[Lukas ^]

"Nobu! Breakfast's ready!" mother called and I sighed, getting up from the table and heading back inside the house. Jasper was still in a foul mood, he never warmed up to Ro, I didn't understand why, everyone else liked him. He didn't speak through breakfast and Emelia and mum kept sending me hopeful looks, but thankfully Otto seemed his usual self. I spend the day doing homework in my room or helping mum with housework like I did every Saturday, I watched some tv and read a book until dad came home at dinner time. Dinner was something special today, mum had made all of my favourite foods and after we had cake and I got given my presents.

Mum and dad had got me something in a little flat silver box and I was curious as to what it could be. They looked at me expectantly to I carefully began to open it, undoing the little blue ribbon wrapped around it and lifting the lid. I blinked in surprise at what was in the box. A collar. It was beautiful, thin black leather with a little ball on the end, with a delicate looking blue flower inside. It was a pheromone collar, they were really expensive, made for cross-shifters, to hide the smell of them when they went into heat. Females wore something similar but the flower inside that made it work was a lot more common and easily sourced, they were a lot more affordable. But this one would have cost a pretty penny. I ran a finger over the cool and smooth leather and brushed gently around the ball which held the precious flower, a Himalayan Blue Poppy. "It's beautiful." I whispered. "Thank you." I smiled up at them and they were smiling back, my mother with tears in her eyes. My heat could hit me suddenly whenever it decided to now that I was 18. I gently took it out of the box and handed it to mum, silently asking her to put it on me. The tears finally fell but she undid the collar and secured it around my neck before wrapping me in a hug. The collars are especially designed so that they would adjust to fit me when I shifted, meaning I never needed to take it off. I hugged mum back and she held me tightly.

"My boy's all grown up." she sniffed before pulling away and beaming at me, wiping away her tears, they were happy tears.

Sunday was a typical Sunday, getting up late and having a big, early dinner, mum and dad didn't have work today so we all had some family time. I had quickly got used to the collar, the slight weight of it around my neck and the feel of it against my skin. I still wouldn't take off Ro's shirt but mum was adamant that it was getting washed tonight and eventually I gave in, I knew I couldn't wear it to school tomorrow, it would be too embarrassing to wear Ro's shirt to school especially if we weren't suitable. I let her wash the shirt and wore one of my own. We watched tv together and played some boardgames before having an early night.

I couldn't seem to be able to get to sleep, I was nervous about Monday, about what might happen. Eventually though I managed to drop off after a lot of tossing and turning.

My alarm for school went off and I did my usual routine, taking more care in my appearance than usual. I found myself wearing a nice shirt and some skinny jeans instead of my usual shorts. I brushed my hair until it shined and put on a little cologne. I grabbed my back-pack and headed downstairs. I made myself a coffee like usual and stared out of the patio door window, it looked colder today, the skies dark and the wind rushing through the leaves of the trees. It looked like there was going to be a thunderstorm later, I loved thunderstorms, the smell and sound of them, the rumble of thunder was unexplainable, so deep and fearfully comforting, lighting was fascinating and captivating to watch. I was happy just thinking about watching the storm later. I was also looking forward to seeing Ro, as well as very nervous, the weekend went so quick and yet slow at the same time, I wanted today to come but I also dreaded it slightly, I wanted Ro to be a candidate for my mate, I hadn't known him for long but I liked him very much, as a friend but also something more. I fiddled with the ball at the end of my collar as I watched the wind whip around, stirring the trees, the sky a dark grey, I listened to the howling of the wind.

"Morning." I heard Otto greet as he came down the stairs and took the coffee I had left on the side for him. "Looks pretty dark and ominous out there doesn't it?" he commented and I frowned a little, I hoped the weather wasn't foreboding something, I hadn't thought of it that way, I liked storms, I didn't see anything bad about them. My hands tightened around the warm mug in my hands and I let out a small sigh, the butterflies in my stomach moving faster, making me feel uneasy. "What's up Nobu?" Otto questioned as he came to stand beside me.

"I'm nervous and afraid." I admitted. "What if he doesn't feel the same?" I asked and turned to look at my brother.

"I'm sure he will Nobu." he said with a reassuring smile. "You two get along so well, and I've seen the way he looks at you, he can't not be suitable." he assured and wrapped me in a side hug and I leaned against him, his presence and words helping ease my worry.

