Romeo and Juliet never had to worry about being skinned alive. Sydney Skeller’s father is spitting bullets over her reluctance to join the family business as a shifter hunter. The last thing Daddy needs to know is why—she yearns for a lover who’s man enough for a relationship but animal enough to give her the wild ride of her dreams. After a treadmill mishap lands her in a tangled heap with Jason Cannon, she wonders if she’s finally found her beast, er, man. One session in bed and one bite later, she’s sure. Now if only she can keep her father from mounting Jason’s head on a wall… Jason is all man on the surface, but wolf shifter down to the bone. He’s more than ready to stop “playing the pack” and find his one true mate, and Sydney of the luscious curves is the woman of his dreams. Finding out that she comes from a family sworn to eradicate his kind isn’t a deal-breaker. But her outrageous plan for him to masquerade as the wolf in hunter’s clothing, right under her father’s very nose, could be asking more than he ever expected to give.
This book was previously published in ebook form only under the title Kissin’ in the Moonlight, and has been revised from its original release. Warning: Readers, be aware of stranger side effects. These side effects may include but aren’t limited to the following: biting strangers, asking furry strangers to bite you, purposely falling off treadmills to collide with handsome strangers, enjoying hot sex with wild strangers, and baying at the moon to meet other moon-influenced strangers. If you notice any of these side effects, contact the author immediately. You may be the heroine of her next book!
eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. Samhain Publishing, Ltd. 577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520 Macon GA 31201 Howling for My Baby Copyright © 2009 by Beverly Rae ISBN: 978-1-60504-484-2 Edited by Deborah Nemeth Cover by Angela Waters All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: April 2009 www.samhainpublishing.com
Howling for My Baby Beverly Rae
Dedication
To my special “animal” of a husband, who always supports me no matter how “wild” life gets.
Chapter One
I can’t believe I’m really going through with this. Sydney steered her car down the tree-lined suburban street as shadows from the waning June sun cast shadows over the yards. “This should be the right street.” She glanced at her best friend, Charlotte “Charlie” Matland, who was sitting in the passenger’s seat. “I hope this medium’s a miracle worker. Finding me a good man—forget about perfect—will be next to impossible.” “You nailed that dead-on, girlfriend.” Syd groaned. “I’d love to nail something, but my love life dried up about eighteen months ago.” “You’re preaching to the choir, Sister Sydney.” Charlie laughed and tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Yeah, right. Like you ever have problems catching a mate.” Charlie sent her a curious look. “A ‘mate’?” Shit, shit, shit. “You know what I mean. A man.” Her nightly dreams of a werewolf with midnightblack fur and a white streak running along his head had grown more vivid since they’d started during puberty. When the wolf changed into a man—a—gloriously handsome, lick-me-and-make-me-come man—they’d taken on a whole new intensity, clarity and—holy crud!—sexuality. She often bolted awake in the middle of the night, trembling, not from fright, but shaken by desire and drenched in sweat. Her heart raced and she found it difficult to catch her breath even after the dark tempting eyes transforming into mesmerizing amber ones had dissipated from her mind. “You’re thinking about those dreams again, aren’t you? The ones with your shifter hottie?” Shifter hottie. Omigod, if she only knew the half of it. Syd tried to avert her face—not that she’d ever had a chance of escaping her friend’s sharp eyes. “Wow.” Charlie gave a low whistle. “I don’t even remember my dreams, while yours keep getting better and better.” “Better?” Syd frowned at her choice of words. “I’m not so sure. To me the dreams are like these extra twenty pounds I’m hauling around. I don’t want them, but no matter what I do, I can’t get rid of them.” And I do want to get rid of the dreams, right? The pounds? Of course. But the dreams? She bit her lip. No, she wasn’t sure she wanted to make the dreams go away. “You’re biting your lip.”
Howling for My Baby
Shit. Why did she have to have that telltale habit? She leaned toward Charlie to see out the passenger side of the car. “Is this the correct address? Can you see the house number?” “Hang on and give me a sec.” Charlie held the paper with the scribbled address closer to the car’s dome light. “This is frickin’ amazing. We’re out in the middle of the suburbs, searching for some psychic because the resident nutcase at our gym says the medium told her who—or should I say what—her new hubby would be. Can you say, dumb ass broads?” “Hey, she may dress like a clown, but she swears this medium told her about her future husband. She met him after seeing this Madame Medusala person and she’s been prancing around, lording her newly wedded money over everyone ever since. She’s happy and you can’t argue with them facts, bucko.” Charlie pffed in exasperation. “Ri-ight. These charlatans are always telling some poor woman about the tall, dark, handsome man in her future. For the right amount of green, of course.” She sighed. “Still, it’s not like we take any of this seriously.” Suddenly, her friend twisted sideways to study her. “Don’t tell me you believe in all this hocus-pocus garbage.” Her perusal grew in intensity. “Omigod. You do. You believe in shifters and psychics and all this junk.” Her mouth dropped open. “Seriously. You do, don’t you?” “Maybe.” Of course, I do. You can’t grow up in my family and not believe. You have to believe in werewolves when your dad’s a hunter. A hunter who wants his only child to join the family business. But she didn’t have the nerve to admit it in such finite terms to her friend. Not yet. Few humans aside from hunters knew about shifters, and she didn’t want Charlie to go into deep denial or grow paranoid, afraid to venture outside. Although Charlie’s skepticism usually bothered her, her friend’s disbelief could be right on track this time. At least about the validity of the psychic. Still…she had to find out for herself. She pulled the car to the curb and stared at the small house. “Wow.” Charlie gazed out the window. “Wow.” “Will you stop saying ‘wow’ so much?” How about being a supportive and silent friend? But Syd couldn’t get the words out of her mouth. “Did you look at the address?” Get back on track, Charlie, before I chicken out. “Yeah. This is it.” Charlie lifted an eyebrow at her. “A medium lives here? No way.” The brightly lit, pristine house sat at the end of the quiet block surrounded by a freshly landscaped yard. Pink roses trailed along the white rail of the front porch and flowerboxes filled with petunias of various colors decorated lace-curtained windows. A blue birdhouse swayed in the breeze at the edge of the porch while a wind chime danced in the wind below it. Fanciful red ladybugs painted on the porch steps marched along the flooring to lead visitors to the front door. Charlie followed Syd’s lead and got out of the car. Together they stood at the end of the driveway and studied the quaint cottage.
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“Syd, this can’t be the place. I mean, this looks like the storybook suburban home with two-point-five kids and a dog named Spot. Hell, I expect June Cleaver to waltz outside with a plate of cookies in hand and call the Beav.” “Are you through now?” Syd took the paper from Charlie’s hand and verified the address again. “203 Maple Drive. Sheesh, even the address sounds like something out of a fifties sitcom.” She cocked her head to read the numbers on the curb. “Believe it or not, this is it.” But Charlie wasn’t ready to trust her eyes. “Are you sure you didn’t perm your curly hair once too often? This place doesn’t exactly scream psychic lives here, ya know. Where’s all the signs for readings and stuff? Where’s the big spooky eye on the side of the house?” Hoping she hadn’t made a mistake in bringing her friend along, Syd shrugged and started through the picket gate. “Well, there’s one way to find out for sure. Let’s do this before it gets too late. When I phoned earlier, Madame Medusala said she could squeeze us in tonight, but only if we hurried.” Charlie glanced around the empty yard. “Yeah, she’s got a mob waiting for her services. Not.” Syd shrugged off the comment and strode to the front door with a grumbling Charlie bringing up the caboose—a very loud and complaining caboose. “Okay, I want to make it crystal clear. I’m only doing this to lend moral support. I know you’ve had your heart set on the mysterious man in your dreams—not that I believe in such things—and I want you to be happy. Besides, I’m gonna make damn sure you aren’t going to get scammed.” “I know, Charlie. You told me a million times on the way over here. Now hush and be nice.” Taking a deep breath, Syd pushed the doorbell decorated with hand-painted daisies and waited. When nothing happened for several minutes, she pushed it again. “Maybe Madame Medusala went to visit someone.” Charlie pointed toward the sky. “Like her threeheaded green friends on Mars.” “Ha, ha. Were you a comedian in a previous life?” She stomped down the irritation tightening her gut. Or was it nerves? “I’m not giving up yet. Maybe she didn’t hear the bell.” Fisting her hand, she pounded five times on the flower-embossed door. After the fifth time, the door flung open, revealing a towering woman in a full-length red silk gown. Glittering rubies adorned her ears and throat while a tiara sparkled in the swirls of her black hair. “Hey, hey, hey. What’s all the tizzy about, ladies?” The hair piled high on her head shook along with the finger she brandished at the women. “Didn’t your mammas ever teach you patience?” Yet her quick chuckle lessened the harshness of her words. Syd ran her gaze up and down the full-figured form squeezed into the made-for-a-size-twelve-nottwenty dress. “I’m Sydney Skeller.” She paused for a response, but got none. “Uh…I called earlier?” Noting the heavily made-up face with its silver eye shadow and apple-red lips, she hurriedly added, “But if you have plans to go out, we can reschedule.”
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Eyebrows arched over brilliant turquoise eyes. The woman skimmed her hands down the sides of her body. “What? You think I’m going out because I’m wearing this old thing? Don’t be silly. I wear this little number around the house all the time. Like my mamma always said, ‘A lady should dress to impress, even when relaxing at home. You never know when a gentleman caller might arrive on your doorstep.’” She fluttered her fake eyelashes and added, “Or lovely new acquaintances. Hel-lo, ladies. I’m Madame Medusala. Welcome to my humble abode.” “Are you for real?” Syd widened her eyes at Charlie. Yeah, good one, Char. Don’t worry about tact. Say what’s on your mind. Madame Medusala’s boisterous laugh broke through Syd’s embarrassment. Clasping her palms together, she hugged her hands to her enormous bosom. “Oh, but aren’t you the truthful one. I do adore a girl who speaks her mind. Please, come inside.” The ladies followed the woman into the home, stopping to huddle together in the small foyer. More flowers, potted plants and a variety of vines lined the walls around them, nearly obscuring the butterflycovered wallpaper. “Wow.” Charlie rotated in a circle, taking in the vegetation surrounding them. “You’re into nature big time, aren’t you?” Medusala slipped an arm around Charlie’s waist and tugged the girl to her side. “Honey, I love all living things, including plants, animals and, especially, women and men of every possible persuasion. Most specifically, women like you.” Charlie’s forced smile faded in the instant before she turned to send Syd a beseeching face. “W-what was it we planned on doing here, Syd? I forget.” Talk about a cry for help. Syd kept a titter from slipping through her lips by concentrating on maintaining a serious expression. “Right. We want you to give us readings. You know, like you did for, uh…” Oh, crap, I forgot the nutcase’s name. “For the lady with the fantastic red hair and awesome style? Do you two go to the same gym?” Syd froze, barely managing to sputter out a retort at Medusala’s idea of “awesome style”. “Uh, yeah.” If that walking eyesore of a woman’s bottle-red hair and outrageously loud clothes didn’t make a person want to hurl her breakfast, her cackle of a laugh would. “That’s the one.” “Ah, I figured. I’ve had several people call me because of her. Who knew she’d be such a fountain of referrals?” “Yeah, who knew?” Charlie chuckled along with Medusala. “Then you know why we’re here. We’re hoping you’ll read for us and tell us what hunky sh—uh, men are in our futures. You’re like a cosmic matchmaker, correct?”
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Another earsplitting laugh burst from Medusala and she hugged Charlie close to her solid form. Charlie let out a squeal, an expression of desperation twisting her features as Medusala pushed the poor girl’s face against her gargantuan breasts. “Oh, no, sweetie-pie. I’m not a matchmaker, cosmic or otherwise. I tell people what may happen in their lives. Which doesn’t always include a man, mind you. Believe me, I know men like you wouldn’t believe. But telling you which one’s for you? That may not necessarily happen.” She stopped and studied them. “But you told the lady—” Charlie’s pout went unnoticed by the medium. “Look, honey, when you called and said you wanted help, I assumed you meant a reading. You know what I mean. I tell you about your future, your job, your family, long trips, and maybe your love life. But not all my readings result in finding a man. If they did, I’d have two lines going outside my door—one leading into my home and one running straight out again all the way to the wedding chapels in Vegas. Do you think if I saw a man in everyone’s future, I’d be standing here yakking with you instead of in bed with my own little love bunny?” With a mighty heave, Charlie wrenched away from the oversized psychic and rushed to stand behind Syd. Syd, however, was more concerned with finding out if the woman would read for them than in protecting her friend. “But sometimes you do see love in a person’s future? Maybe even a different kind of love?” Medusala narrowed her eyes at her. “Different how?” “Different as in living outside mainstream society. Way outside. Different as in a man who can change his appearance. Different as in supernatural. Different as in having his own built-in fur coat. Very different.” Syd crossed her arms in front of her, daring Medusala to laugh at her. “Are you ladies pulling my leg?” Syd glanced at the outline of Madame Medusala’s legs in the skin-tight dress and inwardly shuddered. Me pull her leg? Yeah, like I could lift that tree trunk. “Nope. No leg-pulling here. At least not by us. We heard you told the lady—the redhead at the gym—that her future hubby was a shifter. That kind of different.” She shot a glance at Charlie, silently warning her not to scoff. But Charlie smirked anyway and added, “Syd, too, has her heart set on a werewolf.” “Oh, my.” Medusala raked her stunned gaze from Charlie to her. “She told you that?” At their nods, she blew out a puff of air. “And you believe what she said about him?” “Don’t you mean what you told her about him?” Had the redhead made up the part about her man being a werewolf? If so…why? Had her plan just turned into a wild shifter chase? Medusala’s jaw set. “Like I told all the rest of them, I’m denying I ever said anything about his being a…well, you know what. Nonetheless, referrals are the backbone of my business.”
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Howling for My Baby
“A werewolf. You said her future hubby was a werewolf.” Charlie wouldn’t let the psychic off the hook, ramming her words home with her sarcastic tone. “It’s all over the gym. Stop denying you told her.” Syd joined Charlie in nodding, backing up her statement. What were they, anyway? A couple of bobbleheads? “Well, I’ll be. You are a pushy one, aren’t you?” Madame Medusala’s demeanor lightened a little. “Aren’t you lucky I like pushy broads.” She tugged on her dress, keeping her ham-hock thighs under wraps. “I admit her reading was, shall we say, out of the normal, but I didn’t think she actually believed me. And I certainly didn’t think she’d go spreading it around. So she found him? And you believe he is what she says he is?” “Apparently one of us does.” Charlie’s gaze shifted to Syd before resting on Medusala again. The large woman studied them a moment longer. “Truthfully, I thought I’d gotten my wires crossed when I saw what I saw. But I had an obligation to tell her the truth. Don’t you agree?” “Of course. So? Can you read for us?” Ready or not, the time is now. “I don’t believe I’ve ever had anyone ask for a reading where they actually hoped their future sugarlove would be a supernatural being.” Madame Medusala fingered a red flower, taking a moment to ponder their request. “Let’s get this straight. I’m not promising anything. It’s not like I can summon a man to you. I simply see the future and tell you what I see. Understood?” Again the two bobbleheads agreed and Syd waited for the large woman to come to a decision. At last, the medium threw up her hands. “Oh, what the hell. I’m game. Let’s give it a shot. Which lovely lady wants to go first?” Syd opened her mouth to volunteer, but Charlie beat her to it. “We’re doing this together.” Charlie the Defender was ready for action. “Definitely together. No ifs, ands, or buts, got it?” Medusala tapped a manicured finger on her lips. “Well, I don’t normally do more than one person at a time.” “This time you will. Or no deal.” Charlie held her hand up, silencing any possible disagreement from Syd. “I’m insisting on this and it’s my way or no way.” Not wanting to argue with Charlie’s legendary stubborn streak, Syd agreed. Medusala furrowed her brow a moment, then brightened. “Very well. But I’ll still have to charge the cost of a private session for each of you.” “Of course you do.” If Medusala heard the cynicism in Charlie’s mutter, she didn’t let on. Instead, she waved for them to follow her down a narrow hallway covered with painted vines flowing toward the rear of the house. The medium stopped in front of a red door and pivoted to face them. “All right, ladies, I expect each of you to follow my directions to the letter. Do you agree?”
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They voiced their assent and prepared to follow her into the room. Medusala placed her hand on the doorknob, then abruptly stopped. She turned to stare at Syd, confusion changing her happy demeanor into a dark countenance. “Are you very sure you want to do this?” Caught off guard, Syd swallowed and had to force herself to reply. “Yes, I’m sure.” But the medium’s intense expression clinched at her heart. “Why do you ask?” “I’m not sure.” Medusala shook her head and the furrow on her brow deepened. Her gaze bored into her, searching for an answer. “I’m getting the impression that finding your supernatural honey—if such a person exists—will cause a great rift in your family, a major change for all those concerned. For good or for bad, I can’t tell. Still, it’s not my decision, so if you’re sure…” If what the psychic said was true, should she risk it? Would finding the right man be worth causing problems in her family? Even if the right man wasn’t a shifter, her father still wouldn’t approve of him unless he carried a shotgun loaded with silver bullets. Syd caught herself chewing on her bottom lip and stopped. No, she was determined to see this through. After all, she and her father already had a strained relationship. “Yes, I’m sure.” “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Medusala’s cheerful attitude returned and they followed her into a windowless room slightly larger than the average kitchen. Posters decorated the yellow walls and a pretty table inlaid with colorful tiles rested in the middle of the room. A disco ball glowed on the table, casting sparkling images on the walls around it. “Disco fever, anyone?” Charlie touched the shiny globe before taking a seat in one of the two wrought-iron chairs at the table. “Are you planning on talking to John Travolta? Because if you are, you’re in for a surprise. He’s not dead. Although he did come back from a dead career.” Syd pushed at Charlie’s arm, then moved to stand behind her. “You are so funny. Now behave.” She waved off the chair Medusala offered her. “I’d rather stand, thanks.” She didn’t feel the need to add that she was too nervous to sit. “Forget the disco ball. What about these posters of movie stars? There’s Johnny Depp, Sean Connery, Orlando Bloom, and—” “Oprah. Cher. And Bernadette Peters.” Syd couldn’t help but add her own wonderment. Medusala ran a hand lovingly over Johnny’s picture. “What can I say? I like to have my favorite gals and pals around me when I’m working.” She slid into the chair across the table from Charlie. “Don’t you just love Orlando? And Johnny is to die—” “Could we get on with this? How do we start?” Syd took a couple of deep breaths to calm the jitters running rampant inside her. At first, Medusala appeared irritated, but quickly went into psychic mode. “First, we summon the universe around us, the spirits who help me see into the future. Once we have their attention, we’ll see what
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they have to say.” She flicked a switch on the base of the disco ball and sat back. The ball began spinning faster, flashing lights in a daze of colored hues around the room. “Relax, be quiet, and wait.” Medusala placed her palms an inch above the ball. Her eyelids fluttered until coming to rest on her cheeks. “Close your eyes and listen.” Tucking her chin, she started mumbling. Together, Syd and Charlie leaned closer, trying to hear. After a few minutes, her mumbled chanting grew more forceful until, at last, they could understand the words. “Oh, Great Spirits. Come to us. We beseech you. These ladies need answers to life’s questions. They call to you now. Come to them. Answer their prayers. Answer their desires. Tell them what their futures hold.” “Oh, brother.” Keeping her eyes closed, Syd poked Charlie in the back and hissed, “Shush.” “Tell us, Great Spirits, about the future. If it’s in the here-to-come, tell us about the lovers who await them. Tell us who will love them.” “Shit. Do we sound pathetic or what?” Again Syd poked her friend. “Tell them, ladies. Tell the Great Spirits to answer the questions in your minds. Ask not with your voices, but with your minds. With your hearts. With your very souls.” Syd squeezed her eyes even more tightly closed and concentrated on imagining the man of her dreams. Having dreamed of him for years, she quickly brought up his image. Long dark hair accented with one white streak flowed down to his broad shoulders. He stood naked from the waist up and his skin shimmered, giving her the impression of a body in motion. A mountain-wide chest tapered to an abdomen boasting ripple after ripple of toned lean stomach. A short scar traveled along his square jaw, a scar some might find unsightly, but which sent a shiver of lust through her. A sharp nose kept his sensual lips from seeming feminine, but his eyes were what snared Syd. Dark laughing eyes captured her, taunting her with an unknown dare. She focused harder on him. His eyes changed, lightening until black morphed into milk chocolate brown. Sparkles of gold entered the slanted eyes, coloring the brown until, finally, amber eyes watched her. With a smirk of a smile playing on his lips, he lifted his head, winked and…howled. He continued to howl as his body changed, lowering itself until, at last, the man was gone and a glorious black wolf stood in his place. Syd gasped, her heart pounding at an alarming rate. Heat rushed through her and sweat ran down the nape of her neck to flow along the curve of her spine. Suddenly, the air in the room grew staler, suffocating her. She struggled to breathe. She sensed, more than felt, the world spin and she reached out for anything, anyone to steady her. Her last thought was an urgent plea to stay with him, locked in their dream world, but nothing could stop the blackness. “Syd? Are you okay?”
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Charlie’s anxious voice leaked into her confused mind, but she couldn’t force her eyes open. “I told you. You overdid it in your workout today. I knew we shouldn’t have come.” Charlie’s words were angry, yet Syd could hear the worry hiding behind the anger. “Sydney, listen to me. You’d better open your eyes right now or I’m calling nine-one-one.” Charlie’s threat laced into her semi-consciousness. “I mean it, Syd. Stop scaring me.” “Look, I want to make myself perfectly clear. I’m not responsible for her collapsing. I didn’t do anything wrong.” Medusala’s voice sounded farther away, but deeper, thicker. “Like you said, she overdid it at her workout.” As though awakening from a long, hard sleep, Syd forced her eyelids open to find her friend leaning over her. She shivered, bewilderment keeping her thinking fuzzy, and felt the cold tile floor against her back. A very different, serious Medusala stood in a corner, hands fisted on her hips and a defiant expression on her features. She looks like the Jolly Green Giant in drag. “What happened?” Relief flooded the face above her. “I guess you fainted.” Charlie rubbed Syd’s arms. “If I hadn’t been peeking the whole time, I wouldn’t have caught you. Good thing I can move fast, too. Otherwise, you’d have cracked that thick skull of yours big time.” “I fainted?” Somehow she thought fainting didn’t cover what she’d experienced. She’d seen him more clearly than ever before. She’d sensed him, felt him, cried for him. “You fainted right after—” Charlie’s fist slamming down on Medusala’s foot cut the psychic’s sentence off. “Ow! Why did you hit me?” “Close your mouth and stay quiet. You’ve caused enough trouble.” Charlie thinned her lips in an unmistakable warning. Syd’s internal alarms went off at the silent exchange between the two women. “What? What aren’t you telling me?” Medusala flashed an I’m-glad-you’re-okay smile. But the smile quickly turned into a challenging snarl at Charlie. “I don’t know why she doesn’t want you to know.” “Look, you big lug, I’m warning you. Shut up.” “Why? I think she should know. Maybe she can tell us why she did it.” Ignoring Charlie’s glare, she kept her attention on Syd. “You did something very odd just before you fainted.” Syd didn’t appreciate the medium’s dramatic pause. “Well? What? Damn it, quit playing drama queen and tell me.” A quick giggle slipped out before Medusala could stifle it. Under control again and looking serious, she said, “Sweetie…you howled.”
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The shock gave Syd the necessary jolt of energy she needed to sit up. “I howled? Are you serious?” “Dead serious.” Charlie sent one last frown at the psychic and nodded. “Why would I howl?” You know why. Syd lowered her eyes. Because I’m dreaming about a shifter. One of the monsters my father hunts. “We thought maybe you could tell us.” Charlie bent her head and tried to meet Syd’s downcast eyes, but Syd darted her gaze away. “Exactly what I said.” Medusala let out a low whistle of relief. “Nonetheless, I don’t know what happened or why. Of course, your fainting had nothing to do with anything I did or said, I’m sure. But I’m going to have to ask you ladies to leave.” Charlie helped Syd to her feet and guided her toward the front door. “No charge for the session. I don’t want any problems and I have a performance I need to get ready for.” Medusala stuck out her chest. “I’m headlining at Boys’ Toys tonight. I’d invite you ladies to catch the show, but under the circumstances…” Charlie looked back over her shoulder at Medusala. “Omigod. You’re headlining? But Boys’ Toys is a drag queen bar.” Medusala threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, you are precious.” She shook her large breasts. “You didn’t think these heffers were real, did you?” At Charlie’s stunned expression, she directed them to the front door with a flourish of one hand. “Besides, I told you, didn’t I? I know men like you wouldn’t believe.”
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Chapter Two
Benjy whipped out a cosmetic mirror and checked his reflection. “Jason, dog, what’s up with you? You’ve been in a foul mood all day.” Jason groaned every time he thought about last night. The girl he’d hooked up with had barfed all over his bed. He’d cleaned her up and gotten her home safe and sound, but the bar thing was getting old. Besides, he was fed up with those when-will-you-stop-bringing-home-a-bimbo scowls from the maid. Maybe he should sell his condo and retire to his pack home in the mountains—with or without a mate. Not for the first time, he wondered what it would be like to have a permanent woman, his destined mate, in his life. The one who could talk to him, laugh with him—and give him a wild ride in bed. He let his mind wander to the curly-headed woman of his dreams and knew with absolute certainty he’d recognize her when they met. But with the pack’s personal fitness business finally taking off, who had the time to search for Ms. Right? “When are you going to admit you prefer me over some miniskirt-wearing, silicone-injected bitch?” Benjy sidled closer. Jason shoved him away. “For the zillionth time, knock it off. I’m straight. I’ve always been straight and I’ll always be straight. And even if I were gay, I wouldn’t want your meatless butt.” Annoyed when two men coming out of the gym snickered, he gagged on his coffee. “Damn it, man, if you weren’t the best accountant the pack has, I’d wrap a choke collar around your neck so tight you’d have to breathe through your ass.” “Oooh, goody.” Benjy ran his eyes down his frame. “You like it rough, huh, Jay-Jay?” “I promise you, you shit, if you don’t at least try to act normal, I’m going to tear your heart out.” “Gay is normal, you politically incorrect beast.” “Yeah, you’re right. Idiot here.” Yet when Benjy tried to hug him in a gesture of forgiveness, he jumped out of reach. “But you know what I mean. And don’t call me Jay-Jay.” “What you mean is…you want me to act like a straight man, right? Okay, if that’s what my hunky macho leader wants, that’s what my hunky macho leader gets.” Benjy pulled his tangerine polo shirt out of his perfectly ironed khakis, ruffled his hair, and slouched. Shoving his thumbs into his pockets, he sauntered ahead of Jason and deepened his voice. “How’s this, dude?”
Howling for My Baby
Jason laughed and followed his friend through the automatic sliding doors of the gym. “You’re acting like John Wayne on hormone replacement therapy. Yet, as sad as your act is, it’s still an improvement. Keep it up.” “Urgh, you beast.” Benjy rolled his eyes, returned to his usual perfectly put-together self and let Jason lead the way to the office. They quickly located the gym’s newest manager. “Steve Wilson? I’m Jason Cannon and this is Benjy Boudoir. Welcome to the company. I believe the previous manager, Rob Manger, told you we’d be stopping by? I’m sorry we couldn’t get here any sooner, but Rob was confident that you could hold down the fort for a couple of months.” “Yes, sir, Mr. Manger told me.” Steve offered his hand to first Jason, then Benjy. “I’m very happy to be one of the team.” After shaking hands, they followed Steve into the office. Steve took a seat in front of a computer resting on a mahogany desk and pulled up the gym’s financial records. “Before he left, Mr. Manger filled me in on what reports you’d need. I compiled everything into this software for easier viewing.” Spinning around to face them, he frowned, the lines furrowing his forehead making the twenty-five year-old appear ten years older. “I keep an excellent record of all transactions.” Jason patted him on the shoulder, both to reassure him and to nudge him out of the chair. He motioned to Benjy to take his place. “I’m sure you do. This is simply a routine check and nothing for you to worry about.” He studied the data and searched for his favorite project. “I see the gym’s customers donated two thousand dollars to the Help-A-Child organization. Good going, Steve.” Benjy started tapping away. “I assume you want the same amount donated from your personal account, right?” “Yes.” Jason frowned at the screen. “No. Make it double, Benjy. And let’s come up with a new campaign to get even more donations. Maybe a free month’s membership with each hundred dollars donated?” “I’m on it.” Benjy’s fingers flew over the keyboard. “Now if you two will excuse me, I’ll put on my accountant’s hat and play with some numbers. Although I’d much rather play with somebody else’s numbers.” He winked at Steve, causing the young man to stumble sideways in his haste to put distance between them. “Uh, would you like to look around while Mr. Boudoir goes over the records?” Steve moved toward the door, ready, willing and obviously anxious to get away from Benjy. “Benj, you can handle things by yourself, right?” “But of course, Jay—” Jason’s sharp glare transformed the second “Jay” about to escape Benjy’s mouth. “Uh, boss man. No problem.”
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Jason gestured for Steve to exit first. “Lead the way.” He followed the eager manager around the outskirts of the workout area, letting him drone on about the new equipment. But his mind couldn’t concentrate on the young man’s words. Instead, his thoughts kept drifting to last night’s dream. Clearer than ever before, he’d seen a picture-perfect image of the woman with brown hair with red highlights. What’s more, he’d heard her howl—hearing the call within his heart along with his dream, and he knew what it meant. His mate was close. “Sir, we’re coming around to the treadmill area. From there, would you like me to show you the juice bar? Our profits have increased substantially since it opened. Sir?” Jason forced his attention to the business at hand. “Oh. Sure. Good. Glad to hear it. You’ve made a lot of improvements in a very short time.” “I’m glad you approve.” Steve grinned and continued toward the treadmills. “We’ve added several rows of treadmills because those are our most popular machines. They’re the best in the industry with programmable settings…” Jason stopped behind one of the whirring machines, missing the rest of the manager’s description. A woman clad in black bike shorts and a neon pink workout top ran on the belt, her short curly hair glinting copper fire from the bright lights above her. He tilted his head to one side and examined the full roundness of her bottom. Now there’s a target any man would want to aim his shaft at. I do like the junk in her trunk. Suddenly, she twisted toward him and their gazes met and held. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “Hey, sweetheart, you’d better watch out—” Her big beautiful eyes grew large and she let out a yelp. In one awkward motion, her feet flew out from under her and she crashed on her side on the still-moving belt. She slid with the conveyor, headed quickly toward the end, and slammed into his legs. “Argh!” Jason went down hard, landing on top of the woman, whose upper torso bumped up and down with the off-center glide of the belt. Yet, even though she pushed on his chest to get him off her, he couldn’t help but enjoy the soft pressure of her breasts against him. “Ow! This thing’s got me!” The panic on her face erased the lust-filled ideas spreading through his body and mind. Gripping her bra-like top, he pulled her off the treadmill. Or at least he attempted to. Trying to ignore the spectacular view of her ample cleavage, he peeked behind her. “Shit. The back of your top’s caught in the mechanism.” He looked around to see where the young manager was. “Steve, don’t just stand there. Turn this thing off.” Steve scrambled past them to the control panel and pushed the red emergency button. Amazingly, the treadmill continued to run. “I can’t get it to stop. Hang on while I get in front and pull the plug.” “Hurry! It hurts!” Frightened eyes captured Jason and he could think of only one thing to do. Shifting enough to change his fingernails into claws, he punctured through the fabric of her workout top and pulled. The garment
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ripped, tearing away from her body, and the woman screamed louder. Freed from the monster machine, Jason and the woman scrambled apart. She clutched her arms in front of her generous breasts while he tried not to gawk in wonder. Stare, hell, yes—but not gawk. “Are you crazy?” She stood, arms crossed, protecting precious little of her chest—How lucky can a man get?—and glared at the crowd surrounding them. Several men whistled and hooted, bumping against each other for a better view of the half-naked woman. “Why are you yelling at me? I helped you, remember?” He licked his lips and tried to keep his focus on her face. Her mouth worked, searching for the right words and giving him time to notice the fullness of her lips. “Give me your shirt, you jerk.” She widened her eyes more, indicating the people around them. “Right now.” Quickly, he whipped off his denim shirt and held it out to her, silently chastising himself for not thinking of it first. Holding it open, he held it in front of her, hoping to shield her from not only his wandering eyes, but the rest of the club’s patrons. She inched closer to grab the shirt. With a final scowl at him, she dashed for the locker rooms. “I got it!” Jason turned to Steve, who stood holding the power cord high like an Olympic gold medal. At last, the treadmill ground to a stop. “Great, man. Good work.” The memory of luscious breasts tickled his mind, yet he couldn’t let go of the sight of her angry eyes. Turning to stare after her, he knew he’d found his mate. e Syd grumbled at the sharp pain slicing into her back. “I’m telling you, Charlie, I can never return to that gym. I’ll be the talk of the place for at least another six months.” Holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder, she twisted off the lid of a pill bottle. She listened to her friend’s offer to play nurse to her, but knew Charlie would smother her to death. “Gee, Charlie, you’re very sweet, but I’m going to do what the doctor suggested. I’m taking a couple of the pain pills he gave me and heading to bed for a good night’s rest.” Not stopping to get water, she tossed two pills to the back of her throat and swallowed. After a moment’s hesitation, she popped another pill and crossed into the living room. “Seriously, I’m bruised, but okay. Nothing for you to worry about. Unless you’d like to worry about my lost dignity.” She eased her body onto the couch. “Okay, okay, I swear. I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Bye.” After another promise to call, she traded the phone for the television remote. She paused, her attention drawn to the image of a man in a werewolf costume howling at the moon. She shook her head, wondering if anyone in Hollywood knew the truth. Obviously whoever had made this film hadn’t, but it was an old
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movie. Maybe that was why the newer movies appeared more realistic. Had someone finally told the Hollywood big shots that werewolves really did exist? She flipped to another channel where a talking dog spoke to his owner in perfect English. Tell him, boy. Tell him Sally fell down the well. Then tell him bogey monsters are real and hiding in the well, ready to gobble him up. She pffed out her exasperation. Yeah, right. Talking dogs. Yet she couldn’t fault the filmmakers. She’d always been told werewolves could talk, so why not dogs? Maybe the people who’d made the show knew shifters could speak while in wolf form and had assumed dogs could do the same. Of course, shifters had the advantage of being human, too. Flipping to an infomercial—I’ve gotta think of something beside canines and you-know-who—she wiggled into the cushions. She tried to concentrate on the benefits of the food processor, but found her mind drifting away. Instead, the image of her falling on the treadmill—and having her sweat-wet boobs exposed for the entire gym to leer at—was too difficult to shut out. And she couldn’t ease the image of him—big, tall, where-have-you-been-all-my-life him. The moment she’d turned and seen his face she’d known the truth. Her dream man was real and standing at the foot of her treadmill. “Holey moley. I do not believe this.” Had she found him? He was definitely the spitting image of the man in her dreams. Had her wish for a man who was part wolf come true? She groaned, glanced at the hunting magazine—a gift from her father—resting on the table in front of her and clamped her eyes closed. No, he can’t be. And even if he was, I could never get involved with a shifter. What the hell am I thinking? “Sydney? You in there?” Syd’s head jerked up at the sound of her father’s gruff voice. “Skeller?” She turned off the television, hurried to the door—ow, ow, ow—and missed the knob when Skeller swung the door open. She slammed to a stop—ow—and leaned in to peck a kiss on his cheek. “Hi. Um, why are you here?” He accepted her kiss, but never lost the glower on his face. “Little girl, how many times have I told you to lock your front door? You’re just asking for some lowlife to waltz in and rob you. Or worse. You know how your mother worries.” Do you worry, Skeller? “Most people don’t barge into an apartment without knocking.” Why did she and her father have such a difficult relationship? Was it just a yin and yang kind of thing? Or something more? Sometimes she couldn’t believe they were related at all. Her father grumbled a few choice words about “Skellers not being most people” and stepped inside. “Ain’t that the truth.” “What’d you say, little girl?” Syd bit her lip and fought to keep her frustration in check. “Not a thing.” He studied her, making her squirm. “Are you all right? You’re acting strange.” “I’m fine.” Straighten up, Syd. No way am I telling him about the accident—or the man.
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Although she sensed that he knew she was lying, he changed the subject to the only topic he truly loved. When other parents had talked about Little League or ballet classes, her father’s focus had stayed resolutely on ridding the world of evil creatures—a.k.a. lycanthropes. “You’re coming to the meeting tonight.” His words were more a command than a question. Syd scowled, trying to match her father’s irritated expression. For once in her life, she’d like to talk about something else besides hunting down shifters. “I’ll pass, thanks. You know I don’t want to kill werewolves. Besides, I’d planned on grading papers tonight.” She’d rather do anything than go on a shifter hunt, including grading her students’ math papers. Urgh. “Sydney, since you’re my only child, you have the family reputation to uphold. My father was a hunter, I’m a hunter, and you’re a hunter, whether or not you know it right now. It’s what we do and who we are. You can still teach, if you have to.” She tossed her hair defiantly, placed her feet apart, and got ready to stand up to him. “No, I don’t have to. I want to.” Come on, Skeller, get a clue. “And I don’t want to hunt.” She turned away from him, wobbling a little—damn, those pills are good!—and concentrated on walking normally back to her sofa. Ow, ow, ow. Okay, maybe not that good. Slipping onto the cushions again, she groaned inwardly. “Get this through your thick head. I’m not going to hunt. Unlike you, I don’t have an inner need to kill shifters. In fact, I kind of—” She shut up before the betraying words could escape her mouth. If her father ever found out about her attraction to werewolves, he’d disown her. “You kind of…what?” Syd had to clear her throat before she could answer. “Nothing. Just let me live my own life. Let me be what I want to be.” And who I want to be with. Her father moved in and sat beside her. “We make a difference in this world. People don’t have a clue what’s right outside their doors and in their places of work. We do the dirty work so they can live monsterfree lives.” She placed a hand on her father’s and tried for the umpteenth time to get him to understand. “I know, I know. But I don’t feel the same need you do to hunt shifters.” A giggle escaped, earning her a scowl. At least the pain meds had improved her mood. He stood and stalked over to her fireplace. “I don’t understand you. In fact, sometimes I wonder if you’ve got Skeller blood in you at all. Don’t you care that those animals killed your aunt? We have an obligation to her memory to wipe them out.” She winced, instantly feeling guilty. A werewolf had attacked Skeller’s sister the same night Sydney had come down with a horrible case of the flu. She knew her father blamed himself for staying home with her instead of going to his sister’s home for their regular Sunday dinner. And somehow, although he’d never said so, she’d always felt he’d blamed her, too. But did that mean she had to dedicate her life to killing?
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“Dad, I’m sorry, but I can’t do what you’re asking me to do.” Simply because they rarely agreed or had much in common didn’t mean she didn’t love the man. After all, he was her father—killer attitude and all. He seemed to shrink before her eyes. Slumping into the cushion, he tilted his head and gave her a sad smile. Uh-oh. More guilt on the way. Sheesh, for a tough guy, he sure knows how to slap on the guilt trips. Syd adjusted her body, trying to find a comfortable position. But a large part of her backside felt like one big bruise. Use the pain, Syd. Stay strong and think. But why are the pills working on my brain and not my butt? “At least start doing some activities with the group. I can’t make excuses for you much longer.” “I won’t kill, Skeller, and that’s that.” He was a persistent man if nothing else. “Okay, then just come to a meeting and get to know the folks.” She rolled her eyes, knowing it annoyed him, and shook her head. “Why? I have nothing in common with you and your friends. Except for having dated Max.” Why had she ever dated a hunter? Answer? To make her dad happy. At first, she’d thought Max was an okay guy. But, boy, had she been wrong. “Aw, Dad, why do we have to keep having this same old argument?” Maybe if she called him “Dad” enough times he’d get off her back. Yet when she opened her mouth to go on, the glint in his eyes stopped her cold. What now? “I’ll make you a deal.” He widened his grin, making her uneasy in more than one way. She knew she shouldn’t ask, but after years of pointless arguing she was ready to try anything. She scrutinized him, suspicious, yet ready to hear his offer. “What kind of a deal?” He thought he had her now. She could see it in his eyes. “You don’t have to kill—unless you want to. Just hold the gun and act like you’re one of us. That’s it. Just one little hunt. Afterward, if you say you didn’t enjoy hunting with the group or maybe even taking one wicked scumbag out of this world, I’ll leave you be.” “So I don’t have to actually kill one? I can merely go along for the ride?” She had no desire to go on a hunt, but if it would finally get him off her case, then maybe it would be worth it. Besides she’d make Skeller happy in the process and get rid of some of the guilt he kept slinging her way. He struggled to keep the hope from his face. “Nope. You don’t have to make a kill. But keep an open mind, okay? Trust me. You exterminate a shifter and you’ll never want to miss another hunt again. You’re a Skeller and family will win out. I’m positive of it.” A sharp pain shot up her back. Please, let’s just get this conversation over. I’ll agree to anything to get him out of my home so I can relax with a couple more pain pills. “Oh, for God’s sake. You promise? If
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I go on just one hunt, you’ll get off my back for good?” She waited for his nod and he gave it—a little too quickly. “Okay, Skeller, you’ve got a deal.” She had to give him credit. The man knew when to get going before she could change her mind. He was out the door before the first remorseful thought hit her. Oh, crap. What have I done? He’d caught her with her mental defenses down and her state of inebriation up. When would she learn never to drug and talk at the same time? She’d definitely let him take advantage of her. Damn. He is so not the man I want to take advantage of me. A stronger pain stabbed at her side where another purplish bruise already spread across her skin. Or maybe it’s black. Like the black of his hair. She gritted her teeth. Perfect. Just perfect. Even when I hurt I can’t stop thinking about him. She pulled a throw pillow to her mouth and yelled into the plumpness, screaming until her throat hurt. When she’d finished, she tossed the pillow away, her frustration level higher than before. So much for scream therapy. I am not, I repeat, am not going to spend the night in pain and wondering about him. I’ll sort this out tomorrow. Rising with a groan, she stalked to the kitchen. Why weren’t the pills working better? She didn’t want just partial relief, she wanted knock-me-outand-wake-up-all-better relief. She frowned at her blurry image in the refrigerator door. Maybe she needed another kind of pain medication. Not to mention something to serve as a memory inhibitor. Wine. She needed wine. She paused, sending a little prayer out to the gods of the vines and opened the refrigerator door. Saying thank you for their quick answer to her prayer, she pulled out the bottle and popped the cork. Putting the bottle to her lips, she slugged down a big gulp. With a satisfied sigh, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, snagged a wine glass from the overhead rack, and poured while she returned to the couch. “Yup, I spell relief a-l-c-o-h-o-l.” Syd downed another large drink. Since she wasn’t a heavy drinker, the warm calm of the alcohol started flowing through her within seconds. When the doorbell rang, she giggled, pushed off the couch, and started for the door. Either Charlie had ignored her protests and arrived to take charge, or Skeller had called her mom to come and baby her. Mimicking her mother, she quipped, “Sydney Skeller, you know better than to mix booze and pills. Are you trying to overdose like some pitiful drug addict?” She giggled again and reached for the doorknob. What if it is Mom? The sobering thought brought her to a standstill, hand outstretched, and she contemplated facing her mother in her current condition. Oh, crap. You’re a grown woman, Syd. Why are you letting your mother’s opinion bother you? Because I know I shouldn’t mix booze with pills and she’d be the first to say so. But I didn’t drink a whole bunch. Did I?
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She shook her head and glared at the door, envisioning her mother’s face on the surface. The pills weren’t very strong. Besides, she’d taken only enough to help her relax. What harm was there in that? Holding the goblet in the air, she tried to remember how much had been in the glass and how many times she’d refilled it. “Once?” But her memory had decided to go on vacation. “Do you always talk to yourself before answering the door?” Syd jumped at the male voice—a voice she recognized—and sloshed wine to the floor. It’s him. My shifter—you don’t know whether he’s a shifter or not—from the gym. “Aren’t you going to say anything else? Or maybe you’re working your way up to opening the door? Can’t you do both at the same time?” Irritation struck her at his taunting tone. Tugging the door wide, she prepared to give him a piece of her mind. The handsome dark-haired hunk of her desire stood at her doorstep holding a colorful bouquet of flowers in one hand while waving a bottle of wine in the other. His eyes, deep and rich, sparkled at her— her dream come to life. Everything she’d planned to say flew out a hole in her head, leaving her gawking at him like a love-sick teenager. “Is this a game you like to play?” He flashed a grin before adopting a serious expression he didn’t hold long either. “I’m only kidding. Seriously, though. Are you okay?” The eyebrow he slanted in question made her want to reach out and stroke its bushy softness. “Or maybe I’m supposed to know a secret password?” He braced the bottle under one arm and reached out his hand. “How about a secret handshake?” “Huh?” His grin grew bigger and he withdrew his hand. “Sorry. I really need to find a Kidders Anonymous meeting somewhere.” He paused and brought back the concerned look. “Okay, let’s get down to basics. Can I come inside?” She started to nod and froze. Wait. Don’t invite him in. She frowned, trying to force her fuzzy thoughts to clear. No, wait. I’m wrong. It’s a vampire you’re not supposed to invite inside. Was there something she was supposed to do if a shifter knocked on her door? Run? Hide? Jump his bones? Her gaze slipped from his eyes, down his tight stomach outlined by his form-fitting shirt and lower. She suddenly wanted to stroke something other than his eyebrow. “I want to—” Oh, crap. Shut up! Did I almost say I wanted to fuck him out loud? Ripping her gaze up to his face, she cringed at his look of comprehension. Heat swept from her toes to her face in record time and she knew she’d gained a new skin hue. “You want to what?”
