Although veterinary technician Carlton is violently allergic to cats, he loves them with an undying passion, enough to tolerate miserable symptoms to keep working with the felines in the San Maribal Zoo. The cheetahs especially fascinate him. Then he meets a mysterious stranger who is evasive about why he’s in the zoo -- nude and after hours! This man tells Carl there’s a cat inside him wanting to get out. That sounds really crazy, and the suggested way to make it happen even crazier ... but exciting.<br><br>Zyl is a member of the ancient shifter tribe, or Were-Kind. His people are working to enforce humane treatment of animals and save endangered species. Hearing of a planned raid by an extreme animal rights group to free the denizens of zoos, they realize this will a real catastrophe. Joining forces with regular humans to avert the problem will mean “coming out” as the powerful beings they are. Again, a potential disaster.<br><br>Attracted to Carlton against his better judgment, Zyl teams up with the vet tech he meets under awkward circumstances only to discover a valuable ally and a soul mate.

Catastrophe

Although he was sure the other man had put away at least as many cold ones as he had, Zyl seemed to be stone sober. Without anything being said, the athletic man assumed the lead and headed unerringly back by the shortest and easiest route. In a vague corner of his mind, Carl wondered how his new friend had become so familiar with the area when he’d never seen the guy around before two nights ago.


They entered again through the gate they’d used before. Zyl waited to let Carl input the combination. It took him two tries because his fingers had gone a bit dyslexic on him. Finally he got it and they went in. Carl then headed toward his cottage, somehow not surprised when Zyl strolled along beside him. It felt right.


Chapter 9