"Thanks Otto." I told him and nuzzled his shoulder, letting out a little purr. We stood there together and looked out the window, a few minutes later I heard footsteps on the stairs.

"Morning boys." mother greeted us.

"Morning." I whispered, Otto sending the same greeting back but a lot louder.

"Are you excited Nobu?" mother declared sounding very enthusiastic.

"I think nervous is a better description." I sighed and fiddled with the ball at the end of my collar.

"Why don't you invite him over for breakfast?" she suggested and I furrowed my brow at her words. It would be a lot better for us to see each other again in a more private setting. From my reaction to just smelling his day old shirt made me shift and not be able to turn back for a while then smelling and seeing him in person would no doubt make my senses go haywire and I really didn't want to shift in front of everyone at school. I nodded in agreement and pulled my phone out of my pocket, my thumbs shook a little as I quickly typed out a message to him, offering him having breakfast here. I pressed send and let out a breath I didn't realise I had been holding. A couple of seconds later dots showed up on the screen, showing he was typing back, it seemed like forever but it was only a few seconds in reality.

'Sounds like a plan, might need to bring a umbrella :), see you soon x'

I drew in a breath as his message, the fact that he was coming over and the kiss at the end. I wanted to squeal like mum did and jump up and down, my nerves also increasing exponentially. "He said yes." I informed mum and she smiled widely at me and started making breakfast. Jasper came down next, shortly followed my Emelia who looked at me with a raised eyebrow and I looked away from her knowing look.

"Jeans?" she questioned.

"It's going to rain." I defended, gesturing to the window.

"Sure." was all she said, a smile in her voice and I felt the tips of my ears warm, she saw right threw me. The sound of a knock at the door a short while later made me jump and dad rubbed my back soothingly as he walked past, dressed in his suit, ready for work. A loud rumble of thunder followed the knocking and the soft patters of rain against the window indicated the storm had started. My mother quickly went to let Ro in so he didn't get wet and I found I couldn't turn around. I put my empty mug down, afraid I was going to drop it and looked out of the window, practically shaking with anticipation and nerves. I heard the door open and shut and another set of footsteps accompanied my mother's as she came back into the room.

"Got here just in time." my father chuckled to Ro as the skies opened and it began to pelt it down, the rain and hailstones hammering against the glass of the window and the roof, soon followed by another, louder rumble of thunder. I heard Ro coming closer and then felt his arms rap around my middle and his nose graze the skin above my collar. The rumbles and snuffs from his chest joined in with the thunder and I found myself letting out a small whine at his affections and proximity. I breathed in the air through my nose and his scent assaulted my senses, it felt miles better in real life, it smelt so much stronger than before, the musk of his Jaguar more potent than I remember and the smell of petrichor clung to him, from his scent and from the storm outside. I began to purr loudly and covered his arms that were around my middle with my own. I felt my skin itch at the urge to shift and tried to fight the feeling, the base of my spin burning with the need, my tail trying to form and the top of my head itching strongly, trying to shift my ears. My eyes fell closed as I lost myself in the feeling of him, he just felt and smelt so right, I couldn't explain it, I felt so warm and comfortable, so safe. Yet I felt hot and fidgety at the same time, my skin singing from his touch.

I shortly lost the fight with my urge to shift but managed to stop at the second phase, preventing my clothes from ripping. I stood covered in thick and fluffy fur, my tail and ears coming on show, my teeth sharpening and my nails lengthening, hands shifting to look more like paws, my face shifting to look more like my shift. My purr deepened due to my throat also shifting, allowing to make snow leopard sounds better. I felt Ro's hands rub at the fur that now covered my skin, his hand going under my shirt to rub my white belly and I nuzzled his head that was buried in my neck as he emanated low snuffling noises as he called gently, the sound coming from deep in his throat.

"What did I tell you Nobu? You had nothing to worry about." Otto stated, a smile in his voice and I found myself smiling as well.