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Like he doesn’t know. “Never mind.” Forget defense. Offense is the best medicine. Huh? No, wrong again. Giving up on sorting out her mixed-up thoughts, she opted to answer his question with one of her own. “How did you know where I live?” The smile returned, faltered, and immediately brightened. “My company owns the gym and I asked the manager for your information. I hope you don’t mind.” His eyes matched his smile. “You do realize I’m here to apologize, right? Unless you think I should do something else?” Catching his gaze lingering on her breasts, she grumbled a few choice words and crossed her arms the way she’d done in the gym. Talk about déjà vu. “You should.” After his eyebrows shot skyward, she added, “Apologize, I mean. But I’m not interested.” “Even though I bear gifts? See? I have flowers and wine.” The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes called to her. “However, I see you’ve already taken care of the drink portion of the apology.” The tip of his tongue peeked out between those wonderful lips, causing her to wonder why she wasn’t yanking him into her home—and into her bed. After all, she’d dreamed about him in her bed, so why not take advantage of the opportunity? Still, the scene at the gym made it hard not to feel uncomfortable around him. Him and everyone else who’d seen her headlights. “Huh? Uh, yeah.” Oh, come on, Syd. Can’t you think of a better comeback? At least let the man know you’ve got a few working brain cells. She took another sip of her drink and considered whether the dizziness sweeping through her was a result of the pills and booze, or the magnetism of the man in front of her. “I also have your contract, which I’m ready to tear up and replace with a year’s free membership.” He patted his shirt pocket. “Plus, we have a charity drive going at the gym for the non-profit Help-A-Child organization and I’ve made a donation in your name. It’s my way of saying sorry for the, uh, unfortunate incident.” Syd frowned and tried to force her mind to work. But the fuzziness only grew stronger. “Never mind. I, uh, I won’t be using the gym any longer. You understand how awkward it might be, don’t you? Which means your offer isn’t much good to me.” Yet she had to admit at least something good had come from her accident—besides meeting him, of course. “The donation was a nice thought. Thanks.” “You’re welcome. Besides, I’m a co-founder of the organization, so I guess you could say it’s kind of selfish on my part.” His eye color deepened, growing impossibly darker. “Still…I hope you’ll reconsider staying with the gym.” The frown morphed, however, and changed into a lopsided leer. “I know a lot of the other customers will miss seeing you.” Oh, no he didn’t! She narrowed her eyes, focusing on him to make sure he’d said what she thought he’d said. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, Mr.…”
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The laughing twinkle in his eyes intensified. “Jason Cannon. But forget the mister part.” Winking, he slipped past her, ignoring her feeble attempt to protest, and marched into the living room. “And yes, I do have a lot of nerve. Among a lot of other attributes. But please believe me. I’m truly sorry about what happened.” After scanning her apartment, his penetrating gaze came to rest on her. “Well, damn, make yourself at home why don’t you?” She watched, intrigued by his gall, yet annoyed that his sexy saunter had mesmerized her. “Thank you. I usually do.” “Mr. Cannon—” “Jason.” He placed the bouquet in the crystal vase on the end table. “After what we went through, I think you should call me by my first name, don’t you?” “We didn’t share the experience. I’m the victim here, not you. Your crappy machine malfunctioned and nearly ate me alive.” Oh, shit. Insert foot in mouth and shut the hell up. His knowing, slightly wicked gleam latched on to her, ratcheting up the heat in her face another ten degrees. “Don’t. Don’t even go there. In your mind or with your mouth.” But his expression told her he already had. “Damn it, I didn’t mean… Oh, crap, never mind.” Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut the hell up! “Sometimes ya gotta wonder what comes out of our mouths, huh?” His comically innocent expression caught her by surprise and she almost giggled at the sight. Here was the shifter—or is he a mere man? Damn, I hope not—she’d wanted, sexy and gorgeous like in her dreams. And, to top it off, he was funny. Not anything like the monsters her father had described throughout her childhood. Sure, she’d known that shifters lived among regular humans, but she’d always imagined them having a maniacal I’m-evil-and-you-can-see-it-so-stay-away-from-me appearance. She certainly hadn’t thought of them as charming philanthropists. Oh, damn. Her father. Why did she have to have the hots for a werewolf? If indeed he was a werewolf. Maybe if she got lucky, he’d be a nice car thief instead. Or a homicidal axe murderer. Someone her father hadn’t spent his whole life trying to eradicate. Besides, how could her father ever harm anyone like Jason? She studied the man before her and instinctively knew he wasn’t someone her father should kill. Then Jason threw her another curve. “By the way, we’ve replaced the faulty machine. So no harm done.” Okay, maybe she did want him dead after all. “No harm done? Are you kidding me?” How could he stand there, exuding masculinity and overpowering lust, and declare no harm done? “You look fine to me.” Again, he flashed another irritatingly sexy grin. “In fact, you look better than fine. Absolutely delectable.”
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Delectable? Would he eat her? Literally? The image of a horror movie werewolf tearing apart his victim rushed through her mind right before another image of Jason lying between her legs struck her, shaking her to the core. Think victim, Syd. It’s the safer choice. Carefully—I wouldn’t want him to think I’m smashed because I’m not—she snatched up the bottle from the coffee table and crossed to the kitchen counter to refill her goblet. She gritted her teeth, forcing her legs to hold her up. “I’m not talking about bruises and scrapes here. Those will heal. I’m talking about the embarrassment you put me through.” “Don’t you think you have things mixed up? I saved you.” “Oh. So you saved me by flashing my boobs at all the gawkers?” His low chuckle made her wish she could lay her head on his shirt to hear the rumble in his chest. “Well, saving you from getting eaten alive”—she winced at the emphasis he placed on the two words— “was my main goal, but getting a load of your uh, endowment, was an unexpected bonus. I’d call it a reward for a job well done. And thank you for that.” “I’m glad you can be blasé about it. After all, you didn’t get hurt, did you? You weren’t embarrassed, were you? In fact, you’ll probably forget all about ripping my top off by tomorrow morning.” He moved fast. In fact, she didn’t know he was beside her until he already was. With measured deliberate moves, he put his wine bottle on the counter. Taking a goblet from the nearby wine rack, he poured the remaining alcohol from her bottle and took a sip. She watched, taking in the way his throat worked and his jaw moved when he swallowed. He turned to face her, his glittering dark eyes fixing on hers. “Trust me. I’ll never forget.” Syd gasped, startled by the fire in the depths of his gaze. A long slow burn glowed inside her abdomen, taking over her body. Without being able to stop herself, she raised a finger to his lips. His mouth opened when her fingertip touched his lower lip, closing over half of her finger. Yet, when his tongue swirled over her skin, she couldn’t help but let her own tongue escape to caress her suddenly parched lips. Go for it. This is what you wanted. The voice in her head whispered to do what was in her heart; what she’d dreamed about for months, years. She paused, tried to consider the consequences, but rational thought was lost in the overload of sensations coming from the rest of her body. Instead, she leaned into him, enjoying the sensation of his hand slipping around her neck to bring her mouth within inches of his. “I don’t—” He released her finger and raised his to her lips. “Yes, you do.” She forgot what she’d started to say and, instead, ran her tongue along the side of his finger. He smiled, a smile all too aware of her emotions, and brought his face impossibly closer. Their warm breaths mingled and she drank in the scent of him. “You and I were meant for each other, Sydney Skeller. Can’t you feel it?”
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Yes. “Uh, yeah, I—” She sucked in her breath, unable to say anything more. She wasn’t ready for his next words. “I know you do. We both know it.” He cupped her cheek, locking her to him. “I’m here to claim what’s mine.”
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Chapter Three
Staring into her eyes, Jason paused, then pressed his mouth to hers. Syd closed her eyes and moaned. Her head swam with a myriad of colors flaring behind her eyelids. Finally, seconds before she was sure she’d pass out, he released her. “Syd. You know I want—” She licked her lips and dived in for another kiss. “Sure.” And I want you. “Then you know who—what—I am? That we’re destined to be together?” His words tumbled in her mind, yet down deep she recognized the truth of them. His voice swept over her, giving her renewed energy, and she laced her fingers through the front of his shirt. “I’ve seen you. In my head. In my dreams.” Let the fantasy begin. He let out a huge sigh. “And I’ve waited for you. When I saw you at the club—” “Do you always talk so much?” Allowing her desire to break free, she tugged him toward the bedroom. He trailed behind her, hand in hand, letting her lead the way until she jerked him past her to push him on top of her bed. “Well, all right. A round bed. You, lady, are my kind of naughty woman.” She laughed and crawled on top of him. “Naughty, but nice. Nice in a naughty way.” “I guess this means you accept my apology?” “Maybe.” At the surprise on his face, she added, “It’ll depend on how good you are in bed. And if it’s forgiveness you’re seeking, you’d better be damn good.” “Is that right? Hell, Syd, I’m so good you’re going to end up apologizing to me.” She made a growling noise. “Didn’t I tell you to stop talking?” “Yeah, but I want to make sure—” “Damn. Just shut up.” She mimicked his earlier action and crushed her lips to his. Her laughter mixed with his and she thought how right they sounded together, how comfortable she felt with him—in a sexy rip-his-clothes-off kind of way. They tore at each other’s clothes, passion coursing through them while their lips glued together. Within minutes Syd, naked and shuddering with delight, broke the lip-lock and pushed up to run her hands over Jason’s bare chest. His rough hands gripped her breasts, bringing them to his mouth. He nipped at them, enticing flickers of lust to spark to life through her, thrilling her with each new burst of heat.
Beverly Rae
Here was her man. The man of her dreams. The man she’d wished for. Syd placed her hands beside his head and arched her back, giving her breasts to him. “You’re beautiful.” She started to reply, but his tongue savaging her nipples wiped all coherent thoughts away. Undulating her hips, she reveled in the feel of his shaft growing stronger, bigger, longer under her. Soon she slipped him between the crevices of her folds, teasing herself, teasing him. She wanted him to crave her. She wanted him to need her. He twisted, trying to enter her, but she lost her balance and fell to his side. “Slow down a minute. I’ve had dreams about this and since it’s time to make those dreams real, I’m planning on savoring the experience.” Jason moved, coming to rest on top of her, and trapped his face between her breasts. He mumbled between licks around her globes. “Tell me about your dreams.” The man sure liked to talk—among other things. He swiped his tongue along the underside of her breast, making her squirm. “Okay, but I’ve had a lot of them.” All starring you. “How about one of my favorites?” “Yeah, tell me which fantasy you want to come true first.” “I want to play Submarine with you.” “Submarine, huh?” Syd shuddered in pleasure at the heat in his look. “Yeah, Submarine. Don’t tell me you don’t know how to play Submarine.” He winked at her, letting her in on the joke. “Sweetheart, I’m the commander on the sub.” “Well? Then what are you waiting for? Dive, sailor, dive.” Pushing his shoulders, she guided him between her legs. “Remember when you said I looked delectable? You’re about to find out if you were right.” He obeyed her even when her hands fell from his shoulders to clutch the comforter. He slid her lower, bringing her legs over his shoulders. “Yeah. Forget the thousand-dollar wine. Give me a drink of you any day.” His tongue moved slowly over her inner thigh, making it hard to breathe, much less speak. Yet she couldn’t resist joking with him a little more. “So, hmm, you like, uh, pussy juice?” “Whoa, wait a sec. What did you say?” Jason lurched up, startling her, and shook his head vehemently. “Don’t ever use the word pussy when we’re having sex. That word is a real turn-off.” “Why n—” His mouth latching onto her again broke her train of thought and she threw back her head onto the pillow. His tongue whipped around her throbbing clit and she gripped the covers to help keep her body
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Howling for My Baby
earthbound. “Oh, yes. Yes!” He pulled her closer and drank deeper. “Oh, shit, Jason. Don’t stop.” Bucking under his hold, she tensed and released time after time. Only when he broke free of her did her pulse begin to slow down. “Wow.” She took a minute to let her breathing return to normal before quipping in a terrible British accent, “More, please, sir?” She waited, ready to hear him laugh and was surprised when he ignored her. Wiping his mouth, his jaw working, he rose to place his face over hers. “This has never happened before.” The strain in his voice was almost tangible. “What? You never made a girl come before?” Was this his joke? “Somehow I find it very hard to believe. I came like multiple times. Multiple big times.” “Oh, shit, of course not. I’ve never had that problem.” “Gee, no humility wasted on you, huh? Then what?” She scanned his body, expecting to see something wrong. Had he lost his hard-on? But she found nothing. Well, nothing wrong, at least. Because there was definitely something majorly right between his legs. “Why’d you stop?” What did his tense expression mean? “I meant… Argh, I can’t—oh, shit!—wait!” Running his tongue over her collarbone, he spread her legs and plunged into her. The force of his thrust reverberated through his howl, driving her toward the headboard. With his hands gripping the bed, he pumped faster, harder, sweat forming along his brow. A drop fell, landing on Syd’s chest, and it trickled down the slope of her breast, moving in jerks with each of his thrusts. Gasping from the force pounding into her, she raised her eyes to him, wanting to see his release when it came. Amber eyes slanted, piercing in their unbridled passion, and fastened onto hers. Yet when she saw the teeth inching out of his mouth, her heart nearly slammed to an abrupt stop. Fangs. Long, sharp, deadly fangs. She hadn’t let herself fully believe he was a shifter. But now? Now she had to believe. Would all the things her father had taught her come true? Was she about to die? Yet she knew in her mind what she’d always known in her heart. She had nothing to fear from Jason. He was the wolf she’d dreamed of. But did she really want to take that step into the wild unknown? The room wavered around her. The full affect of the alcohol and pills worked to numb her from the bruises and pain of her fall. With every bit of need within her, she fought to experience every move, every smell, every taste of him inside her, every sensation of their lovemaking to the fullest. Jason stiffened, readied for his release and turned his head to the side. His howl startled her and she gaped, fascinated. “Wow.” Her breath rushed out of her at the same time she saw his climax tear through him, making every muscle in his body tighten and release. Hugging him, she held his body close, feeling wave after
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wave ripple through his torso. At last, he slumped against her, crushing her with his weight. Yet she didn’t care. She held on to him, luxuriating in the beat of his heart against hers, the warmth of his breath against her neck. Knowing she was where she belonged, in the arms of her man, she closed her eyes and her pulse slowed. Soon, the fuzziness of her mind started drifting her away. “Syd?” “Hmm?” “We’re together now. Say it.” The words she’d waited to hear from her dream man filtered through her drug-fogged brain and she smiled. Together. “Uh-huh.” Yet something in his tone made her open her eyes to search his. Fear gripped her, tearing at her. His jaws lengthened, opening to show two rows of saliva-dripping teeth. But the fear was nothing compared to the pain as he sank his teeth into her shoulder. She screamed, more from surprise than from pain, and struck out. Hitting him hard enough to force him off her, she rolled out of the bed and fell to the floor. She tried to scramble away, but he seized her ankle, keeping her captive. “Let go of me!” “Syd! What’s wrong?” “You bit me!” Jason flipped her onto her back and straddled her, pinning her arms above her head. Dark eyes narrowed at her above normal human lips and teeth. “Stop fighting me. Of course I did. You said you wanted it. You said—” She slapped at him, without doing any harm, and continued to struggle. “Get off me, you jerk!” “Damn it, will you knock it off?” Exhaustion, mixed with alcohol and medication, finally won out and she stopped struggling to pant for air. In between breaths, she asked the questions reeling through her brain. “What…the hell…are you talking about? I said…what? Bite me?” Jason’s bewildered expression echoed the confusion ripping into her heart. “Yeah. You said you know we belong together.” Sure, she remembered him talking about belonging together. And, yes, she knew they were meant for each other. Still… “But you never said anything about biting me.” Although the fear was gone, the anger kept pumping through her veins—the only thing keeping her awake. “So why the hell did you bite me?” “Because you and I belong together. If you know what I am, then surely you know how this is done. You’re mine and I’m yours.” He lifted her, gently and lovingly placing her back on the bed. “I think you’ve had way too much to drink. You’re not making much sense.” She blinked, trying to clear her vision, but didn’t have much luck. His sharp features blurred even more. “What does biting have to do with us being together?”
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Jason’s mouth dropped open. “Are you shitting me? I did what all shifters do. I marked you.” Silently she gave thanks for the meds and booze. Otherwise the shock of what he’d said would’ve given her a heart attack. “You marked me? Like branding a cow?” He lifted a hand to tunnel through her hair. “Right. Well, no. Not like a cow. More like a symbol, a sign to show we’re mated. You know. Like wedding rings for a man and his wife. Well, more like he-wolf and she-wolf-in-the-making. Mates as in Mommy and Daddy to the kids we’ll have someday.” Syd managed to push up on her elbows and gape at him. “Mates? Like in married? Like in ’til death do us part?” “Damn, I didn’t realize. You’re really not getting this, are you?” “And you’re really a shifter?” Was he studying her? She couldn’t tell. Her vision seemed to be getting worse. “Like I said. You said you knew I’m a werewolf.” She did. She’d known from the first minute. But saying it out loud? Saying it out loud made it real, no longer just a fantasy. “Omigod. You’re really a shifter.” Her hand flew to the wound at her neck and missed. Damn pills. “And you bit me.” “Yes, I did.” He helped guide her hand to the right place. She pulled her hand away and gawked at the blood on her fingers. My werewolf lover bit me. “Syd? Are you okay?” His concern flowed over her like a cozy blanket, whisking away all emotions other than how wonderful his body fit next to hers. “I’m not…” She yawned and forced her eyes wide in a pitiful attempt to ward off sleep. He studied her for a moment and nodded. “Never mind. You rest while I hunt down some bandages for the wound.” “Wound? You mean where you bit me?” Of course where he bit me. Don’t be dumb. Why can’t I think straight? Why does my voice sound odd? She squinted, trying to make Jason’s face appear less fuzzy. “You’re all fussled.” His warm breath tickled her ears. “I think you mean fuzzy. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of you. You just sleep it off and we’ll straighten it out in the morning.” The soothing sound of his voice gathered the swirling mist around her. Sighing, she tried to shake her head and failed. She closed her eyes and let sleep take her. e “Hi, sleepyhead.” “Oh, crap. My head feels like a Gallagher watermelon.” “What kind of watermelon?”
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“It’s not a type of watermelon. I’m talking about the comic who bludgeons watermelons on stage.” Syd peeked one eye open, fearful of testing both her corneas to the sunlight pouring through her bedroom window. When the light didn’t disintegrate her like Dracula’s bride caught on a tropical beach at high noon, she timidly peeked through the other one. “How much did you drink before I got here last night?” She turned her head to the voice, winced, and swore to never ever move again. “Do you have to yell?” Amazingly, the muscled back of the man sitting on the edge of her bed called to her nether regions, making it almost possible for her to ignore the millions of tiny drummers practicing behind her eyes. Not to mention the hundreds of millions of evil minions stabbing into her shoulder. Almost. She reached to the spot where her shoulder hurt and her hand came to rest on a white bandage. “What the hell is this?” “I am speaking in a normal tone of voice. And don’t worry. You’re healing very quickly. I asked you how much you drank before I got here last night.” The man twisted around to gaze at her, the richness of his dark eyes matching the low timbre of his voice. Jason. She tried to sit up, but failed. A painful stab ripped through her head, down her neck, and into her shoulder, making her rethink the option of sitting up. “Ow. Oh, shit, please kill me now.” Great, Syd. Not exactly the wisest thing to say to a werewolf. Oh, holey moley, I made it with a werewolf. She tried to move again and winced when the movement sent flicks of a tiny whip across her forehead. Do not move. Do not speak. Do not even breathe. “Is the pain bad?” The concern in his voice didn’t match the twinkle in his eyes. No. But the idea of having had sex with a shifter is. My father’s going to kill me and then I’ll know real pain. Syd accepted the water bottle he held out for her, took a sip and fought to understand the sensations flowing through her. With her brain starting to function more clearly, she realized it was true. She’d made love to a shifter. Granted, a very sexy, very cool shifter, but a shifter all the same. She remembered dragging him into the bedroom, which meant she couldn’t blame him. He lifted a large hand to track through her hair. The simple movement made the muscles in his arm dance, and the strength in his forearms called her to a forbidden place of pleasure. Damn, he’s gorgeous. A wave of lust sped up her pulse, making her heart beat in double time. How can I think of sex in the shape I’m in? Yet when she saw the small patch of curly hair crawling from his navel past where his bare thigh hid his jewels, another thought chased the first one away. When a guy looks like him, how can I not think about sex? “I think the combination of the pain meds and wine did me in.” She managed a small smile before taking another cool sip. “Ah… I didn’t know about the pills.” He studied her. “No wonder you didn’t make sense last night.”
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Could shifters read minds? Or was she mixing them up with vampires again? She stopped, trying to recall another time when she’d confused the two supernatural beings. Obviously, all Skeller’s lessons about werewolves had gotten scrambled up with the monsters she’d seen in the movies. She took a quick glimpse. No monster had ever looked like him. Yet, to be safe, she lowered her eyes, hoping to shield her thoughts. She scooted to the other side of the bed and slipped out from underneath the covers. Naked. “Oh, shit. Why didn’t you tell me I didn’t have anything on?” She tugged the bedspread in front of her body and dropped the water bottle, uncaring of the puddle it made at her feet. “First of all, I assumed you knew. Second, I don’t see the problem.” Standing up, he spread his arms wide, showing off his nude form. His magnificent, rock-hard, nude form. Years of poor body image whacked her in the gut and she pulled the covers closer to hide her pudginess. Would he still want her after he’d seen her extra fat in glorious, show-it-like-it-is daylight? “After all, it’s not like we haven’t seen each other’s privates.” He waggled a finger and started moving toward her. “Trust me. I’ve seen and touched every inch of you. And tasted most of those inches, too.” He licked his lips. “Yum, yum, my sweet honey bun.” Warmth spread up her throat and into her face, heat circling inside her abdomen. “Yeah, well.” Great comeback, Syd. Yet she couldn’t think of anything better to say. Come on, Brain-o, rev into high gear. “Besides, we’re mated, so what’s the big deal?” Mated? A vague memory of the word floated in the back of her mind. A fresh throb struck her shoulder, reminding her of the bandage. She wheeled around to face the mirror over the dresser. Stretching forward, she examined the bandage. “Why do I have a bandage on my shoulder? Did I hurt myself?” She met her eyes in the mirror and dropped her gaze. You already know the answers. You just don’t want to admit it. He leaned to the side and crooked his head to get a better look at her backside. “Sorry. I didn’t catch your question. The wiggle in your wagon got my attention when you hopped out of bed. Mmm, mmm, good. My baby’s got back.” Catching him gawking at her, she repositioned the comforter around her J-Lo-and-mo’ butt. “Watch it.” Yet she couldn’t squash the sizzle of happiness jumping for joy inside her. He likes my big butt. “I’m trying, but I can’t if you’re going to hide your sexy ass.” She sneered at him, pretending she wasn’t delighted with the second compliment. “Again. Why the bandage?” “You mean you really don’t remember?” She turned to him, tired of trying to find the answers in her fog-clogged mind. “Will you please just tell me what happened last night?” She gaped at him, unable to understand why he appeared hurt. “What’s the matter?”
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“You don’t remember.” He shook his head, furrowing his brow in contemplation. “I’ve never had a woman tell me she didn’t remember having sex with me. Hell, last night you claimed you had multiple orgasms. Now you can’t remember? I don’t buy it.” He snorted at the idea. “I remember the sex part.” How could she ever forget? Last night was the most mind-blowing, outrageous, wonderful sex she’d ever had. But she didn’t think he needed her to boost his ego. “What I don’t remember is how I got hurt.” Suddenly, an image of long pointed teeth sinking into her shoulder flashed through her mind. “Oh, shit.” His grin lit up his features, wiping away the earlier scowl. “You do remember, don’t you?” Taking a few steps closer, he held out his arms. “Come here, my little hottie of a matie. Let me lick you and make it all better.” Syd backed away, the memory of last night crystallizing in her mind. “Omigod. You bit me.” Taking hold of the bandage, she ripped it off, careless of the sting from the tape tearing at her skin. “You did bite me.” Jason stopped, keeping a short distance from her. “Are we going through this again? Of course I bit you. How else was I supposed to make you my mate? Shit, you’re acting like you didn’t want this. You knew what I was and agreed to be my mate, remember?” “Oh, shit. I remember…” Anger and fear joined hands to squeeze her lungs. “But you didn’t give me a chance to understand, to really grasp the full meaning. Instead, you hauled off and bit me.” Now his face reflected her anger back at her. “Oh, for crap’s sake. You know we belong together, you said so. Why are you trying to deny it now? What the hell is wrong with you? Are you bipolar or psycho— or something?” When she didn’t answer, he huffed, started to move toward her, halted, and instead held up his palms to ward her off. “Hell, I don’t need any of this. Besides, I’m late for a meeting. Remember on your own time, then let me know when you do.” Growling, he spun on his heel, scooped up his clothes lying at the foot of the bed and stomped out of the bedroom. Syd heard the apartment door slam and tears flowed down her face. She’d mated a shifter. Hell, she was going to become a shifter. Staring at her reflection in the mirror again, she considered the new life ahead of her. Oh, shit. Syd, what have you gotten yourself into? She leaned toward the mirror to get a closer look. The wound didn’t look terribly bad. In fact, she’d swear it had already started to heal without stitches or medication—or anything. She bit her lip. When would she change? During the first full moon? At the mall with Charlie? Should she tell her friends? Her colleagues? What if she changed in the middle of teaching a lesson to her class? She choked out a sarcastic laugh and imagined trying to explain the transformation. Would the students believe it was some kind of weird biology lesson? Hey, class, want to see something cool? No, changing into a werewolf at school could simply not happen.
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She groaned and ran her fingers over her body. Morphing into a werewolf is going to play havoc with my diet. Will I be an overweight werewolf? Right, Syd. Unwanted pounds. That’s the worst that can happen—not. Turning away from the mirror, she flopped onto her bed, landing on her back. At first she tried to blame Jason, but then realized she couldn’t. Although the details were fuzzy, he hadn’t force this on her. She’d asked for this by dragging him to her bed and admitting she’d dreamed of him, wanted him, known him. She’d wanted him in her life and in her heart. Just like he’d said, she’d instinctively believed him then and she believed him now. They were destined to be mates. Then why was her stomach in knots? Because your family is a hunter family. Because they kill shifters, which makes your new lover their enemy. No, wait. It makes you and your new hubby their enemies! What was she going to do? And why, just why, wasn’t she already planning a way out of this mess? Again, the answer was clear. This was what she’d searched for all her life. She pushed herself out of bed to return to the mirror. Half expecting to see fangs and fur, she studied her image in the mirror. A soft smile played at the corners of her mouth while a mischievous look glinted in her eyes. She was happy. Once she got past the thoughts of her family and their reaction, she had to admit she was happy. She’d found her man. The one she’d spend the rest of her life with, raise a family with, and love with all her soul. Yet her brief moment of joy was over almost before it began. She imagined her mother’s kind face, twisted in hurt turmoil when she told her. Since her mom wasn’t a real hunter; only married to one, would she understand? Maybe, if she was lucky, she could win her mother over. After all, if anyone scanned the dictionary for the words unconditional love, Miriam Skeller’s photograph would be front and center. But her father would never understand. Syd tried to picture his reaction and winced. His harsh face scowled at her like some wicked king in an enchanted mirror. No way. He would never forgive her. Groaning, she twisted away from her image and stared at the community theater poster on the opposite wall. She’d enjoyed playing Juliet in their production of Romeo and Juliet last summer. But now she knew she hadn’t played the role to the fullest. How could she have? Until now, she hadn’t known what it truly felt like to be caught between two families and two worlds. She let her groan escalate into a growl to match the churning anxiety in her stomach. Damn, soon I’ll start baying at the moon. e “Sydney, you gave me your word.” Syd surveyed the weapons spread out on the table before her. Why did I ever agree to join a hunt? She grimaced. Why? Because when I’d made the bargain, I’d been under the weather. Or rather, under the influence.
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But since meeting—hell, mating—Jason, going on a hunt had taken on a whole new meaning. “Skellers keep their promises.” Why did her dad have to have a thing about promises? She sighed and picked up the smallest gun in the group. Yet small for this group wasn’t very small. The rifle weighed a ton in her hands. “Crap, Skeller, you know I haven’t shot a rifle in ages. I’ll probably wind up shooting myself in the foot. Or worse, someone else in the head.” Yet she had to admit she felt almost comfortable holding the gun. He picked up a larger rifle, popped it open to check if it was loaded, and snapped it shut. “Naw, you won’t. Your training will come back to you natural-like. Of course, instead of shooting targets like when I taught you, you’ll be shooting something that moves. Still, you’ll do fine. After all, you’re a─” “Yeah, I know. I’m a Skeller.” Like being a Skeller had ever felt natural to her. Like shooting a shifter was in her blood. Maybe it was, but now she had werewolf running through her veins, too, and she was supposed to kill one of her new kind? “Okay, I’ll come along for the ride—but just the ride. Remember, I’m not pulling the trigger. Even so, I think this is a big mistake.” Bigger than he’ll ever know. With a satisfied grunt, Skeller swung a rifle over his shoulder and headed for the door. “Good. Let’s get going. We’ve got some shifters to skin.” “You mean you’ve got some shifters to skin. I plan on hiding my eyes if anything gross goes down.” Syd grumbled a few expletives and followed her father to his truck. “Don’t you think you should’ve asked the other hunters if they minded me tagging along? You know. Considering my recent lack of practice with a loaded weapon?” She thought about trying to convince Skeller that exterminating lycanthropes was murder, but realized it wouldn’t work. Hunters prided themselves on killing while the shifter was in animal form, thus eliminating the problem of getting rid of human bodies. No way would her father ever think of Jason—or her!—or any shifter in human terms. “Already did. Don’t worry, they know you’re a rookie.” He turned the key in the ignition and dashed her first hope of wiggling out of the hunt. Traveling through the outskirts of town, she ran through several scenarios. Maybe she could throw her body from the truck, break a few bones and have to go into the hospital? She frowned, dismissing the idea of physically hurting herself. Or maybe she could roll down the window and shout for help, claiming her dad was taking her by force? Although the plan appealed to her, she couldn’t allow anything bad to happen to her father, including getting arrested. Maybe I’ll get lucky and the werewolves will be in human form. But the brief hope she felt died. Naw. The hunters would still want the shifters dead, no matter what form they took. “Look, Sydney, I know you’re nervous about impressing your old man, but don’t worry about it. I’ll be proud of you whether you get a clean kill or not. Besides, I don’t mind if a werewolf suffers a bit before he dies.”
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Howling for My Baby
“Skeller, don’t forget. I’m faking the whole out-to-kill-a-shifter thing. Quit acting like I’m actually going to shoot something.” She scowled a warning at him. “You betcha we are.” He cackled. “I had silver bullets made special for this night—the night when my daughter becomes the next Skeller hunter. See? I even had them engraved with your initials.” Holding the steering wheel with one hand, he pinched a bullet out of his shirt pocket and handed it to her. She studied the initials S. K. S. in the shiny metal and her heart sank. “Fancy, huh?” Perfect. Frickin’ perfect. “I’m thinkin’ it’s a pitiful waste of money, Skeller, since I have no intention of using them.” She saw the hurt in his eyes. “But I appreciate the thought.” Nonetheless, he could keep on playing the game, but she wouldn’t play along with him. He wouldn’t be able to coerce her into anything this time. This time she wouldn’t be half-blitzed and in pain. She glanced at her father and wondered how clueless he actually was. With a soft groan, she returned to gazing out the window. She’d been doing a lot more groaning lately. Where was Jason anyway? She hadn’t seen him in nearly two days, since he’d stormed out of her apartment. When would he return? Would he return? She was his mate, right? Goodness knows he’d drilled that into her. And if she was, why didn’t he want to stay with her? When he did come back, would she have to tell him she’d gone on a hunt? Or worse, confess to shooting a shifter? No, she wouldn’t kill to make her father happy. So unless she accidentally pulled the trigger and got extremely lucky—or unlucky, in her opinion—she wouldn’t have anyone’s blood on her hands. Nope. She’d put in her time on the hunt, pretend to be all butch and out for blood, then be done with the whole hunter scene forever. They drove on, past retail sections and into a seedier side of the city. With the sun drifting lower on the horizon, they pulled up to a deserted warehouse where a group of armed people stood waiting. Syd paused, racking her brain for one last chance to escape, found none, and reluctantly followed her father out of the truck. “It’s about time, Skeller.” A stocky man, similar to her father in age and dress, shook his hand and scrutinized her. “This your girl?” “Sure is, Watts. Sydney’s ready for her first kill.” Syd winced at the proud note in her father’s answer. She didn’t relish the thought of disappointing him, but he knew her position. Maybe if she fainted at the first sight of a werewolf? She discarded the idea, knowing he’d never believe she was skittish. “She looks a little long in the tooth for her first hunt.” Gee thanks, Watts. She shot him a hard look, making the seasoned hunter avert his gaze. “Uh…but I’m glad you got here when you did. The dogs picked up the scent of a couple of shifters and I told the Callaways to keep it quiet. We even put the dogs back in the truck so we wouldn’t alert the
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whole group. You know what kill-hogs some of these folks can be. Come on, we gotta get a move on before the others get suspicious and your girl loses her chance.” Watts pivoted and jogged into a nearby alley. A woman and a man, both dressed in army camouflage outfits, split off from the group to join him. Her father motioned for her to follow and took off after his friend. Syd hesitated a moment before rushing after her father. She followed the small group, copying their zigzagging path through dark alleyways and streets. After she’d almost given up on catching her breath, the woman in the lead halted and ducked into the shadows of the alley. Using hand signals to relay their intentions, the others hid behind boxes and other debris. Skeller tugged Syd along with him behind a dumpster. She gagged at the smell coming from the garbage and opened her mouth to speak. Didn’t he smell the stench? She’d always had better hearing, smell and sight than most people but her senses had gotten sharper since mating Jason. Before she could let her thoughts wander to Jason again, her father’s hand clamped down on her. Holding a finger to his lips, he cocked his head toward the adjoining alley. With a gleeful glance at her, he nodded at the two figures walking toward them. Syd followed his lead and suddenly wished she was anywhere else. Oh, please tell me I don’t see who I’m seeing. She squinted at the man, trying to be certain, staring as his darkened image wavered and he started taking off his clothes. Jason’s naked body, which she would have known anywhere, began to change. Hunching over, his back curved and his spine altered, growing bigger. Dark fur sprouted over his back and along his legs and arms. His hands lengthened and fingers shortened, curving until viciouslooking claws replaced fingernails and paws replaced hands. She watched, enthralled at the sight, itching to reach out and touch the white stripe of fur along his jaw. Jaw? No longer human, his face elongated, while fangs dripped with saliva. With the change completed, he lifted his head and howled. Syd gasped. Holy smokes. He’s gorgeous in either body. “I know, Sydney. Seeing one for the first time is a shock. They’re disgusting, abominable creatures. But you’re lucky. Looks like you’re getting a shot at nabbing a pair. They’re probably mates.” Mates? She gawked at Jason, cold hard jealousy ramming into her chest. Watching him playfully bump into the transformed female didn’t help the anguish tearing her heart apart. Why, that dirty, no-good hound. While I’ve spent the past two days worrying, he’s spent them hot-dogging it with some skanky bitch in heat! Her father’s harsh voice lowered another notch right before she sensed him raising his rifle to his shoulder. “Let’s take ’em down.” Alarm grabbed her stomach and twisted, making her plea louder than she’d anticipated. “No. Please!” She had to keep Jason safe. She bit her lip, locking onto her idea and solidifying her rash scheme.
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Howling for My Baby
Skeller and his friends shushed her. They glared at her, silently asking if she’d gone insane. She swallowed to dislodge the lump sitting at the bottom of her throat and whispered, “I mean, this is my kill, right? You promised. Right, uh, Dad?” Ready or not, she was committed now. A wide grin leapt across Skeller’s face. With pride, he raised his hand, palm down, and moved it down to signal the Callaways and Watts to lower their rifles. “Everyone, firearms down. My Sydney’s about to get her first wolf hide.” He arched his eyebrows, excitement sparkling in his eyes, and silently urged her to shoot. Omigod. What the hell do I do now? Syd slowly lifted her gun to her shoulder and glanced around for anything to distract them. What am I worried about? I probably couldn’t hit him if I tried. Her mind blanked, useless to help her. Jason and the woman—skanky bitch—drew closer. “Come on, girl. What’re you waiting for?” The frustration in Skeller’s voice made her own turmoil greater. “Shush.” What else could she say? Gee, Skeller, I can’t kill this werewolf. I slept with him and now I’m his mate. Don’t ya want to hear little paws running around the house during the holidays? “She doesn’t have the balls, man,” Watts hissed and lifted his rifle to his arm. “I’m not waiting any longer.” Without warning, he aimed and fired. “No! Don’t shoot him. He’s my─” Syd clamped her mouth closed, trapping the word mate before it could escape. The bullet hit the female in the rear flank, sending her crashing to the ground. Jason wheeled toward the alley and snarled in Watts’ direction. Growling, he nudged the female with his nose, imploring her to stand and run. She took off in the opposite direction, blood running down her left leg. Still holding her gun at her side, Syd let out a breath of air, relieved that the bullet had missed Jason. “Hurry, girl, you’re losing your chance!” Her father ran over to the couple and knocked down the barrels of their guns. “No. I promised her she’d have the kill.” Turning back to Syd, he yelled, “Now, Sydney! Shoot!” At the mention of her name, Jason spun to face her. His amber eyes locked onto hers and Syd swore she could see the pain and betrayal in them. The same pain and betrayal she’d experienced when she’d seen him playing with the female. Without thinking, she positioned her rifle on her shoulder and aimed. The shot rang out, echoing in the alley. He roared, a furious sound, and lunged behind the nearest dumpster. Syd’s pulse pounded in her ears and she tried to steady her breathing. “Go. Get after him. You’ve got him cornered.” Her father’s excited voice spurred her into action. However, it was his words that gave her the kernel of a plan. “Watts! Callaways! Go after the female!”
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She glared in the direction the female had taken. “Get the lowdown slutty bitch.” Bad girl, Syd, bad. That shifter is a woman just like you. Or rather, I’m a shifter just like her. But she couldn’t take back her words now. The three hesitated, confused by her description of the she-wolf. With a quick nod to each other, they ran down the alley and across the parking lot to follow in the direction the she-wolf had taken. Her father, however, started toward the dumpster. “No. Wait.” He turned and gestured to her. “Don’t worry. He’s all yours. I’ll just stick by and make sure nothing goes wrong.” She strode over to him and grabbed his arm. “Please. I want to do this on my own. I’m pretty sure I wounded him.” He searched her face, wanting a clearer explanation and, in the end, gave her the excuse she needed. “Oh, I get it. The first kill is special and you want to do it all on your own. Sure. No problem. I’ll run check on the others and get right back to you.” With a quick salute, he started after his friends. Syd let out a small sigh of relief and relaxed—until he whirled toward her again. “Yes?” “You’re positive you can handle this on your own?” She smiled and sent him the best assurance she could. “I’m a Skeller, aren’t I?” “You bet you are.” He shot her a proud grin, saluted again, and jogged away. Syd waited until she couldn’t make out her father’s form any longer before calling to Jason. “Hey, it’s okay. They’re gone.” For a second, she thought she’d actually wounded him and he couldn’t move. Relief came when she heard the unmistakable noise of someone moving through discarded cans and broken bottles. He rounded the dumpster, changing from wolf to man. A knot of desire hit her full throttle in the stomach. “That is one helluva trick.” “Yeah, it comes in handy.” He stood, hands on his hips, puzzlement fighting with anger on his features. “I think you need to explain. Why the hell did you shoot at me? And what the fuck are you doing with hunters?” She shifted the heavy rifle into the crook of her elbow and scowled back at him. “Excuse me? You think I owe you an explanation? What about you? Here I’m wondering where the hell you’ve been and I find you out sniffing around some other female? Whose mate are you, anyway?” His arrogant laugh tightened her spine. “You’re accusing me of cheating on you? After throwing a fit about my marking you? Then I find you roaming the streets with hunters? Are you fucking serious?” “I know what I saw. You and Miss Canine America were quite chummy. Who knows what would’ve happened if I hadn’t come along. Hell, you’d probably have gotten her on all fours and doggied it with her big time, right?” Why wasn’t he acting guilty? Damn it, she had a right to be pissed. Didn’t she?
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Howling for My Baby
“If I had wanted her, I would’ve had her.” He pointed his chin at her defiantly and swiveled, placing his back to her. “Now, if you’re through huffing and puffing like some jealous pup guarding a bone, I’d like to get dressed.” “Stop right there.” Taking a deep breath, she placed the gun to her shoulder and aimed it straight at his head. He turned around with a snarl on his face. The snarl, however, disappeared when his jaw slacked open. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She couldn’t stop the mischievous grin lifting the tips of her mouth. Mimicking her father’s gruff voice, she quipped, “I’m shooting me a shifter.”
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Chapter Four
“You’re kidding, right?” Jason fisted his hands on his hips and punched his words between gritted teeth. “Put the gun down, Syd, before you accidentally hurt someone. Someone like me.” She snickered, the corner of her lips twitching upward. Did she get amusement from the idea of shooting him? She surely wasn’t serious, but still… A quiver of fear zipped through him and he struggled to stare down the business end of the rifle. “Like I said, ‘I’m shooting me a shifter.’” Her evil smirk dipped into a frown. “And a low-life, scumsucking cheater at the same time. I’ll use one bullet to rid the world of two dirty dogs.” Now he knew she had to be kidding. Or at least, he was fairly confident she was. He decided to test the waters and took a step forward. Both the loud retort of a gunshot and the gravel flying up at his feet sent him dancing. “Are you crazy, woman?” Okay, it was one thing to want a little revenge for a perceived wrong, but it was altogether something different to take it to these lengths. “Shit, Syd, I appreciate you aiming in front of my feet instead of the head, but don’t ya think it’s time to stop playing around?” She arched one eyebrow. “The head on your neck is not the head I’d like to blow off. Thank your lucky stars I’m a lousy shot.” Jason swallowed and tried to read her unfathomable expression. Maybe he needed to take a different approach. “Syd, baby, you’ve got this all wrong.” Crap, could he sound any lamer? He sounded like one of those cheating husbands on television. She coughed a short bark of a laugh. “Do I? Really?” He took a small step forward and stopped when she raised the rifle again. “Yeah, you do. Rachel, the female you saw with me, is an old friend of mine.” “Oh, I see. An old friend, is she? Are you sure she’s not your niece? Or maybe your long-lost sister?” He knew she wouldn’t convince easily, but he had to keep trying. After all, his father always said the only thing worse than a hunter packing iron was an angry female with a finger on the trigger. “You think maybe we could discuss this somewhere else? Somewhere where your hunter friends won’t come along and put a few holes in my body? You know, the handsome, talented-in-bed body you enjoyed a few nights ago?” He looked in the direction the hunters had gone and prayed he’d hear or smell them coming before they saw him. Fortunately, he sensed nothing except darkness.
Howling for My Baby
“Nope. I think this place is as good as any. What I’m wondering is how many others have enjoyed your wonderful body since I did.” At least she’d lowered the gun to hold it in the crook of her elbow. “I swear she’s a friend and nothing more. Besides, what about you, huh?” He let the anger he’d held in check leak into his tone. “What the hell are you doing running around with hunters?” Ah, her little wince told him he’d made a crack in her armor. Now if he had a crowbar he’d crank the opening wider than the Grand Canyon. But the crack crashed tightly closed when she straightened up and planted her feet wide apart. Hell’s fire! “None of your damn business, Mr. Cannon. Who I pal around with while you’re off panting after other women isn’t any of your beeswax.” Beeswax? “Pal around? You call shifter hunting palling around?” He was good and pissed and ready to end this insane conversation. “Fine. If you don’t want to believe me about Rachel, then don’t. For once in my life, I’m telling the absolute truth about not fooling around. Once I found you, mated you”—he jabbed his index finger at her—“and we are mated, damn it—I stopped messing with other females. Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you my being faithful is nothing less than a frickin’ miracle.” She bit her lower lip in thought and paused long enough to let his words sink in. She started to speak, but he forged ahead with his offensive. “I haven’t contacted you in a couple of days because I wanted you to cool down and think about what’s happened between us. But trust me, I’ve found you and I’m not ever leaving you. At least, not for good.” He moved to reach her before she could react. Placing his hand on top of the rifle, he pushed the weapon down to her side and removed his hand to bring it to her cheek. Staring into the glittering blue eyes, he said, “Make your decision. Do you believe me or not? ’Cause we don’t have any more time to fart around like this.” She searched him, spiraling into his eyes and down into his soul, but he wasn’t afraid of what she’d find. Who knew telling the truth could feel this good? He smiled at her and waited. At last, the mean expression she wore softened and she released a pent-up sigh. “I must be nuts, but I believe you.” “Good.” Taking the gun from her, he laid it on the ground next to him, straightened up to scrutinize her, and adopted a Chicago-style gangster accent. “Now, shweetheart, it’s your turn to explain. Why is my mate running with hunters? Say it ain’t true, doll face.” She lowered her eyes from his and his stomach clinched. Any time someone couldn’t look him in the face was a bad omen. Worse, she kept averting her gaze no matter how he twisted around to look her in the eyes. Crap, this is gonna be bad. Real bad. “Syd, spill it. Trust me. The truth, blunt and cold, is the best way.” She made an odd sound in her throat and met his stare. “You’re not going to like it.”
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“I already don’t like it.” Yet she smiled such a sweet tentative smile he had to resist pulling her to him and telling her everything would be all right. “I made a commitment to one of them to go along on a hunt.” He waited for her to expand on her incredulous statement, but she didn’t. “You’re hunting shifters because you made a promise to someone?” When she nodded, he continued, “I’m assuming—no, hoping— you made this promise before we met, right?” Again, she nodded. Good. At least she hadn’t turned into a hunter after they’d met. “Here’s a thought. Why didn’t you break your promise and say you couldn’t go? You know, because the new man in your life wouldn’t like having his kind hunted down and killed?” He grinned and hoped for the best. “That kind of insensitivity could kill a relationship. Good thing I’m not very sensitive.” Yet when she again didn’t answer, he took her arms and gave her a little shake. “Or is this because of some guy?” Please, don’t let this have anything to do with another man. “In a way. I made the promise to a very special man in my life.” Jealousy twisted his gut and an ache stabbed his heart—he wasn’t sure which was worse. He ignored both pains and kept going on automated mode. “You mean…there’s someone else in your life? Someone you love?” Please let her say no. But he steeled himself for the answer he didn’t want to hear. “Yes, I do love him.” Even though he’d prepared for such an answer, he nearly doubled over from the kick to his gut. No, she can’t do this to me. To us. We’re meant for each other. Destined as mates. She blinked a couple of times, caught onto the troubled ideas coursing through him, and shook her head. “No, Jason, it’s not what you’re thinking. The man I’m talking about is my father.” The searing wound ripping through his body stopped in one quick flush of relief only to be replaced by a numbing coldness. “Your father is a hunter?” Part of him wanted to dance around her, acting like a fool, making her admit it was all a joke. The other part of him fought to control his rage. He let go of her arms and stepped back. “Your family’s a bunch of shifter hunters?” Now the agony he’d experienced leapt from him into her. He could see it in her eyes and in the way her face fell. “My dad’s a hunter, yes.” She stepped closer and, amazingly, he found he didn’t want to get farther away from her. Not even if she had hunter blood running through her veins. “Mom isn’t one, though. And she’s never hunted.” “How about you? Have you killed…?” He couldn’t finish the sentence and didn’t want her to answer, either, but knew she would. “No.” She grinned at him, made a pistol with her index finger and thumb, and pointed it at him. “But I came damn close tonight.” She took one look at his face and lost all her humor. “I’ve never wanted to and I never will.”
