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

The two of them stopped near the cheetah compound. Nothing seemed to be out of order there so far.


Carl looked around, hearing shouts and metallic clangs, running footsteps and other abnormal noises. “I don’t know what to do,” he grumbled. “I feel so fucking helpless, worthless. If your count is right, it’s going to be way beyond what the hundred or so security people we have can handle. I guess the head of security will call local law enforcement. They can only spare so many officers to help us, though.” A weight of dread and near-despair settled over him.


Chapter 17