"Ro." I mumbled, my voice sounding rougher due to my shifted state. He pulled away a little and I turned my head to look at him and his eyes were glowing, my body followed my head and I took my turn to bury my head in his neck, rubbing my cheek and chin against the skin, trying to transfer his scent onto me, whilst depositing my own. His arms held me again and his body was practically vibrating with how much he was snuffing, letting out a rumbling sounds, his soft skin turned to silky, dark fur as he shifted as well, managing to hold off like me and stay in the second phase. I pulled back so I could look at him, his glowing light green eyes bore into me, his dark fur a stark contrast, short and shiny, mirroring his shift. I closed my eyes and leaned forward rubbing my cheek against his and he returned the affectionate gesture. I could feel his paw-hands tighten around me, settling around the small of my back, pulling me closer and rubbing the scent glands on his jaw all over the side of my head, claiming me as his. I gripped his shoulders at his possessive gesture and moaned in my snow leopards voice in affection and likeness at the action. At the sound my father gently pulled us apart.

"Ok, that's enough for now." he ordered and I reluctantly let go of Ro and he did the same.  

"Come on you two, breakfasts ready." mum told us and dad led us to the table, sitting us smartly apart. He gave mum a peck on the cheek before heading out for work, going through the garage door this time, to prevent himself from getting soaked. He had put me in between Otto and Jasper, Ro sitting on the other side of the table, across from Otto, accompanied by mum and Emelia, who sat in front of me. I looked down at my paw-hands and concentrated, managing to shift back to the first phase after about a minute, damn, it had never been that hard before. Now I could pick up the cutlery I began to eat breakfast. I glanced at Ro and he seemed to be having the same trouble, still in the second phase. I sent an encouraging smile his way and he managed to shift back to first, sending me a small smile back before starting to eat himself.

"I take it your both good candidates?" my mum spoke up after a while, talking to Ro and I.

"I think we already knew that with Nobu and how he was acting on Saturday with Ro's shirt." Emelia grinned and I blushed and looked down at my half eaten breakfast, she could be so embarrassing sometimes!

"Oh Emelia, stop embarrassing your brother." mum chided her.

"But mum, he was curled up with his shirt all Saturday morning and you only managed to get it off of him last night." Emelia argued, I groaned internally, I wanted to die.

"Emelia!" mum scolded and I kicked Emelia under the table and she hissed and sent me a glare, but I still wasn't looking up and I played with the food on my plate with a fork, pushing it around and not really eating it.

"I like Nobu a lot." Ro mumbled quietly and I felt warmth in my heart but still didn't have the courage to look up at him. "I would probably react similarly if I had one of his shirts." he tried to ease my discomfort and a smile tugged at my lips.

"No, I think you'd probably try and hump it." Jasper declared and I heard mum gasp.

"Jasper!" mum berated him.

"Just stating the truth mum." Jasper said with a shrug and I elbowed him in the side. "Ow!" he complained.

"Shut it you horny tiger." I hissed at him quietly and Otto chuckled beside me.

"Your too innocent to do something like that Nobu, but I wouldn't put it past this Jaguar." Jasper stated. I used my tail to smack him on the back of the head as hard as I could and he made a sound of pain and rubbed the spot.

"I'm going to embarrass you and Emelia so much when you find your mate." I warned quietly.

"Why me? And why isn't Otto included?" Emelia whined in indignation.

"Because I'm nice to my brother." Otto told her and gave me a side hug.

"He isn't your mate yet, and he might not ever be, I think you could do much better." Jasper spoke his mind.

"Nice to know you value my opinion and happiness." I snapped sarcastically and got up from the table, tugging off my clothes as I shifted. I padded over to Ro and rested my head on his lap, closing my eyes and purring when he began to scratch my head in a way I liked.

"I don't understand why you don't like Ro, Jasper." mum sighed and I felt her hand on my fur for a moment, smoothing out my coat.

"Nobu's so special, and he's my little brother, he deserves someone who's equal to him." he told us why. I huffed at that, to me Ro was special, I've never taken to him like I have with anyone else, I felt such a connection towards him, I loved the way he made me feel. Just being around him made me happy, he made me feel complete and special in a way I didn't mind. This special Jasper was talking about was something I loathed, my rarity and value, I hated that. I would become the most common shift in the world if it meant I could be with Ro, sure I liked my shift, it was part of who I was but I didn't like how people saw me because of it; a prized possession. I was a person, not a bloody trophy.

I put my fluffy front paws on Ro's leg and reached up and lightly licked his cheek with my rough tongue before rubbing my forehead against it, I was trying to get across to him that he was special to me, Jasper was just being an overprotective and annoying brother.