She was still ties with the male, but Derrick twisted her head back to look at Circe. Her whine was fully canine, but her thought got transmitted. [What will that mean? Having an animal soul? I can never be human again?]
Circe leaned back, pondering. "You can be human again, even the boy you once were. But you will only connect with animals. There are other humans with animal souls out there - many are veterinarians, some are wilderness experts, others are oceanographers. The one thing they have in common is that they have animal souls. Some give in and become actual beasts, vanishing as humans."
"But." She smiles. "Since you are here, I can offer another alternative. Your humanity can be stored, and reclaimed if you so desire. I can make you a full beast in all ways, give you an animal soul. And should you desire to be fully human again, you can have it back."
That sounded like the best of both worlds to Derrick. Only Circe was not telling him everything - as a full Animal Derrick would become the Great Dane bitch in all ways, and it was unlikely a dog would even think of being human. The male shuddered, finally shrinking enough where he could pull free of the female. Derrick felt the tug and made a quick decision.