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Howling for My Baby
He hugged her, pulling her body against his nude one. He held her and tried to stop the questions running wild in his mind. Her father’s a hunter? Can I take a hunter’s daughter for my mate? Yet I already have. But how will I explain this to my family? He cringed, imagining the expression on his father’s face when he introduced him to his mate. “Yo, Pops. Remember when you told me to find my mate? The perfect female to bring home to the pack? Well, it seems ole Fate has a sense of humor.” Would Brandon Cannon, their retiring pack leader, think twice about Jason taking over the Cannon pack? The idea of telling his father about Syd would be almost funny—if it weren’t so serious. “I know you wouldn’t.” He sniffed the strawberry fragrance of her hair and committed it to memory. “Don’t worry about anything. We’ll sort it out later.” “Uh, Jason?” He didn’t care what his family or pack said. He loved her and nothing else mattered. “Yeah?” “Do you have your own gun or are you─” “Happy to see you?” He leaned away to study her bemused face. “Nope, no gun. As you can guess, I’m not a big fan of guns. And yeah, I am.” Her sparkling eyes met his and any uncertainty was swept away in her deep blue oceans. He’d make their union work and screw anyone who tried to keep them apart. “Jason, I’ll bet they’re going to return in a few minutes. My father won’t let them go too far away from me.” He whirled from her to gather his clothes, then scrambled to yank on his jeans and fling the shirt over his head. “Then let’s get out of here.” The loud pop of a gunshot brought him up short. He held his breath, waiting to feel warm blood running down his skin. When he realized he was unharmed, he stuck his head through the neck of his shirt and gaped at her. “What’re you shooting at?” “You.” She tossed her curly locks, raised the rifle in the air, and squeezed off another shot. The crack sent shivers up his body, but he held his ground. “Skeller’s expecting me to kill the shifter behind the dumpster. So I’ve got to kill you.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him. “Or make it look like I did.” He jerked on his running shoes and waited for her to explain. “I hope you’re not expecting me to play dead while your dad tries to skin my hide.” “Not exactly.” Syd jogged over to a manhole in the nearby street and pulled on the cover. “I’m going to tell him I mortally wounded you, but you escaped in the sewers.” Damn, had he gotten lucky or what? His mate wasn’t merely beautiful, she was also intelligent and tricky. “Syd, darlin’, I like how you think.” He strode over to the manhole and slid the rest of it to the side. Rising to face her, he took Syd’s face in his hands and put his lips lightly on top of hers. She fell toward him, clutching him to her with her free hand. He played his tongue along the slight part of her lips, making her moan. Their bodies heated up in seconds and he longed to pull her into the alley and make love to her. Make love? When had he ever thought of sex as making love?
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Beverly Rae
She pulled back less than an inch from his mouth and whispered, “There’s one thing I’d like to know.” He breathed in, taking the sweet aroma of her breath into his nose. “Yes, darlin’?” She tilted her head and he hoped she would kiss him again. “Why can’t you guys make your clothes disappear into thin air when you change into wolf form? You know, like in the movies? No one ever found Superman’s clothes in the phone booth, you know.” Huh? “We’re getting all nice and cozy, and you want to talk wardrobes?” Her inquisitive expression had him biting his tongue to keep from laughing. “It’d be a lot more convenient. Besides, once I start going all wolfie I don’t like the idea of dropping my good clothes on the dirty street. You’re supernatural creatures with special powers, right? So why can’t you make your clothes come and go at will? Or is this some kind of wardrobe malfunction?” He let loose a loud laugh, not caring if it echoed around the empty street. “I’ll be sure to talk to the pack’s brainiacs about the problem and ask them to come up with some fairy dust or something.” “Ooh, I like fairy dust.” She grinned and pretended to toss fairy dust into the air around them before turning serious. “Jason, tell me. When will I…” She trailed off and shrugged. “You know.” “Change?” He held her close, sensing the uneasiness in her. “Soon. Give it some time to get into your system.” He lifted her face to gaze into her eyes. “Don’t worry. You’re going to be fine.” She opened her mouth to answer, but never got the chance. “Sydney!” Syd and Jason swiveled together to peer in the direction of the voice. “Sydney!” Facing each other, he could see the anxiety in her hardened features. “It’s Skeller.” “You mean your dad?” “Yeah, my dad.” She shoved him toward the manhole. “Get going. If I’m going to pull this off, they can’t see you.” Jason lurched back to her, grabbed her arms, and gave her a quick kiss. “Okay, good luck. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a wink, he lowered his body into the hole and half-slid, half-climbed down the ladder. The stench of the sewer assaulted his nose and his feet splashed into an inch of filthy water. Beady eyes glared at him before the rats scattered away into the dimly lit tunnel. Cursing under his breath, he swiped at a nearby spider web. He paused for a moment to study the tunnel going in two perpendicular directions. He wanted to call to Syd. But when a different smell hit his nostrils, he closed his mouth and knew it was too late. “Sydney, girl, are you all right?”
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Howling for My Baby
The gruff voice drifted down to him and he held his breath in anticipation. Would Syd’s scheme work? “I’m fine, Dad.” “What happened to the vermin?” Vermin? Jason sneered at the unseen man and edged away from the light filtering in from the hole. “I shot him. He’s a goner. He was behind the trash container and I shot him.” “Then where’s the body?” “He managed to crawl over to this manhole and fall inside, but not before I put another bullet in him. He’s dead or going to die soon, I’m certain.” A scuffling noise as someone started to descend the ladder sent Jason into one of the tunnels. “Let’s go down and get him. You gotta have the hide to mount on the wall—providing he died before he could turn back into a man. Everybody mounts their first kill as long as it’s the furry version.” Agreement came from two other voices, a male and female. “No!” The scuffling sound stopped and the others grew silent. “Uh, no. It’s okay. He’s probably long gone by now. I don’t want it anyway.” “What? You don’t want the hide?” A low chuckle followed the confused questions. “I see. You’re like your mother, huh? You don’t want animal carcasses on the walls, either, I bet. Well, if you’re sure…” “I’m sure.” Jason heard the relief in her voice and he hoped her father wouldn’t notice. If he did, he might get suspicious of her story. “Have it your way. But I wouldn’t mind hanging it on─” “Dad, what happened with the other shifter? Did you…did you kill her?” She’s asking about Rachel because she knows I’d want to know. He shifted, allowing his ears to alter and heighten their sensitivity. “No, damn it all. Watts screwed up my shot.” “I did not. Quit blaming me, Skeller. Can I help it if you can’t hit a grown bitch from ten feet away?” “You bumped me and you know it, you shithead. You wanted the kill for yourself. ’Fess up, you jerk. You bumped me to throw off my aim.” “Like hell I did. My gun wasn’t even at the ready.” “Doesn’t matter. You still didn’t want me to shoot.” The men’s voices grew louder, adding curses and more accusations. By the sounds he heard, the two men jostled together and Jason couldn’t help but hope the two would get into a fistfight. Syd, however, had other ideas. “Stop. Both of you. Whatever happened is done and over with. Forget about it.”
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Beverly Rae
Both men grumbled like sulking two-year-old children. Jason held his breath and waited in the brief silence that followed. If only he could see what was going on, he’d feel better about leaving Syd alone with the hunters. Feet shuffled and her father’s voice grew fainter, signaling their departure. “It’s official. My little girl’s made her first kill.” Cheers sprang up praising Sydney on her victory and Jason tried to imagine the scene of his female getting her hand shaken, being congratulated for shooting him. Oh, sure, a lot of females in his womanizing past would have loved to have shot and skinned him, but the one who’d actually had a chance to do it had saved his sorry butt. He grinned. Jason Cannon head-over-heels in love with a hunter’s daughter. Who’d have believed it? He waited a few more minutes until the only sounds came from the night creatures scurrying through the sewer system. Satisfied the hunters were gone, he trotted down the tunnel. e Syd woke up with a start and sat straight up in her bed. Had she dreamed about hunting Jason? Or had last night really happened? Glancing around her cheerful bedroom with the poppy-covered wallpaper, she could easily believe in the dream explanation and not the reality one—until her eyes fell on the clothes she’d worn last night draped over the chair in the corner. Dirt and grime from the alley covered her T-shirt and jeans, and she could almost smell the gunpowder lingering on them. “Jason.” Although she’d said his name out loud, the way it came out made the name sound like more of a call. Could she call him to her? Didn’t real wolves howl to each other? Did werewolves do the same? Yet the big question still remained. If he knew she wanted him, would he come? The buzzing doorbell startled her out of her reverie. She jumped up, grabbed her robe from the foot of the bed and strode through the living room to the door. Without checking through the peephole first, she swung the door open, ready to greet the man she sensed stood on the other side. “Jason.” This time she said his name with all the love she’d kept safely secreted in her heart her entire life. He stood before her with his glorious devil-may-care grin on his face, his hard form tucked into a navy pin-stripe suit. The white silk of his shirt set off his dark tan, bringing her gaze to the V of the collar where a few black hairs teased their way above his shirt. His shoulder-length black hair, made to appear even blacker by the one white streak running down the side, was brushed back from his face to dance around his broad shoulders. With a lopsided grin, he tilted his head to gaze at her in the intense examining way he had. The scar along his jaw, dangerous and erotic, called to her, tempting her to run her finger along its rough line. She inhaled, wanting to take in his scent. Yet it was his eyes, dark and knowing, that grabbed her and kept her bound to him.
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Howling for My Baby
“Syd.” His tone echoed hers and she knew he felt the same way. “I wanted to make sure you were all right.” He studied her face. “I wanted to come last night, but─” “Shh. You’re here now.” She reached out and he took her hand. Knowing she didn’t need to say anything, she turned and headed toward her bedroom. Once inside, she dropped her robe to the floor and realized she’d worn her favorite torn and ragged nightshirt to bed. Embarrassed, she started to pick up her robe when Jason’s hand on her wrist stopped her. “You’re amazing.” His words caught in her heart and she dared meet his eyes with hers. She placed a hand on her chest and tried not to stammer. “T-this thing is hideous. Let me change. I bought some sexy─” “No. I don’t care what you wear. You’d make a garbage sack look sexy.” His smile flowed over her and she sighed, comforted by the easiness of his gesture. With a wink, he added, “Besides, you won’t be wearing anything much longer.” In one swift motion, he gathered the material in his hand and pulled the nightshirt over her head. She stood, shy again, in her plain cotton panties and let his hot gaze slide over her. In part to cover her shyness, she reached for his jacket and slid it from his shoulders. Before his jacket hit the floor, her anxious hands started working on his shirt buttons. He brought her closer. She finished with his shirt and started on his belt buckle while he nuzzled her neck with light kisses. Kicking off his loafers, he allowed her to take care of the rest of his clothes. Nipping her shoulder on the spot where her wound was almost healed, he stepped out of his slacks. “Do you always go around butt-ass naked under your clothes?” His manhood stood at attention, already pressing against the white material of her panties. Jason growled a lustful moan, then ran his hand down her back and beneath her underwear to grip her round bottom. “It’s one less thing to shed when I go wolf. Maybe you should take a clue from me, huh? Then I’d have one less thing to take off you.” “Hmm.” She laid her head back, letting him skim his lips along her collarbone to pause in the hollow of her neck. She’d never known how hot kisses could be until Jason gave her his. “I suppose you’re one of those sexist pigs who likes their women at home, barefoot and naked.” His laugh tickled her skin before he moved to lick her pebbled nipple. “Well, I do like the naked part. But I’m no pig. Eat pigs, yes. Am one, no.” Her underwear lay on the floor at her feet and she kicked them away. Funny how she hadn’t noticed when he’d slid them off. But she didn’t have time to wonder long. With a low throaty growl, he led her to the bed. Watching his powerful and graceful cat-like body crawl over her made her heartbeat double. She stifled a giggle at the thought of comparing a wolf to a cat—which she wasn’t about to tell him—but not before he caught her biting her lip to hold back the giggle.
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Beverly Rae
“I’m hoping it’s not my body you find amusing. Or are you trying hard not to laugh at something I did?” The intensity of his expression made the idea even more humorous and she couldn’t control her mirth. He straightened his arms on either side of her head and lifted his body away from hers. “Okay, now I’m really getting paranoid. What’s the joke? And be careful. I have a very fragile ego.” “Like all men do.” She chuckled again, unable to stop herself. “I’d better not tell you. I’d hate for you to take it the wrong way.” He narrowed his eyes at her before glancing around. “Well, if you’re not going to tell me, I guess I’ll have to force it out of you.” In one swift motion, he snatched up the belt hanging over the edge of the headboard, clutched her hands together above her head and wrapped the leather around her wrists. “Hey! No fair.” She struggled but he rested his body weight on top of her, pinning her to the bed. “Jason, I’m only funning with you.” “Very well, my dear,” he quipped in a German accent that reminded her of a Nazi soldier in an old war movie. “Ve’ll see how long you can keep a secret.” Once he’d finished wrapping the belt around her wrists, he tightened it, keeping her hands powerless. “There. Now you are powerless against my interrogation skills.” She had to give him credit, the man was full of surprises. “I’m going to buck you off, you know.” She moved her hips up and down, twisting side to side to try to throw him off. But nothing worked and she didn’t care. She couldn’t help but enjoy how his probe bounced against her abdomen. “Oh, ho! Buck, baby, buck. I like it vhen you play rough.” The wicked gleam in his eyes twinkled at her. “Are you ready to tell me?” She’d pegged him for a fun guy, yet she hadn’t known how fun he could be. “No. No way. I don’t care how much you torture me.” She stuck out her tongue in false bravado. “I think you may change your mind, my pretty one.” He paused for moment, putting his finger to his lips. “Hmm, let’s see. I have two vays of torturing my captives. Which one should I use on you?” Fluttering her eyelids at him, she hoped she knew of one of the ways. “I don’t want to give you any ideas, of course, but I tend to spill my guts after a good, er, I mean, thorough tongue-lashing.” Ooh, please, oh, please, let him lash me until I scream for mercy. He ran his tongue slowly over his upper lip. “That is one of my ways.” He stopped to nip at her taut bud. “I do enjoy that method of questioning prisoners.” “And I’ll bet you’re quite skilled at it.” He tweaked her other nipple and sent shivers racing through her a second time. “True. But I’m thinking you’re a tough soldier. I think I’d better use the other method.” Could the other method include pumping her brains out? Or maybe riding her from behind until she screamed his name? If she was lucky, it would. “I’m a tough one to break.”
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Howling for My Baby
He smiled a wicked smile and bent over to flick his tongue over the curve of her breast. She blew out a puff of pent-up anticipation and closed her eyes. He continued to suckle her tit while his hand slid down her stomach to stop right above the cleft between her legs. “Are you sure you vant to know, my beautiful prisoner?” With her eyes still shut, she managed to squeak out a single word. “Yes.” “Very well. Here it is.” “It’s about time. A girl could die from all this sexual teasing and—holy shit!” Jason ran his fingertips up her sides and straight into her armpits. He tickled her until she shrieked with laughter. “Ja-son! Stop! No, don’t. E-e-e-e-e-e!” “Don’t stop? Then tell me vat I vant to know.” “No! You know—eek!—what I mean.” Rolling to her side, he grabbed her leg and trapped it under his while he continued to tickle her armpit. With her leg secured, he twisted his torso around and moved his fingertips lightly along the bottom of her foot. “Eek! Stop! I can’t stand it!” If he didn’t stop soon, she’d laugh so hard she’d wet the bed. “Tell me and I’ll stop.” “No, I won’t!” “Tell me, Syd.” “No! Oh, please! I can’t…breathe.” He stopped long enough for her to catch her breath. “Are you okay?” Still giggling, she gulped in much-needed air before answering. “I’m okay.” Could she stand much more? Looking at the glint in his eyes gave her the answer she needed. No, she couldn’t. “Tell me vat I vant to know.” He held up his hands and wiggled his fingers. “Or else.” When he started to tickle her again, she had to give in. “Okay, okay, stop. I’ll tell you.” “Good.” He dropped his German accent, stopped the torture, and waited for her to confess. “Go ahead.” Should she tell him? Yet she didn’t think she had any other choice. “It’s not a big thing. You reminded me of a cat with your slinky movements and I thought it was funny. You know. A canine, a wolf, reminding me of a feline.” She watched him, uncertain of his reaction. “Are you kidding me?” He sat on his heels and gaped at her. “You’re an easy laugh, aren’t you? But I don’t get it. Why not tell me?” “I don’t know. I guess since you didn’t like my referring to pussy”—he cringed—“juice I thought you might not like being compared to a cat.”
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53
Beverly Rae
“You’ve got a strange sense of humor, Syd Skeller.” He scrunched up his features at her before turning it into a grin and reaching for the belt. “Excuse me, but I’ve had people tell me I have a great sense of humor. What’re you doing?” Jason stopped fumbling with the belt. “I’m letting you go, of course.” She rolled her eyes and made a face. “Uh, duh. Don’t you think you ought to torture your prisoner a little while longer? You know, to make sure you got everything you asked for?” When he still didn’t catch her meaning, she widened her eyes and shot him an exasperated look. “Hello? Earth to Jason. I know you got your answer with the first method, but why not try the other method of torture? Who knows what information you’ll find out with the more, shall we say, invasive technique.” His eyebrows darted between his eyes in direct contrast to the corners of his mouth tweaking upward. “I wouldn’t want to hurt you. You know, by leaving you tied up too long. It’s not like this belt is lined with fur.” She pffed and glared at him. “Have I complained?” “Well, no. But you know I’ll turn you loose if you ask, right?” The concern on his face softened her lighthearted mood. “I know. But I don’t want you to untie me yet.” The mischievous gleam she’d come to love leapt into his eyes. “Oh, I see. Well, then here’s the deal. I’ll torture you this time on two conditions.” “Yeah?” “First, you promise to tie me up and torture me sometime soon.” Like I’d ever refuse that request. “Agreed. What’s the second condition?” His concentrated look seared straight into her soul. “Tell me you’re my mate. Tell me you know we’re meant for each other.” A rush of love mixed with the lust already ripping through her body. She blinked once and nodded. “You know I am. You know we are.” “Just say the words, Syd. I want to hear you say the words. After the last time…” Wetting her lips, she gave him what he wanted. “You’re my mate and we belong together. I knew it the first time I saw you. Now, do as I say and start torturing me.” The mischievous gleam transformed into a heat-filled one and he straddled her again. She stared, mesmerized, at those sultry eyes clouded over with desire, and his mouth parted barely enough for his tongue to peek out. With more control than she could ever hope to have, he reached his hands up in slow motion toward hers, and she couldn’t decide whether to follow his hands or soak in the view of his massive chest rising above her. “Jason?”
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Howling for My Baby
He shook his head, ordering her to silence with his gesture. She jumped when his fingers touched her wrists and, with a deliberate slowness, skimmed his palms along her arms. She sucked in a breath and held it, following his hands down to her shoulders. He paused, glanced at her with an expression she couldn’t read, and slid his palms simultaneously over her collarbones and around the sides of her breasts. She released her breath and arched, hoping to invite his hands to the taut peaks. Instead, he ran his hands over her ribcage until they met his thighs. With deliberate torture, he kept his body inches from hers. She bit her lip and watched the muscles in his legs strain to hold him upright in position. At last, he rested his hands on his legs. Syd broke her gaze away from his lower torso to raise her eyes to his and caught a glimpse of indecision. “What? Why are you stopping?” Jason brought a finger to his lips to quiet her. “I think I have a better way to torture you.” Taking his shaft in one hand, he began to make long powerful strokes. Her mouth flushed with saliva at the craving lashing through her. “Jason, untie me. Let me─” Again, he silenced her with a finger and she moaned to protest the command. Yet the desire, the need she knew was nothing compared to the ache she experienced when his other hand snaked into the crevice between her legs. Her head jerked up and her hands strained at the belt. He worked his thumb over her nub, igniting a burn, hotter and whiter than she’d ever known. Her first climax thundered through her, making her moan in delight, and her body responded instinctively to her release. The heat within her kept climbing, shaking her, breaking what little hold she had on her control. But who needed control when freedom felt so good? With one final climax, she cried out his name and he released her. She cried again, this time in protest, and snapped her eyes open in frustration. Yet she shouldn’t have worried. Jason pressed his mouth onto hers, groaning his blistering breath into her mouth while his tongue stroked hers. She kissed him back, matching his fervor. Placing his legs between hers, he thrust into her, rocking the bed, slamming the headboard against the wall in a rhythmic sexual drumming. Syd’s mind stopped working, hearing only Jason’s name repeating through her brain. Strong hands gripped her bottom and she wrapped her legs around his lean waist. Sweat ran off him and onto her, moving in fluid thrusts. Watching him, she knew he was readying to reach his zenith and his release would soon break over her, like the waves from an ocean storm tumbling over the shore. Oh, how she longed to clutch his body to hers! She strained at the belt, wanting to be free, yet enjoying the experience of giving Jason full control. She gritted her teeth at another roll of desire coursing through her, and his body tensed. With a growl, he sought her eyes, his face a mix of pain and pleasure. Fangs slipped over his lower lip yet, unlike before, she longed to have him sink them into her. Instead, he let his head fall backwards. Shaking his silky mane, he roared, trumpeting his climax.
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Beverly Rae
He fell to the side of her, his breaths coming in panted bursts to match her own. She stared, fascinated, as his fangs receded and disappeared. “Jason?” “Hmm?” “Could you untie me now?” With one sleek move, he twisted onto his side. “Oh, shit, I forgot. Sorry, but don’t blame me for forgetting once I’m in the middle of everything.” He pushed up and started to work on the belt. Within moments, he’d turned her loose. “Remember, you tie me up next time.” “And maybe next time you’ll remember to lock your front door.” Syd gasped and whipped her head toward the bedroom door. “Mom? What’re you doing here?”
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Chapter Five
“Did you say…Mom?” At Jason’s question, Sydney made an apologetic face. “Uh, yeah, I did.” Within seconds, she’d transformed from a grown woman—a sexually satisfied adult female—into the fifteen-year-old girl who’d gotten caught necking with Johnny Roman in Green Valley High School’s audio-visual room. Her mother had arrived at the school less than half an hour later. A calm discussion with the principal had followed and her mother had taken her home. Once home, she’d had hell to pay. Jason scrambled from the bed, taking the bedspread with him and leaving the sheet to cover Syd’s body. She tugged the thin material to her neck and turned to her mom. “Uh, Mom, I, uh─” Frosty blue eyes, a shade lighter than her own, flicked back and forth between Syd and Jason. “I’ll let you two pull yourselves together while I brew a cup of tea.” With a curt nod, her mother whirled on her heel and left. Jason’s chuckle swiveled her head in his direction. “Are you kidding me?” She gaped at him, stunned when he doubled over in laughter. “What about this do you find funny? Please tell me because right now I sure could use a good laugh.” He pointed in the direction of the door and sputtered out an explanation. “You. Your mother. Us.” “Oh yeah, real funny. How’d you like it if your father found us like this?” If she clenched her fists any tighter, she’d bore holes into her palms. He dropped the cover and started pulling on his clothes. “My old man would probably shoot me a thumbs up for landing such a sexy lady—at least until he found out about your family.” Since he was nearly dressed, Syd scrambled out of the bed and hurriedly gathered her clothes. She bent beside him and lowered her voice. “Figures. One sexist pig applauding another sexist pig. Just for the record, my family’s not going to think much of your family, either.” Jason’s finger pointed at her nose. “Hey, I already told you. I’m not a sexist pig. Sexist wolf, yes. Pig, no.” His faked serious expression lifted her dour mood and made her relax—a little. “Oh, don’t worry. I remember, all right. But wasn’t it sexiest wolf?” “True enough.” He winked at her, making the knot in her stomach loosen a smidgen more. “Are you two planning on joining me, or do I have to sit through another show?” “Yup, she’s your mother all right. Same sarcastic wit.”
Beverly Rae
“Shut up.” Her mother’s voice dredged up her initial embarrassment. “I’m coming!” He slipped on his shoes and preened with pride. “Wow, I am good. I’m merely standing next to you and I still made you─” “Ja-son.” Someone save me from a hilarious shifter. Syd slapped him on the arm and shot him a warning look. Steeling herself for her mother’s reaction, she headed out of the bedroom. Her mom, dressed like a typical suburban housewife in cropped blue pants, a sleeveless white cotton shirt and strappy white sandals, waited for them on the living room sofa. Syd slowed her approach to allow Jason to catch up with her. No way would she face her mom alone. Together they’d wait for whatever came next, standing shoulder to shoulder. Her mother sipped her tea with her usual style and grace a moment longer before sizing them up. With an air of sophistication, she glanced at her cup before declaring, “I don’t know why I ever try microwaving a tea bag because it never tastes right. But I was in a rush and didn’t want to wait for the water to boil. Besides, this place is already way too hot.” She glanced up, shot them a pointed look, and lowered her gaze again. Score another jab for dear old Mom. Syd reached out to take Jason’s hand and hoped he’d remain silent. She’d learned the hard way when to keep her mouth shut. Although her mother’s methods might appear less harsh than her father’s, Syd had never doubted who really doled out the discipline. Those blue eyes snapped up at them again, this time sparkling with humor and mischievousness. “So, sweetie, aren’t you going to introduce me to your lover?” Syd opened her mouth to claim they weren’t lovers, but knew that particular boat had already sailed into the sunset. “Uh, of course. Sure. Mother, this is Jason Cannon. Jason, this is my mother, Miriam Skeller.” With the introductions made, she risked a glimpse out the corner of her eye at him—oh, shit, a shifter meeting my mom! Jason, exuding charm, magnetism and, thankfully, no fur, executed a short bow and bestowed his glorious smile on her mother. “Mrs. Skeller, I’m very pleased to meet you.” Her mother cocked her head at him and patted the cushion for him to sit beside her. “Jason, is it? Now there’s an interesting name. Rugged and manly. The name reminds me of a man who’s a take-charge kind of guy, a leader of his pack, if you will. You know, the strong animal type. Are you the strong animal type, Jason?” He was halfway to his seat when the word “pack” made him pause and study her. Syd’s heart ached as though refusing to beat and she felt the blood draining from her face. Pump, heart, pump! “Sit down while Sydney fetches”—she paused, catching Syd’s eye—“you something to drink. I’m sure you’re probably bone dry after your, uh, workout. But I wouldn’t recommend my tea.”
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Howling for My Baby
“No, I’m fine.” Jason recovered his footing before she did. “No, I’m fine.” He sat beside her mother, his posture relaxed but alert. “But thanks for offering. I hope you’ll forgive me for the way we, um, met.” Miriam tipped her head and twisted her body to face him. “Perhaps. How long have you known my daughter?” At last Syd’s stunned mind clicked into gear and she joined the conversation. “Mom, I’m a grown woman. I don’t need you to interrogate my friends. If I’d known you were coming…” “Well, you know how I love surprises, sweetie. Especially ones providing everyone with a little jolt.” “Then you must be loving this one, huh?” Miriam giggled—since when has my mother ever giggled?—and narrowed her eyes at Jason. “Well, speak up. Have you known my daughter long?” “Only a few days.” He leaned against the cushions, obviously enjoying the situation and Syd’s uneasiness. “And yet, I feel like we’ve known each other forever.” Syd bit her lip and tried to remember her age. How could she let her mother treat her like an errant teenager? How would she get Jason to stop fooling around and behave? The idea of a shifter conversing with her mother boggled her mind. “Then you must be very special to Sydney.” Miriam studied him carefully before turning to Syd. “Am I right, honey?” Syd’s mouth dried up like a drop of water on the desert floor. Yet somehow she forced the words out her mouth. “Yes.” Jason’s gaze caught hers, invigorating her with renewed strength. “Yes, he is.” Although she kept her focus on him, she could sense her mother watching them, scrutinizing them, interpreting their reactions. Should I say more? Perhaps something like, “He sure is, Mom. He’s the shifter of my dreams and I’m thinking a winter wedding would be cool. How about it? A white wedding in the pack’s cave?” “Are you saying what I think you’re saying, Sydney?” Syd met Jason’s smile with her own and kept their connection solid. “Yes, Mom, I am.” Yet all the strength she could gather from him couldn’t keep her mother’s next question from rocking her world. “You do realize you’re in love with a shifter?” She stared at her mother as her words echoed in her brain. “You know?” Of course she’d known. Why else would she have made all those little verbal jabs? But how had her mother known? With her features immobile, Miriam placed her cup on the coffee table, rose and crossed to the other side of the room, putting her back to them. A tense quiet filled the air. Finally, Jason whispered, “She doesn’t hide a gun in her girdle, does she? One loaded with silver bullets perhaps?”
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Beverly Rae
Her mother’s sigh brought their attention back to her. Her shoulders slumped and she rotated on her heel to confront them. Guilt sliced through Syd at the expression on her mother’s face. A myriad of emotions flickered across her features while a single tear trickled down her cheek. “I’ve lived with your father long enough to make an educated guess. After my initial fright that Jason was an intruder, I gave him another look. Seeing his fangs sticking out while you two were…involved…gave me a big clue. Although I almost didn’t notice, what with his other impressive feature sticking out.” “Mom!” “Oh, don’t be such a prude, Sydney. Would you think I’d not notice? I’m hardly blind.” She sent them the quirk of a smile. “Or dead.” “Way too much information, Mom.” After today, would she ever see her mother in the same way? Her mom shook her head. “Have you thought about how your father will react if he ever finds out? His only daughter with a shifter? It’ll kill him.” She sighed. “Right after he kills Jason, of course.” Syd rushed to her mother and took her hands. “I’m sorry, Mom, if this hurts you or Dad, but I love him.” She checked with Jason, wanting confirmation. “And he loves me. I’m sure of it.” “You don’t seem sure.” “She can be sure.” Jason’s comforting voice swept over Syd, giving her another burst of support. “I love her.” Joy sparked through her at his declaration and she searched her mother’s face for any sign of understanding. But she couldn’t find what she wanted. “But how can you live with someone who kills men like your father? Innocents like your aunt?” Syd felt Jason go rigid next to her. “Unlike the hunters who track us down, I’ve never killed anyone, even a hunter, except in self-defense or in defense of one of my own. Even then, I try not to kill. The shifters you’re talking about are outcasts and not part of any pack.” “I see.” Miriam fell silent and studied him before examining Syd in a similar manner. “So you’re saying, like humans, it’s a matter of upbringing.” “Pretty much.” Jason and Syd glanced at each other, thrown by her mother’s odd statement and easy agreement. “I had always hoped the other half…” She appeared startled, then shook her head resolutely. “Never mind. Listen, both of you. This is very important. Sydney’s father can never know.” Miriam pulled her hands out of Syd’s grasp and stalked to the window to stare outside. “I won’t let anyone—not even you— hurt him.” Syd followed, wanting to reach out for her, wishing her mere touch could comfort her mother. But something stopped her.
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Howling for My Baby
“I don’t want to tear Syd away from her family.” Suddenly, Jason was behind her and rested his hand on her shoulder. She brought her hand to his, joining both fingers and encouragement. “However, she’ll come to live with my family.” His confident statement made her wheel to face him. What had he said? Had he simply assumed she’d follow him anywhere? Who did he think she was? The werewolf version of the little woman? “What do you mean, I’ll live with your family? I live here. My family is here, not to mention my teaching job. Where does your family live anyway?” “I’m not sure I should say at this moment.” He nodded at her mother. “No offense.” Her mother waved away any possible insult. “None taken. But if Sydney went with you, I’d never reveal your family’s location. I’d never put my daughter in any danger.” “I know you wouldn’t.” Jason bowed his head to her mother, acknowledging the truth of her words. “Still, how do you know your people would allow her to live with you? A human among shifters?” She arched an eyebrow at him. “Not that she’d ever leave her family and her friends to live in a cave. She’s used to another way of life.” “Trust me. I’ll make sure my people accept her. As for being human…I’m not sure you understand…” His chuckle was laced with sarcasm. “Besides, you’d be amazed at how comfortable a cave can be. Our converted caves are the equal of city mansions in luxury and conveniences. Plus, I own a condo right here and split my time between homes. Syd could visit you any time she wanted.” “I see.” Yet her mother’s tone didn’t sound very convincing. Note to self: Ask Jason about the pimped-out caves later on. But for now, why are these two people deciding my future like I’m not standing right in front of them? Syd’s hard glare darted between them. If they think they can, they’re about to find out differently. “Now hold up, you two. Who says either one of you gets to make decisions for me? If—and I mean, if—I decide to come with you, I’ll be the one to make the decision. Simply because you’re my mom, and you and I are mated, doesn’t mean either of you get to boss me around like some kind of Shifter Stepford Wife.” Her mom’s gasp interrupted Jason’s retort. “You’re mated? You’re not just having sex? Did he…bite you?” Syd’s hand flew to the place on her neck where Jason had bitten her. Without checking in the mirror, she knew the wound was completely healed. “Mom, it’s not like I didn’t want it to happen.” Granted, he hadn’t explicitly asked to bite her, but if he had, she would’ve let him—sooner or later. “When did this happen?” “When did what happen?” Jason, Syd and her mother turned toward the opened front door. e
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Beverly Rae
A man almost rectangular in shape due to his wide frame and short height stood with his brawny arms crossed, bushy eyebrows diving for his broad nose, and waited for someone to respond. His dark suspicious eyes bored into each of them one at a time, and a frown turned down his mouth. Thinning hair stuck out at odd angles, and his clothes covered his boxy shape in wrinkled layers. “Well? Isn’t anyone going to answer me? Who the hell is this guy?” Jason’s fangs started to sprout in the same instant Syd clutched his arm and yanked him toward the bedroom. The force of her pull jerked him along with her, clamping his fangs down on his tongue. “Ow!” “I’ve got to remember to keep my front door closed and locked.” Once inside the room, she slammed the door shut and threw her body against it. “Oh, shit. My father.” Her eyes grew even bigger as she pinned them on him. “That’s my father.” What was this? Meet the Family Day? “Thwat’s thwyour fwather?” When his words sounded muffled, he stuck out his tongue and checked for permanent damage. “Isn’t that what I said?” She grumbled a few choice words and tossed him a scowl. Then an expression of relief passed quickly over her face. “Thank God that alley was dark. Obviously, he doesn’t recognize you from the other night.” “Sydney Skeller, get back out here!” The relief he’d seen disappeared and she cringed, keeping her back to the door. “Oh, crap. He doesn’t sound happy. What if he overheard us?” Satisfied his tongue was still intact, Jason pressed his body to Syd’s and shifted barely enough to heighten his sense of smell. He certainly didn’t need sensitive hearing to hear the jackass in the other room. “Miriam, what are you doing here? I thought we were going to join up at the meeting?” “Don’t you yell at me. And calm down before you have a heart attack. I simply dropped by for a visit.” “Who was the guy she took into her bedroom?” Her father muttered something incoherent before raising his voice again. “What the hell is going on here? Do I smell what I think I smell? I’d swear I caught a whiff of… Naw, it couldn’t be.” Jason snorted, disgust filling his very core. “He thinks I smell? I can smell gunpowder on him all the way in here. Can you spell hunter?” Curses from Syd’s father echoed in the adjoining room. “I’ll give him something to cuss about.” He narrowed his eyes and visualized landing a solid right hook against her father’s jaw. The wallop against his chest broke his train of thought and zapped him out of his partial transformation. “Hey!” Placing his palm over the spot where she’d struck him, he gawked at a seething shedevil. “Why’d you hit me?” “Don’t you even think about hurting my father,” she hissed at him, keeping her voice low and mean, “or I’ll track you down and blow off your balls myself. And keep your voice down.”
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Howling for My Baby
Geez, she’s beautiful when she’s mad. “Why? It’s not like he doesn’t know I’m here.” “I don’t want him to hear what you’re saying, you hound dog.” She poked him in the same spot, making her point very clear, while her lovely shoulders—perfect, bitable shoulders—enticed him. “Hound dog? Ouch. Now that really hurt.” Yet, contrary to his tone, his grin grew bigger. Yup, she’s absolutely gorgeous when she puts her whole body behind her words. “Okay, darlin’, okay. Don’t go all Elmer Fudd on me.” “Sydney, you come out here right now and bring that coward with you.” Who the crap did he think he was calling him a coward? Jason bristled at the name and fought to keep from morphing into full wolf form. “I’ll show him who’s a coward.” Again, Syd grabbed his arm, this time hauling him toward the bathroom. “Come on. I have an idea.” “If this involves my jumping out the window from this height, you’re going to have to let me finish shifting first.” She stopped and gaped at him. “You can jump out a third story window and not get hurt?” He didn’t like the glint in her eye. “Only if I shift first.” Before she forced him to do anything rash, he glanced at the small rectangle of a window over her tub. “But trust me. This big body ain’t going through that small window any time soon.” She paused, obviously considering asking him to jump, then nodded and pushed him into the tub. “Take off your clothes.” “Sure, babe. But don’t you think the timing’s a bit off to share a shower? I mean, I know your mom already saw us going at it, but I’m not thrilled about putting on a show for your dad.” At her exasperated huff, he shrugged and stripped off his clothing. “But, if you insist. I’ve gotta say, you’re my kind of girl. When you want sex, nothing can stop you.” “Close your eyes and shut up.” She took his clothes from him, dumping them on the floor outside the tub. “Whatever you say, darlin’.” Yet the moment he closed his eyes, he knew he’d made a mistake. A cold liquid splashed on the top of his head, startling him into opening his eyes and reversing his metamorphosis. Fangs and ears receded quicker than they had appeared. When he saw Syd pick up a bottle containing pink liquid and aim it at his bare chest, he raised his hands in a futile attempt to shield his body. “Shit! What’re you doing?” He squeezed his eyes closed a second before the fumes from the perfume assaulted his nose. “I’m trying to save your butt if you’ll just be quiet and let me.” Splash after splash hit his body from head to toe. He kept his eyes closed this time and shivered. “Turn around. I need to get your backside.”
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He complied, making sure he didn’t slip on the slick surface of the tub. “Will you tell me why I’m being doused with all this stinky stuff?” “I’m putting perfume on you to cover up your shifter smell. My dad’s already gotten a sniff of you, but I’m not about to let him get a better one.” Jason gritted his teeth against another shudder racing through him. “I don’t get it. You think I stink, too?” “Yes. I mean, no. I mean, I like your smell. And very few people can smell shifter. But apparently my father did. Now I want to convince him otherwise.” The liquid assault against his body stopped, followed by shattering sounds. “This awful perfume my cousin Rose gave me last year for Christmas would cover a skunk’s stink.” “Hey!” “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. There. I think it’s dried. You can open your eyes.” “Damn, I reek.” Jason dared to glance at his body. Fortunately, none of the vile-smelling liquid had made his skin change color or given him a rash, but the aroma wafting to his nostrils made his stomach flip over. “Good.” She picked up his clothes and handed them to him. “Why didn’t you simply douse my clothes instead of me?” “Then we’d have to explain the wet clothes and he’d figure it out. Let’s hope the perfume will be enough to cover your scent. Get dressed and come out to the living room, but be prepared to run. If my father smells more than just bad cologne, he’ll grab anything he can find to use as a weapon and take you down where you stand.” “Great. In his mind, I’m either a stinking cowardly friend or a dead shifter. Two super choices.” Syd’s lips quivered. Whether from a smile gone wrong or from the apprehension he saw in her stiffened body language, he wasn’t sure. He tried to smell the fear on her, but couldn’t get past the rank perfume coating his body. “I’m thinking I’d choose a stinky coward over a dead shifter.” She helped him from the perfumeslickened shower and turned to face the bathroom door. Without a moment’s hesitation, he threw on his clothes. Syd placed her hand on the doorknob and mouthed, “Ready?” He lied and nodded. “We’ll be out in a sec, Skeller, uh, Dad.” Skeller? He flashed back to the alley when Syd had called her father by his last name. Why doesn’t she call him Dad all the time? He hurried after her, his head down to button his shirt—and ran directly into her father.
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“Oh, hell.” Skeller stumbled away from him, holding on to his nose. “What in the frickin’ world is that stench?” His repugnant expression latched onto him and ran up and down his body. “Is that you?” “Skeller! How rude!” Syd linked her arm through Skeller’s and dragged him away. He twisted his head around to frown at Jason. Depositing her father on the other side of the room, Syd kept her arm hooked with his and tipped her head in a silent message. A message Jason didn’t understand. What did she want him to do? “Uh, hi, Mr. Skeller.” Syd’s pointed look told him she’d expected him to say something more. But what did she expect him to say to a hunter? Hey, how ya doing? Kill any of my friends lately? Uncle Mort went missing about a week ago. Can I check to see if he’s hanging on your wall? Jason shot her a frustrated look. Get real, Syd. Meeting a Mafia boss would be easier. Not to mention safer. “Griswold, this is Sydney’s friend, Jason Cannon.” Griswold? Jason bit the inside of his mouth to stifle a snicker. Damn, no wonder the man wants to kill something. Syd caught his near-slip, narrowed her eyes and sent him an unmistakable don’t-you-eventhink-about-it glare. This time he understood her message. The deep folds on Skeller’s forehead could have hidden treasure. “He’s a friend of Sydney’s? But I thought I smelled shifter.” Syd and her mother laughed identical hyena titters. “Oh, Skeller, don’t be silly. A shifter in my apartment? Come on.” Syd squeezed his arm and averted her head to let only her mother and Jason see the worry on her face. Miriam followed her daughter’s lead. “Really, Griswold, you think you smell shifter everywhere. Remember when you thought you smelled shifter at church? Poor Pastor Paul will never be the same. Perhaps you’re mistaking one stinky smell for another?” Jason frowned but knew better than to correct her. He’d let her implied insult pass. Besides, now he did actually stink. Skeller’s glower lessened while his taunting smile grew. “Yeah, I guess. Boy, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who uses as much cologne as you do. And girly-smelling cologne on top of it.” Jason opened his mouth to protest, but Syd beat him to the punch. “Skeller, stop.” She let go of her father to stride across the room and take Jason’s arm. “He’s a metrosexual.” She tucked her head down and he heard the slight gagging sound she tried to cover. Hey, Syd, remember you did this to me. Go ahead and gag, darlin’. “He’s a what?” Jason scoffed and waited for Syd’s response. He couldn’t believe she expected Skeller to know what a metrosexual was.
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She answered with a roll of the eyes. “You know. A man who likes to take care of his appearance, has a regular stylist and gets manicures. He keeps himself looking handsome. Besides, I happen to, uh, like his choice of cologne. I think he smells great.” She inhaled and plastered on a smile. Jason had to give her kudos. Somehow she’d managed to breathe in without making a sick face. Yet he hadn’t missed seeing her face lose its color for a moment. He shuffled his feet and crossed his arms, keeping his un-manicured fingernails hidden. Couldn’t her father hear the lie in her tone—even if he’d missed how she’d almost choked on the words? “You do? Well, I guess there’s no accounting for taste.” Well duh, dude. How else would an attractive, smart, classy lady like Miriam get hooked up with a dumb hunter like you? Jason glanced from Skeller to Miriam and nodded, silently hoping a shower was in his near future. “Still…you look familiar to me.” Her father’s beady gaze locked onto him and Syd tightened her hold. “You ever done any hunting?” Jason squeezed Syd’s arm in warning and chuckled under his breath. “You mean like in bird hunting? Or maybe deer hunting? What is it you hunt, Mr. Skeller?” The hunter checked his wife before answering. “Creatures of the night. Vile, repulsive minions from hell.” Oh, this is gonna be fun. He put on a baffled expression. “You mean like…bats?” “What I hunt is far worse than those furry little fliers, son.” Son? Oh, shit. A hunter called me “son”. Jason didn’t know whether he wanted to toss his cookies or roll on the floor in hysterics. Maybe both. Instead, he adopted a curious reaction. “You mean like vampire bats?” Syd elbowed him in the ribs, but he covered his grunt. Skeller’s delighted chuckle made his stomach flip over. The choice of tossing his cookies took the lead. “Naw. I’m talking about wicked evil things, boy.” “Do you mean like Dracula? Or Frankenstein?” Ladies and gentleman, the Oscar goes to…Jason Cannon for his performance of an ignoramus. “I know what you’re thinking, boy, but I’m not kidding. I’m talking about things like shape-shifters. You know, werewolves.” “Werewolves?” Damn, what I wouldn’t give to shift right now and see who’d hunt who first. But Syd’s warm body next to him reminded him who this man was and what he meant to the woman he loved. Should he act like a regular boyfriend and call the men in white coats? Locking a hunter in an asylum would give him a shitload of satisfaction. Especially when he knew the hunter was sane. Syd’s elbow in his ribs brought him out of his thoughts. He needed to keep his mind on the conversation at hand before he ended up making a mistake. “No kidding? Are you saying werewolves
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really exist?” He turned to Syd and dropped his jaw wide in feigned shock. She squinted her eyes at him, warning him to behave. “Oh, they exist all right. They walk among us.” Skeller dropped his tone lower to speak softer—and meaner. “Only a few people know, but they live and work among us. They could be your boss or your nextdoor neighbor. In fact, they can even talk like us—even while they’re in animal form.” “You’re kidding me. You mean like Mr. Ed? No, wait. He was a horse.” Jason tried to look appropriately dumbfounded. “How can they talk like us?” He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t resist baiting the guy. Skeller raised his hand toward the heavens. “My hand to God, it’s true. Who knows how the devil’s spawn can do what they do? But we hunters”—he pointed at himself—“spend our lives devoted to tracking them down and killing them. For the sake of our fellow citizens.” “No shit. I guess we’re all lucky we have you guys around, huh?” Jason put on a serious expression and hoped his acting skills were up to the task. “Damn straight, you are.” Skeller took a few steps toward Jason, wrinkled his nose and halted in his tracks. “Are you sure we haven’t met before? You look very familiar.” “Trust me, I’d remember you.” Jason stretched his lips wide and hoped the hunter would understand his true meaning. Yet he should’ve known his subtle attempt at a challenge would go right over the man’s thick head. “Maybe you two met at a meeting?” Syd’s mother realized her mistake the split second after she’d spoken. She stammered a moment and tried to cover her blunder. “I mean─” “At a hunters’ meeting?” Skeller studied Jason closer. “You think so?” “No. Uh, I’m sure Mom meant another kind of meeting. Or maybe at the hardware store. Jason’s into home repair and—” “Hey, I have an idea. We’re always looking for new recruits. Brave men who aren’t afraid to rid the world of the evil among us.” Skeller turned his pointed stare—a dare any man would recognize—at him while talking to Syd. “Or is your friend too busy soaking himself with girly-smelling perfume to man up?” Jason prickled at the overt jab at his masculinity and almost growled his retort. “I’m more man than you’d ever want to find out.” Or should I have said, “More than just a man?” “No, wait, Skeller. He didn’t mean he wants to go. Besides, he can’t go now.” Syd made an incredulous face. “I mean…who goes hunting in a suit?” “Syd’s right. I’m not dressed for hunting.” Skeller scoffed at their excuse. “Sure you can. It’s not like we’re going huntin’ in the woods.” Both Syd and Jason started to object again, but her father’s features brightened and he struck a thumbs up. “Good. Let’s go. I dropped by to get Sydney to come along, but the more the merrier.”
