sang happily, gloriously -- producing an abundance where no one was ever left in want.

As the dark sorcerers gained power, despoiling life, Durc had witnessed Sharva's shining spirit slip free. Like sparkling mist, she'd spiraled toward heaven, leaving him.

Only the promise of the old gods had kept Durc from ending his life, and following the woman he loved more than the breath of life itself. She would come to him again, his gods decreed, when the Winter Solstice Stargate opened, and the New Age revealed herself.

Now was that time.

Durc stretched his neck, and pricked his ears higher. Sharva leaned ever so slightly toward the portal.

'Come through,' he invited, keeping his words soft in her mind.

'Patience is a virtue,' Durc heard from on high.

True to their words, his gods had stayed by his side, guiding him -- even during the last century of the troubled and tumultuous Piscean age, when they traveled in the realm of spirit only.

As Durc discovered, once he found Sharva, the old gods had succeeded in protecting her. Despite the world's fall from grace, she hadn't been caught in the formidable clutches of the evil ones, and forced to serve them.

Not yet, he told himself, as he crept closer. The fresh snow made a fragile crunch as he padded toward his etheric gateway.

Because, he knew.

Sharva straightened with resolve, fisting her hands. After a few puffs of frosty breath, she plunged through the portal.

Once she shimmered through, Durc raced toward her, shapeshifting with each step. He had to reach  her before...

TO BE CONTINUED...
~~~~~~


Have a magickal Winter Solstice!

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

We Three Wolf Kings

Greeting howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers. 
 
This is in honor of the Winter Solstice Stargate  
on December 21, 2012. 

~~~~~~

We Three Wolf Kings of Ages Are 

 We three wolf kings of ages are
Bringing our spirit gifts, we travel afar
Fields and forests, rivers and mountains,
Following the portal star  

Oh Stargate of wonder, Oh solstice night
Above the stars shine with beauty bright
Westward running, still panting
We race toward Talbot's Peak light

Born another King on forest lane
Hearts of gold we bring to love Him again
Wolf King forever, ceasing never
Together we all will reign

Oh Stargate of wonder, Oh solstice night
Above the stars shine with beauty bright
Westward running, still panting
We race toward Talbot's Peak light

Wisdom to offer have we
Winter Solstice moons among sacred trees
Howling and praising, all wolves singing
To the Great Spirit so high and free

Oh Stargate of wonder, Oh solstice night
Above the stars shine with beauty bright
Westward running, still panting
We race toward Talbot's Peak light

Oh mystic star portal bridging doom
Breathe in new life beyond the gloom
Our souls raising, to the moon winging
We scent Mother Nature's nightly perfume

Oh Stargate of wonder, Oh solstice night
Above the stars shine with beauty bright
Westward running, still panting
We race toward Talbot's Peak light

Now behold the Winter Stargate arise
Wolf Kings, our Queens, ends our compromise
Glorious Awoooo! Awoooo! Awoooo!
To the celestial majesty we sing replies

Oh Stargate of wonder, Oh solstice night
Above the stars shine with beauty bright
Westward running, still panting
We race toward Talbot's Peak light

~~~~~~

Wolf Spirit Inspired lyrics by Savanna Kougar

A Magical Portal Day ~ Part One

Tuesday holiday-merry howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers. 
 
This week begins what 'feels' like a series of three flash scenes, with the last one written as a Christmas flash scene. At least, that's the working plan, shapeshifter Sam.

Yeah, we'll see, since everything is subject to change. The Muse simply demands it, the little princess.

So, there are three magical end-of-the-year dates coming up. The first one is December 12, 2012. Then, of course, Winter Solstice 2012, or 12-21-2012. And voila, Christmas day.

My flash scene reflects the first date, of course. Here's what Volcano, my hero in WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS, says in his Weekly Angelic Forecast about the opportunity of December 12, 2012.

"Also, 12-12-12 is this upcoming Wednesday. This date is a magickal opportunity to travel inward, and glimpse the dreams you've never known were inside you -- the dreams waiting to be expressed. As well, many will be joining in prayer and meditation to bring forth LOVE, and heighten the 'good, good' cosmic vibrations of this day."
~~~

