“You’re making things more difficult, Craig.” Davis threw the younger guy a harsh look, and Craig immediately straightened up.
Gram wasn’t kidding when she said Davis kept everyone in line.
“Could be worse—imagine if Davis invited Brady’s immature ass out here,” Jason said. He stretched his arms above his head before getting right to it. The clicking sounds already heralding his imminent transformation. Davis rolled his shoulders as did Craig.
Abram removed the rest of his clothes as he breathed in the pungent scent accompanying the metamorphosis of several men shifting in close proximity. Davis finished changing the fastest while Craig and Jason completed the process at the same time. Three horses, one black, one pinto and one stark white, stared at him expectantly. He turned his back to them as he concentrated. Until he’d started these exercises with Davis, he only shifted when he felt like he’d go crazy if he didn’t.
During those times, the change happened quickly, without him putting forth any effort. As soon as he was sure he was alone and safe, he’d just relax and let it happen. Now he had to exert control. The process was slower but also more euphoric. He had time to enjoy the pain-relieving endorphins released during transformation. The hardest part was his head. He sucked in as much air as he could before his tongue grew, filling his mouth quicker than he would have liked. His throat struggled to keep up but soon enough, he was stomping his hooves against the ground and whinnying.
Davis nickered at him before bolting out of the open barn door and into the paddock. Craig and Jason followed and Abram brought up the rear. They ran in circles trampling over the grass in the fenced-in area. As he galloped, the wind whipped around him, blowing through his mane. The experience was invigorating and he had to admit, shifting with family made him feel as if he were part of something special and sacred.
***
Abram opened the passenger-side door of the truck and stepped down as his cousin disembarked from the driver’s side. “Hey, we’ve both put in a full day’s work. Maybe we should skip the shifter-training this afternoon. I’m in no mood for a run.” As Davis approached, Abram noticed the smirk on his cousin’s face, and his heart plummeted into his stomach. Oh, man. What does he have in store for me now?
“We’re progressing to the next level of your training today.”
“I don’t like the look in your eyes. What are you going to have me do now—strip down and shift for the entertainment of all the female kin?”
Davis grinned, showing most of his teeth. “I figure we’ll save that for tomorrow.”
“Fuck my life,” Abram growled as he wandered in the direction of the porch with Davis right behind him. As soon as he opened the front door, he was greeted by an evil, fuzzy minion with whiskers and a bright pink collar with a bell. She sat on the bench in the foyer, licking her paws and then rubbing her ears with them. “Davis, what is that cat doing here?”
His cousin slapped him on the back affectionately. “Welcome to level two, buddy.”
“No.” He shook his head. “Be merciful—don’t make me endure cat therapy.”
“If you want to win over Mittens, you have to change your attitude in regards to felines.” Davis paused to throw a meaningful look his way. “Now as you know, my sweet fiancé moved into the cabin next store because she refuses to live in sin with me before the wedding.” He pointed at the animal on the bench. “Nacho is her cat but Scarlett has graciously agreed to allow you to take care of her for a few days.”
Abram’s chin scrunched up as his bottom lip curled. “I’m responsible for it?”
“Her and yes; you have to brush her, pet her, feed her and if you do a good job, she will curl up next to you while you sleep tonight.”
Abram grimaced. “I don’t want to bunk with that nasty animal.”
“Do you want Mittens in your bed?” Davis smirked.
“Smugness does not become you, cuz.”
Davis picked up Nacho and showed Abram the proper way to hold her. “You try.”
Abram took the cat but stretched out his arms, holding her as far away from his body as he could. Nacho mewed in a shrill manner. “How long do I have to hold it?”
Davis scowled. “Nacho is one of the most laid-back cats on earth and you’ve managed to make her squeal. Hold that cat next to your body and pet her. If you do it right, you should be able to hear and feel her purring.” Abram sighed and opened his mouth to complain, but his cousin cut him off with one word. “Mittens.”
“Dag—damn it.” He carried Nacho into the living room and sat down on the sofa. As he cuddled her, he was surprised by how readily she accepted him, even curling up on his lap. He stroked her fur gently, and sure enough, he felt the vibrations as she began to purr. He smiled. “I did it. She’s happy.”
Davis walked over carrying a small basket and then set it down on the rustic oak coffee table in front of the couch. He pulled out a brush and handed it to Abram. “So these are Nacho’s toys and accessories. She likes chasing the light from the laser pointer a lot. Also, she loves being groomed, especially around the sides of her face.
Hesitantly, Abram brushed the cat’s black and white fur. “Alright, Nacho. Let’s be friends.”
Chapter Eight
Abram squatted down and held the steel duct clamp in place while Davis used the electric drill to fasten it around the flashlights they were bolting on a cart. “Are you sure redneck-rigging some headlights to a cart is the thing to do? How do you even know this will