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Syd’s mouth fell open and Jason grumbled protests when Skeller moved to place himself between the two of them. Grimacing at the stench, he gripped one arm of each of them and propelled them toward the front door. “No time like the present. Our meeting starts in half an hour.” e “Skeller, can we talk? I don’t think this is a good idea.” The short drive to the meeting had left Syd dazed and in a panic. She’d remained silent, praying to find a way out of the awful predicament. Jason, stinking up the car with his cologne-covered body, sat pinned in between Miriam and Skeller in the back seat, his brawny hulk scrunched together like a large totem pole stuck between two tiny natives. His face, as unsmiling and emotionless as a Native American’s face carved in said totem pole, scared her. Would he freak out and shift at the meeting? Or would he take off when she stopped the car? Not that she would blame him. Either way, how would she explain it to her father? She frowned and tried to remember their conversation in her apartment. Just how had her father cajoled her into driving them to the meeting anyway? “The ride will give us a chance to get to know your new friend.” At least she’d managed to hog the conversation, keeping them from asking Jason any probing questions. She’d prattled on about nothing in particular, her mind unable to stop the avalanche of questions tearing at her—all of them starting with if Jason survived the night… If Jason survived the night, how would she get him home? If Jason survived the night, would he ever forgive her? If Jason survived the night, would he still want her? And worse…if Jason survived the night, would she ever see him again? “Honey, I could tell by the tone in your mother’s voice when I walked in that this boy means something special to you. Which means, I think it’s only right he gets to know us Skellers better and see what we do.” Syd glanced in the rearview mirror, catching her father punching Jason’s left arm in the typical buddy-to-buddy way. “Besides, we need new meat in the group. Even rank-smelling new meat.” Syd checked again and caught Jason’s hard stare. If only Skeller knew what kind of “meat” Jason was. She shook her head and tried again, “Don’t you think this is something we should let Jason decide? After all, it’s a hunters’ meeting, not a bridge game we’re forcing him to attend.” She braked for the car in front of her. When the container of snacks her mother never seemed to be without slipped toward the front of the passenger seat, she grabbed them and caught a glimpse of her own frantic expression in the chrome of the dash. Hooray for me! I saved the homemade brownies my hunterfather and my were-lover can share at the meeting. Can this day get any weirder? “Naw, you don’t mind, do you, son? I don’t know why, but I get the feeling this boy knows his way around hunters.” Jason blinked at her in the mirror and she could almost read his mind. Yup, he knows his way around hunters, Skeller.
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“Park over there by the front door, Sydney.” She obeyed, letting her car roll into a space close to the barrack-like building used for a variety of clubs’ meetings, including the Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the hunters. Yet before the vehicle had come to a complete stop, Skeller was half out of the car and yanking Jason along with him. Syd whipped around to hiss, “Mom, we’ve got to stop this. He’s taking a shifter to the meeting. If they find out what Jason is, they’ll skin him alive.” Her mother turned her white face toward her. “I know. I don’t know what I was thinking when I mentioned the meeting. I’m so sorry. Then when your father suggested you drive us, I simply couldn’t think of any way out.” “Tell that to Jason when he’s lying in a pool of blood.” Or their blood, if he gets a chance to shift first. Syd threw herself out of the car and raced after Skeller and Jason. She reached them a second after her father pushed the door wide, thrust Jason inside the smoke-filled room and stepped in after him. Syd gathered her resolve and plunged through the heavy ornate door of the lodge house. “Fellow hunters! Meet Jason, our newest prospective member.” At last, Jason appeared to unfreeze from his silent stoniness. “No!” Friendly faces dropped their welcoming smiles and gawked at him. Skeller turned to him and scowled, “What do you mean, no?” Jason met her frightened gaze with a stunned one of his own. “I think, uh, I guess I mean I’m not fresh or prospective?” Uncertainty crinkled his forehead. Skeller pushed him deeper into the milling crowd, causing men to back away from the rank newcomer. “Eh, don’t mind the smell, men. We all have our quirks and this guy happens to like wearing a lot of cologne.” Skeller spun around to wave Syd into the mix. “Cologne my daughter likes.” Murmurs of understanding greeted his explanation. Syd followed the two men, hunter and shifter, toward the crowd. Yet, instead of following Skeller and Jason into the center of the group, she lagged on the edges. So far, no one had said anything about smelling werewolf, so her pulse slowed down to somewhere near its normal rate. Nonetheless, she was determined to get Jason out of the building at the first possible opportunity. “Are you telling me this person and Sydney are together?” The low voice of her ex-boyfriend had her head whipping to the side. Max Tiller moved from the throng of people opposite her to stand next to Skeller and Jason. Max’s stocky frame bumped against Skeller’s squat form in greeting. Although Max was taller than her father, he was still a half foot shorter than Jason. Her mate’s lean, muscled hardness made Max’s bulk look flabby, while Jason’s silky hair was a direct contrast to Max’s razor-short crew cut. In fact, the young hunter’s build was very similar to her father’s box-shaped chunkiness. Funny how I’ve never noticed the similarities before now. Urgh. Enough with the observations, Syd. Figure a way out of this mess.
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In seconds, the atmosphere surrounding the two men thickened, with Jason matching the animosity in the other’s tone. “Yeah, we’re together.” Max stretched his neck to try to appear to be Jason’s height. “No kidding?” To credit his bravery or lack of common sense—Syd wasn’t sure which—Jason took a couple of steps forward, putting his nose within inches of Max’s. “Nope. Not kidding.” The throng of men around her sensed a fight and moved closer. She was trapped between the hunters and unable to move in any direction. All she could do was watch, wait and pray. “I don’t believe you. I can’t see Sydney dating a guy who looks like you. Much less one who smells like you.” Skeller, who’d watched the interaction in fascination, stepped in. “Now hold up. He’s a metrosexual. Which means he’s not gay. Just different.” “He’s a what?” “A metrosexual. Don’t you know anything? A metrosexual man is a guy who likes prissy stuff like cologne. But he still likes women.” “Oh…” Syd could see the hunters trying to understand the new word and its meaning. She nodded at them, hoping to help their comprehension move a little faster. Putting her hands on the man in front of her, she pushed her way closer to the trio. “Skeller, don’t you think─” “Sydney, babe. How’s my girl?” Max grabbed her, encasing her in a bear hug. Gasping, she wished she’d taken a big breath of air before he’d crushed her arms to her sides. How had she ever liked his hugs? How had she ever liked him? Jason’s soft-yet-threatening growl jumpstarted her into action, and she wriggled her way out of Max’s hold to take Jason’s hand. “I am not your girl, Tiller. Why can’t you get that through your thick head? I broke up with you, remember?” “Aw, come on, Sydney. You know you’ll always be my girl. We’re just taking a short break, is all.” To keep Jason from growling again—and to drive home her point to Max—she whirled around and planted a kiss on Jason’s lips. For a moment, she worried about his lack of response but, at last, he tugged her to him, then slid his hand around her neck to keep her mouth against his. A minute or more passed before he let her go, breathless and ready for more. Jeers and catcalls echoed in the hall around them. “Looks like he’s put his claim on her, Max-man.” “She never kissed you like that.” “Hey, Sydney, how about puckering up for everyone?” “Woo-hoo! Lock and load, baby. Lock and load.” Yet her father’s voice rang out louder than the rest. “Sydney Skeller, you’d best behave, girl.”
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Syd reluctantly broke away from Jason, who winked his special wink at her. She grinned at him and pressed her fingers to her lips, already swollen from the intensity of their kiss. “I’m only trying to get Max to face up to the truth.” “Never you mind. Max understands, don’t you?” Her ex glared at Jason before squaring off at her. “I understand this. Sydney belongs with me.” He snarled his words at her. “And no one else.” An amber flash in Jason’s eyes had Syd planting her feet apart and fisting her hands on her hips. “Knock it off, you guys. I’m about to smother to death from the testosterone in the air. Sheesh, can’t a girl decide who she’s going to hang with?” She needed female support and not those of the women hunters. Where the hell was her mom? She’d better diffuse the situation before Jason did something they’d all regret. The flash of amber warned that his other side was too close to the surface for comfort. Plus, the cologne had to wear off eventually. Add those two elements together and he’d show his true colors before they could escape this den of werewolf killers. “Skeller, I think maybe this was a bad idea.” Maybe? Most certainly. “Perhaps Jason and I should attend a meeting some other time.” She smiled her prettiest smile at her father and took Jason by the arm. Broadening her grin to the breaking point, she tossed her father the car keys. “Here, uh, Dad, take the car and get Mom home. We’ll walk.” She nodded to the man blocking her way, getting him to step aside. “Now hold on a sec.” Max’s lighter tone surprised her and she turned around before she gave it any thought. Damn, why didn’t I keep going? “Max, we’ve got to go.” His twisted smirk stood the hairs on her neck on end. “If Jason and Sydney are a couple, we’d better make sure he’s worthy of her. After all, she’s one of us, right? She deserves the best kind of man. She deserves a hunter. Am I right?” Cheers broke out, pounding the sound into her ears. What the hell just happened? She glanced toward the door, hoping to see a direct path to it and her mother standing there, beckoning her on. But all she saw was a sea of hunters with no avenue of escape. “Look. I appreciate you guys offering to let me join, but I’m going to have to pass. Besides, I’m not dressed for a hunt.” “I told you not to worry about that.” Skeller beckoned to Max for his agreement. “Am I right or what?” “You’re right, man.” Max ran his gaze down Jason’s body. “It’s not like we’re hunting in the woods.” Skeller laughed. “That’s exactly what I said.”
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Jason, however, wasn’t giving up. “Still, I’ll have to decline. Like Syd said, maybe we can do this some other time.” Jason started for the door again and Syd tried to follow, but Max fastened a hand on both their shoulders, pinning them to the spot. “No problem, Jase, old buddy. Skeller brought you here to make you a hunter, and I aim to do just that.” Aim? Syd cringed at Max’s choice of words. His unspoken whether you like or not cut through her mind and, if his narrowed eyes were any indication, Jason had caught the unspoken intent, too. She hoped he could sense how sorry she was to have put him in this position. “I guess you two are getting lucky tonight.” Syd checked the crowd. Knowing this group, the unknown speaker’s meaning had nothing to do with sex. She swallowed and waited for Max to clarify. “He’s right. After all, you love birds get to join us on a hunt.”
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Chapter Six
“How the hell did you get me into this mess?” Jason’s hiss could’ve burned a hole in Syd’s earlobe. She reached up to make sure her skin hadn’t fallen off before she matched his hiss. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure how any of this happened.” They sat hunched together in the bed of Max’s pickup, heading toward the same section of town where her father had taken her on her first hunt. Three other hunters sat opposite them, cradling their guns. Jason wiped away the dirt at his feet and carefully laid his jacket on the bed of the pickup. A broad-faced hunter adjusted his large body into a more comfortable position, placing his dirty boots on top of Jason’s jacket. “Hey, come on, man. That’s my jacket you’re resting your feet on.” The dull-eyed hunter remained expressionless as he studied Jason. “You planning on shooting shifters, pretty boy? Or dancin’ with them?” Jason groaned at the man’s question and glared at Syd. “From the smell of him, I’d say he’s a dancer, not a hunter.” The other two hunters laughed at their friend’s joke, then started arguing about who would get the first shot. Jason spoke in a whisper, letting their escalating argument cover the sound of his voice. “We’ve got to get out of this mess.” Syd puffed out an exasperated release of air and twisted her neck to glare at him. “Ya think? Believe me when I say I am very aware of our predicament. Give me a break. This isn’t my fault, you know.” “Then whose fault is it?” She could easily have skinned him all by herself. Yet, although he was pissed, he still remained under control without showing any fear. Of course, this ticked her off even more—along with another not-sounpleasant sensation. She studied him, trying to decipher the mysterious emotion and felt the tug in her abdomen. Shit, now I know. It’s lust. The man drips sex appeal even while trapped in a life-threatening situation. Especially while trapped in a life-threatening situation. In fact, if the hunters weren’t seated across from them, she’d throw him on the bed of the pickup and rip off his clothes right here and now. She shook off the fantasy, forcing her mind to concentrate on the problem at hand. “If anyone is at fault, blame my mother. But since she didn’t do this intentionally, don’t go off on her, either. At least she managed to get Skeller to take her home first, giving us a little lead time.”
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Jason’s caustic laugh managed to raise the heads of their silent companions. He quickly lowered his voice again. “Oh, sure, I feel much better. Instead of getting shot by my mate’s father, I get wiped out by his trigger-happy friends. But let’s not blame anyone.” He snarled and pointed at the parking lot straight ahead. “It seems your father knows a trick or two about shortcuts.” Syd rested her hand on the borrowed rifle at her side and twisted to see her father already at the predetermined meeting location. Men. Whether they’re hunter or shifter, sometimes I’d like nothing more than to shoot them. “Now how the hell did he get Mom home, swap vehicles, and get here before we did?” She shook her head and grabbed onto the side of the truck as the vehicle skidded to a stop next to her father’s pickup. The hunters dropped the tailgate and scrambled out. Max slid out of the driver’s side and motioned for them to follow the others. “Come on, folks. Time to get the party started.” Syd mumbled a vow to stop this horror before it went any further and hopped off the tailgate. “Max, we are not coming.” Yet her bravado died when the hunters and Max turned to scorch their stares into her. She opted for a less direct approach. “Uh, we’re afraid the vermin might pick up Jason’s uh, aroma and get scared off.” She sent him a silent apology for both the vermin crack and the dig at his fragrant body. “Maybe they’ll think it’s an old woman they can attack.” One of the quiet hunters they’d ridden with slapped his comical friend’s shoulder. “Good one, Nick.” But Max didn’t laugh. “Don’t worry about it. You’re coming.” His hard stare fixed on Jason. “Both of you.” “Uh, no. I don’t think we can.” Think! We cannot go on this hunt. “You heard him, Sydney. You and your friend are with us.” Skeller came up beside them and handed Jason a rifle. “Do you know how to use one of these?” Jason answered through gritted teeth. “Yeah, I do, but─” “Shoot them while they’re in their wolf body. No one wants to explain a dead human to any snooping authorities.” Instead of chuckling along with the other men, Skeller zoned in on Jason as though challenging him to refuse. Syd scowled at her father. “Of course. It’s so much easier to mount a wolf’s head on the wall than a human’s. Right?” Her distraction worked to turn Skeller toward her. “They’re animals no matter what form they take.” He pointed a finger at her. “You best remember that.” “Here, take this back.” Jason tried to thrust the gun back at Skeller, but he wouldn’t take it. “I don’t plan on─” A shot rang out and sent them jumping, but Jason was the first to recover. “Sounds like someone beat us to the kill.” He shot her a look filled with dread.
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Hunters started running across the parking lot and down an alley. Syd grabbed him and pulled him a couple of steps in the other direction. “Come on. This is our chance to get out of here. Hey!” He broke away from her grasp and dashed in the direction of the hunters. Not understanding, but unwilling to let him face whatever danger lay ahead without her, Syd rushed after him. She tried to catch up with Jason but couldn’t match his pace. His long legs ate up the ground, taking one stride to two of hers. He rounded a corner and she lost sight of him. Fear seared into her. “Jason, wait up!” She needn’t have bothered. Once around the corner, she slid to a halt, barely stopping before bumping into him. He stood, rifle braced on his shoulder and pointed at the group of hunters in front of him. “Jason?” Was he about to shoot her father and his friends? She reached for the gun, but didn’t make it in time. He pulled the trigger and his shoulder rocked from the shot. The hunters whirled to face him. What had he done? And what would they do? Skeller thundered toward him, his face red and furious. Jason lowered his rifle and set his feet apart, staring straight at Skeller and ready for whatever would happen next. Bumping his chest against Jason’s belly, Skeller roared, “What the hell did you shoot for? Shit, if you had to shoot, why couldn’t you have at least shot in the right direction? All you did was run the animal off.” Understanding hit Syd and she almost smiled. Jason hadn’t intended to harm the hunters. Instead, he’d given the shifter a chance to escape. “Gee, sorry. Guess I’m not used to this rifle. But no harm done. I’m sure I saw two other shifters escaping down this other way.” Jason shrugged. “Isn’t going after two better than going after one?” Skeller sneered, started to say something more, then loped over to the other hunters. After a brief discussion with Max, they headed off in pursuit of the two werewolves. Jason’s wink lifted her spirits. What now? “I think I fooled them.” “Yeah?” “Yeah.” He whirled around and, throwing his words over his shoulder, followed the hunters. “Too bad two of nothing isn’t better than one of something. But they’ll never know I lied.” She caught up to run beside him, her legs again pumping twice to his one easy stride. “So you sent them on a wild goose chase?” “More like a wild wolf chase. This way we can say we tried without actually shooting anything.” “Let’s hope so.” Yet their hopes came crashing down when they caught up with the hunter group. Max, Skeller, and the other hunters had their sights set on a couple of werewolves cornered against a wall. One hunter stood in front of a fire ladder, blocking the shifters’ only means of escape.
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Syd grabbed his arm, whirling him toward her. “I thought you didn’t actually see anything.” Jason, his body straight and tense, stared ahead. “I didn’t. This is an accident. Crap, this day just keeps getting worse.” Even though she knew she shouldn’t, Syd couldn’t help but point out the similarities. “You mean you made a mistake—like the one my mom made?” He blinked and looked at her with an indescribable expression. At last, he returned his attention to the two growling shifters about to get exterminated and handed her his gun. “Take this.” She watched in horror as he started to shift, allowing his fangs to emerge. Trying to keep her voice low, she yanked on his arm and pleaded with him. “No. Don’t. It won’t help them if you end up dead along with them.” “I have to do something. I can’t stand by and watch them get slaughtered.” His eyes morphed, turning from dark brown to glittering amber. “You’re right, you know. We really do need to figure out how to make our clothes disappear like they do in the movies.” He faced her and took her in his arms for a brief hug. “I love you, Syd.” With his breath warming her neck, he bent his head and whispered, “In spite of your family.” Hugging her again, he pushed her away and pulled at the buttons on his shirt. Sydney’s stomach clenched at the exact moment the idea hit her. “Change back right now, Jason, before they see you. I’m not going to let you die if I have anything to say about it. Stay here.” Incredibly, he followed her order without an argument. “What can you─?” But she was already heading toward the hunters before he could finish the sentence. The group stood in a semicircle around the shifters, taunting their victims. “Hey, wolfie, wolfie. Wag your tail at me so I can blast your ass off.” The speaker laughed and highfived his buddy. “Naw, man. I want to see the fear in their beady little eyes when I blow them back to hell.” “Eyes or ass, it don’t matter to me. As long as I get to shoot ’em while they’re still in their fur coat.” “Skeller!” Her father swiveled toward her. “What, Syd?” “This is pretty pitiful, if you ask me.” She fisted a hand on one hip. “Talk about no challenge. Shoot, a little kid could kill one of these. Where’s the sport in this?” She scoffed, aware that the hunters kept one eye on her and the other on the werewolves. Her father lowered his gun. “What are you talking about? It’s always harder to kill them in wolf form than in their human body. They’re faster, fanged and meaner.” He jerked a thumb at the two trapped shifters pacing back and forth in front of the wall. “Stop wasting time, Syd. We’ve got some business to tend to.” A slow smile spread his lips. “Do you want the first shot? Is that it?”
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Thank you, Skeller, for giving me an idea. Syd returned his smile. “Yeah. But I also want to make this a little harder. You know, make it more of a challenge.” “Come on, man. What’s the holdup?” A hunter readied his rifle on his shoulder. Skeller, however, held up his hand. “Hold up. Let’s hear Syd’s idea. Those two aren’t going anywhere.” “Except hell.” The others laughed along with Nick. “Spit it out, Sydney.” Skeller waited, but she could tell his patience wouldn’t last much longer. “Okay, here’s the deal. How about we give them a head start?” She worked to put some excitement in her tone. “Like I said, how hard is it to get them like this? Like bull’s-eyes at target practice? Naw, I want more. I want to prove I’m a real hunter. I want to shoot them on the run.” Now she had all their attentions. Even the werewolves had quit pacing to listen. “So what are you suggesting?” Skeller checked with the others to make sure they were okay with hearing her plan. Syd paused for dramatic effect and held up a finger. “Listen up and I’ll tell you.” She licked her lips, enjoying the control she held over them. “Here’s what we do. We let them go─” “What?” “Hell, no!” “Are you frickin’ kidding us?” She waited for the clamor to die down into a grumbling murmur and walked toward the two werewolves, who had started pacing again. “Hang on to your panties, will ya? When I say go, we let these two jump up to that fire ladder. The hunter who waits the longest before shooting and still hits his mark, wins.” When the hunters didn’t respond, Jason moved up to stand beside her. “Crap, Skeller. I thought you said this was a group of bad-ass hunters.” He snorted in derision. “Shit. They act like they can’t hit a moving animal. Damn. How sad is that?” The incredulous expressions on the hunters’ faces nearly made Syd laugh. Instead, she managed to shake her head in disbelief, playing along with Jason’s ruse. “I guess we had them pegged wrong, Jason.” “I can hit anything you can.” Max left the semicircle to stalk up to Jason. Again, the two came nose to nose. “Prove it.” “I will.” Syd saw her chance and jumped in. “Then it’s a contest. There are two shifters and two of you. Each of you gets one shifter to shoot.” “But I thought you wanted the shot, honey.” Stay out of this, Skeller. “Naw, it’s okay. Let these two duke it out. Are you two up for it?”
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Jason nodded. “Sure. No problem.” “Yeah, no problem.” But Max’s indecisiveness showed on his face. It wasn’t long before his doubt won out. “Wait a sec.” He glanced at the men around him. “What if the vermin get away?” Jason laughed, low and mean, pushing harder at Max. “Are you planning on missing your shot? Because I won’t.” Max couldn’t take the dare to his ego. “Fine. Let’s do it. Sydney, you say when.” He waved at the hunter guarding the ladder to move away, lifted his gun and set his feet apart, ready to fire. Jason copied his motions. The murmur of the other hunters gave their consent and they moved to let Max and Jason stand side by side in front of the shifters. Syd stood behind them to stare at the nearest shifter. “Shifters, do you understand?” The two wolves checked with each other before the larger one nodded. Both crouched, ready to spring for the ladder. “Okay.” Syd darted her eyes toward the fire ladder and sent them an unspoken wish for luck. “Shifters. Hunters. Get ready. Set. Go!” The shifters bolted for the ladder with the larger one allowing his companion to grab the first step and pull herself up. Within seconds, she was halfway up the ladder and he was right on her heels. Jason held his rifle on his shoulder and calmly watched their ascent. Max, however, kept checking Jason, waiting for him to fire first. “Shoot, man, shoot!” Nick shouted at Max when the first shifter grabbed hold of the top of the building. “But… Which one’s mine?” Max, eyes bugging wide, glared at Syd. “We forgot to choose which one we’re supposed to shoot. Hurry. Tell me!” Both shifters scrambled onto the roof above. Jason made a funny face and lowered his gun. “Damn, how stupid can we be? You’re right. We totally forgot to choose.” Syd faked a cringe, held up her palms, and channeled her inner Valley Girl. “Oops. Omigod, I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I screwed up so badly.” She turned toward Skeller and sent him her best plea-forhelp look. “Really. I’m very sorry. I am beyond dumb sometimes.” “Damn it!” Max glared at the top of the building. “There’s no way we’ll catch up to them now.” The others joined Max to stalk around, cursing and venting their anger. Every once in awhile, Max would stop and glower at her. Did he suspect the truth? She swallowed and tried to act more upset about her “mistake”. Jason, fortunately, stayed by her side and kept the disapproving expression on his face, but Syd could see the amused glint in his eye. After several minutes of tirades, however, Skeller called a halt to the theatrics. “Knock it off, everyone. It was an honest mistake anyone could’ve made.” He slammed a fist in the air to thwart more
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complaints. “If you’re going to blame Sydney or Jason, you have to blame Max, too. He’s just as responsible for not thinking ahead. Cut out the remarks and let’s head back to our trucks.” The grumbles continued, with Syd catching the occasional, “Don’t bring that kid of yours on any more hunts.” With any luck, she’d not only saved two werewolves, but finally put an end to Skeller’s hope of making her a hunter. The group sulked past Syd and Jason, leaving them to bring up the rear. Jason leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You, my sweet mate, are one smart lady.” “Why, thank you.” But her happiness was short-lived when Skeller turned around to wait for them. “Sydney, I bet you’re just torn up about this, huh?” Syd stumbled for words and gave up. The misery on Skeller’s face made her wish she could’ve found a way for the shifters to go free without making him unhappy. “Oh, I’ll be okay, Dad.” He gave her a soft smile and shook his head. “No need to put on a brave face. I know how disappointed you must be. How about staying at home tonight instead of alone in that little apartment?” The man could be sweet sometimes, no doubt about it. She’d just spoiled his hunt and he was worried about her. “Oh, thanks, Sk-er, Dad, but I want to go home to my own bed.” “Don’t worry, Mr. Skeller. I’ll stay with her and make sure she’s okay.” Jason took her other arm, placing her between the two men she loved. “I’ll stay on the couch in case she needs me.” Her father hesitated for a moment, distrust mixing with the concern on his face. “I don’t know. I still think─” “Trust me, Dad. Jason will be right outside my bedroom door. Just in case I need someone. But I promise I’m fine. Disappointed, sure, but fine. I don’t know what happened to me. Maybe it was the excitement of seeing the shifters. You know, the thrill of the hunt and all? I simply forgot to let the shooters choose first. Pretty lame of me.” The way her father studied first her then Jason roped her stomach into a knot. Had he believed her lie? “Well, I guess if someone stays with you…” “Agreed.” She hugged her father’s arm to seal the deal and led him toward his truck. “But if I let you go home, I want you to promise me something.” Syd checked on Max. He’d dropped back to stay in step with them and was intently listening to every word. Wouldn’t he have said something by now if he knew she’d meant to screw-up? Wanting to leave him far behind, she hurried to the passenger’s side. “Promise what, Dad?” She hadn’t used the Dad word this often since she was five years old. “I think Jason should come to your birthday party tomorrow.” Skeller tipped his head toward the shifter. “It’s a small family get-together. No big to-do.” Huh? She’d expected promises of taking it easy or calling her mother, but nothing about her party. Heck, in all that had happened the past few days, she’d completely forgotten about her birthday. Yet
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knowing her father, he had a reason for bringing up the occasion, and she got the impression his reason wasn’t a good one for either of them. “Your birthday’s tomorrow?” Jason smiled at her and started to get in beside her. “Stop right there.” Syd held her breath. Oh, no. Here it comes. Skeller’s up to something. “You’ll ride in the bed, boy. I don’t think I can tolerate much more of your cologne.” Syd released her breath and giggled in relief. Looking relieved, Jason nodded and jumped over the side to land gracefully in the bed. Her father put the truck in gear and rattled on about her party. She relaxed against the seat and turned her head to look out the window, almost ready to believe they’d dodged a bullet—both figuratively and literally. At least, until her gaze met Max’s angry one. Max rested against his truck and watched them pull out of the parking lot, and her stomach turned over with a sickening feeling. e Jason checked the address again and studied the two-story frame house. So this is where Syd’s family lives? He glanced around the typical suburban neighborhood of modest cookie-cutter homes and welltended lawns and tried to imagine a block party filled with gun-toting hunters, their wives and little hunterwannabes carrying imaginary rifles and playing Hunters and Shifters. Sheesh. What would my brother, Daniel, or the rest of the pack think? Would they have me committed if they knew what I was about to do? If they did throw me in the loony bin, I wouldn’t blame them one bit. This time, he’d be walking into a den of hunters under his own steam. Although Syd had reassured him that her family would never harm her if they knew the truth, he’d have to make sure she’d stay safe. Jason shook his body to lessen the tension setting up shop in his neck then marched to the front door. “I am certifiably crazy.” If anyone had told him he’d be walking into a hunter’s home a week earlier, he’d have laughed himself silly. Yet, here he was, heading straight into who knew what. Daniel, if only you could see me now. He chuckled, amazed at what love could make him do. But Syd was worth going through any hardship, even walking into a nest of killers—again. He took a deep breath and pushed the doorbell. Please let Syd open the door and not her father. He didn’t have to wait long before he heard someone unlatching more than one dead bolt and, at last, turning the knob from the other side. A short old woman, her skin as wrinkled as a Shar-pei puppy, stood in front of him, hands fisted on her hips, with a cigarette hanging out the corner of her mouth. Her icy stare threatened to puncture holes right through him. This woman is definitely a Skeller. Nonetheless, Jason flashed his most endearing smile at her and stuck out his hand.
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The old woman sneered at his outstretched hand without offering her own and resumed her stone-cold perusal. “Who’re you and what ’cha want? Mind you, I ain’t buying nothin’.” He dropped both his hand and his smile. Ah, yes, the Skeller charm. “I’m Jason Cannon, Syd’s friend. Her father ordered, uh, invited me to her birthday party. Syd came earlier to help her mother and─” “All right, all right. I don’t need to hear your life story.” She humphed at him, twisted around and yelled at the large crowd of people behind her. “Hey, Grissy. You invite some stinky outsider to your daughter’s party?” At least I know the couple of gallons of bad cologne I bathed with covered my shifter scent. Everyone turned toward him and stopped talking at the same time. Shit. This is what Skeller calls a small family gettogether? He scanned the group, but couldn’t find her. “Uh, could I speak to Syd, please?” “Ooh…and a polite one, too. Smelly, but mannerly. Now where the hell is my moron of a son?” Faster than any elderly woman he’d ever known, Grandma Wrinkles hooked him by the arm and dragged him inside. “She’s around here somewhere. Best you get to know her family first. Are you the boy she’s bonking?” He stammered, unsure how to answer the intrusive question, and decided not to try. She pulled him along with her, parting the crowd, to scurry through the screen doors leading into the backyard. “Grissy! Where the hell are you? I don’t have time to waste trying to find your sorry ass.” Jason winced at the strident call, thankful his human ears didn’t have the sensitivity his wolf ears did. “If we could find Syd instead─” “Nonsense. My idiot son will show you around. I got better things to do than find your squeeze for you.” For once in his life, Jason Cannon, shifter and leader of his pack, felt sorry for a hunter. With a mother like her, no wonder Skeller wanted to murder someone. The only question was why Skeller hadn’t committed suicide to get away from the terror he called his mother. “Ma?” Skeller stepped out of the throng of partiers and rushed over to them. “Stop the hollering. I’m right here. And don’t call me Grissy.” Wrenching him from his mother’s grip, Skeller yanked Jason to his side and did his own version of The Club on his already aching arm. “Shit, son. Don’t you ever take a break on the cologne?” Jason started to answer, but lost his train of thought when the hunter spun him around to face yet another senior citizen. “Mother Yates, this is a friend of Sydney’s.” Where Grandma Wrinkles had exuded a hard-as-steel personality, this tall, slender lady radiated a welcoming glow. Although she had weathered skin like Skeller’s mother, the spark in her eyes discounted any appearance of old age. Here was a woman of class and charm—a true lady.
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Jason offered his hand and she enclosed it with both of hers. She smiled wider, brightening her features even more, and her eyes twinkled at him. “You’re a friend of Sydney’s? How wonderful to meet you. I’m her grandmother, Gloria. Sydney’s mother, Miriam, is my daughter.” Like I couldn’t have guessed. This woman’s definitely no Skeller. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Yates. I’m Jason Cannon.” He covered her hands with his free one and tipped his head to her. “Please, call me Gloria.” “All right. Only if you’ll call me Jason.” He waved at two bees buzzing around his head. Damn things must love cologne. “Syd’s father invited me.” He tried to shoo the bees away. Instead, two more joined the first little stingers. “But he said this was a small family thing. I guess the party grew, huh?” Her laugh was a cheery bell he immediately liked. “Oh, no. This is only a fraction of the whole family.” She laughed again at his surprised expression. “The Skeller and Yates families are very large. Even when you get just a few from each side together, it turns into quite a large group. Large in other people’s terms, of course.” She stepped closer and coughed. If he stank, why did all these people want to get close to him? He started to ask, but she cut him off when she whispered conspiratorially in his ear, “I hope you’re a strong man because you’re going to need every ounce of strength in you. You’re about to meet some more of the Skeller family. Please remember they’re only half of Sydney’s family.” Jason, who’d tucked his head to listen to her, lifted his gaze and saw an odd group approaching. An overweight tattoo-covered young man led two men in camouflage—please tell me birthday parties don’t include going on a hunt—and two obese women in tight flowery dresses, each with a baby on one hip. His gaze fell on the bare feet of the women and he fought to keep from gaping at them. Can you say, “You might be a redneck if your wife is a barefoot baby factory?” How in the world did someone like his beautiful, educated Syd come from a group of hillbillies? Before they got any closer, Gloria moved away and waved a plea to forgive her for leaving him in their clutches. Tattoo Man reached him first, took one breath of Jason and held his nose. “Holy shit. Uncle Gris wasn’t kidding. This sucker stinks.” The balding camouflaged hunter took a whiff and choked on the smell. “Damn, man. You smell worse than four-day-old road kill.” Like they didn’t have a rotten hunter smell? Or was that hillbilly stench? Jason bit his tongue and kept the observation to himself. Where the hell was Syd, anyway? “Y’all quit being rude.” The largest of the women wiped the baby spit off her hand and reached out to shake Jason’s hesitant one. “Don’t mind them. We heard you have a thing for bad cologne. Guess someone has to buy the cheap stuff, huh?” She pumped his arm, making the flabby skin of her underarm wave its own greeting.
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“I like it.” The other woman, whose red lipstick was her sole attempt at makeup, reached over to stroke his arm. “Besides, when a man looks like you who cares how he smells? Hey there, I’m Tildy.” Baldy gawked at Tildy. “Are you shitting me, woman? Then how come you make me take a bath before coming to bed? Huh? Answer me, woman.” He bellied up to her, pushing Jason out of the way. If he’d had a bell, Jason would’ve rung in the first round of Sumo Wrestling Country Style. “It’s different. You reek of grease, oil, and B.O., Bubba. Not cologne.” “I work for a living, woman, and that means I get dirty.” Tattoo Man crooked his head to the side and gestured for Jason to follow him. “Forget them, man. They’re our poor relations from Arkansas. They came out here to get jobs and help Uncle Gris kill evildoers.” He paused to study Jason. “You know about the monsters, right?” Jason, thankful to Tattoo Man for taking him away from the quarrelling kinfolk, couldn’t help but grin. “You wouldn’t believe how much I know.” “Cool, man.” Again, the redneck studied him and Jason wondered if he’d said too much. Tattoo edged toward him and whispered, “Can I trust you, man?” Curious, he leaned in and nodded, intent on hearing the guy’s secret. “You bet. What do you have in mind?” “I’m holding. If you’re int’rested.” Tattoo patted his rear pocket and surveyed the mob around them. “Holding what?” In reality, Jason didn’t care—unless it was a gun. He crooked his neck to get a glimpse what the man had. Tattoo’s snort answered his question. “Oh, you’re holding drugs. What kind? Pot? E?” “Naw, man, you don’t snort pot or E. I’ve got primo blow. You want some?” What a great bunch of relatives Syd has. Maybe introducing her to the pack wouldn’t be as much of a culture shock as he’d originally thought. She might even think she’d moved up in the world. “I appreciate your willingness to share, but I’d better stay straight.” Tattoo scrunched up his face in disgust. “Share? Hell, no, man. I’m offering you good stuff for a good price.” Great. Syd’s cousin is a drug user and a dealer. Priceless. “Oh. Then definitely no thanks. I’m tapped out.” “Suit yourself, man, but you’re missing out on a good thing.” Jason shrugged and tried to look disappointed. “My loss, I guess. Thanks, anyway.” He saluted and stepped away. Tattoo held up his fingers to form an L in front of his forehead and pointed at him. With an unintelligible grumble, he shuffled to the other side of the yard.
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Ri-ight, Tattoo. I’m the loser. Snagging a Coke—the legal kind—off a nearby picnic table, Jason decided to head inside to track Syd down. If he didn’t find her soon, he’d get the hell outta this House of Hunters. Other relatives—including an oversexed teen who flashed her boobs at him—tried taking his arm to slow him down, but he politely shook them off and kept moving. He needed time to regroup. Time to think. Time away from these nutty people. Besides, hitting a moving target was harder than hitting a stationary one. When he thought no one was watching, he ducked through a swinging door and into the brightly lit kitchen, leaving both the insanity of the backyard and the bees behind. Platters of refreshments sat on the island counter and he breathed a sigh of relief. He picked up a glass of what he hoped was iced tea. Yet, after what he’d seen, who knew what was in the glass? Glad to be alone for a minute, he blew out a puff of air, decided to take the risk, and gulped down the drink. Thankfully, it was tea. “Damn, what I wouldn’t give for a cold brew. These people are freaks.” “If you’ll help me with this pot, I’ll get you a beer.” He sputtered the second gulp and wiped the drink off his chin. Syd’s mother, Miriam, rose up from behind the other side of the island. “They are kind of hard to take the first time you meet them. Oh, and the second and third time, too.” She tossed him a dish towel to mop up the splatter on the floor. “I imagine they’re especially hard for you to take.” Grateful to have something else to do rather than look at her, he bent over and cleaned up the mess. “Sorry, I didn’t mean what I said.” “Yes, you did.” He straightened up, ready to get blasted and, instead, she gave him a knowing smile. Still, insulting Syd’s relatives wasn’t the best way to get to know her mother better. “Don’t worry. I understand.” She put a finger to her lips and lowered her voice. “The first time I met Griswold’s family I almost ran for the hills. But once I thought about it, I realized the hills were probably lousy with even more of his relatives.” He grinned at her and nodded. “I thought I was getting punked when I came through the front door.” She laughed and gestured him closer. “Like I said, help me by lugging this pot out of the lower cabinet, and I’ll fetch you a beer.” She caught his reaction and held up her hands, palms out. “Sorry. I guess I should watch the words I use around you. Sometimes I use humor to cover up other feelings.” “It’s all right. Just don’t start throwing sticks.” He lifted the huge cooking pot to the stove while Miriam got a wine bottle from the wine rack and expertly pulled its cork. “How about a nice red wine instead? After all, I’m fixing spaghetti and meat sauce for dinner. Do you like spaghetti? Or is it meaty enough for you?”
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He accepted the glass she offered him and they clinked their goblets together. “I love it. And meat sauce is a must.” He winked, letting her know he could kid with the best of them. “Touché.” She took a sip and filled the pot with water. “Must be my Italian ancestry because I love making spaghetti for a big crowd.” At his questioning look, she explained. “I know. Yates doesn’t sound Italian and it isn’t. My family changed their name a long time ago. I guess they wanted to sound more American.” “I see. Well, you’ve sure got the crowd for some major cooking.” “Oh, this little group? You should see Thanksgiving around here.” She tilted her head at him. “Will you be around for the holidays, Jason? Or is my daughter a fling on the other side of the fence? Is this a game shifters play? You know. Bed a hunter’s daughter?” Her perusal became more intense. “Mark a hunter’s daughter?” Obviously, the comedy part of the show was over. Now came the drama. He swallowed his last sip and placed his glass on the counter. “I don’t know if I’ll be around for the holidays, but I’d like to be. However, if your husband and his fellow hunters ever find out about me, I may not live long enough to see the turkey on the table.” Placing both hands on the counter, he leaned toward Miriam and enunciated his words. “Like I told you before. Syd is no fling. She’s my mate. No matter who her family is or what they do.” Miriam dropped spaghetti into the pot, stirred it around for a moment, then stopped to study him further. “Your mate. Whew, I’m not sure it’s sunk in all the way yet—to me or to Sydney. And if that wasn’t enough, she’s definitely going to─” “Mrs. Skeller─” “Call me Miriam.” “Miriam, I don’t get it. You know what I am and yet you’re not telling your husband. Why not? Why aren’t you screaming bloody murder? For my murder?” He couldn’t grasp it, but something was up. Miriam had to know more than what she was saying. “Is it because you know I bit her?” He couldn’t quite say the words and she’s going to become a werewolf to her mother. Not yet. She drank a sip of her wine, appeared to steady herself, and took another moment to think before she answered him. “I know my daughter cares about you, says she loves you. And you love her. Am I correct?” “You can count on it.” He sought out her eyes, hoping to reinforce the truth through the gesture. “Syd and I have gone through a lot together in a very short time. I love her, Miriam.” “And I love him.” Miriam’s gaze went to the door behind him and he spun on his heels to find Syd standing at the door. Letting it swing shut behind her, she crossed over to him and into his welcoming arms. “I’m happy, Mom, and I hope you can be happy for me. For us. But trust me. Nothing and no one is going to come between us.”
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Miriam reached out to take her daughter’s hand. “Are you sure, honey? After all, he is what he is. Which means─” “Which means I am what I am now. Are you saying you don’t think we can make a go of it? Are you saying you want me out of your life because I’m a…you-know-what?” Syd’s body tensed next to his and he could hear the plea and uncertainty in her voice. However, she stood taller in her defiance, ready to defend her new life and mate. Miriam downed the remaining wine in her glass and clutched the empty glass to her chest. “Sydney Skeller, don’t ever question my love for you. You’re my sweet girl and I’ll always want you in my life.” Although she pointed a finger at her daughter to chastise her, the emotion in her face left no doubt of her affection. “I know you two can make a go of it. In fact, I know it better than you do.” “What do you mean, Mom?” But Miriam continued without answering Syd’s question. “The big problem is making sure no one outs Jason to your father. He and his hunter buddies can never know his true nature.” “What’s this about Jason’s true nature?” Miriam’s glass slipped out of her fingers and shattered in the sink. They swiveled to face Skeller coming through the door. His expression was unreadable and Jason prepared for the worst. “I asked a question, Miriam. Why are you talking about outing Jason?” “Griswold Skeller, stop sneaking up on me.” Her mother scowled at him and picked up the pieces of broken glass in the sink. “I didn’t sneak up on anyone. Still…tell me why this is the second time I’ve caught you three in a huddle.” Sydney exchanged an exasperated glance with her mother. Skeller had a knack for catching the three of them together. “We weren’t in a huddle. We were simply, uh, talking about going out after the party. That’s all.” “Bullshit.” Skeller strode to his wife and took over picking up the shards of glass to toss into the trash. “Did you cut yourself?” “I’m fine, Griswold, and watch your language.” Syd could tell her mother tried but couldn’t keep the irritation out of her tone. The question she had was whether or not her mother was more irritated at her father…or herself for getting caught again. “Really, Skeller, it’s nothing. Jason wants to take me to this new club downtown where his friends hang out.” Skeller finished cleaning up the breakage and washed his hands. “Uh-huh. I see. His friends.” Anxiety started a five-mile lap up and down her neck. Syd glanced at her mother and Jason and saw the same uneasiness on their faces. “Yeah. His friends. No big deal.” She made a funny face to lighten the
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mood. “After all, he’s spending half the day cooped up with all my wacko relatives. The least I can do is spend some time with his kind.” Crap. Why’d I say “kind”? “I know what kind of friends you’re talking about, Sydney.” Her father crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow. “I know all about his true nature.” Her apprehension cranked up speed, warping into neck-breaking fear. “You do?” She hoped he hadn’t heard the quiver in her voice. “You bet I do. I’ve known from the moment I met him.” “You have?” No way. If her father had known, he’d have plugged Jason right then and there. Syd took Jason’s hand and squeezed it. If he was about to face the music, she’d do it with him. “But how, Skeller?” “Oh, come on, little girl. I’m not stupid.” He slammed his palms down on the counter, his stern expression making her feel like a scared kid again. “Didn’t you think I could tell?” Syd nudged Jason, urging him to prepare to run. “I guess I thought we’d covered it up.” “You didn’t. By the way, all the cologne was a dead giveaway. And the kiss at the hunters’ lodge? Please, I’ve seen wet-behind-the-ears horny boys kiss a girl with more enthusiasm.” “Hey, now wait a minute.” But Jason’s protest was lost on her father. “Nope, I didn’t buy it for a minute.” He ran his gaze up and down Jason. “And now it’s time to ’fess up and bring it all out in the open. Once and for all.” Her father pushed away from the counter and put his back to them to dig around in a drawer—the drawer where he kept a pistol. Syd shoved Jason toward the door. Jason, however, wouldn’t move fast enough. “Will you pick up your feet? You’ve got to get out of here. Move, man, move!” Her heart thumped wildly in her chest. Why wouldn’t he run? “Stop right there!” Jason halted in his tracks, bringing her to a stop, too. He tossed her a wink before his face grew serious again and he turned to confront her father. “Mr. Skeller, this isn’t the time or the place. You can do what you will with me, but leave Syd alone. She’s still your daughter no matter what I am.” Syd kept her gaze on the man she loved, reveling in his courage. Wow, if I hadn’t thought he was sexy before, I sure do now. Too bad it’s right before he’s about to die. “Well, of course she is.” Her father’s chuckle surprised her. Yet what he held in his hand surprised her even more. Instead of a gun, he held out a credit card. She gaped at him, trying to figure out what was about to happen. “A credit card?” Did her father think he could slice up a werewolf with plastic? “Here, take it.” He tossed the card onto the counter and waited for someone to pick it up. “What’s with you guys? Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to look a gift horse in the mouth?” “You said you knew my kind.” Jason’s voice sounded a lot stronger than Syd felt.
