"Wait... you're saying you're a werewolf?"
"Is it a full moon? Am I eating your face with no idea who you even are? I'm a SKIN-CHANGER! Lycanthropy is a CURSE passed on like a disease, it can be inherited or spread like an infection. The poor soul infected has the mind of a rapid animal and the body of a hulking beast when exposed to full moon light."
"So you're a skin walker?"
"No no no no. And that's even worse. Skin-walkers are demonic animals who murder still living humans, take their skin, and use it as a glorified Halloween costume to steal that person's life."
"Okay, yeah, that is creepy. So you're like a animal-person or something? "
"You're thinking of BEAST-KIN, they're just people who are bipedal wolves, foxes, etc, instead of monkeys. They don't have any shape shifting powers. As a beast-kin, I can't pass on my powers by infection or on a unwilling subject. I can shape-shift at will, and I keep my identity and mind no matter what shape I'm in."
"Wait wait wait I think I'm remembering this now. Aren't you bound to anyone who is in personal possession of your second skin?"
"Ugh. I was hoping you wouldn't know that part."
"Hey man, we've been best friends for years. You think I'd do that... And thanks for finally letting me on this."
"Thanks. It's not like we're under a vow of silence or there's some hidden organization gunning for people like us, I'd rather just keep this sort of thing private."
"Works for me man. ... I want in."
"Excuse me?"
"I want to join you!"
"... So at the risk of being bound to a normal human who gets their hands on your second skin, you want the power to shape change into a particular animal, and all the bonus' that come with it?"
"You got it!"
"... Fine. It's not like we have a secret hand-shake or a bi-monthly convention. Just tell me what animal you're aiming for."