Love and Peace out, until next week.
~~~~~~

A Magical Portal Day ~ Part One

Betrayed.

The word echoed through Sharva, on an endless loop.

Bitterly, she recalled the most recent blowup with her mother and brother. She'd spent years of her life doing anything and everything  -- workshops, seminars, self-improvement books, counseling, the TV pop psychology shows -- toward improving her relationships with both of them. With her family members in general.

Nothing worked. In the end.

"Betrayal, by a thousand cuts" she whispered. "I can't take it anymore."

So, here she stood at dusk, the snow covering the tops of her boots. Around her, snowflakes drifted as if they no longer cared about turning the world a beautiful wintery white.

Pain scorched and knifed her insides, and Sharva tamped down the sobs wanting to erupt from her constricted throat. Truth was, she couldn't cry anymore. She'd become too empty.

Would it come again? Sharva scanned the bleak darkening landscape. Scraggly trees struggled to survive, sparsely dotting the long slope of land, ruined so long ago by bad mining practices. 

She'd discovered the odd shimmer about a month ago on one of her solitary walks. What she now called a 'fairy window' -- because of it's mundane shape but sparkly ethereal colors -- had simply, suddenly appeared before her, hanging a few feet off the ground.

Caught between stomach-knotting fear and being utterly transfixed, Sharva stared as the faint rectangular shape shimmered in and out for several minutes -- remaining in the same position.

She'd been surprised beyond belief when the strange shimmer appeared in a different location two days later. Now, looking for the fairy window on her walks had become the one solace in Sharva's day.

With the conflicts and arguments escalating daily...with no way to leave since her mother depended on her for help and money...feeling all alone in a world gone mad...and betrayed by the family she loved with all her heart...Sharva stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.

She assumed she'd gone into some type of shock. Her frosty breaths moved in and out of her lungs. She felt herself blink, felt the way her gloved hands were stuffed inside her jacket pockets.

Immobile, Sharva was aware a snowflake melted on her eyelashes, even as she died inside all over again. She'd searched religiously, but the stark truth was she'd run out solutions for her life.

The distant howl of a lone wolf penetrated her thoughts. Startled, Sharva whipped her gaze around. There weren't supposed to be any wolves left in this area.

Of course, she reasoned, it could be someone's dog, maybe a feral dog. Maybe a coyote. Although, the howling didn't sound like any coyote she'd ever heard before. 

With the fading eerie notes...as if it'd been conjured out of thin air by a powerful sorcerer...the fairy window materialized. Not off the ground, but about six feet in front of her.

Sharva shook inside, not certain whether she felt sheer excitement or absolute fear of the unknown. Probably both.

Stronger than ever, the shimmer pulsed, its aurora colors more intense. "Portal," fell from her lips, as Sharva recalled all the paranormal romance novels she'd read.

After moments, when the fairy window didn't fade away, she followed her crazy impulse to find something to toss through. Sharva looked around quickly, but saw only snow.

Again, she heard a howl, a mournful song that chilled her down to the bone. Sharva would have glanced around, but the shimmering doorway had her entranced.

'Doorway', she repeated to herself mentally. Was this an actual portal? Could it be?

Remembering the William Henry book she'd read about stargates, Sharva frantically murmured, 'What now?"

'Walk through,' a deep male voice, soft as a shadow, instructed inside her head.

TO BE CONTINUED...
~~~~~~

Have the merriest of shapeshifting holidays!

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~~~~

Wolf Dawg, Bankster Bounty Hunter

Tuesday howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

With the high temps once again taking over my tame prairie this week, I couldn't resist another flash scene set inside the Heavenly Chocolate & Ice Creamery, the new ice cream parlor in Talbot's Peak, Montana.