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“Sure I do.” Skeller motioned at the card again. “Hell, you think I bought that metrosexual phooey? Give me some credit.” He chuckled and pointed at the card. “Even though I’m the one giving Syd the credit.” When he kept gesturing to the card, she finally walked over and picked it up. “So what do you want me to do with this?” “I want you to treat Jason at this club of his.” “Huh?” “Good grief, what’s the matter with you? Consider it my way of thanking him for watching out for my little girl last night.” If dropping jaws could make any noise, the explosion in the room would have deafened people twenty miles away. “Really?” Syd looked at her mom, who shook her head in mystification. Okay, Mom’s no help. “You know what he is and you want me to treat him to a night out?” “Of course. Why not?” Skeller ran his hand over his face. “Why are you all acting so weird? You know I’m not homophobic.” Jason made a choking sound before taking a step toward her father. “I’m a homosexual? I’m gay?” The giggle coming up from Syd couldn’t be restrained even when her father walked over to take her lover—her shifter lover—into a big bear hug. “Hey, son. You don’t need to hide it any longer. No straight man, not even those strange ducks you called metrosexuals, would ever wear the amount of cologne you do. But you’re Sydney’s friend and her judgment is good enough for me. At least now I understand why she feels safe with you. Come on. I’ll show you how okay I am with what you are.” With Jason’s mouth hanging wider, Skeller kept his arm around his shoulders and pushed him through the swinging doors. Syd and her mother followed behind them to find her father, his arm still wrapped around the stunned shifter, standing in the middle of the living room. “Listen up, people! I have an announcement.” Skeller’s voice boomed over the noise and music. Someone shut off the music and everyone grew quiet. “In case you don’t already know, this here is Sydney’s friend, Jason.” Jason lifted his hand in a half-hearted way before twisting his head around to Syd. With a tortured expression, he mouthed the words, “Kill me now.” “Anyway, I’ve heard a few of you making some comments about him and my little girl, and wondering how close they are. Well, let me make this perfectly clear. Jason is Sydney’s good friend—but he’s just her friend—and we don’t care if he’s gay and wears a shitload of cologne. He’s welcome in the Skeller household and in our hunters’ group even if he does stink to high heaven.”
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Some of her relatives clapped and hooted at the announcement, while others simply nodded knowingly. Syd clamped a hand over her mouth in astonished yet relieved silence. In the space of one afternoon, Jason had gone from being her lover to her gal pal.
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Chapter Seven
“I have never had anyone—anyone—think I’m gay.” Syd tried to resist the temptation to tease Jason. Still fighting the urge, she slid out the passenger’s side of the car and smothered her giggle. “Let me get this straight—oops, sorry—you’d rather have my father know you’re a shifter than to have him think you’re gay?” Jason took her hand in the secure possessive way couples who’ve been together for years do and led her across the street toward the Hideaway. Syd basked in the comforting glow the familiar gesture gave her and glanced up at the yellow neon light—the one sign on the black building with dark tinted windows. “Of course not. My best friend’s gay. But—” “It bruises your ego for someone to believe this hunk of a wolf is anything but heterosexual, right?” “No, not true. I couldn’t care less what your family thinks. It’s just…I don’t like the idea of some of the ladies thinking I’m not interested in the opposite sex.” Syd yanked his arm, propelling him around to face her. “Why the hell would you care if the ladies think you’re interested in women or not?” She poked her index finger in the middle of his chest. “Are you interested in other women? Am I not enough? Besides, I thought wolves took one mate for life.” He grabbed her finger to stop her assault. “Do you have to poke me? I’m not looking around.” Pulling her to him, he enveloped her with his arms and nuzzled her ear, shooting hot flames of desire through her abdomen. “You are more than enough woman for me, Sydney Skeller. And yes, wolves mate for life. Even this wolf.” She tilted her head up to check his expression. Yup, he was serious. “Okay. Then no more worries about who thinks what about your sexual orientation, got it?” “Got it.” “Sheesh, I never would’ve believed it. Jason Cannon, king of the one-night stands and the most infamous player wolf of all time, wrapped around a female’s little finger.” Syd followed the voice to see a rather thin man with fire-engine red hair smirking in the doorway. With a flamboyant gesture, he flicked a speck of lint from the front of his silk shirt. Silk slacks, along with very expensive loafers, finished his ensemble, making Syd think she was woefully underdressed for what Jason had called “casual fun with friends”. “What the hell did you do to your hair now?” Jason released his hug on Syd, but laced his fingers through hers again.
Howling for My Baby
A dramatic shocked expression replaced the small man’s smirk. He delicately touched his redderthan-red locks the way a prissy girl would. “I needed a change, is all. We girls have to keep you brutes guessing, you know. You mean you don’t like it, sweetie?” He waved his fingers at Syd’s locks. “Looking at little Miss Cutsie there, I’m thinking you do like redheads.” “Uh, I’m more of a coppery brunette.” Syd didn’t know what to make of this rather odd stranger. Jason chuckled. “Actually, I prefer sassy brunettes. But I do like real redheads. Not the ones who look like they dumped a bucket of orangey-red food coloring over their heads. And don’t call me sweetie.” He jerked his thumb at his friend. “Syd, this embarrassment to the Cannon pack is Benjy Boudoir.” At Syd’s chuckle, he added, “Yes, you heard correctly. That is his real name. Benjy, this is my mate, Syd Skeller, the future co-leader of the pack, so behave yourself. She may not have the tolerance I do.” Benjy’s face underwent several changes. Stunned silence was the first emotion and easily discernable. Then came surprise, followed by an emotion she couldn’t identify. Possibly jealousy? But why would Benjy envy her? After several seconds, however, acceptance came to him and a wide smile stretched his thin lips. “Well, color me blown away. And I’m not talking about anything to do with my jolly johnson.” Benjy skipped over to her, grabbed her by the arms, and proffered an air kiss on each side of her face. Once he’d finished with her, he slapped Jason on the arm in a coquettish fashion. “Did you say she’s your mate?” Syd nodded along with Jason, unsure of what to expect next. She squeezed Jason’s hand, letting him know she needed help understanding this intriguing creature standing before her. “You got it, Benjy. We’re mated.” “I guess this means a wedding is in your future?” Syd caught her breath and looked at Jason. Sure, she knew they were mated, but she’d just assumed werewolves didn’t do human-style weddings. Suddenly, she felt very shy and waited for her man to answer. Jason grinned down at her. “Of course it does. If she wants one. Although we’re already married in my mind.” She didn’t have to think before answering. “Yeah. She wants one.” Grinning and no longer shy, she grabbed Jason and kissed him. He kissed her back, long and hard. She’d expected a reaction along the lines of congratulations from Benjy, but got something totally different. Instead of wishing them well, Benjy struck a defiant pose, hands on his hips, and thrust his chin out at Jason. “Well, don’t think this is the end of our affair, my little stud muffin. Once you get tired of playing with the female, you’ll come running home to me.” Jason and Benjy? Did her man swing both ways? She turned to Jason whose eyes had changed from dark warm chocolate to sparkling amber. “Knock it off, Benj.” He set his gaze on her. “Don’t believe anything he says. Benjy’s joked around like this for years and he knows I hate it. Don’t you, buddy?”
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Unfazed by the warning, the lithesome shifter humphed and pivoted toward the door. “Whatever you say, Jay-Jay.” He flashed his fangs at the bouncer guarding the entrance to prove he was a werewolf. With one last flirty toss of his hair, he was inside the club before Jason could utter a protesting growl. They attempted to follow Benjy, but the huge bouncer blocked their way, then leaned over to sniff her neck. Although she wanted to run, she held her ground. Jason bared his teeth and the big man stepped aside. “Enter.” If the outside of the club was less than spectacular, the inside made up for it. Dark forest green leather covered every booth, chair and mahogany barstool while a twinkling chandelier adorned the mosaiccovered ceiling. A small stage, equipped with theater lights and an accompanying sound system built into the walls, stood guard over a black-and-white checkered dance floor. Tea lights glittered on the walls, creating a magical atmosphere. Beautifully dressed couples skimmed along the floor, dancing to a lively tune played by a band similar to those of the jazz club era. Syd glanced at her faded jeans and T-shirt and cringed. Slapping Jason on the arm in a perfect imitation of Benjy’s earlier slap, she whirled and started for the front door. He stopped her. “Hey, hold up. What’s wrong?” Syd ran her eyes over his attire and gawked at him. “Can’t you see? We’re not dressed for this kind of place. Why didn’t you tell me? I thought we were going to a neighborhood bar. Not a place like this.” They’d stopped at his condo to let him shower off the cologne and gather some of his clothes to take to her place. “We could’ve put on something more appropriate. I could’ve worn a dress and heels.” “I guess I didn’t care how we were dressed.” He shrugged in dismissal. “Besides, you look more beautiful in jeans than any of these ladies do in their fancy garb.” Damn it. How does he always manage to say the perfect thing? I have a right to get mad, don’t I? But oh, no. He goes ahead and spoils it for me. She fought to stay upset, but knew she’d lose the fight. “Thank you for the compliment. However, words don’t change anything. Let’s get out of here.” “Don’t worry. Shifters are great about not judging a person by the way they dress. Hell, if they had, my brother would’ve gotten tossed out of the pack. Trust me. They may look stodgy all dressed up, but they’re a terrific group of people. And a lot of fun, too.” “Still…let’s go, okay?” She could sense the others studying her. In a futile attempt to hide, she tried to keep her face averted. “Is everyone here a werewolf?” “Yes, they’re all shifters and nope, we’re not going anywhere. I brought you here to meet my friends and we’re not leaving until you do.” Wow, a week ago I hadn’t even seen my first werewolf. Now I’m in a shifter club, arm-in-arm with my werewolf lover and surrounded by a bunch of them. Talk about a major life change. She protested quietly yet forcefully while he tugged her along with him, through the people on the dance floor and onto the stage. Bright spotlights blinded her for a moment, granting her a little reprieve
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from the staring crowd. She ducked her head, hoping to see the floor opening up underneath her. Where was a trap door when she needed one? Jason motioned to the band leader to stop the music. When the last note had died away, he turned to the group and took the microphone from the lead singer. “Attention, everyone!” I am so going to kick him in the balls the first chance I get. Syd held her breath and dared to lift her head for a peek. Every person had stopped whatever they were doing and were locked onto Jason—and her. With a quick intake of air, she tucked down her chin and pretended she was an ostrich lost in the desert. “Everyone, this is my mate, Syd Skeller.” A shiver of excitement ran through her. He’d formally introduced her as his mate, not just to one friend, but to the whole group. Would she ever get used to hearing those words? Yet instead of applause or cheers, a low murmur wafted up to her. Surprised by their lack of greeting, she lifted her head in defiance and tried to shoot her meanest, squintiest eyes at them. Had Jason called these people “accepting”? I think not. Well, if they’re going to treat me like this, they have another thing coming. She covered the mike with one hand and hissed at him. “See? Go ahead. Tell me they hate me. Why else do you think they’re all talking really low and not saying anything loud enough for me to hear?” He looked at her, a smile playing across his lips. “You don’t understand. They’re not trying to be rude. If your transformation had progressed further, you could hear what they’re saying.” “Pff. Would I want to? If it’s unflattering, I’d rather not, thank you very much. Not that I couldn’t take it, mind you.” The furrow on his forehead deepened. “What they’re saying is very nice.” He shrugged and started to walk off the stage. “But since you don’t want to know…” All the bravado she’d kept restrained rushed out of her. She grabbed him before he took another step. “Wait a sec.” She dropped the fierce expression and suddenly wished she could see the expressions on the dark figures in front of her. “They’re saying nice things? Are you sure? Tell me.” “Oh, I see. Now you want to know, huh?” At her nod, he relented. “Okay. They’re saying how pretty you are and how you must be something special if Jason Cannon’s finally settling down.” “They are?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you telling me the truth?” “I swear I am. Well…at least most of them are saying good things.” “Most? You mean some of them aren’t?” Syd swallowed and got ready for the worst they could throw at her. “Like what? Go ahead. I can take it.” “Nothing about you personally. But a few of the females aren’t very happy to know you landed a hunk of a hound like me. A few of them are my former, uh, girlfriends. For lack of a better word.” Curious, she peered around her, trying to make out the jealous women. “Really?” “Yes, really.” He took her hand off the mike. “Can we bring up the house lights, please?”
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After the lights came up, Syd could make out the faces of the people. A couple of the females glared at her with envy and stiffened bodies. Yet, the majority of the audience smiled or waved when she looked their way. “Hey, Jason!” Benjy waved from the side of the room. “How about we give Syd a little initiation into the pack?” Cheers broke out around her. “Initiation?” What kind of initiation did werewolves have? A little walk on the wild side? A moonlight streak in the buff? “Yup. You gotta go through the initiation. After all, a pack is a close-knit club and all clubs have initiations.” Jason pulled her closer and held her against his strong body. “Don’t worry. You’re going to have fun. Trust me.” “I do wish you wouldn’t say ‘trust me’ so much.” A man jumped on the stage, his long coat tail flapping behind them. Jason tugged her backward a few steps, letting him take command of the mike. “Let’s do it, people. All contestants for the howling contest on the stage, please.” Syd watched, fascinated by the men and women who walked onto the stage. Changing, they tossed their clothes aside, shifted to wolf form, and made a straight line across the rear of the stage, placing her and Jason in the middle of the line. “Oh, wow. First I’m surrounded by naked people and now I’m surrounded by wolves.” Jason kissed her on the cheek and started removing his clothes. “The more I think about it, the better your idea sounds. We’ve got to find a way to make our clothes disappear.” Before he’d finished speaking, his conversion was complete and he rubbed against her. “I don’t think Syd’s ready to morph yet,” he said to the George Clooney look-alike announcer. Although he was in his wolf body, he spoke using his human voice. “I don’t think Syd’s ready to morph yet.” “I’m not? But how do you know? How will I know I’m ready?” “Don’t fret about it. Just let nature take its course.” “Oh. Good to know.” She’d guessed right when she’d assumed she’d change without any effort on her part. Like when she’d matured into puberty. Too bad waiting wasn’t something she did well. The Clooney Clone, who’d remained in his human form, nodded and turned to the mike again. “Okay, we’re ready for the howling contest. Please note. Syd will receive handicap points because she’s a newbie and hasn’t had a transformation yet.” I get handicap points? For a howling contest? She shook her head, trying to understand how she was supposed to howl when she hadn’t changed even one time. I hope they gave me a whole mess of handicap points. “First up. Tayla!”
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A beautiful gray female approached the front of the stage, lifted her head and let out a long plaintive howl. The howl carried on for several minutes and, when it ended, the crowd broke out in appreciative applause. The announcer hugged Tayla around the neck, then pried her off him when she quickly shifted and locked her arms around his muscular torso. “Awesome, Tayla. Terrific. The others are going to have to bring out their best stuff to beat your performance. Our next contestant is Howie. With a name like Howie, he’d better excel at howling, don’t you think?” The crowd laughed at his joke as Howie, a scraggly wolf half Jason’s size, crept up to the footlights. He glanced around the room, waited until the laughter died off, and raised his head. Although his body was reed-thin and weak-looking, his howl was full-throated and possessed a great power. When Howie finished, those still in human form hooted while the wolves barked. “Well done, friend,” praised the Clooney Clone. The rest of the contestants filed forward, one at a time, until only Jason and Syd remained. Jason rubbed his snout against her and trotted to the front of the stage. Without hesitation, he sat down on his haunches, glanced out one of the high windows dotting the top of the walls, and raised his head toward the soft glow of the moon. The sound, masculine with a sexy undertone she knew was meant for her, ripped through the club, filling every corner, every ear with rich tones. Men’s jaws ground in obvious jealousy while the women showered him with adoring looks. He came to an abrupt stop, leaving a deafening silence, and no one dared to speak. Even the announcer took time to give his own quiet tribute before clapping his hands in thunderous ovation. Following his lead, the crowd erupted in booming applause, along with a combination of barks, yips, and cheers. Jason bowed and returned to stand next to Syd. “Gee, thanks. I haven’t even shifted yet and I’m supposed to follow you? No, thanks. I’m not making a fool of myself.” In the seconds it took for her to start down the stage steps, Jason transformed and gripped her arm to bring her toward the mike again. “Oh, no you don’t. It’s your turn. Close your eyes, forget about everything and everyone else, and let your inner wolf run wild.” He winked at her and pulled on his jeans. “Trust me.” Syd mumbled under her breath, “Trust you, my ass.” Laughter greeted her declaration and she blushed when she realized they’d heard her. Note to self: Watch what you say around shifters. Regrouping, she faced the mike, scanned the people before her and took a big breath. She closed her eyes and released a breath, following it with several more. She tried to envision herself in wolf form, calling to the moon glowing in the night sky. Slowly, a tingle crept into her body and she forgot everything except the image of the moon behind her eyes. Without a worry about how she would sound, she lifted her chin, threw back her head—and howled.
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She wasn’t sure how long she bayed or how loud she was, but she felt wonderful. Exhilarated. Fulfilled. Free. When her breath finally ran out, she opened her eyes and found everyone staring at her. Oh, shit. Had she screwed up without realizing it? Why were they looking at her like she’d done three somersaults and landed flat on her butt? Yet at the moment she was about to flee, applause equaling the praise given to Jason shook the room. She smiled, unsure if they were simply being polite to a newbie, and stepped away from the mike. The announcer, however, had a different idea. He scooped her around the waist and positioned her in front of the mike again. “I don’t think we need to vote, do we?” Resounding agreement reverberated around her. “Good. Then, ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce the winner of tonight’s howling contest is…Syd Skeller!” Yowls, woofs, and cries of congratulations surrounded her. She tried to understand what had happened. “I won?” “You sure did. I don’t think I’ve ever heard any newbie howl better.” Syd’s mind froze and her gaze met the brilliant blues of Clooney Clone. He held her to him, leaving no room between their bodies, and bent over to whisper in her ear. “I’d love to take you home tonight.” I bet he gets his pick of females to take home every night. She gulped, trying to force the clog in the rear of her mouth down the rest of her throat. “Uh, I, uh, can’t.” His hot gaze seared into her. She sensed he searched inside her for the right answer. “Of course, you can.” “No, she can’t.” The handsome announcer released her without warning, nearly causing her to fall over. In fact, released wasn’t the right word. Shoved was more like it. “Hey, Jason. Sorry, man. I guess I forgot she was taken. After all, she’s a beautiful woman. You know how it is.” Shrugging, he put on an innocent expression. Jason’s upper lip lifted in a challenge. “Then maybe you need to take a memory course before your lapse of brainpower winds up getting you torn apart.” His upper lip lifted higher in a mocking sneer. “You know how it is.” He mimicked the announcer’s shrug and expression while his eyes glowed with a deadly threat. Ducking his head in submission, Clooney Clone scooted backward and bowed. “Yes, I most certainly do.” Without waiting to see Jason’s reaction, he whirled and dashed off the stage. Her lover turned to her with a self-satisfied smirk on his lips.
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“I think I could have handled him myself, Jason.” Who does he think he is? My guardian? Although another part of Syd experienced a tiny zing of excitement. She’d never admit it, but having a man protect her felt pretty darn good. “No, you couldn’t. He’s a healthy male shifter who could wipe the floor with you. Except wiping the floor is not what he had in mind. If you know what I mean.” Syd squirmed at the truth in his words, but held her head high with dignity. “Yeah, I know what you mean. He showed me a little attention and I liked it. I wouldn’t have done anything with him, of course, but it’s nice to know a handsome guy like Clooney Clone is attracted to me.” “Clooney Clone?” He didn’t bother to cover his amusement. “Oh, well, whatever his name is.” “His name’s Dillon and he can’t be trusted. In case you ever need to know.” Is this a strange conversation or what? Syd shrugged and hurried toward the steps. Jason scooped her from behind and lifted her off her feet before hurrying down the stairs. The crowd dispersed to allow them to pass and Syd tried not to take offense at their giggles and snickers. “What do you think you’re doing?” Ignoring her question, he carried her into an empty room where boxes were piled on top of other boxed supplies. He crushed his mouth to hers and slid his hands under her short top to cup her breasts. She arched upward and he obeyed her silent command. Pulling her top over her head, he threw it to the floor and ripped the lacy bra away. She sighed when he brought her nipples to his mouth, pushed her breasts together, and suckled her. She moaned and reached for his jeans. “I like a man who knows what he wants. But now you owe me a new bra.” His words muffled against her skin and his tongue swirled over her budding tits. “This man knows what his woman wants and I don’t mean a new bra. A little attention from a handsome man coming up.” He halted, startling her out of her enjoyment. “You do consider me handsome, right?” “Not at all.” “What?” She laughed at his hurt expression and took his face between her hands. “Fishing for compliments, are you? Jason Cannon, you aren’t merely handsome, you’re downright eatable gorgeous.” “Well, if you’re hungry, feel free to chow down. And I do mean down.” She chuckled at his joke and tugged his jeans free while he did the same with hers. Gripping her bottom, he lifted her and placed her on top of one of the boxes. Thank goodness I didn’t have the cheeseburger I wanted for lunch or this box would squash flatter than a pancake. She spread her legs wide and wiggled her wetness against his growing erection. “Ooh, I love a man who goes commando.”
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“Then let’s make it mutual.” Twisting the side of her panties around his fingers, he yanked the material away. Note to self: Join the lingerie club at the department store. I think I’m going to go through a lot of underwear with this guy. Wrapping her legs around him, she used them to ensnare him. “Is this my prize for winning the contest?” “You got lucky, woman. I wasn’t in my finest form tonight.” She glanced down, watching him maneuver his shaft into her. She gasped and dug her nails into him, helping him push himself deeper and harder. “You could’ve—yes, fuck me!—uh, fooled me.” He pumped into her with slow strokes and she threw back her head. His growl warmed her collarbone and she twisted, offering her neck to him. Would he bite her again? If he did, she’d try to bite him back. Whimpering her delight, she clutched him and matched his rhythm. “Hey, Jason? Syd?” Syd smacked one hand over her mouth and the other over Jason’s and shook her head emphatically. Taking her hand off his mouth, he grinned at her and answered anyway. “The place better be on fire, Benjy.” Oh, crap. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be him? The laughter in her throat broke free and she covered her mouth with both hands. “Oh? Am I interrupting something?” Whispered words told them Benjy wasn’t alone on the other side of the door. Jason winked at her and lowered his pitch to a warning tone. “I’m warning you, man.” “Okay, okay. Don’t get all hot and bothered. Oh, wait. You already are.” Syd bit her lip to keep from laughing louder while Jason grinned and rolled his eyes. “Benjy, you’re pushing me.” “Maybe I’m pushing you, but I know who’s pumping you.” “Man, I’m warning you one last time.” “Oh, calm down, big guy. But make it quick because they want to give Syd her trophy.” Oh, hell. Sometimes you have to take the bait. “Benjy?” Jason bent his head and studied her, knowing something was up. “Yeah?” She gave Jason a wink much like the ones he’d given her. “I’ve already got my trophy.” She could hear Benjy’s laughter even over Jason’s guffaws. “Oh yeah? I guess you have. But Syd?” “Yes?” “The one out here is bigger.” She choked on her sputtered giggle. Jason started to pull away, but she held on to him.
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Howling for My Baby
“Why you little─” Jerking him to her, she wiggled her eyebrows and shushed him. “Maybe, but I bet it’s not as hot!” “Good one, girlfriend. I’ll tell the crowd you’ll be there as soon as you’ve finished polishing your first trophy.” “Will you two stop?” But Jason’s grin contradicted his irritation. “Are you sure you and Benjy haven’t met before tonight?” Unable to control herself any longer, she fell against Jason and laughed until she cried. e Max stood outside the nondescript bar called the Hideaway and waited for Sydney to come outside. He’d followed Sydney and the metrosexual guy from her birthday party—for which he hadn’t received an invitation—to this place. Three hours had passed since she’d entered, yet he’d stay in his position all night if he had to. How could Skeller have allowed his daughter to go anywhere with this guy? Something about Jason Cannon was wrong. Max Tiller could feel it in his bones. He wasn’t in love with Sydney—he never had been—but he wanted her back. He wanted her married to him, making him Griswold Skeller’s son-in-law and thus securing his future leadership position in the hunters’ organization. Besides, Syd was smokin’ hot. Once he taught her how to obey her man and keep her mouth shut, he’d have her popping out little hunter kids in no time—all while serving his every need. He crouched behind the wall of the building across from the club when yet another couple exited and strolled down the street. At last, he heard Sydney’s voice. Peeking around the corner, he waited for them to approach their car. “Can you believe I won?” “Like I said, you got lucky.” Sydney pranced around Jason and held the statue of a wolf, its head held high to bay at an unseen moon above her head. “Lucky? I don’t think so. It says right here, ‘Best Howler’. Luck didn’t have a darn thing to do with it.” Jason scowled at her, then changed the scowl to a grin. “Admit it, Syd. You never would’ve beaten me if they hadn’t given you a major handicap.” “Maybe not, but them’s the rules, bucko. You’re just mad because I haven’t shifted yet and I still beat you.” Shifted? Did Sydney actually say shifted? Cold hard hate raked through Max. She kissed the trophy and held it out to Jason. “Don’t be mad, okay? I’ll even let you hold it if it’ll make you feel better.” “Gee, thanks.”
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She inclined her head in a slight bow. “I am nothing if not gracious in victory.” Risking exposure, Max leaned a little farther and studied Sydney closer. Was she drunk and just foolin’ around, saying things she didn’t mean? Or did she actually look different? Jason held the car door open for her. Yet when she started to slide into the seat, he wedged her between the top of the car and the door and pressed his body next to hers. “I am not mad.” He ran the tip of his tongue over her lips to send bolts of pure rage streaking throughout Max. “I’m proud of you. And, by the way, when you howled, you did shift. At least a little.” Sydney did shift? If she had, wouldn’t it mean she was a…? Yet Max couldn’t, wouldn’t accept the horrible thought. “Wait a sec. I did? Are you sure?” Oh, hell. Max ground his teeth together and waited for the answer he didn’t want to hear. What would Skeller say if his daughter had gone over to the beast side of the night? He had to fight to keep from shouting at her. How had she been turned? His gaze darted from Syd to Jason. If she was a werewolf, he’d bet his best rifle that creature was the one who had dragged her into the darkness. He gripped the edge of the brick wall and mentally kicked himself for not bringing a gun. But who could have guessed the night’s events would lead him to two werewolves? Jason slipped a hand under her T-shirt and cupped her breast, making Max ground his teeth harder. He didn’t know how much more of this revolting display he could tolerate. “When you started howling, I saw your fangs start to sprout and tuffs of hair popped out along your neckline. Plus, your fingertips grew a little and sharpened on the ends. It was sexy as hell.” Max’s knees threatened to buckle under him and he gripped the wall to stay on his feet. Head down, he tried to sort through everything he’d heard. He still had trouble believing it. What the hell was going on? What had Sydney gotten herself mixed up in? “Hey, you two love pups, where you off to? The night’s still young.” The new voice brought his head up to see a skinny male join Jason and Sydney. Was this guy another shifter? He had to be. Max shuddered, thinking about the disgusting animals standing less than twenty feet from him. “We’re headed to my place.” She held up her trophy and shook it at the bone-thin shifter. “Is this cool or what?” “Definitely cool.” The redheaded one ruffled Jason’s hair and received a snarl for his gesture. “Especially since you beat out the reigning champion.” “Watch it, Benjy. Remember she had a shitload of handicap points.” “Well, la-di-da. Look whose snout is out of whack. But your excuse won’t fly. They didn’t even bother counting the points after she ended her howl. Miss Sydney here was the pack’s favorite, paws down.”
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Saliva ran in Max’s mouth and the tension in his body stiffened him. It’s true. Sydney is a shifter and running around with the hounds from hell. I have to tell Skeller. “You’re way off base, Benjy. I’m proud of my girl.” Vomit raced into Max’s mouth almost before he could keep from throwing up. His girl? “Tell me, Miss Cute Toot. What’s your father think of Jason? Does he know you’ve mated? What pack does your family belong to?” Benjy pursed his lips and struck a fist on his hip. “Are you two keeping secrets from your BFF? You know. Your best furry friend? Hmm?” “No secrets here.” Jason opened the door wider to let Sydney into the car. “You’ll have to stick with reading the gossip rags for your conspiracy theories.” He patted Benjy on the cheek and walked around to the driver’s side. “I take it you didn’t find a young wolf to hook up with?” “Nope, not a one. They were all either too old, too young, or too sloppy. Hey, don’t change the subject. Ya gotta give me some info about Ms. Thang’s family.” “The only thang you need to know is we’re mated. End of discussion.” Jason paused and turned toward the building where Max hid. “Did you hear something?” Max ducked farther into the darkness, putting his spine flat against the wall. Now was not the time to get caught. “Uh, yeah, I heard something all right.” “What was it, Benjy?” Max held his breath and again wished he’d remembered to pack a gun. At least he had his knife on him. He reached into his jeans pocket, brought out the switchblade and flicked it open. The blade wouldn’t be much help against two—no, three—werewolves, but at least he’d go down fighting. “I heard deception and deceit. And two people trying very hard to keep me from finding out about Syd’s family. I wonder why?” Max heard Jason’s laughter and decided to get out while he could. Careful not to disturb any of the refuse in the alleyway, he sneaked down the corridor and around the rear of the building. Safely out of hearing, he ran for his car parked a block away. Once there, he didn’t waste any time getting on the highway and heading straight for Skeller’s home. Along the way, he tried to convince himself he’d imagined everything he’d seen, but he couldn’t find any other explanation. The truth was the truth no matter how he sliced it. Not bothering to park in the driveway, Max skidded the car to a stop parallel to the house, bumping his tires against the curb. He’d barely managed to turn off the ignition before he flung his body out of the driver’s side and hit the ground running. “Skeller! Open up!” He bounced back and forth on his feet and continued to pound on the door. When his pounding didn’t produce the result he wanted, he started stabbing his thumb at the doorbell. “Skeller, it’s Max. Come on, man, it’s important.”
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A disgruntled Skeller threw the door wide and stepped over the threshold, pushing Max backward a step. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Do you realize what time it is?” “Let’s go inside. I need to talk to you. It’s important and not something you want the neighbors to hear.” Skeller scrutinized him for a moment before motioning him inside. Signaling to keep his voice low, Sydney’s father led him into his den, crossed to his desk and sat in the cheap leather chair. “Okay, go ahead. What’s so damned urgent it couldn’t wait a few more hours until morning?” Max flopped in the chair in front of the desk. The adrenalin that had kept him going full force poured out of him, leaving him exhausted. “I’ve got something you need to hear, but I’m not sure how to tell you.” “Just spit it out. Two o’clock in the morning isn’t the time to pussyfoot around.” He fixed his sight on the paperweight at the edge of the desk and tried to think of a way to ease into his story. Finding none, he gave up and forged ahead. “Shit, I wish I could figure out the best way to say this, but I can’t.” He looked up, wanting the older man to see how sincere he was—or at least how sincere he could act. “You know how much I care for Sydney. Believe me. I’m torn up about this. But you’ve got a right to know. Hell, you need to know.” “Crap, will you get to it already?” Max swallowed, scrunching his features into a deep frown and stared into Skeller’s concerned face. “Sydney’s a shifter.” He waited for the outraged, disbelieving response of a loving father receiving traumatizing news about his one and only child—and got nothing. Zilch. Nada. Maybe the man was in shock and couldn’t react? “Did you hear what I said?” Skeller hunched forward to place his forearms on the desk. “Yeah, I heard you. I was trying to figure out if you’re drunk.” His cold gaze bored into Max. “But you don’t act drunk. Then I figured I must’ve missed some kind of holiday. Like April Fools’ Day. Or Kid Your Favorite Hunter Day. Because if this isn’t part of some stupid holiday prank, I’m going to get my gun and shoot your balls off.” Suddenly, the composed man was gone. Skeller stood up in one quick movement and moved around the desk to pull Max to his feet. “You woke me up in the middle of the night to call my daughter a dirty name.” Spittle flew from the irate man’s lips. “No one says anything bad about my little girl.” Wrapping his arm around Max’s shoulders, Skeller propelled him toward the door. “However, since we’re friends, and you and Sydney once had a relationship, I’m going to let this pass. But don’t let it ever happen again. Got it?” Max ducked out of the arm hold to rush to the opposite side of the room. “I’m not kidding. I’m serious. You remember her new friend, Jason?” “Sure, I do.” At once, the angry expression morphed into a sympathetic one. “Oh, is that what this is all about? Don’t worry, son, he’s not a threat to you. He’s gay. If you’re thinking he’s going to take her away from you, you can rest easy. He’s not any competition.”
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Howling for My Baby
“No, man, you’ve pegged him all wrong.” Skeller ran his hand over his chin and returned to his chair. “Max, buddy, I outted him before my whole family. Look, I know it upset you when Sydney didn’t invite you to her birthday party, but don’t let it get to you. You know how women are. Give her a little time, a little space, and she’ll─” Max picked up a glass frog from a nearby table and threw it against the wall, shattering it to pieces. “What the fuck are you doing?” Skeller advanced on him, ready to tear him apart. If the elder hunter had held a gun in his hand, Max had no doubt his balls—or what was left of them—would’ve been splattered on the wall. “Are you on drugs or something? You know how Miriam loves her frog collection.” Max bent to retrieve the pieces and hoped his skull didn’t end up cracked wide open. “I’m sorry, but you need to listen to me.” “Forget cleaning up and get the hell out of my house before I lose the last bit of control I have left.” Slowly he rose to confront Skeller again and pulled out his last chance to convince him. “I followed Sydney and Jason to a club tonight.” “Yeah? And? He took her to meet some of his loosey-goosey friends. He took her to a gay bar. What of it? Can you think of a safer place for a woman?” “He took her to a bar, all right.” At the hard glint in the man’s eyes, Max continued with more fervor. “I saw her outside the bar where she and that Jason guy talked about how she shifted tonight. Did you hear me? She shifted.” “You misunderstood, Max.” “No, man, I didn’t.” “Did you see her change? Or Jason?” “No, but—” “That’s what I thought. Look, Max, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but it’s not working.” Skeller walked toward the door. “Get the hell out right now and we’ll forget this whole conversation ever happened.” Yet, even though the man tried to hide it, Max saw Skeller’s indecision and pounced on the opening. “Listen to me. I saw them kiss and it wasn’t any old friendly kiss, either. I smelled him, man. I got a big whiff of his wolf smell and one of his buddies stunk the same way.” Skeller’s gaze narrowed on Max. “You’re wrong. Besides, who can smell anything over all the cologne he bathes in.” “Have you ever thought maybe he pours it on for a reason? Like maybe he’s trying to hide another, even worse smell?” “I can’t believe this.”
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Max recognized the slow dawning of acceptance in Skeller’s eyes. “They’ve played us, man. Hell, they played the whole hunter group. She’s gone over to the beasts.” He reached out to place a comforting hand on the older man’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to say this, man. Sydney is Jason’s ma─” Skeller’s hand was around his neck before he’d finished speaking. “You lie. I know you want her to marry you, and she’s turned you down. But I never thought you’d try this kind of filthy trick. Take it back.” “No. I can’t.” He croaked out the words with what little air he could force through the chokehold around his throat. “I swear it’s true.” He continued to struggle with the shorter yet stronger man, watching Skeller’s face for any sign of acceptance. At last, the man tossed him away to land with a thud against the wall. Skeller’s features twisted into a mask of torment. “I need proof. I can’t, I won’t believe my daughter’s one of those things without proof.” Coughing, Max sputtered out his plan. “Then I’ll get proof.”
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Chapter Eight
“I don’t know why I let you talk me into this.” Syd wiggled in her seat between the two men and glanced at Jason who sat staring straight ahead with a hangdog expression. She smiled at the term. “Where is this place anyway? And why didn’t I get this birthday surprise, you know, like on my birthday?” “I told you. I didn’t get it in time. Besides, can’t a father give his daughter another present? Who cares if it’s a little past her actual birthday?” Skeller adjusted his visor, shielding his eyes from the afternoon sun. Something’s not right. Syd could sense it and knew Jason felt it, too. Plus, the furtive glance her father sent Jason didn’t calm her jangled nerves. “Still…I don’t understand why you insisted I come along. Isn’t this a thing between a father and his daughter?” Jason asked the question he’d already asked several times before. Again, Skeller didn’t answer. Syd heard the growl in Jason’s tone and shot him a warning glare. Even if her father was a hunter, he didn’t have to act grouchy around him. “At the risk of sounding like a kid, can I ask…are we there yet?” Normally her father would have laughed at her corny joke. Yet this time, he kept his gaze on the road and nodded. Now I know something’s off. Skeller ignored Jason’s question. “It’s not much farther.” He wiped one of his palms on his khaki slacks, lending more support to the troops blowing bugles to sound the alarm inside her brain. She was about to ask more questions when her father parked his pickup in front of an unfamiliar aluminum-sided building. The place looked deserted, giving her the impression of an abandoned military base. Oh, this is so not good. “We’re here.” Skeller opened his door and waited for them to pile out. Since when had her father ever waited for anyone? He always steamed ahead, letting anyone with him trail behind. “Okay. But where is here?” Her heart thumped an irregular rhythm. “Is this another place where your hunter friends meet?” All the signs came together to hit her squarely in the chest: her father wearing the khaki slacks he always wore to hunter meetings, his insistence to drive the truck he drove to meetings, and the presence of rifles behind the seat. Why hadn’t she seen the signs before now? Her father was ready to hunt shifters. Would Skeller try to trap them into going on another hunt? She laced her arm through Jason’s and held on. “Uh, Dad, I’m not feeling well. I think maybe we should postpone, uh, whatever it is you have planned.” Seems like she’d used the Dad word a lot lately—and always when she was in a bind. But a girl
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had to use whatever tools a girl had. Even if that meant using the heartstring feelings she knew her father held for her. Yet she wasn’t prepared for his hard stare, which wrung out her own heart. “I don’t doubt you’re sick—what with you hanging around Mr. Fragrance Factory. But no, little girl. Other people are waiting inside and they’ve put a lot of work into this surprise. You’re not going to disappoint them.” At his command, the guilt welling up inside her dissipated in a flash. Damn. Can you bark louder, Skeller? “Sheesh, is this a present or an order?” Jason studied them a moment and Syd was sure she could see the wheels whirring in his mind. “I think Syd’s right. Her health comes first. Let’s do this another day.” Her father’s hand on her other arm left no room for any argument. Still, she could tell he tried to keep his voice level and light—and failed miserably. “Sydney Skeller, you will not be rude. Imagine what your mother would say. Let’s go.” “Which begs the question…where is Mom?” “She couldn’t make it.” Skeller’s rough tug on her arm made her lose her grip on Jason. She reached for him again, but missed. With Skeller pulling her along, she twisted around to send him a questioning look. Would he follow them? If not, how could she blame him? He watched her, his cold stare speaking volumes. At last, however, he began to follow them. “I’m doing this for you, sweetie.” With those fateful words, her father shoved her through the front door and into a large room. A dozen or more men and women turned their direction like one monstrous human welcoming committee. Without hesitating for a greeting, Skeller propelled her forward, breaking through the throng and into the center, until the group formed a circle around them. Oh, hell. This is not a déjà vu I want to experience. Fear scratched at her throat, yet she couldn’t make a sound. Fortunately, she could hear—and smell—Jason near her, and could sense the silent warning signals he sent her. “Mr. Skeller, what’s going on?” Jason spoke softly, yet his words held a deadly edge. She wondered if her father would pick up on the veiled threat. “Hey, Sydney. How’s everything with your new lover-boy?” She twirled, seeking out the man she dreaded seeing. Max, dressed all in brown fatigues, stepped to the center and sneered at her. “What’s going on, Max? Haven’t we already been here and done this?” He laughed a cruel laugh. “Funny, Sydney.” His features hardened into a scary mask. “We’re here to return you to the daylight, Sydney. If it’s not too late, if you’re not one of those things, we’ll welcome you back into the human race.” He glanced at Skeller before returning his hard gaze to her. “However, if it is too late… Well, you know.”
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Howling for My Baby
Panic dried her mouth, yet she wouldn’t give Max the satisfaction of knowing she knew what he meant. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She chanced a peek at Jason, who’d planted his feet wide, ready for action. “My daughter’s not a shifter no matter what Max says.” Her father rotated to look everyone in the eye. “That’s what this is all about. We’re going to prove she’s not a shifter. Even if he is.” He pointed at Jason with the accusation diverting the crowd’s attention away from her. She darted her gaze between her father and Jason, and tried to keep the terror inside her from taking complete control. How could any father do this to his daughter? “Skeller, don’t be crazy. Jason’s no more a shifter than I am.” She held her breath and hoped the lie wouldn’t show on her face. “I saw you, Sydney. I saw you and this beast outside the club he took you to. You had a trophy, remember? What was it for? Oh, yeah. For being the Best Howler.” Max raised his voice, letting his words sink in. The group responded, talking among themselves and scrutinizing her and Jason. As horrible as their scrutiny was, however, the underlying murmur was worse. Max stepped closer to Jason. “You still stink to high heaven. But at least the cologne stench is better than shifter stink.” Jason threw her a meaningful look and answered him in measured words. “Your opinion, man. Still, at least this way I don’t have to smell you.” Several men near Max chuckled, only to have him glare them into silence. “You think you’re funny, huh? I wonder how funny you’ll be when your hide is hanging on my wall.” Jason’s lips twitched upward at the corners. “Not as funny as you’ll be when I pick my teeth with your bones.” A muffled shout caused everyone to turn and glance at the door, but when they didn’t see anything, they returned their attention to the engaging scene before them. “See? His true colors are showing. He’s talking like a werewolf.” Max crowed, pointing at Jason. “Didn’t I tell you he was one of them?” Syd’s heart skipped a beat before it started dancing hip-hop in her chest. Somehow she had to get them out of here. “No, no, Max. You misheard him. He said he’d like to use a toothpick on your sexy bones. As in teeth are like bones? And remember, he’s gay.” She ignored Jason’s low growl and hurried on, “Besides, you know you have a problem with dental hygiene.” Wow, Syd. Pretty lame. “Huh? What the hell are you talking about?” Since her joke didn’t pan out, Syd went into Plan B. Without thinking about how she might appear, she started laughing in a shrill hysterical titter. “Jason, a shifter? Oh, Max, you always were a funny guy but, come on. Jason? A shifter? A nasty, vile, disgusting creature like a werewolf?” She took her surprised
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mate’s chin in her hand and shook his face. “Now I ask you, ladies. Can you see this handsome, sweetfaced man changing into a big bad wolf?” She looked at the women, hoping to see them agreeing with her. Instead, the women ogled Jason like he was the new centerfold for a pinup magazine. Shit, wrong question for the wrong group of girls. She sneered at the women hunters. Without a doubt every one of them would hightail it into a cave with him if he wiggled a paw their way. Of course, they’d never admit it. Damn, not only did she have to keep the men from skinning him alive, she’d have to keep the women from eating him alive. e Oh, for the love of a good manicurist, you’d think I was part cat. Bleck. Benjy tiptoed up to the military-style building to peek through the tiny window in the front door. He’d had misgivings about hiding under a tarp in the back of Skeller’s truck when Syd, Jason, and Skeller had left Syd’s apartment, but now those misgivings had grown into loud retorts of absolute certainty. Curiosity killed the cat and this old puppy might be going down the nosey drain, too. “I cannot believe Jason walked in on his own two feet. Couldn’t he smell the hunter odor? The place absolutely reeks of it. Then again, he probably couldn’t smell anything with all the cologne surrounding him in a fog of stink.” He wiped the grime from the glass and pressed his nose to the pane. “Jay-Jay, sweet man, why the rank perfume and why are you messing with hunters?” Shifting enough to strengthen his eyesight and hearing, he watched Syd’s father pull Jason and Syd into the middle of the hunters. The group swallowed them, obscuring his view. “Oh, piddle-poop, how am I supposed to know what’s going on with all those bodies in the way? Move, people, move.” He puffed out a breath of air, moved his heels up and down to relieve the stress building in his calves, then silently gave thanks for all the hours of ballet. Yet instead of dispersing, the crowd huddled closer together, penning his friends in the middle. Shit. What is going on in there? Benjy frowned, caught his reflection in the one clean spot of glass, gasped, and consciously smoothed his features. After all, getting wrinkles wouldn’t help Jason or Syd. “My daughter’s not a shifter no matter what Max says. That’s what this is all about. We’re going to prove she’s not a shifter. Even if he is.” Benjy rolled his eyes. Denial, thy name is Daddy. A flash of memory reminded him of the night he’d given his parents a double whammy by telling them he was both gay and a werewolf. Could he help it if his first excursion into the down-low had involved a homosexual werewolf? “Skeller, don’t be crazy. Jason’s no more a shifter than I am.” Benjy tsked at Syd’s lie. Although, if I were in her situation, I’d be lying my ass off, too.
