During the class change between first and second periods at Moon Lake High School, Ben Twist's route took him past the front office, so he decided to stop in for a moment.
"Mister Twist, this is an unexpected honor," said the lady behind the counter. "Not in any trouble, I hope."
"No, I'm just curious about something," replied Ben.
"Well, if I can help."
Knowing that she was a fellow were and that they were alone, Ben asked, "Do we have a werepanthress by the name of Kenya enrolled here?" He had already seen Sarah, the weretigress who was also the college dean's daughter in the hallway before first period and shared a class with her later that day. Yet Ben grew surprised that, in such a relatively small school, that he had never seen the girl he met during his run last night. Although he didn't know what she looked like in her human form, the more he thought about it, the more he just could not get the sensation of the velvet touch of her fur out of his mind from the brief meeting they had.
The lady said she didn't think so, but asked for a second to double check her computer.
However, the answer was still no. "Is everything all right?" she asked, turning back to face Ben again.
"I don't know. I met her during a run last night, and was under the impression she would be in school today," replied Ben.
"Well, if she is a student, she might be home schooled. It's rare, but we do have a few of those. They only have to be physically here for major exams."
"Oh well. It was just a thought. I'd better get to class now," said Ben, glancing up at the wall clock. "See ya'," he said, before leaving the front office and going to his next class.
MEANWHILE...
Kenya Adaeze strode confidently across the campus of Moon Lake College toward the Student Assistance Office after her first class of the day. Her loose black hair swaying gently in the morning breeze like the tail in her werepanthress form: long and graceful. Her mocha skin was in sharp contrast to the plain white dress she wore, as her toned body looked like she worked out regularly, but it was actually a side benefit from being a were.
Entering the office, her six foot plus sleek frame towered over everyone else, but she stood patiently in line and awaited her turn, until the clerk behind the counter said, "May I help you?"
"Maybe. If you are allowed to answer such a question, I was wondering..." she said, sniffing the air to make sure the clerk was a were, before leaning closer and asking in a very low voice, "Do you know if there is a werewolf on campus named Ben?" asked Kenya.
"Just a second and I'll check," said the clerk, turning to his computer. However, the answer was, "No. Sorry."
When he saw that Kenya was genuinely disappointed in the response, he asked, "Is everything all right?"
"Yeah. Just someone I met briefly last night and was hoping to meet again."
"Sorry I couldn't of been of more help," said the clerk, before calling for the next person in line.
But as Kenya turned to leave the Student Assistance Office, another student who was in line further behind her called out, "Miss. Do you have a second?"
"Yes?" asked Kenya, facing the other man.
"Sorry, couldn't help over hearing," he apologized, while scratching his ear to indicate he was a fellow were. Then he lowered his voice before saying, "I do know of one werewolf named Ben. He's a pack mate of mine."
"Really?" replied Kenya, happy to have an answer.
"Yes, but he can't be the man you're looking for. Ben Twist is only a junior at Moon Lake High," said the other werewolf.
"Yeah, you're right. Either this wolf lied to me or else he's a member of a different pack," said Kenya, trying to get off the subject. "Thanks anyway."
"You're welcome," said the other student, before resuming the wait for his turn.
But as Kenya Adaeze left the Student Assistance Office to grab a bite to eat before her next class, she thought to herself, A high school junior? No wonder he couldn't keep from staring at me last night. Probably never saw an adult werepanthress before. Well Mister Twist, if you are the same werewolf and our paths ever cross again, you're going to discover that this werepanthress also has a little cougar in her, and I hope you're man enough to handle it.
{{Ben and Kenya's meeting was recently added as a side episode "A Velvet Touch" by Z.Flux, and I felt the character was just too promising not to bring forward into the main story.—tmw2015.}}