Alas, the scene refused to end, so I plan to continue it next week.
~~~~~~

Wolf Dawg, Bankster Bounty Hunter

On a mission, two missions in fact, Dawg sauntered inside The Peak's new ice cream parlor. The heels of his biker boots rang as he strode over the real tile floor, and the silver chains jangled similar to spurs. Yep, music to his renegade wolf ears. Not that he wore them when on the hunt in his human form.

Bravado worked with some of his white-collar criminal prey. But stealth was often the name of the capture-game.

In this day of cross, double cross, and triple cross, among the different factions of the bankster gangsters, so far Dawg had managed to deliver the corporate scat with the highest bounties on their well-groomed heads to the mysterious group known as the White Hats. With his rewards paid in gold and silver coin, he'd built a fancy Old West Saloon inside one wing of Dante's Interspecies Pleasure Club.

Dawg added more swagger to his walk, and gave the owner, Kalindi, a wink when she glanced up from making a banana split. Howls and dang, was he ever glad she had customers, most of them the local teenagers.

"Got the goods ready to go, pretty angel?"

"Ready, and waiting, my pickup man," she sang. With an angelic but impish smile, Kalindi beckoned him behind the counter.

Dawg had learned long ago to keep his big paws off another man's woman, but he could never resist charming any female. Their sweetness was just too dang impossible for him and his nose to ignore.

Course, now his nostrils quivered with the scent of her god lover. Scuttlebutt had it Kalindi, who was half goddess, had summoned a rain god. As she'd told Kitty, she'd been concerned about Talbot's Peak, and everyone knew about her good-at-heart nature.

Howls to the Great Wolf Spirit, no doubt, they'd sure needed the rains. Gypsy Red Wolf had been holding rain dances every single day at her favorite forest clearing. Along with a huge ole pack of men, Dawg had licked his chops in enjoyment, watching the uninhibited cavorting of the women. Then he'd joined in.

"Is it you I get to thank for the soakin' in rains we've had lately?" Dawg flashed a smile as he rounded the corner of the counter.

Kalindi flushed red as the cherries in the bowl beside her. She gave him a quick glance, then went back to finishing off the banana split with whipped cream. "I'm just glad the drought is over. Can I fix you something, pickup man?"

"Sure can, sweet angel. Once I get the goods loaded, I'll be ready for one of your hot fudge sundaes."

"Got one with your name on it. Right over here." Kalindi waved toward the freezer section where four sealed, five-gallon buckets of the best ice cream ever, waited to be transported.

Dawg already planned to meet with a whistleblower on the run. His White Hat contact insisted on the ice cream parlor, despite Dawg's objection for the sake of any innocents who might inadvertently get in the way.

He'd been on the verge of leaving his Old West Saloon for Talbot's Peak, when the word had gone out that Dante needed a volunteer for a quick run to the Heavenly Chocolate & Ice Creamery. Now here he was loading the buckets into one of the Club's freezer trucks.

Even with the last minute arrangements, Dawg made certain to arrive extra early. With the ice cream secured, he swung toward the parlor's entrance. His strides rapidly ate up the short distance, and as he held the door open for a family of four, his inner wolf ruff stood on end.

The whistleblower, a woman, was here. Once he entered, Dawg causally moved toward the counter. Acting as if a hot fudge sundae was the only thing on his mind, he propped up a boot, and leaned on his elbow.

Desperation had its own odor. A cat shapeshifter also possessed a unique fragrance, the one now seriously tingling the inside of his nose. The White Hat hadn't divulged that little tidbit of info. Could be, he hadn't known the whistleblower was a shifter. Then again...

From the corner of his eye, Dawg easily spotted the woman. He nearly barked a laugh at her prim uptight appearance, complete with a bun and horn rim glasses. She wore 'I'm vacationing' attire, and devoured a banana split like no other woman he'd ever witnessed.

Fascinated, Dawg angled his body so he could watch her, while still having a direct view of the door. One of those huge flowery tourist bags that could hold everything under the sun leaned against her chair.

"It's her second one," Kalindi whispered close to his ear as she placed his hot fudge sundae on the counter.

"When you get time, make her another banana split on me. Would you, angel girl?"

"You got it, wolf man. Do you want me to serve it to her or do you want to do the honors?"

"Take your time, Kalindi. Bring it to the table whenever you're ready." Dawg picked up his hot fudge sundae. "Time to make my move."

The woman cat shifter, who savored the last bite of whipped cream, then licked her lips feline-style, sat near the back at the table farthest from anyone else. With the gaze of a huntress she eyed his slow approach.

While not petite, she was in no way large, and possessed a daintiness that appealed to Dawg. What he could see of her shapely curves, despite the shapeless clothing she wore, put his cock on alert status.

Howls, given her state of desperation, the last thing she needed was a male befuddled and ruled by lust. Dawg halted, and offered a friendly grin. "Pardon me, miss, you remind me of my cousin, Louisa. She's down Texas way. Lives in Houston."

Tentatively, she offered a small smile, one that froze soon after it formed. Yet, Dawg observed her recognition of the code words he'd used. All while he stared at the unique but beautiful color of her eyes, a champagne gold.

Her features told him the rest of the story, one that threw him for a loop well past the moon. She was Martian. That is, either from Mars, or her ancestors had been Martian. Memories tumbled over themselves in a race that caused him to blink and become rigid for an instant.

Dawg suppressed the total recall of long ago.

"My name is Silkari. I'm afraid I don't know your cousin. If you'd like to join me..." She left the rest unsaid.

Dawg didn't wait for an engraved invitation. He seated himself, and set the drippy hot fudge sundae on the table.

"Are you going to rescue me?" she mouthed.

Gathering his wits, no easy task, Dawg raised a brow. "What am I rescuing you from? Don't worry," he added, "no spy devices are allowed in here. Or in Talbot's Peak."

Skepticism shone in her eyes. Still, she took in a large breath, and released it. He watched her shoulders un-tense.

"Silkari, what a beautiful name." Dawg spoke as she prepared to answer him.

"I...I...my sister was abducted by a white slavery ring. We found her in time, but...well, I decided to get the dirt on the corporation responsible. Because no one believed us -- that it was one of the top corporations...and..." Tears shimmered in her eyes, and Silkari lowered her gaze.

"I understand. Did they know she was a shapeshifter?"

"No, not at first. When they found out, they were going to sell her to an underground lab...oh, god, it was horrible." Silkari still didn't look at him. "Long story short, I posed as a secretary, assistant, whatever, long enough to get all this." She motioned to her bag. "I'd trained as an actress, and thought...but they found out. I'd already gotten most of the dirt, the proof, and more. So, so," she choked a bit, "I ran."

Dawg picked up his spoon, and took a large bite of his sundae -- as if they were two people getting to know each other. Two bad guys had entered. Both of them bounty hunters he knew, and they didn't own hearts of gold. Money was their god.

TO BE CONTINUED...
~~~~~~

Wishing you shapeshifting love on the wild side...

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~