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Howling for My Baby
“I saw you, Sydney. I saw you and this beast outside the club he took you to. You had a trophy, remember? What was it for? Oh, yeah. For being the Best Howler.” Ooh, what a strong voice. Who is this Mr. Honey Mouth? And most important of all, how do I meet him? Please, oh, please tell me he’s not this Max person. He stretched up higher, darting his gaze around the throng. Oh, goody, he gets into spying. I wonder what other games he likes to play? Benjy fingered his lower lip, remembering the sound Jason had mentioned outside the club. Ah, there’s one small mystery solved. “You still stink to high heaven. Although the cologne stench is better than shifter stink.” Benjy choked on a stifled laugh. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. At least Jason’s stink washes off. “Your opinion, man. But at least this way I don’t have to smell you.” Good one, Jay-Jay. Benjy danced around in a circle, delighting in the barb. “You think you’re funny, huh? I wonder how funny you’ll be when your hide is hanging on my wall.” He jumped back to the glass, afraid of missing a single word. He knew Jason wouldn’t let Mr. Big Mouth—forget I ever called you Mr. Honey Mouth—get away with anything. “Not as funny as you’ll be when I pick my teeth with your bones.” “You tell ’em, Jay-Jay.” Benjy fell against the door, ducked as several hunters swung around to stare in his direction, and breathed a sigh of relief when apparently no one saw him. Be careful, Benjy Boo, or they’ll string you up by your fluffy gorgeous tail. “See? His true colors are showing. He’s talking like a werewolf. Didn’t I tell you he was one of them?” Oh, crap, Jason’s ass is in big trouble. He scurried away, then stopped. Could he leave Jason and Syd in there? If he ran and got help, would they return in time? But what could one frail, albeit ingenious, wolf do? What a time to forget his phone! “I have to help them.” Taking two purposeful strides forward, he paused, anxiety slamming him in the gut. “I do, don’t I?” Did he? No one knew where he was. He could leave and no one would know. He thinned his lips and concentrated. No one would know—except him. “My balls are used for lovin’, not killin’, and I fear this is no time for bravery.” He glanced around and wished he had someone to help him do what he knew he had to do. “Damn, Benjy Boy, you’ve hung around with Hero Jason way too long.” With resolute determination, Benjy marched to the door, checked inside to make sure the hunters still had their attention on the poor souls in their midst, and pushed through the door. Luck was with him—finally!—when not one of the hunters bothered checking out the sound of the opening door. Taking advantage of their focused attention on the people trapped in the center, Benjy scooted his body through the crowd. For added protection, he deepened his voice and muttered barely loud
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enough to be heard, “’Scuse me, buddy. Uh, sorry, ma’am. Coming through.” Please, don’t let them smell me! After several agonizing moments, he made his way to a ringside position at the show. Jason stood in the middle of the circle, his brilliant, mesmerizing eyes blazing away, his body language a challenge to the handsome, shorter hunter. Is that Max? Well, I can’t say much for his hairstyle, but he does have a kind of somethin’-somethin’ about him. Benjy studied the familiar-looking, squarely built man before him. So this was Mr. Big Mouth? A smile lifted his spirit. Take away his military drab rag, and put him in a nice mesh shirt and tushy-tight yellow shorts, and this was no mere hunter. This hunter was also the lead dancer at the hottest gay bar in town, Boys’ Toys. I should know—I’ve stuck enough dollar bills in his waistband to buy the Italian shoe boutique I’ve always dreamed of owning. Yet he didn’t have time to reflect on Max’s alternate identity. Not with all the tension stirring to a fever pitch. “Jason a shifter? Oh, Max, you always were a funny guy but, come on. Jason? A shifter? A nasty, vile, disgusting creature like a werewolf?” Syd took Jason’s chin in her hand and shook his face, bringing a big grin to Benjy’s face and a confused scowl to Jason’s. “Now I ask you, ladies. Can you see this handsome, sweet-faced man changing into a big bad wolf?” Syd paused and waited for a reaction from the women. “I’ll bet once you get the cologne washed off him, he’ll smell even nastier with shifter shit on him.” Max raised his arm and waved toward the other side of the room. “Take him to the showers!” To Benjy’s horror, the hunters closed in and surged toward Jason. Carried along with the crowd, Benjy managed to work his way outward, driving his body off to the side and away from his friends. Without meaning to—or had he?—he ended up next to Max. Hunters, shouting threats, grabbed a struggling Jason and carried him toward another room. Syd’s father clutched her, keeping her with him. They followed the mob taking Jason but stayed a foot outside the shower room door. I’ve got to do something. Benjy bit off a manicured fingernail and tried to force his brain to work. Think, gorgeous, think. What would Jason do if he had to rescue me? His friend, his leader of the pack, would tear the place apart to keep him safe. He lifted his gaze and dared to glance at Max. He might not be the biggest hunter Benjy had ever faced, but he wasn’t willing to find out if he was the strongest. No, he needed to use his mind, not his brawn. Fortunately for Jason and Syd, Benjy possessed a large quantity of brainpower and additional body power while in wolf form. Taking Max by the arm, he shifted enough to give him the added strength he needed. Although the confused Max cursed and tried to yank free, Benjy managed to drag him toward the shower room’s entrance. Diverting to the side of the entrance, he shoved the startled hunter into a nearby coat closet.
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Benjy quietly closed the slatted door, his other hand still clutching the shirt of the very irate hunter. “Shush, Josephine Boner, or I’ll scream rape.” Max froze at the mention of his stage name and Benjy almost giggled at the frightened expression on his captive’s face. “Uh-huh, sweetie. You guessed it. I know who you are.” Benjy tripped his gaze up and down Max’s body. “Or should I say, who you really are?” The hunter’s mouth fell open at the mention of his role at the gay strip club. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Shush. Keep your voice down. You wouldn’t want the other hunter folk to know we’re in here.” He batted his eyelashes and was rewarded to see the man cringe. “Or would you?” Max shook his head violently. In fact, if he shook it any harder, Benjy was afraid it might come unhinged. “No.” Lowering his voice, he answered again. “No. Please.” Benjy paused to listen to the ruckus from the next room. Splashing sounds mixed with curses and shouts. Obviously, Jason was putting up a good fight against his attackers. “Josephine Boner, I hate to say this, but I am desperately disappointed in you. First, you don’t recognize one of your best customers.” He leveled his gaze to Max’s crotch. “And, if your snub wasn’t bad enough, your buddies manhandle my best friend, toss him into a shower, and are probably an inch away from skinning him alive.” “I can’t help you.” Max pushed his back against the wall of the closet, putting what little distance he could between them. “Oh, I think you can, honey-bunny. Because if you can’t, I’m going out there and exposing you. First, as a transsexual go-go dancer, and then as a wolf lover.” He leaned toward the cringing man, blew him a kiss, and tittered when the hunter squealed. “No, leave him alone!” Syd’s desperate cries could be heard above the ruckus. “Jason! Skeller, don’t let them hurt him. Please!” Benjy shifted to bring out his fangs. “I’m not much on outing fellow alternative lifestyle enthusiasts, but I’ll do it to save my friends. Besides, cute or not, I still don’t like hunters. So, unless you want your macho man image blown”—he wiggled his eyebrows—“you’d better move your sweet ass and help them.” Max’s eyes grew large. He wrenched the door open, tearing it off one of its hinges, and stumbled out of the closet to dash toward the shower room. Syd and her father gaped. Meanwhile, Benjy skipped toward the front door, waving and throwing them kisses along the way. “Never fear, Syd, my dear. Benjy Boudoir was here.” “Benjy?” Syd struggled against the iron lock her father had on her arm. “What the hell are you doing here?” Her father gawked at the skinny shifter. “Another one? You know another werewolf?” He took her other arm to twist her to him. “How many of those animals do you know?”
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His friends were about to hurt her lover, and he had the nerve to call them animals? “Skeller, let me go!” Throwing her arms up and outward in a spiral, she jerked out of her father’s grip and dashed into the shower room. Jason stood in the middle of the hunters, dripping wet. She knew from the bloodied faces of the three hunters at his feet, that he hadn’t gone under the water without a fight. “Jason!” His murderous gaze swiveled from the hunters in front of him toward her. Fangs protruded from his teeth and his hair continued to grow longer and coarser. His shirt shredded away from his expanding chest while his trousers ripped open at the seams. Angry amber eyes darted from her to the people moving cautiously toward him. “Sydney, baby, once you see what he really is, you’ll understand why we had to do this.” Her father was beside her again, yet this time he didn’t bother trying to hold her. When had everything gone wrong? When had her father found out? Had her mother told him? No. Max was responsible for this. Hadn’t he mentioned seeing her at the club? Jason’s growl sent her adrenalin pumping into high gear. “You have to stop them.” She confronted Skeller, pleading and demanding at the same time. “Stop them. For me.” Her father stared at her in disbelief and, in a split second, Syd knew she couldn’t be related to this man. How could her father let someone she loved die? Amazingly, his answer echoed her thoughts. “I’m letting them do this for you, Sydney. After he’s taken care of, we’ll figure out the rest.” Another snarl had her whirling around to find Max standing at the other end of the room, his face a mask of anguish. Why didn’t he jump into the mix? Wasn’t this whole horrible idea his? Yet instead of joining the attack on Jason, Max shook his head at her and motioned for her to stay back. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. Yeah, like I’ll do anything you tell me to do. She screamed—howled?—and threw her body at the stout woman in front of her. They hit the floor together and rolled against the legs of another hunter, bringing him down on top of them. His weight landed on her ribcage, knocking the air from her. Vaguely, she wondered why she didn’t feel any of her bones breaking. In fact, if she didn’t know better, she’d swear her ribcage had grown bigger, stronger. An answering growl and yell resounded through the room, but Syd had to keep her focus on the two hunters on top of her. The woman’s expression changed from hatred to fear, and the male hunter stared at her as though her head had split open to spew out tiny three-headed aliens. A power, unlike any zap of adrenalin she’d ever experienced, surged through her. Gulping a gallon of energy drinks would pale in comparison. Syd grinned and crooked her head to get a glimpse of Jason. But what she saw surprised her more than anything she’d ever seen. Max stood between the mob of hunters and Jason.
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Is Max defending Jason? Naw, I must’ve taken a major whack to the head. Syd blinked a couple of times, turned back to punch the woman in the mouth, and checked her vision again. Yup, he’s fighting for Jason. Max stood with his feet planted apart in an unmistakable come-and-get-me challenge. Like Babe Ruth at bat, he held up a chair leg and whipped it back and forth, daring the hunters to come near him. Behind him, a confused Jason reversed his shift-in-progress and changed back into human form. No, don’t change back. Run like a wolf, Jason. Run while you have the chance! Syd opened her mouth to call to him, yet instead of the words she’d meant to say, out came a high-pitched roar. She stopped, darting her gaze to the hunters on top of her who had stopped scrapping with her. The woman fell off her, letting the man yank her away. They both gaped at her in revulsion. Who do they think they are, anyway? Sure, her hair must be a mess and her clothes were torn and dirtied. But what did they expect in a fight? For them to look at her with such repugnance was more than simple rudeness. “Hey, you two don’t look so hot, either, you know. Don’t throw stones until you take a glance in a mirror. Or however the saying goes.” She rose and tried to adjust her oddly ill-fitting clothing. A numbing trepidation spread over her and she straightened up to pivot in a clockwise circle. The bulk of the hunters had surrounded her. She looked past the hunters and saw Max pulling a struggling but obviously tired Jason through a side door. Yay! Jason’s getting away. Relief spurted new energy into her tired body. But the relief was shortlived once she realized what was happening. Now she’d become their intended victim. Alarm blasted another surge of power through her and she wheeled around to find her father. He stood beside her, inside the circle of hunters, shaking his head, his features scrunched together in grief. With the movement of an old man, he slowly lifted his arm and pointed at her. “Oh, damn it, Sydney. It’s true. It’s really true.” She glowered at him, too worn out to interpret his meaning. “I’m what? Spit it out, Skeller. If you haven’t noticed, I’m in a bit of trouble here. A little help would be nice.” Why did he act like he didn’t understand her? His glazed-over eyes cleared seconds before the hunters started advancing on her. “You changed.” She growled—growled?—at the crowd inching closer to her. “What’re you talking about? I don’t have time for guessing games. Could you lend me some support, please?” Her father studied the group once more and shook his head again. However, this time his eyes grew clearer and a new determination settled on his features. “Stand off, everyone.” He strode toward her and placed his back to her. “Sydney’s my daughter and I’ll take care of her. No matter what she’s become.” “A shifter’s a shifter, man. Doesn’t matter whose kid she is.” A dirty man with a couple of teeth missing spat his words at her father and sneered at Syd. “We came here for a kill and we’re going to get one.”
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“How do you know I’m a shifter, huh?” Syd fisted her hands on her hips and challenged them. “You can’t prove anything. What is this? Guilt by association?” Now that Jason was safe, maybe she could bluff her way out. “I told you to stand off, Rufus. Sydney, be quiet. We can’t understand half of what you’re saying anyway.” Her father moved to stand beside her. Taking her hand, he directed his next statement to Mr. Toothless. “Maybe it’s only temporary. Maybe she won’t change all the way.” “I changed?” Syd couldn’t help but rejoice. “See? She can’t even speak like they can.” The woman she’d fought laughed, pulled a mirror out of her pocket and tossed it to Syd. “Are you trying to be funny, Skeller? Her face is all the proof we need.” Syd caught the mirror and checked her reflection. Tuffs of hair ran along her jaw and brought her gaze to the small fangs sticking out over her lips. The amber spots twinkling in her blue eyes caused her heart to skip a beat. “I shifted.” Grinning like a kid in a candy store, she looked at her reflection again. “I did it. I really shifted.” “We know a shifter when we see one.” The woman moved a step closer, readying her body to attack. Okay, maybe this wasn’t the best time to celebrate her newfound identity. Syd made a face at the woman and tossed her mirror back. “Uh, I guess it’s a bit late to tell you about my unwanted hair problem, huh? Oh, and my overbite?” The woman ignored her and motioned for the others to move in. “O-kay. Would ya believe I’m a magician? I’m going to a gig later on and thought I’d practice─” The yank on her arm spun her around and she stumbled along with her father as he pummeled his way through the ranks of the hunters. Even though he was only one man—one human man—he fought with the strength of ten, making a path through the circle. Once outside the group of shouting hunters, he pushed her ahead of him toward the same door Max and Jason had used for their escape. Syd shoved her way outside to the parking lot. e “Oh, bless my cute furry butt, what have I done?” Benjy danced around, biting his nails while he kept watch on the building. Why did I trust a hunter to save Jason? He wrung his hands, caught sight of a chewed fingernail and sighed, distracted for a moment from the disaster happening to his friends to the disaster of his mangled manicure. A loud crash inside the building returned his attention to the more urgent problem. Instead of helping them escape, Max-bitch is probably in there helping them rip Jason’s heart out. Then he’ll sic those
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bastards on me before I have a chance to spill my guts about his alternate persona. He blanched and pressed his fingers to his mouth. “Spill my guts? Ooh, Benjy Boo, what a poor choice of words.” Wrapping his arms around his body, he waited and tried to ignore the shouts he heard, but couldn’t. Oh, damn, I’m going to have to go back inside. He grimaced and whined like a young pup. “But I don’t wan-na.” Max and Jason burst through the side door, skidded to a stop to glance around, and changed their direction to run toward him. Benjy wiped away a tear of relief. “Oh, thank the lucky stars above me. You survived.” Jason, looking like he’d been puréed in a giant blender, sprinted in front of Max and grabbed Benjy’s shirt in his fists. “Come on, Benjy. Syd’s still in there.” He whirled and started for the building, almost yanking him off his feet. Benjy had no alternative except to stumble along with Jason. “Jay-Jay, don’t you think Maxy needs to learn not to set a trap?” Jason stopped, glanced between the building and the hunter, and reversed direction again. Tearing off what little remained of his clothes, he started to shift. Max lost no time running for his pickup. Jason continued to transform, throwing clothes in the air, and dashed after the hot-footed hunter. Benjy danced on the balls of his feet and tried to figure out which direction he should go. He bit his lip and envisioned himself marching into the group of hunters—alone. Uh-uh. No way am I going inside without Jason. Waving his hand in the air, he ran after his leader who was in fervent pursuit of the hunter. “I’m right behind you, Jay-Jay.” The large wolf landed on Max’s shoulders and knocked him to the ground. Max’s scream drowned out the shouting from the group inside the building. Yet his shrieks grew even louder when Jason opened his jaws wide, letting saliva from his fangs drip on to the shrieking man’s neck. Benjy slid to a stop next to the pair. “Yuck. How crass.” Yet having Jason take charge was a relief. The tension in his body flowed out of him in trembling waves. “You lousy scumbag. You may have helped me get out, but you’re the one who set this up.” Jason slashed Max’s back, eliciting more cries from the terrified hunter. Benjy almost felt sorry for him. “But you know what? I don’t mind you coming after me. And I’d expect a hunter to use underhanded methods. But to put your ex-girlfriend in danger—someone you say you care about—is low-down dirty rotten, man. Even for a hunter.” Benjy leaned over backward and pretended to shuffle under an invisible limbo pole. “How low can you go, Maxy?” “Get off me! I swear I won’t come near you or Sydney ever again.” With a screech, Max pushed his body off the ground and tried to crawl away.
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Jason grabbed his prey by the shirt collar, lifted the man into the air, and shook him like a rag doll. “You bet you won’t. Screwing with us is going to get real difficult from your new home in the ground. Cell phone reception sucks when you’re six feet under. What a drag.” “Jay-Jay, don’t you think you need to help Syd now?” Jason looked up at Benjy and shook his head as though suddenly remembering he was there. The amber in his eyes dimmed a little at the mention of Syd’s name, but the hate, the anger soon intensified again. “You’re right.” Snarling, he dropped Max to the ground, straddled him, and placed his snout against the man’s ear. “You stay here with my friend. You move? You die. Get it?” Without waiting for Max to answer, Jason motioned for Benjy to take his place. He did, enjoying the feel of his bottom resting on Max’s muscular torso. Jason howled, whirled, and bolted toward the building. “Don’t let him get away.” “As you say, my lovey leader.” Unable to resist the temptation, he started stripping off his clothes to morph. “Oh, Maxy, sweetie. I knew we’d end up like this before the night was over. I simply knew it. How about a little taste of what’s to come?” Slowly, he slid his tongue over the man’s cheek. Max squirmed, but Benjy held him fast. “Don’t fight it, big boy. You know you want it.” Benjy chuckled, put his mouth close to Max’s ear and whispered, “You’ve always wanted to try wolf meat, haven’t you? How about I convert you to our side and we can romp together under the moon for the rest of our long lives?” Max tried to push off the ground, but Benjy held him down with one paw and wagged his tail at his captive. “Uh. Uh. Uh. You heard what my boss dog said.” “Jason! I shifted!” Syd and her father slammed the side door closed and stood waiting for Jason to shift to human again. Once in human form, Jason straightened up to his full height, reared back his arm, and took a swing at Skeller. He knocked the older man to the ground and was about to jump on him when Syd stepped between them. “No, Jason. Save the fight for later. They’re coming after us and I don’t think the stuff we threw in their way will slow them down much.” Nonetheless, she took time to hug him. “Did you hear me? I shifted. At least part of the way. Cool, huh?” Skeller scrambled to his feet and took Syd by the arm. “I’m taking her home and you’re not going to stop me.” A banging against the door jolted everyone. Sensing Jason’s indecision, Benjy shouted and waved him over. “Let him, Jason. He’ll take care of her and we’ll meet up with her later. Right now, our pretty little butts better hightail it out of here.” Without waiting for Jason to agree, Skeller wrapped both hands around his daughter’s arm, tugged her along to his truck, and shoved her into the passenger side. Jason glanced at the door where the pounding
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and curses had grown stronger, louder and dashed over to Benjy. “He’d better not hurt her or I’m holding you responsible.” He changed to wolf form in a matter of seconds and growled, adding to his warning. The door burst open, ramming against the wall with a thunderous bang. Hunters poured out of the building, took one look at the two groups and split into two directions. Group one headed for Skeller’s truck, but he’d already turned over the motor and put the truck into gear. Dirt and gravel sprayed at them in Skeller’s haste to get out of the parking lot. The second group waited for the first hunters to join them before they turned toward him, Jason, and Max. The first shot rang out, sending Jason into a crouch. He howled and ran toward the surrounding trees. Benjy, however, couldn’t resist one final tease at Max. Widening his jaws to let his teeth shine from the glow of a nearby lamplight—thank you, Crest Whitestrips—he inclined his head, pretending to bite the hunter. Max screamed and thrashed, but couldn’t get free. Instead of biting him, Benjy readjusted his head to see the hunters—and to let them see him. Grinning his best wolfish grin, he flipped Max over onto his back, grabbed the hunter’s head in his paws, and laid the biggest lick he could on the stunned man’s lips. “Love ya, baby. Call me, okay?” Baying in triumph, Benjy bolted up and rushed after Jason. Pausing at the edge of the clearing, he turned and watched the hunters descend on the still-screaming hunter. The pitiful protests Max gave them were nothing compared to their angry accusations of “wolf lover” and “pervert”. “Sure, Maxy. Try to tell them you weren’t turned on by my toned body. After all, it wasn’t my hard pole propping up the tent in your pants.” He loped into the night, proud to have done his part to save his friends.
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Chapter Nine
“Skeller, I swear to God─” His quick turn around a corner sent Sydney sliding against the truck’s door. “Don’t! Don’t say a word while you’re in that condition. And stop calling me Skeller. I’m your dad.” She recognized the hurt in his tone and clammed up. Maybe she should call him Dad again— especially after he’d saved her butt from the hunters. Yet it still felt more natural to call him Skeller. “Ow. Slow down before you get us and some other innocent person killed.” She shouldn’t have let him drag her into his truck. But old habits were hard to break. Just like always. The father calls and the daughter comes. Skeller coughed out a sarcastic laugh. “Some other innocent? Are you saying you consider yourself innocent? After what you’ve become?” So much for her father’s support. “No one is innocent or guilty, Dad.” She saw him glance her way at her emphasis on the affectionate term. “We’re all who we are. Nothing more, nothing less. You sound like I’m a pregnant slut instead of─” Skeller slammed on the brakes in front of his house, throwing her forward to almost bang her head on the dashboard. “Instead of what, Sydney? Instead of being one of those things?” Pulling the visor down and flipping up the cover to the mirror, Syd glanced at her reflection for the hundredth time since getting in the truck. She couldn’t get over it. She’d shifted—at least part of the way. The tuffs of hair along her jaw looked like furry badges of honor to her. Although she knew Skeller would never agree. “Those things? I’m sorry to hurt you this way, but I’m proud to be a shifter. Plus, if I had my way, Jason and I would start making little fur balls tonight.” The stricken expression on her father’s face sliced through her cleaner than any machete could have. Aw, hell, I’ve gone too far. Yet can’t he see how inevitable my situation is? Being a werewolf wasn’t something she could flip on and off like a light switch. Lycanthropy was her new existence, not a trendy lifestyle choice. He muttered a few choice words under his breath and piled out of the car. Racing to her side of the vehicle, he took her by the hand, making her follow behind him before she could think of anything else to say. The front door banged against the wall from the force he put behind their entrance, but he didn’t slow down until he’d reached the basement door. Forcing her along, he had her taking the basement stairs two at a time. Once they’d reached bottom, she at last managed to catch her breath.
Howling for My Baby
“Griswold? Are you home?” Her mother’s voice floated down to them and Syd started to answer. Skeller, however, slapped a hand over her mouth and shook his head. “Yeah, Miriam. I’m downstairs.” “Is someone with you? Is Sydney here?” Her footsteps crossed the floor above them, placing her in the kitchen near the hall leading to the basement. Believing her father would never lie to her mother, Syd arched an eyebrow and waited for him to answer. “Our daughter isn’t down here, Miriam.” When he removed his hand, Syd’s mouth fell wide before she could find her voice to rebuke him. “I don’t know which is worse, you lying to Mom or inferring I’m no longer your daughter.” If she didn’t know better, she’d swear her heart had just cracked open. He blinked, a sign his determination was weakening, but the stone-hard expression returned quickly enough to dispel any chance she had of winning him over. “You change back, Sydney Skeller, right now. I’m giving you an order. Change back and I won’t be lying.” She laughed and he shushed her again. “Oh, sure, Dad. No problem. Let’s see…” She patted her pockets and came up empty. “Shoot, I think I left the werewolf remote at home. I’ll have to make the switch later.” At her angry glare, he stalked to the other side of the room. “This can’t happen. My own daughter is a shifter.” He looked at her, pain and disappointment etched in his features. “Yet you haven’t transformed all the way.” He swallowed, the struggle of reality versus hope warring on his face. “Maybe there’s still a way to keep you human.” The man’s grasping for a lifeline. Yet she couldn’t let him deny her any longer. “What’re you talking about? Once a person’s changed, she’s changed.” He paced back and forth with his head down, running his hand across his neck. “I remember a rumor about a cure, an antidote. If you haven’t transformed all the way, I think we can get rid of the evil in you.” Oh, crap. He’s gone over the deep end. “It’s a rumor. A fairy tale. A joke. You know no one’s ever found a cure.” He stopped and raised his agonized face to hers. “I can’t give up. I can’t…” His words strangled together. Coughing, he straightened and regained part of his bravado. “If a cure is real, we’ll find it. I won’t let you down, honey.” The ache in his tone robbed her of any animosity. “Dad, it’s all right. Don’t worry. I’ll always be your little girl. Nothing’s changed. Except maybe for the facial hair problem. But I’m still me. Down deep in my soul where it counts.” She started toward him and knew the pain of rejection when he stumbled away. “Dad, don’t.”
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“I can’t, honey. I just can’t… Not when you’re like you are right now. And I won’t let your poor mother see you this way. It’ll break her heart.” Like you broke mine? Would he keep her from her own mother? She loved both of them and wanted them in her life. The tiny stab of doubt, the fear of not fitting in with her family that she’d had off and on all her life, zipped through her and, as she always did, she sloughed it off. “What are you saying? I’m barred from family get-togethers? No more Thanksgivings? Are you afraid I’ll howl at the fireworks on Independence Day? Or bite Aunt Ethel on New Year’s Eve?” His stricken expression returned full force. “I don’t know. I’ll think about those things later. But I can’t let Miriam see you. At least not until you revert to human form. All the way to human form.” Should she tell him that her mother already knew? But her mother had kept her secret, so how could she expose hers? “Sorry, but I am what I am, whether you like that or not.” She waited for a response and, when she didn’t get one, started toward the stairs. If anyone had asked her if her father would ever hurt her, she’d have laughed and told them they were crazy. Yet when he jumped in front of her, blocking her path up the steps, she instinctively sidestepped to put some distance between them. “You’re not going anywhere.” He crossed his arms to reinforce his declaration. “Not until you get rid of any sign of animal on you.” Damn. He does think I can turn it off and on. “You don’t understand. I can’t simply say, ‘Wolf, wolf, go away. Come again another day.’ I’m not in control. Not yet. Worse for you, I think my body’s morphing more each second. Making me mad isn’t going to help me stop its progress.” Determination replaced the angst on his face. “I don’t believe you. I’ve seen lots of shifters change from human to wolf and return to human within seconds. You’re staying down here until you become totally human again. Discussion over.” Arguing with him wouldn’t get her what she wanted. “Wow, talk about déjà vu. Isn’t this the same argument we had over my curfew?” She grinned at him and hoped her levity would make him relent. “But, Dad, all the wolf kids are doing it.” But he didn’t budge. She should’ve known a joke wouldn’t do the trick. He grumbled something under his breath, making her wish she’d kept her mouth shut. Griswold Skeller grumbling was never a good thing. “You know what you have to do, Sydney.” With one last grumble, he turned and started up the stairs. “Where’re you going?” She hopped onto the first step, but he’d hurried up the stairs and was already at the top and opening the door. “Are you serious? You’re planning on holding me prisoner?” Without saying another word, he crossed the threshold, took one last look at her and shut the door. She heard the click of the lock and gasped. e
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“Griswold, what do you think you’re doing?” Miriam stood behind her husband, watching him flip through the pages in the phone book. “Nothing, Miriam.” When she tried to peek over his shoulder, he adjusted his bulk to obscure her view. He hated lying to her, but the less she knew about Sydney, the better. Yet how could he keep what had happened from her? “Don’t treat me like some mindless twit. I can see something terrible has you all worked up. Is it Sydney? Is she all right?” He wanted to tell her. Wanted someone who would share his pain, the loss he felt. Wanted her to help him through this. At last, he saw the number he needed, picked up the phone and dialed. He turned to face his wife and motioned for her to stay quiet. The phone rang five, six times, each unanswered ring tightening his grip on the hand piece. He gritted his teeth while trying to appear in control, but knew he failed by the way her features hardened. When the person on the other end finally picked up, his knees nearly buckled from the relief swamping through him. “Welcome, caller, you are most fortunate tonight. You have reached Madame Medusala, medium extraordinaire. I am home and I am alone. If you’re a handsome fella, speak up.” If she’s a real psychic wouldn’t she know I’m a “fella”? Skeller opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, and opened it again. This is a world-class medium? This flirty talker is the person who can help my daughter? But he had to take a chance. He had no other options. “Uh, is this Madame Medusala? The medium?” “Well, sugar, isn’t that what I just said? I’m the best medium you’re ever going to meet. We are going to meet, aren’t we?” At his pause, she continued, “Of course, we are. Madame Medusala knows all, sees all and, for the right price, tells all.” “I was told you could help people get better.” He shook his head at Miriam’s worried expression. “Get better what, sugar?” The titters on the other end lifted the hairs on his neck. “Uh, I need you to exorcise a, er, an evil from my daughter.” Miriam’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle her cry, yet he still wouldn’t let her interrupt. “She’s in trouble. Can you come over and help her?” The silence on the other side added a thousand legs to the willies crawling up his spine. Still, it didn’t matter. He didn’t care who or what he had to deal with to straighten out this nightmare. He had to help Sydney. “Is she violent?” How had it come to this? I’m calling a medium to save my Sydney’s soul. Can this be real? “No, she’s not violent. She’s the sweetest human being you’d ever want to know. Can you come over to my home right away?” Another silent pause. “Um, I don’t make house calls.”
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Yet something in Madame Medusala’s tone gave him encouragement. “I’d make it worth your while. Say, double your usual fee?” Skeller held his breath and waited. “Make it triple.” He’d have gone ten times the rate. “Agreed. You’ll come right now?” He hurried to give her his address. “I’ll be there on the wings of a dove. Get your checkbook ready, sugar.” The call disconnected, yet Skeller held the phone a little longer, giving him a moment before he had to confront Miriam. Even though he wanted to protect her, he couldn’t keep this from her a minute more. Like a man about to embark on the longest walk of his life, he met his wife’s worried look dead-on. “Griswold, you’d better tell me what’s going on right this second.” Her level tone was a lot scarier than the serious expression on her face. Normally a calm and collected person in any situation, Miriam grew even calmer when she was upset. Deadly calm and ready to skin a bear. “Now stay calm, Miriam. I’ve got help on the way. I’m handling this.” Her tone lowered and grew almost monotone. “Help for Sydney? What kind of help are we talking about?” “She needs help to return to the way she’s supposed to be. To the way she was born.” He tried to step past her, but she blocked his way. Instead, he stayed in his place and wished for a miracle. He figured he’d end up wishing for several miracles before the night was over. “You lied to me, didn’t you? She’s in the basement, isn’t she?” She wheeled around and he lunged to take her arm. “Miriam, don’t. I don’t want you to see her. Not the way she is.” He saw the alarm in her eyes, but knew she fought to retain her calm outward appearance. “See her what way?” She took his hand and pried it off her arm. “You’re keeping something from me and I won’t have it. Speak up or I’m going to see for myself.” All the pain and horror ripped through him, draining him of the little strength he had left. He leaned against the counter to keep his body upright and tucked his chin to his chest in defeat. “She’s been changed, Miriam. One of those animals bit our sweet little girl and changed her into one of his kind.” Her brief silence was almost worse than her composed voice. “What’re you saying? Are you trying to tell me Sydney’s a shifter? Do you know she’s a lycan?” He glanced up at her, confused by her lack of emotion. Sure, she’d always handled a crisis well, but this was incredible. He nodded, unable to verbally answer her questions. “This Madame Medusala. You think she’s going to help Sydney revert to human form?” Again, he nodded, amazed and more than a little proud of his wife’s personal fortitude. “Why would you believe such nonsense?”
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Did she mean about Sydney’s transformation? Or about the medium? “Which nonsense? I mean, neither one is nonsense.” She scoffed at him and paced to the other side of the kitchen. “One. Your daughter will always be your daughter no matter what shape or form she’s in.” She glared at him until he nodded his agreement. “Two. Why would you think a medium could do anything of the sort?” Had she understood what he’d told her? Didn’t she care about her daughter morphing into a shifter? “Did you hear me, Miriam? She’s gone over. She’s one of them. That Jason creature made her into one.” “I understood you. You don’t need to yell at me. But you didn’t explain about the medium. Where did you get the idea that a medium could change a person?” The flame of embarrassment traveled up his neck and into his face. “I, uh, remembered one of the guys telling a story about this woman. How she’d removed the evil from someone who’d been bitten by a werewolf. He said she could perform wonders.” A skeptical eyebrow hiked up. “Miriam, we have to try something. Anything. Even this.” “You could try acceptance.” He choked on nothing. Or was it possibly the sound of her words moving through his ears and down his throat? She wasn’t serious, was she? Accept that his daughter was now a shifter? Was she insane? “Acceptance? You mean like welcoming her and her werewolf lover into my home? You want me to forget they’re a couple of shifters?” She approached him and took his hands. “Griswold, I’m talking about loving your daughter no matter what she is, no matter who she’s with. Didn’t we promise her unconditional love when she came into our lives?” How could she compare the day he’d first held Sydney in his arms to this dreadful day? Maybe she was in denial? After all, it had taken him awhile to accept the truth. Maybe if she saw Sydney she’d believe him? “Go, Miriam. Go see your daughter in the basement. Then talk to me about acceptance.” He strode ahead of her, unlocked the basement door and waved her inside. The sudden knocking on the front door kept him from following her, leaving Miriam to face the horror in the basement alone. Skeller prayed the help he sought stood on the other side and, after taking a big breath, he opened the door. The smile he’d plastered on his face froze in place. A large woman threw out her arms in a flamboyant wave and cried, “Here I am, sugar. Your own personal, beautiful cavalry to the rescue.” e Why hasn’t the rest of me changed? Syd held up the cracked mirror she’d found lying on a group of boxes and examined her smooth, unblemished, unfurred skin. Frowning, she scrunched up her features and squeezed her eyes closed. She caught her breath and pushed for the hundredth time since her father had left
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her in the basement. Perhaps pushed was the wrong word because the harder she willed her body to shift, the more it seemed like all she accomplished was to make her face redder. Or make her feel like she was sitting on a toilet trying to do a constipated Number Two. Not being the type to give up, she tried again. She shut her eyes and concentrated, determined to make something happen. Wait. Is there something on my forehead? Do I have more fur poking through my skin? Exhilarated, she peeked at her reflection. Where is it? Something moved underneath her bangs and she held her breath and mentally crossed her fingers. Reaching up, she ran her fingertips under the hair and found…perspiration. A sweat drop trickled down to her nose, leaving no doubt she’d mistaken sweat for fur. “Great. Other werewolves can shift in mere seconds and grow yards of fur, but not me. Oh, no, not me. All I do is break out into a sweat.” She glared at her reflection and patted the two patches lingering on her chin. “I bet it’s the hunter blood in me.” “No, it’s not hunter blood that’s keeping you from changing.” Syd fumbled with the mirror, almost dropping it before she managed to set it on top of the boxes. “Shit, Mom, you startled me.” Her mother crossed over to take her face in her hands. “Language, young lady.” “Yes, ma’am.” Syd tried to cover the tuffs of fur, but her mother slapped her hands away, reminding her of the time she’d tried to hide the hickies Bobby Miller had left on her neck. “Sydney Skeller, you know you shouldn’t try to hide anything from your mother.” Intense lake-blue eyes chased her darting ones until they trapped them. “I always find out.” “I’m not hiding anything. You already know what Jason is. And what I am, too.” She nodded and sighed at the same time. “Yes, but I didn’t know you’d started changing. Still, it was only a matter of time.” Her mother ran a hand through her hair. “I know I’ve asked this before, but I have to ask again. Are you sure you love him, Sydney?” “I do love him, Mom, and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. We talked about this, remember? In my apartment when you found us together?” Her mother glanced up the stairs. “Yes, I know. I guess I’d hoped to keep things between us. I’ve stuck my head in the sand for too long”—again she checked the stairs—“and now your father knows.” “Yeah and he’s gone into a wacked-out Father Knows Best routine. Except his is more like Father Knows Best and Locks Daughter in the Basement Until She Changes What Can’t Be Changed routine.” Syd sat on one of the sturdier boxes. “Well, I’ve got news for him. He’s going to have to learn to accept what’s happened. He’ll have to accept me and Jason.” At least, she hoped he would. The alternative was too sad to think about, yet she had to voice it anyway. “If not, I’ll have to leave and never come home.” Her mother’s
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hurt expression slashed regret through her, yet she knew she couldn’t back down on her threat. She’d meant every word she’d said. “I knew this day would come.” “Which day? The day I actually shifted? Or the day I finally stood up to my father? I am an adult, Mom. Don’t you think it’s about time?” “No, honey. I’m talking about the day I’d have to tell you the truth.” “What truth?” Syd moved to take her mother’s hands in hers. “Miriam? Are you still down there? Is Sydney all right? The help I hired is here.” Her father led a large woman down the steps into the basement. The woman wore a hideous flowered dress covering her from head to toe and emphasizing her gigantic bosom. Syd gaped at the medium. “What the hell are you doing here?” Madame Medusala did a double take. “Oh, my. What happened to you? Beauty cream nightmare?” She scrunched up her face. “Do I know you, sweetie?” Syd touched a small furry area on her chin. Maybe the only thing bigger than Medusala’s bosoms was her curious nose. “Uh, ye-ah. Don’t you remember me?” Medusala glanced from Syd to her father and wrung her hands. “I-I’m not sure. Should I?” “Again. Uh, ye-ah.” Was the woman out to scam her parents? But how did her parents know about Madame Medusala? She hadn’t told them anything about going to see a psychic, much less about her fainting. “I visited you with my friend, Charlie. Remember?” When the medium still didn’t respond, she added, “Maybe you’ll remember me this way.” She stretched out on the cement floor, closed her eyes, and flung her arms wide. “Ring a bell now?” Recognition lit up the medium’s face. She planted a huge fist over her mouth and pointed at her with her other hand. “Oh, my goodness. I’ll be damned. I do know you. I didn’t recognize you with all the, uh, additions to your face. How’ve you been, sweetie?” “Wait a minute. You two know each other?” “Never mind that, Griswold. I want to know why she went to a medium.” Syd scrambled to her feet. “I meant to tell you, Mom, but other things started happening and I forgot.” “Your daughter and her friend came to me for a reading.” Medusala batted her mascara-coated eyelashes. “Sort of.” Hadn’t her eyes been turquoise the first time they’d met? And she’d swear the medium had had black hair instead of the flippy, bright green hairdo. But did her parents—especially her father—know the medium was a man? “Nothing happened. Right, Madame Medusala?” She crossed her fingers and waited for Medusala to catch her I-won’t-tell-if-you-won’t-tell hint. But the medium missed her throw and rattled on. “Nothing happened? Surely you jest. You passed out, sweetie.” She tisked and turned her attention to Miriam. “Yes, ma’am, she conked right out. If her
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friend hadn’t grabbed her, she’d have knocked a knot in her curly-topped noggin. I know you must remember or you wouldn’t have gotten down on the floor to help jog my rusty ole brain.” She took a breath and motioned at Syd while addressing Skeller. “You do know I’m not a doctor, right? I can’t cure her, uh…rash. If I were her, I’d head for the nearest dermatologist. Or maybe a laser hair removal clinic.” Her mom’s reaction was predictable. “You passed out? Sydney, why didn’t you tell me? Do you know why you passed out? Were you ill? Are you ill?” Damn, I should’ve thought before I spread out on the floor. Now I’ll have to tell them everything. “Calm down, Mom. I was fine. I was fine then and I’m fine now.” Her mother’s whisper held an odd mix of worry and delight. “You’re not pregnant, are you?” “Uh, nooo. Not pregnant.” At least, not yet. Maybe soon, though, if she had her way. The concept of having Jason’s baby—er, pups? as in litter?—gave her a pleasant tingle in her abdomen. Medusala’s fingers-on-the-blackboard titter tightened Syd’s already screwed-up spine. “Oh, no, sugar. She and her friend wanted me to tell them their futures. You know. The usual stuff. She passed out when I called on the spirits to help me.” Great. Keep on blabbing my secrets, lady. Syd crossed her arms and glared. At her mother’s expression, Medusala expanded her explanation. “I heard your daughter’s friend say she’d worked out too hard at the gym. If her passing out hadn’t scared me to death, the sight of her howling like a dog would have been downright hilarious.” If I could reach over and throttle the big lug, I would. “I don’t remember you laughing when we talked about money.” “Well excuse me, but I did my best to accommodate you. Plus, I never charged you or your friend.” Syd watched the blood drain from her father’s face. “Sydney. You howled? Were you already a shifter?” Madame Medusala’s head swiveled toward her father so fast, her green wig slipped to the side. She straightened it and confronted him. “A shifter? What are you talking about? She’s a shifter? As in fur-allover-the-body, werewolf-type shifter?” Damn, where’s the sock to shove in her—his—mouth? “Yes and no. I mean, yes I howled—or at least, Charlie said I did—and no, I wasn’t a shifter at the time. I met Jason later and he was everything I’d ever dreamed of.” Medusala’s eyes grew wider. “Are you people using less than one percent of your brainpower? You mean you believe in werewolves?” Syd frowned at the medium. She—he—she was the one who’d told the lady at the gym about her future were-hubby. Was she still denying any involvement? “Why would anyone want to be with a werewolf?”
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Syd hated seeing the disillusionment in her father’s face, but knew the time had come to tell the truth. No matter how hard it hurt. “Dad, I’m sorry if this hurts you, but I’ve never hated shifters like you do.” She paused to silently beseech her mother for help. “In fact, I’ve always had a soft spot for them. At first I thought it was part of the normal rebellion thing against my parents, but as I got older, I realized my attraction to werewolves was real. Especially the one I’ve dreamed about for years. And that one was—is— Jason.” “Oh, my mercy. Do you mean to say you believe this kookiness? I mean, the lady at the club believing is one thing—she’s certifiable and I simply told her what she wanted to hear—but you, too? I had hoped you and your girlfriend were just kidding around.” Her mother moved to slip an arm around her father to keep him upright. She whispered something to him and he managed to regain part of his strength. Yet a hard frost settled over his features—a coldness Sydney feared would remain forever. Skeller pointed at her. “You weren’t already infected when you went to her?” Obviously, he was having a difficult time accepting the truth. She searched his glazed-over eyes. “I told you. No, I wasn’t infected when I went to the psychic.” Never mind that being a werewolf was not a disease. “Infected?” Medusala backpedaled a few feet, alarm making her homely face even less attractive. “Do you have some kind of disease? You should have told me about any contagions. I could have worn a gas mask, taken precautions.” Which would have been a vast improvement to looking at that mug of yours. Syd studied Medusala, noted the strong calloused hands, the way she held her body like a linebacker ready to dart and dodge the offensive team, and the square cut of her jaw. Should I tell them your secret, Mr. Medusala? “Oh, for Pete’s sake, people. Get it through your heads. Lycanthropy is not an illness. And yes, we believe in werewolves.” She shouldn’t have, but she took pleasure when the medium cringed under her glower. “Look, I don’t care whether you two know each other or not.” Skeller jabbed a finger at a stunned Medusala. “But I’m holding you responsible for this mess. Now shut up and listen.” His flat palm in front of Medusala’s face halted her protest. “My buddy said you could rid a person of the evil in their body.” His voice quivered. “My daughter has an evil in her blood and it’s changing her, turning her into a werewolf.” He broke away from his wife to move even closer to Medusala. “Can you cure her or not? If you can, I’ll write a check for three thousand dollars with your name on it.” Up until he’d mentioned the money, Medusala had started shaking her head. But at the exact moment she heard the word check, she began nodding instead. “Get your pen ready, Mr. Skeller, because I’m about to wipe that old evil right out of your darlin’ daughter’s body. Or my name isn’t Madame Medusala.”
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“Will you get your skinny butt in gear?” Like a dog chasing his tail, Benjy twisted around in a circle to check out his bottom. “Hey, I may have a skinny butt, but it’s a sexy skinny butt. Not that this horrid mirror does it justice. When will you buy decent furniture—like a full-length mirror—for your place?” He gave his ass an affectionate pat, then turned his back on Jason again and his attention to the object in his hand. “What’re you doing with my phone?” Jason eyed the smaller man and wondered if it was safer not to know. “I’m sending a text message.” “This is no time to be calling your love stud, Benjy.” Yet the smaller shifter’s attack on the keyboard made Jason think the message was more serious—and helpful—than any booty call could ever be. “Ha! Love stud sounds like something I would say. Sheesh, Jay-Jay, I do believe I’m rubbing off on you.” “Shit, what a thought. And don’t call me Jay-Jay.” Jason hopped and paced, all while trying to tug on his clothes. After escaping from the hunters’ clutches, he was in no mood for his friend’s primping or dalliances. Sydney was with her father and, although Jason didn’t think Skeller would hurt her, he didn’t want to bet her life on it. “Whatever, but make it short. We need to get moving.” Benjy poked his head through a yellow polo shirt. “What’s with the attitude? If you want attitude, baby, I’ll give you attitude.” He swished his finger in front of Jason, stuck out his chin, and tossed his hair with a flick of his hand. “After all, diva is spelled B-E-N-J-Y.” “Knock it off. If we don’t get the hell out of here and over to Syd’s father’s place in a hurry, I’m going to have your stringy hide for dinner.” “Mmm, and what a yummy treat I would be, too. ’Cause you know gay meat is the sweetest meat.” “Benjy, pick up the pace or I’m leaving you behind.” Growling, Jason sprinted out the door to his car. He didn’t care if Benjy kept up with him or not. His goal was to get to Syd before something terrible happened to her. He slid behind the wheel and Benjy plopped onto the passenger’s seat. Jason buckled the seat belt, adjusted the mirror, and turned the ignition. “Let’s burn rubber.” He steered the car onto the road. “Drive, big guy.”
Howling for My Baby
With the tension wiring his body into high gear, Jason floored the gas. “Make yourself useful and start planning payback for Skeller. I know he’s Syd’s father and all, but he set us up big time. And if he’s harmed her in any way, I’ll─” “Easy, boy, you’re starting to shift and I don’t think anyone’s ready for a fast and furious werewolf on the highway.” Jason took a couple of deep breaths to calm down. Like it would really help. “Tell me, Jay-Jay. How do you think your dear daddy’s going to react when you tell him your mate is a hunter?” Jason swerved into the oncoming lane at the thought and yanked the vehicle back to the right side. “She’s not a hunter. Her father is and she can’t help what he is.” He growled low and mean. “And don’t call me Jay-Jay.” “Oh, my, my. I do believe someone’s sticking his head in the ground. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Although I’m sure you’ve stuck your head in other places lately. No wonder I couldn’t get a straight answer out of either of you at the club. Straight talk from straights? Not happening.” “Benjy, you’re nowhere near ready for a standup gig.” “Humph. Then answer me this, sugar buns. Did she or did she not go on at least two hunts?” “How did you know?” “I have my sources and I keep secrets—when I want to.” Jason let his eyes change and fangs grow. Snarling, he fumed at Benjy. “She didn’t go on those hunts to kill. Besides, I went on a hunt with her. It’s complicated.” He snarled again, wishing the snarls would help ease his anxiety about Syd. “Are you calling me a hunter, too?” Benjy feigned innocence. “Hmm, what a fascinating idea. You’d be the first lycanthrope to join the ranks of the hunters. Talk about Ripley’s Believe It or Not.” “We didn’t exactly sign membership cards, you know. Besides, the initiation they had planned sucked.” He tried, but he couldn’t keep the worry out of his tone. “My father won’t find out about those hunts, will he?” “Not from me. But there’s no hiding who her father is. That kind of juicy tidbit always gets out of the gossip bag.” “I’ll explain it to him and the rest of them. Besides, she’s changing. She has shifter blood in her now.” He’d make his father and the pack understand. He had to. “Well, I hope you do for both your sakes. But make me a promise, will ya?” Jason took his view off the road to glance at Benjy. What was he up to? “Maybe. What?” “I want to be there when you do tell your father.” Jason knew the punch line was next, but couldn’t resist hearing it. “Okay, I’ll bite. Aside from the obvious voyeuristic reason, why would you want to?”
