"Don't listen to him. He probably can't even doggy paddle." I smiled at Poppy. "But you canwolfpaddle. Right?"
That earned a small smile back. "Yeah, I can do that."
"Good. Do it all the way there. Slow and steady, okay?"
Poppy nodded.
With my friend cheered up, I readied myself at the river's edge. Determination roared inside me. I'd show up that asshole Alaricandhelp Poppy to the finish line.
"Omegas!" Gaius called. "You may now shift!"
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
It was time to unleash my tiger.
Pure rippling power washed over me like a tidal wave. I let my human soul be swallowed up by the feral tiger roaring within me. My body twisted and reshaped itself in its image. When I opened my eyes, I stood on four huge paws. My long tail lashed like a whip. My curved, white claws flexed, gripping the earthy edge of the river.
With my sharpened eyesight, I glanced along the starting line. Beside me was a soft, fluffy Arctic wolf. Poppy.
Next to him was a smaller, pointier canine with tawny fur and a black back. Muzo's snout split in a toothy grin, the same as in his human form.
Beyond my two friends, I didn't recognize anybody. Except...
Standing off to the side was a haughty figure I'd recognize in any form. With pure white fur that matched his human form's hair, Alaric perched on the edge of the river as a domestic house cat. His perfectly groomed long fur was about to get ruined in the water.
No wonder he had such an attitude problem. His shifter form was tiny. I could've batted him around like a soccer ball with one paw.
I didn't have time to get a good look at the other shifters. The challenge was about to start.
Gaius raised his arm. "Ready, contestants? On three... One... two…"
With my sharp tiger eyes, I glared at Crimson. I could see him better in this form. He stood there with his hands tucked into his suit pockets like he was some great prize. What a joke.
And yet, I couldn't help the burning feeling in my chest that I wanted to win.
"GO!" Gaius yelled.
I leapt into the river. I didn't let the cold water slow me down. I paddled out with my powerful paws, letting my natural instincts take over. Tigers were gifted swimmers and I was no exception. Crossing the rushing waves came easily to me.
I didn't see anybody else. Was I in the lead?
I paused to glance over my shoulder.
Muzo was behind me, spitting water out of his mouth and paddling hard. His jackal form was small and he struggled in the river. "Argh, I hate swimming!"
"I thought youwantedto swim," I reminded him.
"Changed my mind," he grumbled. "Where's Poppy?"
We both looked behind us. A yellowy-white wolf paddled slowly near the starting point. My heart sank. He'd barely made any progress, but at least he hadn't given up.
Muzo sighed. "Oh, Pops."
"You go ahead," I said. "I'll help him."
Muzo cocked his head. His wet, pointy ears flopped awkwardly. "You sure? You've got a huge lead on everyone else. You could be the first to the island."
"What do I care?" I grumbled. "If Poppy doesn't make it, then winning is worthless."