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Benjy kissed two of his fingertips and patted them against his cheek. “Because once Daddy Cannon gets a load of your new hunter mate, he’ll wish he had me for a daughter-in-law instead.” Jason jammed the brake pedal to the floor, sending them lurching forward toward the dash. Benjy let out a yelp and grabbed for his seat belt strap. “Damn, Jay-Jay, are you trying to wipe out?” “Relax, Benjy. If you die tonight, it won’t be by my hand. Between Skeller and the rest of the hunters, we’ll both be lucky to keep our skins attached to our bones. Come on. Let’s find Syd.” Jason scrambled out of the car and slinked toward the house. “I think there’s a basement window on this side.” “Are you kidding me?” Jason whirled toward Benjy and bared his fangs. “Keep your voice down.” Although his friend complied and whispered, annoyance still laced his tone. “I bought this outfit two days ago, and I am not sneaking around on wet grass and slipping through a filthy window into a dirty basement. Why can’t we knock on the door like the civilized people we are?” Jason resumed his scrunched-down duck walk toward the window and threw his words behind him. “Do you think Skeller’s going to let us knock on the front door and ask for Syd?” “Okay, point taken. But you don’t have to be such a bee-atch about it.” If he hadn’t reached the window at that same moment, he might have whacked his friend on the head. Sometimes the funny shifter didn’t know when to shut up and needed a little reminding. Instead, Jason forced Benjy to his hands and knees, and thrust him to the right side of the window. “Hey, not so rough, Jay-Jay. If you want me on my knees, all you have to do is say pretty, please.” “Cut the crap.” Jason nodded at the sight inside the basement. “There she is. She looks okay, right? But who’s the other woman?” The very large ugly woman. “Oh, my word. I have no clue, but she is the sorriest woman I have ever seen. Add bad taste in clothes on her big ass and you’ve got a bitch no dog in heat would touch.” Benjy pursed his lips and squinted to get a better look at her. “Although…she does seem familiar.” “Leave it to you to do a fashion commentary.” “Well, I’m sorry, but there’s no excuse for such blatant wardrobe abuse. The fashion police should lock her away and swallow the key.” Jason ran his fingers along the frame of the window. “I swear, Benjy, you are nothing if not unique.” Benjy preened as though he’d won a beauty pageant. “You do speak the truth, sugar-paws. After all, masterpieces are one of a kind.” His grin softened. “But you know what? I’m sure I’ve seen that pitifullooking bitch somewhere. Hmm, where did I see her and how in the world could I have forgotten her ugly mug and those bargain basement clothes?”
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Jason found what he’d hope for. The window wasn’t locked. If he could get something wedged under the warped frame, he could pry it up and gain entry. “Familiar, huh? You sure you didn’t take a walk on the heterosexual side one night, Benjy-boy? Hell, she might be carrying your love child.” Benjy made a retching sound and flicked Jason’s arm. “Now, now, there’s no need for jealousy, sweetie. You’ll always have my heart—and my ass.” “I’m jealous? Yeah, right. Shit, I wish I had a screwdriver.” “Well, I’d offer you my iron-like dick to prop it open, but I doubt you’d blow me to get it hard. Or would you?” Jason heard the invitation in Benjy’s voice and chose the safest response—to say nothing. Yet he should’ve known his buddy wouldn’t drop the subject until he got a response. “Are you thinking about it? You know, for Syd’s sake?” Finally, he let his deep growl answer Benjy, who let out a big sigh of resignation. “Yeah, I figured. Okay. If you won’t go the distance for your lovey-gal…how about using my knitting needle?” Leave it to Benjy to come up with a knitting needle in the middle of a rescue mission. “What’re you doing with a knitting needle? On second thought, don’t answer.” He shoved the shiny hot pink needle between the window sill and the frame. “I’m getting worried about you, you know. Hell, I’m starting to worry about me being around you.” “Aw, see? You do care.” Benjy raised his hands, palms forward, at his glower. “Relax, boy. Concentrate on helping your girly-girl. We can work out our relationship later. But remember, I’m not opposed to threesomes, even if the third is a female.” Why couldn’t a brawnier member of his pack hang around with him? But no, his sidekick was an outfor-all-the-world-to-see homosexual shifter who’d have to bulk up to reach the ninety-eight pound weakling status. But he had to hand it to Benjy. He did have his own way of getting things done. Case in point, a knitting needle right when he needed a sharp metal object. “I hope this thing doesn’t break.” “Don’t worry. It won’t. I had it custom-made out of very special material to withstand all kinds of pressure.” “You must really like knitting to go to the trouble and expense.” “Who said I use it for knitting?” Jason almost dropped the needle thinking about Benjy’s possible creative uses for the long slick object. “Oh, crap. Don’t even go there.” “Calm down, Jay-Jay. It’s clean.” “Urgh.” He held the stick out in front of him and surveyed it carefully before taking a firmer grasp on the end. “It better be. And don’t call me Jay-Jay, damn it.” “Hey. What’s the ugly woman doing?”
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The strange woman waved her arms and danced around Syd. With their arms linked together, Skeller and his wife moved aside, placing their backs to the window. “Good grief. She looks like an experimental bird hopped up on some secret governmental hallucinogenic. Someone, please, in the name of all dance aficionados, make her cease and desist.” Jason tore his gaze away from the strange sight inside the home and tilted his head in question at his friend. “Where do you come up with this stuff?” “What? You don’t agree? Don’t you think she looks like she’s doing a ceremonial dance? But I can’t hear her well enough to know what she’s saying. Did she just say something about ‘the evil within’?” “I don’t know, but I don’t like it. Not at all.” Jason ripped the clothes from his body, sending buttons flying. With the last garment removed, he shifted into full wolf form, forced the window open, and flung his body forward to land inside the basement. “Wait for me.” Changing in mid-air, Benjy followed his action, morphed and rolled to the right of him. The startled group jumped away from the two intruders. The ugly woman, however, stopped her dancing and chanting, threw up her arms in fright and started for the stairs. “Wild animals! Call the dog pound! Call the Dog Whisperer!” “Stop right there, Medusala. These aren’t wild animals. At least, not like you mean.” Skeller’s fierce command had her pivoting to the group, her eyes huge. “Well, excuse me, but I’m not called Benjy the Body Shots Queen for nothing, you know.” Benjy rose up on his hind legs and waved his front paws in the air. Rotating his furry abdomen at them, he added, “What ’cha say we give it a go right now?” A collective “Yuck” brought him down on all paws. “Well, you don’t have to be rude about it. A simple no thank you would have done the job very nicely.” Jason shook his head at his furry friend before addressing the others. “For future reference, you don’t put werewolves in the dog pound. Wolves are canines, but they aren’t dogs.” Syd started to move closer to Jason, but her father blocked her way. He held her and turned to yell at Medusala, “Finish the job! Rid my daughter of the evil possessing her or you’ll get no money.” At the mention of money, Medusala broke out of her daze. “Are you frickin’ kidding me, man? Those suckers are real. And they can talk!” “Of course we can talk. Pff. Obviously you’re a civilian if you don’t know shifters can talk.” Benjy rolled his eyes at her. “But at least you aren’t a hunter.” “Medusala’s not a medium, either.” Syd waited for Medusala to deny it. “Go on. Tell the truth. Although, come to think of it, if you’re not the real deal, how’d you know about the redhead at the gym?” Medusala shrugged. “Just lucky?”
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“No. She’s got to be the real deal.” Skeller pointed a finger at Medusala. “You said you could do this. Get the werewolf blood out of my little girl.” His face reddened with his fury. “Otherwise, I’ll have to lock her away for the rest of her life until I find a cure.” Syd gaped at her father. “Skeller, there’s no cure for lycanthropy. It’s not a disease like tuberculosis. You can’t lock me up forever.” “And neither is homosexuality,” added Benjy. “In case you didn’t know.” Jason swished his tail at Skeller. “I am frickin’ tired of you ignorant hunters. We are what we are, and we’re no more evil than hunters or anyone else. But relax. Syd’s coming home with me and you’ll never have to see her again.” A panicked expression came over Skeller’s face. Whirling around, he dashed for the gun cabinet on the farthest wall. In quick, practiced moves, he unlocked the cabinet, grabbed a gun and loaded it in seconds. With deliberate coldness, he raised the rifle to his shoulder and took aim at Jason. “You are not taking my Sydney away from me. I’ll kill you first!” “Griswold, don’t!” Miriam rushed toward her husband. “No, Dad!” Sydney’s scream catapulted Jason into the air. His power flew his body forward at the same instant Medusala let out an ear-piercing screech and fell to the floor in a faint, distracting Skeller long enough to make him lower the gun a few inches. Benjy yelped and ran to Medusala’s side. Jason struck the hunter in the chest, knocking them backward onto the floor with Jason trying to get a grasp on the gun. With each fighting for possession of the weapon, werewolf and man rolled together on the floor while the others shouted at them. Jason grappled for the gun. Would he have to kill Skeller to keep Syd as his mate? If he did, would she ever forgive him? He grunted with the effort of controlling the full force of his power. His saliva dripped onto Skeller’s chest and he gritted his fangs to keep from ripping the man apart. “Let go!” Veins popped out in Skeller’s neck, but he wouldn’t stop battling. “You won’t take my little girl. I won’t let you.” “She wants to come with me.” “Only because you’ve changed her. But I can help her. I’ll find a way. Let go─” The shot rang out, freezing everyone into a momentary shocked silence. Miriam’s scream filled the room, breaking the quiet and startling everyone. Keeping a grip on the rifle, Jason followed her gaze to the floor. Syd lay crumpled on the floor, blood oozing from the wound in her stomach. A pain unlike any he’d ever felt swept through him. “Syd!” Fear and rage surged through him, causing him to release his full strength. With one last tug, he tore the rifle from Skeller’s hands. Standing over the weapon, he returned to human form, lifted the gun, and placed the barrel against the bridge of her father’s nose.
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Her mother knelt next to her and laid her head in her lap. “Oh, my God, Sydney.” Syd clutched her side and felt the blood covering her hand. A hot throbbing radiated outward like shards of broken glass piercing every fiber in her. She sucked in air and tried to think. Don’t pass out. At least not until the danger is over. “No, Jason. You can’t.” “I sure can. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t.” He remained unmoving and kept the rifle steady in his hands. “Because he’s my father.” His dark eyes met hers and in an instant Syd knew he’d never refuse her. “He’s my father,” she whispered again. Her agony doubled, heartache throwing gas on the fire in her side. Come on, Jason. Put the gun down. Do it for me. He gave a slight nod and stalked a few yards from her father. Emptying the gun of its remaining shells, he strode over to the gun cabinet on the concrete wall, reared his arms behind him, and swung. The rifle shattered against the wall and he tossed the broken weapon to the floor. Taking each of the guns from the cabinet, he repeated his destructive swing. Skeller scowled from his place on the floor, yet made no attempt to stop him. The first flash of pain had subsided. In its place, a different kind of warmth spread inward from her limbs toward the center of her agony. Syd took another, easier breath. Once he’d finished, Jason spun on his heel and headed straight for her, scooping up a painter’s sheet to wrap around his waist. He waved at the prone Medusala. “Is the woman hurt?” Benjy bent over her and placed his face near her mouth. At once Medusala opened her eyes, took one look at the wolf leaning over her, screamed and fainted again. Benjy made an awkward shrug. “Don’t worry, she’ll come around.” He glanced at her again. “Sooner or later.” Jason stooped beside her and took her hand. His gaze met hers and she could feel him searching, gauging her pain. She took an even longer breath and held it for a moment, wondering at the weakening pain. Was his touch helping her? Or was the healing power coming from her own body? Miriam glared at her husband and Jason. “You two animals shot my little girl.” Benjy, returning to human form, snatched Medusala’s scarf from around her neck and tied it around himself to make a very short mini-skirt. “What are you talking about? We didn’t shoot her. Your dickhead of a husband did.”
Howling for My Baby
“I’m not talking about you.” Her mom’s voice thickened with emotion. “I’m talking about Jason and Griswold. You’re both a couple of animals who deserve to wring the life out of each other. Someone call an ambulance.” Skeller scrambled to his feet and stumbled toward the stairs. Jason yelled after him. “No, Skeller. Don’t. She’ll be okay.” He touched her face, caressing her cheek before snarling at Skeller. “Unless that was a silver bullet. If it was…” His snarl grew louder. “No, it wasn’t silver. But how can she…? She’s shot bad. We have to call for help. I can’t risk losing…” His final words choked off and he visibly struggled to maintain his composure. Feeling stronger, Syd tried to sit up and give her father a reassuring smile, but decided not to push. “If Jason says I’ll be fine, then I’ll be fine. I trust him.” She sought his eyes. “This is like the time you bit me, right? I’ll heal on my own?” Is it only my imagination? Or is the pain really not as bad as before? If only the ache in my heart would ease. “Right. Now take it easy, Syd.” Jason winked at her, making her feel better. “After all, it’s your first time.” He lovingly cupped her face in his hands. She reached up and felt smooth skin once more. “Looks like I’m not as furry as I was.” Daring to come a few steps toward her, her father searched her face before letting his gaze fall to the large blood stain on her torn shirt. He drew in a sharp breath, his features filling with a strange mixture of hope and anguish. “Is she changing back for good? You’re sure she’ll be all right?” He glanced at Jason for more confirmation. “What did you mean about her first time?” Jason ground his teeth together. His face reflected his inner turmoil yet, somehow, he managed to contain his anger. “I’m talking about her first time to get shot.” Sending a dark glower toward Skeller, he added, “Shifters have a tendency to get shot a lot. You know, by idiots with guns.” Syd held her breath at the brief sting that came and went, but knew her father’s pain was greater than her own. Remorse, guilt and worry made him suddenly appear twenty years older. Again, she tried to sit up but, this time, Jason kept her down. Strangely, the ache was nearly gone. Instead, an odd numbing sensation flowed through her, leaving her feeling renewed, almost energized. With the question in her eyes, she looked to Jason. He squeezed her hand and gave her the answer she needed. “I know it hurts, but you’ll soon heal. Just hang in there until you do.” She smiled at him. “I’m already feeling better. Good, in fact.” Her father, who hadn’t taken his sight from the wound, edged closer. “Thank goodness I didn’t have any silver bullets left.” “I think she’s on the mend.” Jason lifted her shirt and motioned to the place where blood had been oozing minutes before. Now only a small wound was left. The bullet slid out of her wound and fell to the
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floor. “Pretty fast work—for a newbie.” He took another look. “I take that back. That’s very fast work, even for a full werewolf.” Syd glanced down and stared at the skin slowly repairing itself. “Amazing.” She reached out for Jason again, happy to have him near her. “Does this mean I’m changing faster? Does this mean I’ll shift completely soon?” Her mother’s quick prayer echoed her father’s muttered words of apology. He knelt beside her, reached out to her, then dropped his hand at Jason’s growl. “I couldn’t have lived with myself if I’d killed you.” “Trust me. You wouldn’t have lived long.” Syd squeezed Jason’s hand in a weak attempt to calm him before giving her father the forgiveness he needed. “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me, and I’m going to be okay.” Craning her head, she checked on the medium. “But how is, uh, Medusala, Benjy?” “I don’t know.” Winking at her, he inched closer to the psychic’s mouth. “I may have to give her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.” Before he’d finished the sentence, however, Medusala sat up and started fanning him away. “Oh, no you won’t. Get away from me, you pervert. And give me back my scarf.” The medium paused, her gaze falling on Benjy’s waist and the position of the scarf, and changed her mind. “On second thought, keep it.” “Pervert? Ha! If you want to see a pervert, I suggest you look in the mirror. Seriously, did you think I’d want to give you mouth-to-mouth? Puleese.” Benjy and Medusala stood up and squared away toe-totoe, ready for the brewing confrontation. “Will you two knock it off?” Jason’s tone left no doubt he was tired of their banter. “I’m taking Syd home with me as soon as she can walk.” Her father shot to his feet and took a step toward the empty gun rack before remembering what Jason had done. Wheeling around, he spread his feet wide and locked his fists. “No animal is going to take my little girl anywhere. I don’t care if I have to stop you with my bare hands.” Jason rose to the challenge. “Give it your best shot, old man.” “Shit. They’re at it again. I have to stop this.” Syd wanted to get up, but her mother forced her down. “For Pete’s sake, why does everyone keep making me stay down? Mom, let me─” “Oh, no, you don’t. Let me handle this.” After gently resting her on the floor, her mother rose, commanding everyone’s attention with the determination flowing from her. “Listen up! No more fighting, do you understand? Neither one of you will ever have anything to do with my daughter until you learn to accept each other.” “Miriam, are you crazy? Accept a shifter?” “I’m sorry, Mrs. Skeller, but you’re asking too much. Syd’s like me now, and she needs to live among her own kind.”
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Her father bumped his chest against Jason and tried in vain to make the larger man step back. “She is with her own kind, you freak. I’ll find a way to rid her body of every drop of shifter blood if it’s the last thing I ever do.” In true alpha male style, Jason bumped back. Skeller stumbled backward a couple of feet before regaining his footing. “As I said.” Her mother’s strong voice halted the men’s argument before it could get any worse. “I’ll take care of Sydney and you two will leave her alone until I say you’re ready to see her.” “But, Miriam, honey, she’s a hunter. She’s a Skeller.” The silence after his statement intensified with her parents glaring at each other until Syd couldn’t stand it any longer. “Mom, I’m okay. It’s okay.” Sending Skeller a determined look, she added, “I’m sorry, but you won’t keep me away from Jason.” Her mother’s shoulders slumped and she turned to face her. Had her mother ever appeared bedraggled before? In her whole life she’d never seen her mother look exhausted. Even when she’d come down with pneumonia. A shiver of premonition shuddered through her at the expression on her mother’s face. “On second thought, Mom, say what you have to say. What is it?” The tears springing to her mother’s eyes told her she’d struck a nerve. She shivered at the chill of dread inching along her spine. “I need to tell you—all of you—a secret I’ve kept for years. I can’t keep this to myself any longer.” My mother has a secret? My straightforward, speak-your-mind mom has a secret? “Griswold, she’s not a Skeller, and you know she’s not. She doesn’t have a drop of Skeller blood in her.” Her mother walked over to her father and stood before him, hands clasped in front of her, acting like a sinner ready to receive the worst kind of punishment. “She isn’t a hunter. Not by birth.” I’m not a Skeller? Syd’s mind reeled with the implications. If I don’t have hunter blood in me, then I’m not a hunter. All the years of feeling different and out of place in her father’s world finally made sense. “But how? Who am I if I’m not a Skeller?” Her father snorted. “Of course she’s a Skeller. She’s our daughter. Her birth parents don’t matter. I’ve raised her to be a hunter. She is a Skeller and a hunter. Discussion closed.” “Yes, she’s our daughter. We raised her, bathed her, clothed her, and educated her. And you’ve tried to turn her into the hunter you’ve always wanted.” She gave Syd a weak smile. “I hope she’ll always be our daughter. But we can’t keep the truth from her any longer, any more than you can force her to be something she isn’t.” With Jason’s help, Syd stood up. Her legs felt wobbly, but they held her. Fortunately, her renewed strength surged through her with every passing second. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” She needed to hear her mother validate the suspicions she’d had all her life. “Are you telling me I’m adopted?” “Griswold, we’ve tried to cover up the truth for years, but we can’t go on. We pretended I gave birth to her and you were her natural father. Pretending was easier than telling anyone, even her, so we let it slide all these years.”
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The more her mother said, the more Syd’s thoughts jumbled together. She’d known something was wrong long before today. Somehow, deep inside, she’d always known. “Mom, tell me the rest. Who are my biological parents? Do you know who they are?” Her mother smiled a weak smile and another shiver rushed through Syd. Instead of answering her, however, she left her husband and turned to Jason. “You shouldn’t begrudge Sydney her family. Since she doesn’t have any hunter blood in her, I’m hoping your kind, your family can accept her. Especially when they learn about her real heritage. But even though we aren’t related by blood, we still love her. She’ll always be our baby girl.” I don’t have any hunter blood in me. As hard as she tried, her mind couldn’t adjust to the information. She’d never known any other life. Jason studied her mother, started to say something, and changed his mind. In the end, he merely nodded. In awed silence, Syd watched her mother take the shifter into her arms and hug him. “Welcome to our family, Jason. If you’ll have us.” Jason’s tense body loosened up under her mother’s affection and Syd fought to keep her tears back. “You’ll always be welcome in our home, Mrs. Skeller.” Cocking his head to the side, he amended, “Miriam.” She gave him another quick embrace and faced her fuming husband. “Griswold, don’t be mad at me for telling her. It was time she knew the truth. We always promised ourselves we’d tell her, but we kept putting it off. For selfish reasons, I’m afraid.” “You could have discussed this with me first, Miriam.” Her father’s body was ramrod straight. “Oh, my, my. We’ve got a real-life soap opera going on right before our very eyes.” Benjy clapped his hands together in excitement. “You know what this means, don’t you?” Medusala stretched her hand above her head and waved. “I do!” “Shut up, you two. Stay out of this.” Jason added a long snarl to his command. Syd crossed her arms to ward off the cold. But most of the chill came from inside her. “I’m adopted.” She glanced from her father to her mother. “And he’s not my biological father.” How many times would she have to say the words to believe the truth? “He’s your father in all the important ways.” Everyone gawked at Jason, more than a little surprised to hear those words coming from him. “What? Hey, wolves watch Dr. Phil too, you know.” Benjy giggled and started to speak, but clammed up when Jason thrust out a finger in warning. “Not a single word.” Syd’s heart pounded, almost cracking through her ribcage. “But that means you aren’t my real mother.” Her father shook his head vehemently. “She’s your mother. No matter how you came to us.”
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Part of her wanted to accept her newfound reality, while another part screamed at her to forget everything she’d heard. She averted her face from the group, wanting a minute to let everything sink in. In a short few days her world had changed forever. Not only had she transformed into a werewolf, she’d now learned she was adopted. “I’m sorry, Sydney. I’m sorry you had to find out this way.” Yet her mother’s soft words couldn’t provide the comfort she wanted. Not this time. Still, she turned back to her, wishing she could fall into her arms one last time. “Honey, I’m afraid there’s more. Even your father doesn’t know what I have to tell you now.” Her mother’s tears slipped down her cheeks. “I don’t want any more secrets between us.” “You’ve kept a secret from me?” Her father shook his head, trying to deny what he didn’t want to hear. Syd reached out for Jason, for the one person she needed most, and found him waiting to help her. With his support, she shuffled toward her mother. “What? Tell me everything. Is my whole life a lie? I have to know.” Her mother wiped a tear away from her cheek. “It’s my fault. I should never have put you two”—she motioned toward Skeller—“in this position. I knew nothing but trouble would come from it. But I couldn’t help myself. From the first second I saw you, I knew you were my little girl.” Her father, more subdued than she’d ever seen him, took his wife in a loving embrace. Gone was his anger and denial. “Go ahead, Miriam. Whatever it is, I’m here.” “Is this better than All My Children or what?” As a group, they whirled on Benjy. “Shut up!” “Well, sheesh, pick on the skinny gay dude, why don’t you? I’d hate to think how you’d treat me if I were gay and black.” The group ignored him. Syd took a deep breath and waited for her to continue. “Griswold, I’m sorry. I did something I knew you’d never have allowed. But I had to choose Sydney. She was so tiny and all alone.” “I know, honey. I remember.” The atmosphere, charged with anger and hostility before, rapidly changed. Her mother seemed to forget about Syd and concentrated on her father. “But I hid a secret from you, Griswold. I didn’t tell you everything.” Drawing her body to her full height, she placed a determined expression on her face and stared him in the eye. “No, I take it back. I’m not sorry I did. Otherwise, you’d never have let us keep Sydney.” “Don’t worry, Miriam. Whatever it is, I’ll understand. I fell in love with her from the start, too. Nothing you could’ve said back then would’ve changed my mind.” What secret had her mother kept all these years? What more could there be?
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“I know you believe what you say. But at the time, I knew if I told you the truth, you’d send her away. Or worse.” Syd could see her father tense up again and fight the urge to demand more. She recognized the struggle within him for patience because the same fight raged on within her. “I have to say this flat out.” Her mother studied everyone’s faces, judging their readiness, and blurted out the truth. “Sydney’s real parents…Sydney’s real father was…a werewolf.” Her father staggered backward, grappling for something to hold on to. Medusala took his arm to steady him, but he jerked away from her. “No! You’re wrong. You lie. Why would you tell us such an awful lie, Miriam? It’s not true. It can’t be true.” He shook his head, waving his hands in front of himself to ward off her words. “I’d have sensed it. I’d have smelled the shifter in her. You’re lying. You’re lying to get me to accept him.” He jabbed a finger at Jason, accusing him of being the root of the trouble. Her mother straightened her sagging shoulders and glared at him. “But you didn’t. You never sensed anything wrong with her.” “Whoa there, lady. Being a lycanthrope is not wrong.” They wheeled on Benjy yet another time, but he shushed them and said what he knew they’d have said. “Yeah, yeah. I know. ‘Shut up, Benjy.’ Damn it. I don’t get no respect.” Miriam continued, ignoring the small werewolf’s outburst. “Maybe you didn’t sense the shifter part of her because you’d already accepted her. I don’t know and it doesn’t matter anymore. She’s half werewolf, Griswold, but she’s our daughter, too. That’s why you have to accept her changing, becoming what she was meant to be.” I’m half wolf? Syd’s mind reeled with the new knowledge. “Mom, who are my parents? How did you meet them? How did you find me? Why didn’t they want me?” She knew asking the questions would give her parents more pain, yet she had no choice. The questions kept pouring through her mind, and she couldn’t ignore them. “A friend of mine called me about her teenaged daughter who was headstrong, foolish, and had gotten into trouble. She’d fallen in love with an older man and, before she’d discovered what he was, she was pregnant. My friend called a week after you were born and offered to let me take you home and make you mine. She knew we couldn’t have children and, once I’d laid eyes on you, I couldn’t say no.” She looked at Skeller and wiped away a tear. “I guess I hoped you had enough human blood in you to keep you from changing. But when I saw you and Jason together, I knew the inevitable had finally happened.” She reached out to Skeller, but he wouldn’t take her hand. “Don’t you see, Griswold? You have to accept Jason, too. They belong together more than she ever belonged with us.” His jaws fell slack. “I don’t know if I can.” He gave his wife a look filled with pain and betrayal. “Miriam, how…? I can’t…” His mouth moved, yet he couldn’t speak any longer.
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Howling for My Baby
An emptiness swept over Syd. How could she imagine a life without her father? They’d never had a close relationship, but she loved him. And more questions remained. “Where is my biological mother now? And who is my father? Do you know his name?” “Your mother ran off with another man not long after you were born. I’m sorry, but she never told anyone your father’s name. She wanted to protect him even though he’d done nothing to help her.” “But if I’m half werewolf, why aren’t I able to transform all the way?” She searched Jason and saw an answer written in his face. “Do you know?” “The time when a lycanthrope starts to change depends on how much werewolf blood they have. If your father was lycanthrope, but your mother wasn’t—there’s no telling when the change would have naturally occurred. My bite probably kick-started the process, which is why you heal so fast.” Her father’s face appeared worn and haggard. “Skeller?” His dull eyes met hers, but he didn’t speak. “Dad? Do you hate me?” At her question, he blinked and looked alive once again. He drew near her and raised his hands to place them around her neck. She heard Jason’s warning snarl and shook her head. If her father wanted her dead, then let him kill her. She didn’t think she could bear the thought of having him hate her. Staring into his eyes, she waited. Waited and knew in her heart—just as she’d known with Jason—that he’d never hurt her. He slid his hands along her neck, his thumb passing over the spot where Jason had marked her, to the top of her shoulders. “I could never hate you. I’m so relieved to see you better, I don’t care how it happened, sweet pea.” She sucked in air, surprised and pleased he’d used her childhood pet name. “I love you, too, Dad. I always will.” A gigantic sniff swiveled her attention to Benjy and Medusala who stood arm and arm, leaning against each other for comfort. With their heads touching, Benjy tapped a lavender hankie to his eyes while the medium wiped her nose with the same handkerchief. “This is beyond beautiful. I couldn’t have wished anything more for our little Syd.” A sob racked Medusala, making her green hair bounce around her shoulders. “When you’re right, you’re right, Benjy, baby.” “I guess we’re all one big happy family, huh?” Jason grinned, slipped an arm around Syd’s waist and placed a hand on her father’s shoulders. “If you can let bygones be bygones, old man, I guess I can do the same. How about it…Dad?” The color drained from her father’s face and she lightly punched Jason in the ribs. Typical Jason. Make a joke when things get too serious.
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Griswold growled at Jason who, of course, couldn’t let such an action pass without some kind of snarky comment. “Not bad, Pops. This time try growling with a bit more feeling. Let me know you mean it, Daddy Skeller.” Her father choked and pink flowed into his cheeks. “Do. Not. Call. Me. Pops. Or Dad. Ever.” “But, Dad─” Her father’s fist hit Jason in the side of the head before Jason could duck out of the way. Taking the punch without losing his balance, he snarled and began to shift again. “No!” Her mother’s roar startled them, with Jason’s shift quickly fading. “Haven’t you two learned anything? This feud will stop right this instant. No more fighting. Do you understand?” “Way to go, Mom.” Syd shot a fist in the air, making her mother fight to stay angry. “You listen to me.” Her mother sauntered around the two men, glaring them into submission. “From now on, you two will behave like civilized creatures. Griswold, you will treat Jason with civility even if you can’t find any kindness for him.” Jason thumbed his nose at Griswold until her mother caught him, then put on an innocent face. “As for you, you will not shift in my home again without permission.” She ran her gaze up and down his barely covered body. “And you will put some clothes on, pronto.” Whipping around, she pointed at Benjy. “The same goes for you, skinny boy.” Jason saluted her and made a face at Sydney. “We’ve got to figure out how to make clothes disappear and reappear at will.” He beckoned her over to him and pressed his lips to hers. Yet in the instant their lips met, a loud crash reverberated through the walls and in the ceiling above them. Syd jerked apart from Jason, caught the startled expressions of the others, and whistled. “Damn. Your kisses always give me a bang, but I never thought they were audible to others. Way to go, my big strong wolfie.”
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Chapter Twelve
“I’d like to, but I can’t take credit for the sonic boom.” Jason looked up at the ceiling, then over to the walls. “If I had to guess, I’d say someone is trying to break into the house.” Syd’s elation from the kiss dropped forty levels. “Damn. I thought all I had to worry about now was a bad case of fur rash.” Jason got a weird expression on his face and shook his head at Benjy. “She’s starting to sound like you and your bad jokes.” Of course, Benjy being Benjy, he had to get the last word in. “What bad jokes? You people don’t know subtle humor when you hear it. Syd, however, shows promise.” More crashes from above drew their attention to the ceiling again. Skeller moved closer to Miriam while Benjy grabbed onto Medusala. “I think we’ve got company.” Jason let go of Syd and moved to stand next to the steps. His gaze traveled to the door above him. “Are you expecting visitors, Skeller?” “No, but I have a bad feeling the hunters finally got their shit together and decided to come after my girl. And me for protecting her.” “I. Have. Had. It.” At the deep tone of the new voice, everyone stared at Medusala. She—he—whipped off the green wig and tossed it on top of a box. Syd gawked at the medium, stunned when she—he—hiked up the bottom of her—his—skirt and stuffed it into her—his—belt. Hairy legs protruded from the bottom of the skirt, legs no woman should ever possess, much less have to shave. Then she—he—dug into her—his—bosom to pull out pad after brassiere-stuffing pad. Before long, Medusala had changed from a big ugly female psychic into a pissed-off-looking buzz-cut male. “I am so not going to stand for any more of this insanity.” “Heavens, you’re a man!” Miriam’s shocked declaration spurred everyone to action. “A man who pretends to be a woman? What kind of a man dresses up like a girl?” Skeller’s question went unanswered until Jason walked over and tugged Medusala’s shirt away from his body. With a glance of apology at the large man, he checked out the now-deflated chest area. “Nothing up top. He’s definitely a dude.” Another crash had Jason jerking his head away from the psychic’s bosom to check the ceiling above them.
Beverly Rae
“You can’t tell by the chest, Jay-Jay.” Benjy bent over and lifted Medusala’s skirt higher to examine his nether regions. He tittered and wiggled his eyebrows. “The answer’s all in the balls—and not just the crystal ones.” “Get your paws off me, you naked letch.” Medusala slapped at Benjy’s head and pushed him to the floor. “Okay, let’s get this party rolling. A guy can only take a limited amount of this craziness, you know. If a fight’s about to happen, I’m getting ready.” With a sneer at Benjy, Medusala pulled knives of various sizes from inside his clothing. “I don’t have claws and fangs, but I think these will do the job.” “Is he another one of your freaky friends?” Jason snarled at Skeller, who had moved halfway up the stairs. “Not all freaks are lycanthropes. In fact, most of the freaks I’ve seen are more your kind than ours. Besides, we didn’t invite her, uh, him here. You did.” “I’m not a freak, you freak.” Medusala had four knives ready—two in his hands and two stuck in his belt. “I’m a struggling medical student trying to make enough money to pay for school and living expenses. Being a fake medium and, yes, a female impersonator pays better than any regular job. Screw you if you don’t like it, but having odd jobs doesn’t make me a freak.” Benjy jumped up and down, barely keeping his makeshift wardrobe wrapped around his hips. His features lit up with excitement. “Shut up! I knew you looked familiar. You perform at Boys’ Toys, don’t you? Although I must say you dress better when you’re performing.” He touched Medusala’s arm several times in awed reverence. “You are simply amazing! I saw the show where you sang a Streisand medley and you were fab-u-lous. Seriously, I cried a river. Hell, no, an ocean. Miss Barbra herself couldn’t have sung them better.” Medusala stared at Benjy for a full minute without saying a word before turning to Skeller. “What did you get me into? You never told me about all these…people. Now there’s more coming?” “Quiet.” Skeller’s whisper brought instant silence. “I can hear them on the other side of the door. They’re talking about coming down.” “Get ready, buddy.” Jason hadn’t taken his sight off the door. “Oh, my, my. Do I still have to get dressed, Miriam?” Benjy dropped the scarf and cupped his privates in a coquettish gesture. “Or do I have permission to shift again?” “Under the circumstances, you both have my permission.” She waved them on. “Wolf out, boys, and let ’em have it.” Jason and Benjy didn’t wait a moment longer to begin their transformations. “I knew I liked you, Miriam, from the first minute I saw you in bed.” Skeller gagged, then gaped at his wife. “In bed?” “No, Griswold, I saw him in bed. With Sydney.” Skeller choked again, clearly not helped by her explanation.
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“Oh, get over it, Griswold.” She puffed out an exasperated sigh. “Did you think she was a virgin?” When he couldn’t answer, she dismissed him altogether. “I’ll explain later, dear.” Almost simultaneously, the two shifters’ heads elongated, sprouting muzzles where once their jaws had been. Fangs, long and fiercely sharp, protruded from their mouths while the first layers of fur spread like a forest fire from the top of their heads to their toes in less time than Syd took to swallow the saliva bursting into her mouth. A second, longer layer of fur followed the same course as the first, protecting the undercoat that kept wolves warm. Hands morphed, losing fingernails and gaining claws. Yet it was their eyes Syd watched in fascination and envy as they grew thinner, narrower, sliding from dark brown to the flashing amber she’d seen in her dreams. “You’re still grinning.” Syd reached out to touch Jason and he rubbed up against her. “I think I like your wolf grin the best.” However, a very human-like chuckle rumbled in his throat. He woofed at her, rose up on his hind legs and placed his paws on her shoulders. With another chuckle, he licked her face, sliding his tongue down her cheek. The rough surface scraped over her collarbone, sending her into giggles, but her laughter ceased when she saw her father’s expression. She sent him a silent message, knowing he wasn’t ready to hear the words out loud, but needing to say them—if only to herself. I’m sorry, Skeller. You’ll have to get used to them. To me and what I’ve become. No, nix that. To what I’ve always been. Pushing Jason away, she closed her eyes and gathered the power surging through her. The heat, the burn took her breath away. Her bones lengthened and altered, hurting her, but she allowed the force free reign. Tearing sounds echoed in her mind and she knew her clothes ripped away from her body. But she didn’t care. Fur surged along the surface of her skin with a strange indefinable sensation and, when her teeth started aching, she instinctively knew the finish was near. She opened her eyes and saw the world in a different way. Although everything was now in grays and browns, the room around her was clearer, more distinct, sharper than she’d ever imagined. Textures she’d never noticed before burst to life before her, demanding her attention. The brown of the boxes was richer, pulsating with color, and she could see into the dark corners of the basement as clearly as if she’d shown a spotlight on them. A myriad of odors she’d never noticed before burned her nostrils, yet she could still separate them, identifying each one with a new instinct and knowledge. “This is fantastic.” She went down on all fours, surprised at her garbled words. Why couldn’t she speak? Jason and Benjy had no problem talking when they were in wolf form. “Don’t worry, Syd. You’ll learn to use your wolf tongue. Give it time. And, of course, practice.” Jason growled a comforting sound. “I wish you could see yourself. You are smokin’.”
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Leaping onto the box where she’d placed the mirror, she stared at the image before her. A wolf with golden highlights streaked through brown fur looked back at her. I shifted! And not a partial shift, either. I’m grade-A canine and all wolfed out. Pure pleasure wafted through her. She jumped to the floor, yelped at her stunned parents, lifted her head—and howled. An axe sliced through the door’s center panel. The wood splintered, pieces flying downward, and the humans leapt away. Jason, Benjy and Syd held their ground, ducking their heads to protect themselves from the small wooden spikes hurtling at them. They stayed hunched over until the rain from the destroyed door was over. Syd scooted closer to Jason and caught his warning. “They’re coming. Get ready.” She nodded and crouched just in time to see a hunter barreling down the stairs. “Watch out for her. Protect her, no matter what,” Jason ordered Benjy. “Okie-dokie. Will do.” “Don’t attack until I say so.” “Gotcha, Jay-Jay.” “Will you guys stop talking about me like I’m not standing right here?” Syd snarled at them in case they hadn’t understood her mangled words. Two hunters reached the bottom of the stairs and Jason stepped in front of her. “Figures one of them would be your ex-boyfriend.” She groaned, making an odd sound deep in her throat. Benjy tried to cut her away from Jason’s side and the hunters’ advances, but Syd bumped back. “Knock it off, boney-butt, or I’ll make you sit through an entire Sunday of football games.” “Fine with me. I like boys in tight pants, Miss Mush Mouth.” Max jumped over the last few steps to land in front of them with the other hunter rushing to catch up. “Holy shit. Three? You’ve got three shifters in your basement?” He glanced around the room and studied Medusala. “What the hell is that? Some kind of cross-dressing homo?” “I am not a homo. Got it?” Medusala brandished the largest knife. “And I’m not with them. At least, not yet. However, if you’re out to cause trouble, I may have to take sides.” “Good for you, uh… What’s your name, sweetheart? Your real name.” Benjy tipped his head and batted his eyes at the large medium. Medusala unthinkingly straightened his sagging bra and cringed at his action. “I am not your sweetheart. My name’s William Forst. Medusala’s my stage name.” Will you look at the people I’ve met since Jason came into my life? Syd tried to wave to William, but ended up swiping Benjy in the head. “Oops. Sorry.” “Hey, watch it, sugar. You’ll mess up my fur-do.” Max glared at Benjy. “Shut the hell up. I hate it when these things talk.”
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“Then you’ll really enjoy this. Come a little closer.” Benjy hiked up his hind leg. “I hope your aim’s good.” Not taking any chances, Syd scooted farther away and bumped into her father. He stood ready and armed with a garden hoe. Max’s stare finally landed on her father. “What’s happened to you, Skeller? When did you go over to the dark side?” “I have never and will never go over to the evil side. But you’re pushing me, Max, and you’re lucky I don’t have a gun.” He gestured toward the broken guns on the floor. “Or I’d shoot you full of lead for trespassing.” “I’m pushing you? You’re harboring minions from hell and you say I’m pushing you? To think I admired you, wanted to be exactly like you. Once Sydney and I got married, I’d have taken your place as head hunter. But now I see you for what you really are. You’re a wolf-loving pussy.” He spat on the floor in front of Skeller. “Eeww! How crass of your ass.” Benjy shuffled backward a bit, shaking his head. “I know hunters are uneducated morons, but pulease. Didn’t yo mamma ever teach you better than to spit on the floor? Pee, maybe. Spit, no.” Max pointed his gun at Benjy. “The demon dogs have to die. And this one’s first.” “Now, Jason?” Benjy crouched, ready to pounce. “Not yet.” “No! Don’t!” Her mother’s outburst tore Max’s attention from the wolf. “Not in my house. I won’t have any more violence in my home. And you’ll pay for the damages you caused, Max Tiller.” Incredulous, Benjy, Jason and Syd turned to confront her. “What do you mean, not in your house? So it’s okay if he shoots us outside your house?” Jason’s words echoed Syd’s unspoken questions. “I didn’t mean it like it sounded. Of course, I don’t want you harmed at any time, in any place.” She shrugged and gave them an apologetic look. But, despite her mother’s demand, Max pointed his gun directly at Jason’s head. “They’re evil scum and they must die. When and where doesn’t matter.” His hard gaze never left Jason. “I figure Syd’s new furry boyfriend is one of these animals and his pansy friend is the other vermin. But who’s the third one?” “Hey, Maxy, how’d you talk your way out of getting creamed by the hunters, big boy? Or were you hoping to get creamed?” Max blanched at Benjy’s question, then scowled. With a deliberate slowness, he repositioned his aim at Benjy. “You’re gonna die, godforsaken cur.” Benjy sat on his haunches. “Now wait a minute. Religion is not a matter I’d choose to discuss with you but, if you insist, perhaps you’ve heard of a thing called religious freedom?” Syd tilted her head to study the man before him. How had she ever liked this guy? He and Jason were light years away from each other.
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“Miriam, I hate to go against your wishes, but we may have to protect ourselves.” Jason shook his fur, growling another warning. “Uh-oh, Jay-Jay, we may have lost our best chance.” Three more hunters carrying guns thundered down the steps and slid into place behind Max and the other hunter. Waiting for a cue from their leader, they planted their feet apart and readied their weapons. One gigantic bear of a man coughed and nudged Max. “We going to do this or what? What’re we waiting for?” Max snapped out of his fixation on Benjy. “What took you guys so long? I said check the upstairs, not go take naps. Never mind. Let’s take care of business.” Max licked his lips, hungry for the kill. “Now, Jason?” “No, Benjy, not yet. I’ll tell you when.” Syd felt Jason and Benjy tense up when they placed their bodies next to hers, providing a barrier for her. She knew they’d protect her with their lives and she fought to hold her tears in check. Why didn’t Skeller step up to protect her again? Because he was sure she was a shifter now? Afraid her answer was right, she turned to seek her father’s eyes. His met hers, softening his angry expression for a moment before the hardened mask fell back into place. “Are you fucking kidding me? What the hell are you doing barging into my home like this?” Skeller marched over to confront the group, putting him in close proximity to Benjy. “You don’t have the right to break into a man’s home and threaten him. Get the hell outta here before I throw you out.” Max laughed and pushed up his baseball cap. He flexed his muscles, stretching his already skin-tight T-shirt, and sneered. “We have every right in the world, Skeller, and you know it. We’ve sworn to rid the world of these creatures, and we’re going to do our job even if you’ve decided to betray us. Hell, you’ve broken into homes a time or two, haven’t you?” He pointed his gun at her father. “Try and stop us and we’ll take you down with them, you sick shifter-lover.” Boy, what I wouldn’t give to tear out his tongue and cram it down his big mouth. Instead, Syd waited for Jason to say something. But he remained quiet, aside from the occasional warning growl at the hunters. What’s the holdup? The three of us, along with Skeller and Medusala, can take these guys. What are we waiting for? She pranced on her four paws, trying to relay her impatience to Jason, but he kept his focus riveted on the men. “I’m warning you, man. You do anything to harm my daughter and you won’t live long enough to regret it.” The expression on Max’s face was priceless—and hilarious in its stupidity. “Your daughter?” His gaze fell to Syd, yet still nothing registered. He always was a bit slow. She swished her tail at him. Come on, Max, baby. You aren’t that dumb, are you? Can’t you see it’s me?
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Howling for My Baby
As if her thoughts had cracked a pathway into his thick skull, realization punched him, almost knocking him off his feet. “Oh, my God. That’s Sydney? No way.” He leaned nearer, moving his face within an inch of her muzzle. “No fuckin’ way.” Okay, what are my options? Syd narrowed her eyes at him and deliberated. I could bite his nose. Or I could lick him. Eew, no, both bad choices. What else? Hmm, I think I’ve got it. She grinned, knowing Max wouldn’t see the facial expression for what it was, lifted her head, and snorted. The gunk inside her nose sprayed on his face, making him jerk upward, stumble, and fall into the arms of his friends. “Urgh! Shit!” Frantically, he wiped his face and regained enough equilibrium to stand on his own feet. “You blew snot on me, you little bitch.” Syd snarled a comeback before she remembered he wouldn’t understand her. Yet Jason couldn’t let it pass. He shifted in an instant to stand between her and Benjy, his glorious naked body sending shivers of lust racing through her. In wolf form or human, he is one hot hunk. Syd wagged her tail at him and gave a short bark. “Are you sure, Max? Maybe she’s just glad to see you.” Max wiped his hand on his pants, raised his gun, and placed the business end against Jason’s forehead. “Playtime is up, asshole. Get ready to die.” Even though she’d rather have stayed in wolf form, Syd shifted to stand next to Jason. “No, shoot me. I’m the one you should be mad at.” She took his arm, giving and taking support from their physical connection. “Can you kill me, Max? After all we meant to each other?” At least in his mind. But she wasn’t too proud to use his affection for her if it would literally save her hide. Why isn’t he answering me? She glanced around at the men standing before her and felt her skin crawl. Their hot hungry eyes seared into her, making her blush. Uh-oh. “Uh, babe. You might want to change back to wolf again. Or find some other clothes to put on.” The embarrassing truth sent a flow of heat to flame her cheeks. “My clothes are shredded and I’m basically naked, aren’t I?” “Yes, dear, you are.” Her mother’s soft voice agreed with her. Please, oh, please. Let my father go blind before he sees me. Moving enough to catch a glimpse of him, she knew her prayer came too late. Please, oh, please. Don’t let my father go blind because he’s seen me. Their eyes met before he jerked his gaze off to the side. Yet the hunters and William continued to enjoy the view. Glancing around, she saw her clothes strewn across the floor in piles of shredded fabric. “I guess I only have the one choice.” Without another second’s hesitation, she closed her eyes and morphed. “Jason, let’s work on the clothes reappearing thing first thing in the morning, okay?” Fur had already covered her body before she’d landed on her front paws. “Hey, I’m getting good at this.” “Damn it. Why’d she have to go and change?” The hunter who’d made the remark lowered his eyes when Max spun around and whacked him on the arm.
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“Watch your mouth, Hank.” “Really? Do you care? Did you ever truly care? Or were you after my father’s position and prestige in the group?” If she could keep him yakking about their past relationship, maybe Jason could come up with a way out of this trap. “Sydney, I’m not talking to you while you’re like…that.” He waved his gun at her in revulsion. She rose up on her hind legs and pranced around. Distraction. Gotta keep up the distractions. “Sorry. This is what I am. Oh, hey, did you hear the news? I’m adopted.” Sneaking a peek at Jason, she shot him a questioning look, hoping he’d have thought of an idea. He merely shrugged, clearly idea-less. Great. Just great. “What’d you say? Did you say you’re not Skeller’s daughter? You’re not a hunter and you don’t have hunter blood in you?” Hey, he understood me. “Nope, not a drop. And, yippee, it gets better. My real father—I mean, my biological father—was a shifter. I’m a half-breed.” Sounds of disbelief rumbled through the hunter group. “Which means…” Syd paused for effect, “…you had sex with a werewolf.” She hoped he could tell that she was wiggling her wolfish eyebrows. “You did say I was an animal in the bedroom.” If she’d had to choose, she wouldn’t have known which man’s face suddenly lost more color—Max’s or Skeller’s. “Okay. That’s way too much information, Syd.” Jason didn’t appear to have handled the news much better than Max or Skeller. But she couldn’t do anything about the past now. However, Max recovered quickly enough to focus his attention—and his gun—on Skeller. His sarcastic tone made Syd want to throw up. “You, the head honcho of the hunters, raised a werewolf. All these years of making speeches about the evils of shifters, and you were feeding and clothing a shifter kid in your home. And you let me date the bitch, too.” “He didn’t know.” The plea in her mother’s voice was unbearable. Syd moved to her mother and sat in front of her, showing her support for the woman who’d raised her. “Neither did Sydney. It was my secret.” But Skeller wasn’t about to let them blame his wife. “Don’t go judging Miriam. She wanted a child and I─I couldn’t give her a baby. She did what she had to do.” “Did we come here to chat with these mutants or to kill ’em?” Hank stepped forward and lifted his rifle to his shoulder. Again, Max spat on the floor at her father’s feet and raised his gun in the air. “You’re right, Hank. Let’s─” “Tell them about your secret?” Benjy changed into human form, wagging his finger at the lead hunter. “Miriam’s not the only one who’s had a secret all these years, is she, Maxy?”
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Hank’s massive forehead wrinkled. “Hell, I’m getting confused with these things changing back and forth. Either stay a human—and put some clothes on—or stay a wolf. Make up your minds.” Jason sent her a wolfish grin, relaying a very clear, yet unspoken message. Exactly what I was hoping for. Syd, you stay a wolf while Benjy and I keep changing. “What’s he talking about, Max?” Hank’s brow deepened more. “What secret?” Fear flashed across Max’s face and he tugged his cap lower on his forehead. “Nothing. He doesn’t know what he’s saying. Get ready to shoot, men, and aim for the head.” In one quick move, he braced his gun with his forearm and pulled the trigger. Miriam and William let out matching shrieks while Jason and Benjy came together to form a physical wall between the hunters and Syd. However, no one got shot. Hank had yanked Max’s arm up into the air, making the bullet ricochet harmlessly around the room. “Hang on, man. We’ve waited this long. We can wait a couple of minutes more. I want to hear what the skinny one has to say. What secret are you talking about?” “Hank, I’m in charge here.” But Max’s voice quivered. “Not anymore.” Hank strode around the medium to poke Benjy with his gun. “Talk.” “Get the hell out from behind me.” William, who’d remained quiet for most of the time, started to inch his way toward the stairs. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll leave. I’m not a wolf or whatever you other guys are, and I don’t understand what’s going on. I’ll leave and you’ll never hear a peep out of me. Trust me, I’m not telling anybody what I saw today.” “Stay where you are, girly-man.” Hank grabbed Benjy’s arm and yanked him away from the psychic. He urged him to continue with a hard prod to his ribcage. “Tell us the secret. Or get a bullet in your head.” “Well, if you put it that way.” Benjy smirked, obviously pleased to see Max shuffling from one foot to the other and looking toward the exit. “Our sweet Maxy leads a double life.” Guessing the assumption the hunters made by the expression on their faces, he hurriedly added, “No, he’s not a werewolf. Thank goodness for small mercies. No, he’s more like Willie, aka Madame Medusala.” “The name’s William. And I resent the association you’re making.” “Whatever.” Benjy sashayed up to Max and threw his arm around his neck. “Our boy here is one of the best hoofers at Boys’ Toys. Really, Med-er, William, I’d have thought you’d recognize each other.” William shrugged. “I did. But I thought it safer to keep my mouth shut.” Syd, engrossed in the whole exchange, waited to see Hank’s reaction. That boy has a whole lot of nothing in his head which is why this is taking a while to stick. At last, the intelligence-challenged hunter narrowed his eyes at his quickly-becoming-former friend. “Holy shit. You’re a gay dancer? You mean you dance at a bar for girly-boys? You’re a pervert, too?” “Now hold up, Hank.”
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“Don’t come near me, you…you pervert.” Hank fell in with the remaining hunters. “Boys, we’ve got a problem on our hands. We’re werewolf hunters, not gay bashers, but I ain’t sure what to do here.” “Hey, watch it. Having an alternate lifestyle doesn’t make someone a pervert.” Benjy bristled at Hank before pausing to realize what he’d done. “I cannot believe I’m defending a hunter.” “It appears you folks are having quite a good time. If you don’t mind, we’d like to join the party. After all, Benjy did invite us.” Everyone looked to the top of the stairs.
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Chapter Thirteen
“Well, hallelujah, the cavalry’s here.” Benjy wiggled his fingers at the group of nude men standing at the door of the basement. “Sure took you boys long enough.” As long as they’re here now. Jason shot them a grin. “Welcome to the party, boys.” “There’s four naked men in my father’s house. Six including Jason and Benjy.” Syd swiveled to her father. “Now there’s something I never imagined saying.” Skeller nodded. “You and me both.” Benjy clapped his hands in delight. “Isn’t this wonderful? I feel like I’m at Boys’ Toys on a Saturday night.” Jason raised a finger, calling for Hank’s attention. “Before I change, I think I ought to explain something to you.” He gestured to the men at the top of the steps, “These nice gentlemen are friends of ours. And even if you shoot them with silver bullets, they’ll still have time to rip out your hearts. Right, guys?” The shifters growled their agreement. In less than a minute, four large werewolves padded down the stairs to stand on the last few steps, hovering over the hunters. Jason bumped his friend. “Now we can get busy.” Jason and Benjy morphed and threw their bodies at the hunters nearest them. The pop of a gunshot was almost lost in the deafening roar of the wolves’ growls. Jason jumped on two of the hunters, knocking their guns harmlessly to the floor before their slow-thinking minds could react. Benjy’s transformation left Hank holding his foreleg. The stunned hunter held on while the skinny shifter tried pulling away, leaving Hank holding a paw. Benjy reached over and swiped his tongue along the hunter’s cheek. “Hankie, baby. If you wanted to dance, all you had to do was ask.” He snarled and tore the gun from the hunter’s hand. “But you won’t be needing this nasty old thing.” The hunter, unarmed and vulnerable, spun around and tried to dash up the stairs. Benjy’s claws raked down his back to latch onto his belt. With one tug, he threw the hunter backward, landing him on his butt. “Stick around, big boy. You’re not going to leave me here without an escort, are you?” Jason and the other shifters tossed the hunters around like sacks of flour, howling their enjoyment. “Hey, Blackwall, want a hunter for your kid?” He flung one of the smaller men toward a large brown wolf who caught him, hooking his shirt with very long claws. “You mean to play with?” Blackwall shook the man, delighting at his cry for help.
Beverly Rae
“Naw, not to play with.” Jason ran a claw down the face of another hunter and held the man to keep him from squirming away. “To eat.” He poked the hunter, making him yell with each prod. “This one seems tender enough. But if you want, I can gut him and marinate his meat for awhile.” The captured hunter writhed and twisted, forcing Jason to drop him. The hunter scurried off, bounding up the stairs. “Wow, would ya look at the boy move?” A warning sensation zipped along his spine and he glanced around, looking for Syd. Where was she? He stood motionless in a swirl of human and wolf bodies and scanned the room for her. She wouldn’t have run off, would she? No, he knew she wouldn’t. Yet he didn’t see her anywhere in the basement. Even William and Miriam were doing their best to fight off the hunters by standing, shoulder to shoulder, behind a group of boxes and slashing out whenever a hunter came too close. “Syd! Where are you?” Could she have gotten injured? Was she lying somewhere with a bullet in her? Could she recover again so soon after the first bullet wound? Jason swallowed to keep the bile from rising to his throat. He wouldn’t let himself think the worst. He had to believe she was all right. Yet had she left because she had no other choice? If so, did she leave on her own power? One of the hunters swung a bat at him, but he easily ducked out of the way. He retaliated by raking a claw across the man’s chest. The hunter screeched, hurting his sensitive hearing, then clutched a hand over the flesh hanging from his collarbone. But Jason’s mind was on Syd and not the hunter. Where was she? “Syd!” “Jason! I need you. Come quick!” The answering howl had him whipping around the room. She was still in the basement. But where? He sniffed, but the dankness of the room, combined with the sweat and stench of hunters and shifters alike, blocked any chance he had of finding her by smell. “Jason!” Her second howl was more urgent, propelling him toward the steps. Yet he was sure the sound came from downstairs. “Where are you, Syd? I can’t find you.” Another hunter reached for one of the guns scattered on the floor and he pounced on him, knocking the air from his body. Gripping the barrel of the rifle in his mouth, he squeezed with all his strength, letting all the frustration and worry for Syd flow into his crunch. The metal bent and he hurled the useless weapon away. “Under the stairs. Hurry!” Darting around men and wolves alike, Jason dove into the darkness under the steps. Syd, in human form, sat with a musty old blanket wrapped around her like a makeshift dress. Cradling her father’s head in her lap, she looked up at him with torment in her eyes. “He’s hurt. One of his former buddies slammed him in the head. I dragged him under here to get him out of the way.” Jason chuckled mirthlessly. “Then what’s the problem? He’s got a hard head.”
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Her eyes, full of terror and pain, added to her plea. “We have to get him help.” Help a hunter? Jason shook his head both in refusal and to deny the possibility of a shifter ever helping a hunter. “No way. He’s the one who started this fight. He’s the one who set us up and led us into a trap.” Fire deepened the blue pools staring at him, but it was nothing compared to the scorch of her words. “He’s also the one who saved me from the hunters at the lodge. And he’s the one who brought me home to take care of me. He’s my father. Even you said so.” Jason growled his displeasure. “In one way. But since you know who and what you really are, how can you expect me to help him?” “Because you love me as much as I love him.” Her words bulls-eyed the target in his heart, striking with a power he’d never have believed could exist. How could he disagree? “I know I’m going to regret this when he comes to, but sling him over my back and I’ll carry him out.” Another shot rang out and they instinctively ducked. “Let’s get going before this gets any worse.” Syd gave his neck a short hug and took her father’s head in hers. “Dad, wake up. You have to help us.” Yet nothing happened. “Dad, wake up. It’s Sydney. I need you. Mom needs you.” Skeller moaned and moved his head to the side before opening his eyes to stare up at Syd. “What happened?” He looked around the tiny space until finally landing on Jason. “You were knocked unconscious by one of your hunting buddies.” Jason shot him an evil smile. “Looks like even your own kind isn’t too fond of you anymore. What a shame.” “Now isn’t the time.” Again, she hooked him with her sad eyes and he knew this fight, at least, was a battle he couldn’t win. “Fine. Then let’s get him out of here.” He turned to check on the war raging around them. “Skeller’s friends are taking a beating out there and when our guys are finished mopping up, I don’t want to stick around and have to explain why I’m saving his sorry butt.” “Don’t worry about me. Take Sydney and get her somewhere safe. And Miriam, too.” Shit, I hate it when I have to admire an enemy. But the man does understand family loyalty. Jason snarled his irritation at Skeller. “Your daughter…” He paused to let the word sink in. “…won’t leave without you. She’s stubborn. Must be all those years of living with a hunter.” “Dad, climb on Jason’s back.” “What? You expect me to ride on top of a─” “Watch it, bud. This ain’t no pleasure trip for me, either.” Jason shot Syd an exasperated look and groaned when she answered with a pleading expression. “Come on. Let’s get this done.” With her keeping him steady, Skeller managed to get on his knees, then slide onto his back. “Shit, man, ever thought about a diet?”
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“Just shut up and haul me out of here. Sydney, get your mother.” The three odd companions slipped out of the darkness, with Syd helping to keep her father on his back. Catching her mother’s attention, she motioned for her to follow them. Miriam grabbed William’s arm and together they fought their way over to the trio. Yet, surprising everyone, William spun around and headed for Benjy. “Griswold, are you okay?” Miriam touched Jason with a loving pat and examined her husband’s head. “I’ll be fine. Let’s get out of here.” “Hold him steady up the stairs, Syd.” Jason twisted his head around and howled a message to the other shifters. “We’re outta here. Don’t leave a mess.” “Don’t leave a mess?” She shot him a questioning look. “What do you mean?” I do not want to answer her question. At least, not right now. Instead, he kept his head low and tried to keep his body from rocking too much and throwing off the injured man. But Syd, being the smart girl she was, figured it out on her own. “You don’t mean…” Again, he let her question go unanswered. Hearing the cock of the rifle, he warned the others and lowered his body a second before a shot echoed through the room. “Keep going.” Resuming his trek, he’d gone up a little farther when Max shouted from below. “I’m going to blow you animals to hell where you belong.” As if a giant had thrown ice water over the whole group, hunters and shifters alike stopped fighting and stared at the man standing alone in the farthest corner. He held several sticks of dynamite grouped together by duct tape. “Now where did you get that stuff?” Benjy jumped off a hunter to shift into human form again. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to play with explosives?” “I’m warning you,” Max snarled, his veins bulging at the side of his neck while a vibrant red color flowed up his neck. “Leave Sydney here and the rest of you can get out.” “I’m not leaving her with you.” Jason’s fur stood on end and he twitched his ears in warning. “Not on your life. Or mine.” Max giggled a strangled high-pitched sound and Jason saw the insanity in his eyes. “Have it your way, wolf man.” Without another warning, he pinched a lighter from his pocket and lit the wick. “Everyone, get out!” Jason didn’t wait to see if anyone obeyed his order. Instead, he jumped through the open doorway and bolted through the house. “They destroyed my parents’ home. Look at what─” “Syd, this is no time to worry about furnishings. Run!” With Syd keeping her father on his back, he loped from the home. Thankfully, Miriam escaped ahead of them.
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Although their progress was slow, they crossed the yard and made it to the other side of the street. Hunters and shifters poured out of the house and scurried off in different directions. Jason flopped Skeller onto the ground and Miriam knelt beside her husband to pull him into a hug. Syd, her face flushed with excitement, hugged him and planted a kiss on his furry forehead. “We made it.” She dropped to the ground, panting. “Yes, we did.” But where’s Benjy? In an instant of alarm, Jason shifted to human form and took a few paces toward the house. “What do you think you’re doing?” Syd bolted up to stop him. “You’re not thinking of going back in there, are you?” “I don’t see Benjy. Do you?” She scanned the neighborhood. “No. But he got out. He had to. He’s probably running like the devil is on his tail. Just like we should be doing.” Her sad attempt at a laugh fell short. “No. He’d try to meet up with me if he could.” He met Syd’s fearful gaze. Placing his hand on hers, he pried it away from his arm. “I’m going after him.” Without giving her time to stop him again, he dashed toward the house. “No! Jason, come back!” The force of the blast threw him into the air.
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Chapter Fourteen
Jason bolted upright and found Syd. “Are you okay?” She nodded and he didn’t wait a second longer. Instead, he ran toward the house—or what was left of the house. Flames flashed into the air from the center of the destroyed home and ashes rained down around him. “Jason! No!” He paused to find an opening in the wall of fire, allowing Syd to catch up with him and clutch his arm with both hands. “You can’t go in there. You’ll die if you do.” “It takes a lot to kill a werewolf, remember?” He tugged at her hands, trying to get her to let go. However, by using all her newfound strength, she managed to hang on to him. “I’m not stupid. Fire is one thing you can’t survive.” “I still have to try.” “No, you don’t. Face it. He couldn’t have survived the blast.” Her words drove the air from his lungs and he knew her heart ached for the funny shifter. Still, she drew herself up, with firm resolve etched on her features. Without words, he knew she wouldn’t let him make a fatal mistake. They had too much to live for. “I’m sorry, Jason, but if he was still in the house when the bomb exploded, he’s already dead. I won’t let you throw your life away on a hopeless situation.” He yelled an agonized howl, grief mixing with anger at the truth of her words. “You don’t know anything for sure. I have to check to be certain. I can’t leave him behind. He’s my friend.” His voice cracked, guilt driving a knife into him. “Damn me! I did leave him. I left him down there and ran out.” She brought him to her in an embrace. “You saved me and my family. Your family. And you warned all the others. You couldn’t have done anything more.” “But Benjy’s always been at my side. I can’t…” The rest of his words never made it out of his mouth. “Well, for the love of a good lay, you can’t what? Finish what you were saying, Jay-Jay.” Jason and Syd whirled to see Benjy, naked, bruised, bloodied, but alive and standing at the edge of the yard. Jason couldn’t help himself. He pulled Benjy to him, with Syd joining in for a group hug. “You got out! But how? You were standing too close to Max. You couldn’t have had time. How? Oh, crap, I don’t care how. I’m just so damned glad you’re alive.” “Sheesh, don’t put so much stress on the bones, will ya? I haven’t taken today’s calcium tablet yet.”
Howling for My Baby
Jason let him go and scrutinized his body for injuries. “You’re bleeding. Are you all right? Where are you hurt? Talk, Benjy.” “Has hell frozen over? Did a gay get elected president?” Benjy laughed. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you ask this many questions in all the years we’ve known each other. Not to mention telling me to talk. You usually tell me to shut up.” He tilted his head to slant him a sly look. “Could it mean you care about your cutie-pie buddie-bud?” “Don’t push it, thin man.” Jason grinned and didn’t think he’d stop grinning for another month. “Okay, okay. But ya can’t blame me for wanting to milk the moment.” “Hey, Benjy, what do you want me to do with this creep?” Again, they turned in the direction of a voice. “Medusala. Uh, I mean, William. You made it out. I’m glad you─” Syd’s gaze traveled from William’s ash-covered features to the crumpled heap of human flesh at his feet. Jason stalked over to snag the man’s hair and lift his face for inspection. Max, unconscious, reminded him of a marionette a child had forgotten to pick up and put in the toy bin. “Shit, the bastard got out.” William let go of Max’s shirt at the same moment Jason released his hair, letting Max slump to the ground. “Not through any effort of his. Benjy, however, was absolutely brilliant.” William saluted the lithe wolf man, who bowed in return. “He knocked Max on the head with one of the broken guns, and the jerk dropped like a sack of flour. Then he slung him over his shoulder and threw him out the same window you guys used to get inside the basement. Who knew a scrawny dude like him was so strong? And thank goodness this asshole had a long wick on the bomb or we’d have gotten blown to smithereens.” “Not that I’m not happy you made it, but instead of going through the window, why didn’t you simply snuff out the flame?” Jason and Syd exchanged a look. Yep, leave it to Benjy to do it the hard way. Benjy glanced at William, whose face echoed the same embarrassed expression that was on Benjy’s. “Gee, why didn’t we think of that?” “Because it would’ve been too easy?” Benjy took Jason’s explanation and ran for it. “Uh, yeah, you’re right. Way too easy for a hero like me.” Slapping his friend on the back in a good-natured way, Jason congratulated him for his bravery before pointing at the crowd gathering in the streets. The hunters and shifters had disappeared, leaving their small group surrounded by concerned—and very curious—neighbors. Police and ambulance sirens blared through the night air. Jason took Syd’s hand. “Uh, we may have a problem.” She tossed her hair, sending his heart into overtime, and stuck out her chin. “Not me. I don’t have a problem. Not while you’re with me.”
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He darted his gaze at the gawking crowd of onlookers. “How are you going to explain your dad’s house blowing up to your neighbors and the authorities? Not to mention you standing around in a blanket next to two nude men, a cross-dresser and an unconscious man?” e Deciding not to wait around to answer the inevitable questions, the small group lumped the unconscious Max into the flatbed of Skeller’s truck. Skeller, William and Benjy joined the out-cold hunter while Jason, Syd and Miriam hopped into the cab. With Miriam driving, they headed for Syd’s apartment. Syd could finally take a big breath, lessening the tension in her neck. “All I can say is thank goodness Skeller left his keys in the truck and parked in the street. Too bad he didn’t leave a change of clothing I could use.” Jason glanced over at Miriam. “Of course, you ladies probably enjoy sitting next to a virile naked man, huh?” Miriam chuckled and took a peek at his manhood. “I could take it or leave it.” “What?” The bruise to his ego wasn’t hard to miss in the tone of his voice. “Oh, sure, you’re nicely endowed and all.” “Gee, thanks.” Miriam winked, reminding Syd of Jason. “But you don’t have anything I haven’t seen before.” Syd covered her chuckle with a cough. “Don’t worry about it, Jason. I think you’re wonderful to look at. And to touch, by the way.” She sucked in air when she realized what she’d said in front of her mother. “Oh, shit. Forget I said anything. I’m pleading post-traumatic stress disorder.” “Don’t worry about it, honey. I know you’re a grown woman with all the normal needs.” Her mother shot her a disapproving look anyway. “But watch your language.” “Yes, ma’am.” Syd was more than grateful when her mother pulled the car into her apartment’s parking space. Her home had never looked so inviting. But sneaking from the car into the apartment didn’t go without a hitch. A couple necking in the car next to them came up for air at the same moment a naked Jason and Benjy jumped out of the truck. “Oops. Hi folks. No worries here. Just a little late night skinny-dipping. My buddy and I kind of lost our swim trunks.” Jason wiggled his fingers at the astonished couple. “Don’t you believe it.” Benjy snaked an arm around Jason’s waist and snared his body against his. “We’re lovers and nudists. The rest of these folks are voyeurs. Want to come up and watch the show?” Syd clamped a hand over her mouth to cover her laugh. With a curt snarl, Jason broke free of his friend and hurried their group to her apartment. “Quick thinking there, Jay-Jay.” With another snarl, the annoyed pack leader dragged him into the bedroom with Syd following after them. “Hell, if you want to have sex with me all you have to do is ask. You don’t have to get rough. Unless, of course, you like it rough. Does he, Syd?”
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“Dream on, stickman. And don’t call me, Jay-Jay.” Syd grinned at them and quickly dressed. Benjy caught the jeans and T-shirt Jason threw at him. “Well, my fifteen minutes of fame sure didn’t last long. From hero to zero in less than an hour.” “Get dressed and come on.” Jason pulled on a pair of jeans he’d left at the apartment a few days earlier and topped it off with his favorite Are You Wild? T-shirt. He led the way into the living area where Max was still lights-out on the couch. William motioned to Jason and tossed him a belt. “What’re you doing?” Jason caught the belt the medium tossed at him. “Leave the man alone. If he wants to go au natural, I’m not stopping him.” Benjy plopped down on the nearby armchair, leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, and openly gawked. “He made an ugly female, but he makes a hunky male.” “Don’t even think about it, man.” William scowled and ripped off his bra. “I’ve had it with this stuff. After what I’ve seen tonight, I don’t want to have anything to do with any kind of alternative lifestyle. Werewolves, gays, mediums, whatever. In fact, I’m going to check into a good psychiatric hospital. Maybe after some old-fashioned electric shock therapy, I’ll figure out this was one bizarre dream.” Benjy rose and skipped over to William to bat his eyelashes at him. “Say you’re joking, sweet cheeks. Can’t you feel the simpatico between us? Can’t you sense the attraction?” He stuck close to William although the former female impersonator tried to get out of his reach. “I need a big strong man like you around the house. Or, uh, cave. How about you join me for some down-low on the lycan side of life?” Undressed to the shorts he’d worn under his flower-covered dress, William brushed off the persistent wolf’s advances and headed for the door. “I’d like to say it’s been fun, but it hasn’t. Mr. Skeller, keep your money. I don’t want anything”—he stopped and pointed at Benjy—“or anyone to remind me of tonight.” “No, my little blossom buddy. You don’t mean what you’re saying.” Benjy reached out for William but had his hands slapped down. With a cry of disgust, the medium-no-more rushed out the door. The forlorn werewolf cried out in one last attempt to get him to stay. “Come back, Willie, come back.” Poor Benjy. He never has any luck. Yet Syd should’ve known his sadness wouldn’t last long. Benjy pouted and flopped down on the sofa. “Well, shoot. I’ve always dreamed of having a boyfriend named Willie. Do you know why?” Together, Jason and Syd tried to head him off. “No, Benjy. Don’t go there.” He pursed his lips and pointed to his crotch. “Because I’d have my willie, his willie and, last but not least, Willie.” Syd joined in the collective groan and made a face. “Urgh. I didn’t think it was possible, but your jokes are getting worse.”
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“I think he’s coming to.” True to her maternal and loving instincts, her mother bent over the prone hunter to place a comforting palm on his cheek. “I’m sure I heard him moan.” “What are we going to do with him?” Skeller, appearing older than he had a few short days before, looked at her and Jason. “Hey, don’t look at me,” Jason growled. “He’s your buddy.” “Yes, but he’s in my apartment, which makes him our problem, too.” What a difference a short time made. Not long ago she’d thought Max was a stand-up kind of guy and a possible lifetime partner. Now she didn’t have any feelings for him. Not even bad ones. Not since finding Jason. “Well, if you ask me, I don’t think Mr. Max is going to give us any more trouble. I’ve shone the light on his secret and I doubt his Neanderthal brothers are going to welcome him back into their club. He’s persona non grata.” Benjy swiveled over to the hunter, took his arm and tugged the man to a sitting position next to him. “Hey, sleeping beauty, time to wakey-wake.” Max mumbled a few incomprehensible words and grabbed the side of his head. “Argh. Ow. Shit. What happened?” Once his head cleared, he took in the crowd standing around him and summoned up enough energy to make a break for it. Benjy’s hand on his shoulder brought him down again. “Where ya going, sweet cheeks?” “Let me outta here.” “But I don’t want to let you go yet.” Benjy leaned against the hunter, sending him scooting to the opposite end of the couch. Jason thwarted his escape by flopping down on his other side. “Max, buddy, Benjy’s right. You need to stick around.” “No. Please. I can’t hurt you anymore. Please, let me go.” Syd thought she smelled fear radiating from him. Could she smell fear now? Or was she imagining it? She wanted to ask Jason, but didn’t want to interrupt. “We need to make sure you’re not going to repeat your Unabomber trick again. Or anything else harmful to me and my friends.” “Take it easy. You’re scaring him.” Jason cocked his head in question at her. “Huh? Your ex-boyfriend tries to make minced wolfmeat out of us, and you don’t want me to frighten him too much?” Can you say “green with envy”? Syd tried not to show how wonderful his jealousy made her feel. Better she should show him later. “I don’t care about him. But I don’t want him sweating so much he’ll leave a stain where he’s sitting. My sofa is brand new.” Jason’s guttural laugh reminded her of his chuckle in bed. Too much time has passed since he jumped my bones. So, watch out, my handsome howler, tonight’s the night. Syd licked her lips, sending him an unmistakable message which he intercepted and received. He winked at her, letting her know he’d like nothing better.
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“Will you two keep your pants on? We have to deal with this moron first.” “You’re right, Benjy. Sorry.” On second thought, I’m not sorry at all. “Trust me. If I wanted to scare him big time, it wouldn’t be sweat staining your couch.” Eew. Gross. “Then definitely do not terrify him or you’ll have to buy me some new furniture.” “Can we stick to the business at hand, kiddies?” Benjy snuggled up next to the shuddering Max. With nowhere else to go, the hunter had to endure his advances. “We know he can’t go back to the hunters after I outted him, which means he’s no threat to us now.” “Sure he can. Granted, they didn’t like the idea of his being gay, but they won’t shun him because of his sexuality. After all, they accepted me after Skeller told them I was gay.” A flash of annoyance skirted over Jason’s features. “Even though I’m not gay.” “It’s not the gay thing they’ll hate him for.” “What do you mean, Dad?” “Jason’s right. They’re not happy when a hunter is gay, but they won’t run him out because of it. They’re angry at him because he’s kept a secret from them all these years. Exactly like they hate me because they think I kept you a secret.” The pang of guilt poked her in the gut, making her hold back a tear for her father. Yet she knew she couldn’t help being what she was. She was a shifter through and through. By Jason’s bite and by birth. Still, she’d never meant to hurt him. “I’m sorry, Dad.” “Don’t, Sydney. Don’t ever apologize for what you are.” Her mother walked over and took her face in her hands. “You’re who you are because of what you are.” “Yes, but I’m also who I am because of the way you and Skeller—I mean, Dad—raised me.” Benjy clapped his hands in a take-charge, diva-like manner. “People, stay focused. No more sentimental mush, hear me? What if Maxy promises to leave town and never return? Could we trust him to stay away? What do you say, All-knowing Alpha?” Jason studied Max and the rest of them before answering. “I think we can.” He allowed his fangs to slide over his bottom lip. “Because if he doesn’t, he knows I’ll have the entire Cannon pack on him before the sun sets on his first day home.” He added a snarl for emphasis and Max cringed. “Good. Then we agree? Max can leave town unharmed?” The group took a moment to think before responding to Syd’s question. Jason frowned, retracted his teeth and agreed. “I guess. But letting him go is going to ruin the fun I had planned.” One by one the others nodded their agreement. Except Benjy. “What’s wrong? Why are you the odd man out?” Leave it to Benjy to be contrary. “He’s always the odd man out. Way out.” Jason chuckled and dodged when Benjy reached around Max to pinch his arm. “Oh, Jay-Jay, you’re an absolute riot. Not.”
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“How many times do I have to say this? Do. Not. Call. Me. Jay-Jay.” “Sorry, boss dog. But I’m getting some heavy duty attraction vibes from Maxy-man. In fact, I think we were destined for each other.” What the hell? Syd glanced at Max and Benjy, unable to fathom his words. “You two? Destined for each other? A gay hunter and a gay wolf?” “Sure.” Benjy scrunched even closer to the trembling man. “Don’t you agree, Max, baby?” A strangled cry erupted from the hunter. With another terrified yelp, he thrust his body off the couch and fell on the floor. Gripping the carpet for traction, he half-crawled, half-scrambled toward the door. “No! Get him away from me.” Benjy chased after his love interest. “But Maxy-Max! Can’t you feel our connection?” The frightened hunter found his footing to bound through the open apartment door and down the stairs with the horny shifter rushing after him. “Maxy-love! Please, we can make this work. I know we can. Howl for me, baby!” At the door to her apartment, Jason, Syd and her parents watched the flamboyant shifter chase the frantic hunter across the parking lot and into the field across the street. “Do you think he’ll catch him?” She entwined her arm in Jason’s. “The small dude’s fast, but fear can make a human run like hell. Still, no man, gay or straight, should have to deal with Benjy when he’s in heat.” The four of them returned to the living room. When her parents took the couch, Syd motioned for Jason to join her in her favorite oversized chair. Patting the cushion for him to take the seat, she settled on the arm and took a much-needed breath. “Okay. Since Max is no longer a problem, we can concentrate on the other piece of business to discuss before the police get around to tracking us down. Once they find us, we’ll be too busy answering their questions to sort out our problem.” Glancing at her father and Jason, she sent her mother a thinly veiled plea. “Where do we go from here? I mean, as a family?” “We are not a family.” Her father kept his head down, yet she heard the turmoil inside him from the ache in his voice. “Dad.” At her use of the affectionate name, he raised his head to search her face. “Dad, whether you like it or not, we are. Or, at least, I hope we can be. I guess it’s up to you.” Come on, Skeller. Don’t make this harder than it has to be. Taking another settling breath, she said the words she had to say. “I’m adopted and I’m a shifter.” Sheesh, you’d think I was at an S.A.—Shifters Anonymous—meeting. Her father issued an unintelligible grumble, but didn’t lower his head. A tiny spark of hope lit inside her. “And I’m a hunter. Don’t you see? I’m both shifter and hunter.” He opened his mouth to speak and she rushed on. “I’m a shifter by blood and by Jason’s marking, but I’m a hunter because of how you raised me. Think about it. I’m the best of both worlds. You know, a product of both environment and heredity.”
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“My family…” His face took on a funny expression. “…our family has been hunters for several generations. We’ve never had any ani—uh, werewolves—in our family. I don’t know how to deal with this.” “Then learn to deal with it, man. It is what it is and nothing you do will change it.” Jason’s challenge elicited an equally fierce reaction from her father. “No. I don’t have to accept this. We have a proud tradition of hunting your kind.” He scowled at Jason and turned to her. “What about your aunt? How can you disrespect her by living with…him?” Jason, however, answered before Syd could. “Don’t forget. We have a proud tradition of protecting ourselves from murderers like you.” The two men hurled their bodies at each other. Nose to nose, they sneered, neither one wanting to give in. “All right! We end it tonight!” Startled by her mother’s outburst, both men stood their ground, yet some of the steam in their stances evaporated. “Mom’s right. We have to come to an understanding.” Syd wedged her way between the two men she loved. Shoving against her father’s chest, she forcefully urged him to sit. Pointing at the chair, she ordered Jason to return to his seat. “Listen up, you two. This is how it’s going to happen.” “Sydney, girl, you’d better watch how you talk to me.” “I’ll talk to you however I want.” He started to object, but she raised her palm to stop him. “Yes, Dad, I can and I will.” At Jason’s chuckle, she scowled, stopping him. “And the same goes for you.” His grin faltered. “What has to happen before this feud, this war comes to an end? I almost died today.” Clinching her fists, she whirled on Skeller. “What happens when Jason and I have kids, huh?” Her father groaned, but she ignored it, too furious to stop. “Are you going to hunt your own grandchildren? Are you going to make them orphans? Will you blame them for your sister’s murder?” She wondered at her father’s wince. Which struck a chord with him? Killing his grandchildren? Or thinking about those children as shifters? “I’m giving you both the same choice.” She waited to make sure she had their undivided attention. “Here’s the deal. You either accept each other—and I’m only asking you to act civilly and try not to kill each other—or I get out of both of your lives.” Both men gaped at her before returning to glare at each other. Would they go for her proposition? If not, would she have the strength to leave them behind? She glanced at her mother, who stood unmoving and pale.
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As usual, her father tested her determination. If he thought he could change her mind, he’d try. “You can’t mean what you’re saying, Sydney.” “Trust me, Dad, I do.” “After all we’ve gone through, you have to come home with me.” Jason’s dark eyes drew her in and she wanted with all her heart to tell him she’d go to the ends of the earth with him. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she held her resolve and shook her head. “No, Jason, I don’t have to go anywhere with anyone.” The hurt on his face almost brought her to her knees. Jason, please. Give my father a chance. Give us a chance. She bit her lip to keep from pleading with him out loud. Instead, she turned to her father and silently made the same plea. Come on, Dad. Do this for me. “You don’t understand, Syd. For centuries, they’ve hunted us, murdered us. First out of fear, then out of hatred. Worse, sometimes just for the sport of it.” Jason raked his hand through the white streak in his hair. “To ask me to forgive hunters…” He gripped the back of his neck, frustration creasing his forehead. “Hell, asking me to turn into a pumpkin would be easier.” “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but he’s right.” “Are you saying you won’t give it a try either, Dad?” Both men shook their heads and glowered at each other. Tears blurred her vision, but she struggled to keep them from falling. Why are the two men in my life so stubborn? You’d think they’d gotten together and decided her fate long ago. “Can’t you see how this hatred has caused heartache and pain on both sides? Maybe werewolves were bad”—she raised her hand to silence Jason—“in the past, but it’s ancient history. Now they’re like us.” This time she lifted her hand to stop her father’s protest. “They live among humans and they work among humans. Hell, they even mate with humans. Can’t you understand how alike we really are? They have bad people in their ranks—like those who killed my aunt—and good people like Jason.” “No, Sydney. They’re evil creatures.” Her father’s retort was filled with emotion. “Don’t you remember anything I’ve taught you?” “Why?” She dropped to her knees in front of him, taking his hands. “Why are they any more evil than hunters?” Surprise registered on his face and he grasped for an explanation. “Yeah, Skeller. Tell us why you think shifters are evil? It’s like Syd said, some of us do bad things and you make all of us pay.” Jason scoffed at Skeller’s inability to answer. “You know what your kind has done. You kill innocents like my sister. And sometimes you do worse things. If you don’t kill them, you turn them into one of you.” “We don’t hurt anyone who doesn’t try to hurt us first. We aren’t the ones tracking and hunting prey. You’re the hunters. We’re the hunted.” Jason’s voice filled with anger. “Hunters are the real monsters.”
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Howling for My Baby
“Listen to him, Dad. If my aunt had been killed by a human, would you want to eradicate all of mankind?” “It’s true, Skeller. Have you ever seen a werewolf attack without first being attacked? Without first being cornered by a hunter and having no recourse except to fight for their lives?” Again, her father couldn’t find the words. Instead, he opted to take the conversation in another direction. “What about Sydney?” “What about her?” Jason looked to her for understanding, yet she could only shrug. “You attacked her. You changed her into an animal.” Now it was Jason’s turn to search for the right words. She decided to jump in and answer for him. “No, you’re wrong. He didn’t attack me. He marked me, making me his mate, and I wanted him to.” Her dad stared at her as though she had suddenly changed into a stranger. “How could you have wanted him to? The thought of him, on top of you, is too awful to think about.” “Awful?” Her voice cracked. “Does it make me awful for wanting him to mark me? Does it make me awful for wanting to spend my life with him?” She waited for a reply, got none and confronted Jason. “Can you accept the hunter part of me? Can you respect my mother and my father, if only for my sake?” He looked from one to the other before slowly nodding. “For you, I can do anything.” Syd shot him a grateful smile. “What do you say, Dad? Jason’s willing. Are you?” Her father glared at Jason, then turned his head, diverting his gaze. “I guess I have my answer.” Standing, she reached out for Jason. “Take me to your home.” “No, honey. Don’t go. I’ll help your father understand. He just needs time.” Her mother reached out for her. “Please, give him some time.” “Will you, Mom? Can you? Do you truly understand and accept us?” The tears streamed down her face. “I’m a werewolf, Mom. Do you get what that means?” Her mother nodded through tears of her own. “Of course I do, honey. I’ve always known, remember? I loved you the first moment I held you in my arms, and I still love you.” She took Jason’s hand. “Jason and I are fine. Aren’t we?” He stiffened when her mother placed a kiss on his cheek. But a second later, a wide grin spread across his face. “Hey, if it means getting kissed by a pretty lady, I’m more than fine.” A spurt of joy leapt through her. Her mother and her mate share a connection. At least she’d have one parent on her side. But could she leave her father, knowing he hated her and her new family? “Dad, I asked you this earlier, but I’m not sure you told me the truth. Do you hate me? Because I’m a lycan? Because I’m a half-breed?” Her father jolted at her question. “I-I told you the truth. I love you.”
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She held her breath, waited, hoped and prayed. “Then if you do, you’ll try to accept me—the shifter me. And that means accepting Jason, too.” Standing to draw himself to his full height, Skeller studied each of them in turn until finally fixing his gaze on her. “I could never hate my little girl. No matter what. But I…” Quit stalling, Skeller. Say the words I need to hear. “Then you’ll give us a chance? Will you stop hunting? Will you stop for me?” “No.” He shook his head, his face growing stern. “I can’t, Sydney. I don’t know how to do anything else. I’m a Skeller and I hunt shifters.” At his words, she could almost feel her heart slamming shut. She couldn’t let what he said hurt her. Now she knew where she belonged. “Then this is goodbye.” With one last look at her parents, she led Jason into the bedroom and slammed the door behind her.
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Epilogue
His hands roamed to her full bare breasts and his lust-filled moan sent a flood to the crevice between her legs. Pushing her down on the large flat boulder, he lay down next to her and slid one hand over the small mound of her tummy, past the furry patch of hair to finger his way through the folds. “Jason.” His answering growl sent shivers through her. Rubbing his index finger over her clit, he made her swell until she throbbed. Syd pulled him closer, crushing her mouth to his. How she loved his mouth on her. The way he played with one part of her body while his mouth caressed another made her pant with desire. He continued to kiss her, moving the kiss down her body as he made his way lower. He soon kissed her again. Not on her mouth. She gasped and reached for him to grip his hair. His warm breath mixed with the cool night air between her legs. “Oh, yes! Keep it up, Jason. Oh, man, I love what you do with your tongue.” She stretched her body, letting the moonlight cascade over her breasts. Knowing he was watching, she played with her tits. “Jason, please. Take me.” Obeying her wish, he knelt over her, wrapped her legs around him and thrust into her. Taking her face in his hands, he urged her with his burning gaze to match his rhythm, pounding her, rocking her body against the gritty texture of the stone under her. She moved with him, giving him everything she was. Squeezing, she clinched her cave around his shaft, milking him to his finish. Sweet sweat ran down his toned chest, and she lifted up onto her elbows to lick one of the rivulets beckoning to her. He cried out, heralding the climax sweeping over him. She arched against him, tugging him to her, and shuddered in her own release. They lay unmoving for several minutes, savoring the sensation of their skins and smells mixing together. “Syd?” He slid to her side to spoon her. “Yeah?” She snuggled her backside against Jason’s front, enjoying the way her nude body fit with his. “What happened on your visit to the city?” Her mind strayed a million miles away and considered what she needed to tell him. “My visit?” “You know. Your last visit when you met with your mother. Did everything go well?”
Beverly Rae
She knew he’d skirted around asking about her father, knowing it would bring up the emotional turmoil she experienced every time she thought about Skeller. “Sure. Everything was fine.” Although her back was to him, she could sense the frown at the corners of his mouth. “Did you see anyone else?” “Oh, sure. You know how it is. I got together with some of the old gang. Charlie and I went shopping and had a great time. She’s dying to come here and meet the pack. Or should I say, the male members of the pack” His growl spread warm air across her shoulder. “You know what I’m asking, Syd. Did you see your father?” “No.” She hadn’t seen him since that last day in her apartment and she wouldn’t. Not until he accepted her new life and Jason. “I’m sorry, babe.” “I know. But it’s not your fault. You’re willing to try and he’s not. Until he is, it’s simply the way things are.” They grew quiet, letting the sounds of the night surround them. “Tell me. What do you think?” Jason nuzzled her ear in the exact spot he knew drove her wild. “Hmm? What do I think about what?” She rested her weight on him. Sighing, she watched the pack of cubs play in the meadow below their vantage spot on the rocks. The view under the full moon was almost as nice as the company. “Are you sure they can’t see us up here?” “I’m positive.” A nip on her ear told her what he thought about her dodging the question. “You know what I’m talking about. What do you think about my family?” “Oh, your family.” He continued nipping along her bare shoulder, sending shivers through her. “Well, let me see. Your father seems gruff, but I think he’s a pussycat underneath his tough exterior.” “Let him hear you call him a pussycat and you’ll find out how tough he really is.” His tongue traced the same path. “He’ll bite your head off.” I bet he would. Syd leaned her head to the side and craned her neck to place a peck on his cheek. “I like him. He reminds me of my father.” Jason choked at the comparison. “You’re kidding, right?” “No I’m not. Seriously, think about it. They’re both strong men. They’re both rough around the edges. And they both love their kids.” Even though Skeller hadn’t accepted her new life yet, she was sure that one day he would. “Okay, maybe they’re a little alike. Shit. So far you’ve compared my old man to a cat and a hunter. Yup, you sure know how to win and influence your new family members.” His hands massaged her shoulders, relaxing her. “Then there’s your brother, Daniel.”
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Howling for My Baby
“Mmm? Yeah, my brother. And?” He nipped her neck, maybe a little too hard. “Jason, do you want to hear my impressions of your family or what?” “Um, how about later? Right now I’d rather get busy again.” He feathered kisses along the curve of her neck and turned her to run his lips over hers. The man was insatiable, but she wouldn’t give in. At least not yet. “Uh, what was I saying?” “Beats the hell outta me.” The hot gleam in his eyes caught her breath and she fought to keep her mind on her words. “Oh yeah, your, uh, brother. He’s handsome and such a good leader. And─” “If you say sexy I’m going to have to mess up his face.” “Ah, the green head of jealousy strikes.” He tried pulling her closer, but she resisted. “Jason, I’m trying to have a conversation.” “Uh-huh. But can’t we talk later?” He feigned a silly pouting face. She giggled. “Let me finish. Oh, yeah, I was going to say…and he’s so in love with Torrie. Plus, he’s a great father to their children.” Jason groaned and leaned away from her. “Okay, I give. Let’s get this discussion over with. So what did you think about Torrie?” “She’s terrific. I’m amazed at how she handles the kids without any effort.” “That reminds me. Torrie wants you to stay and teach the children.” He wrapped his arms around her again, tugging her closer. “I know.” “Well?” “I guess I’ll have to.” “Are you sure? Someone once told me she didn’t have to go anywhere with anyone. Seems to me the same thing would hold true for staying anywhere with anyone. In other words, you don’t have to teach here if you don’t want to. We can always live in town and you could keep your job at the school. You could even commute.” He kissed her softly, lovingly. “I know, but I want to stay. These children are special and free.” She slid out of his arms, slipped to the ground, then tugged him off the rock to join her. “Where else do kids get to run around at night like this? Besides…” “Torrie will call them into the cave soon.” He questioned her with his eyes. She started to sway, moving him with her. “What are you doing? And besides what?” “I’m dancing, silly.” “First you want to talk and now you want to dance? What’s next? Karaoke?” She slapped him playfully on the chest. “I need to tell you something.”
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They swayed in a circle, molding their bodies together, and she took his mouth with hers. He responded, holding her tightly until she broke away. “So tell me.” He winked at her and grinned the special grin she knew he saved for her. “What ’cha got up your sleeve, woman?” “I’m not wearing any sleeves.” She giggled and grew serious, diving into his deep brown depths. “I want to stay and run the school. After all, I love teaching children. Besides, I’m sure teaching my own will be even better.” She waited. When he didn’t get her hint, she rolled her eyes and tapped him on the nose. “I’m pregnant, you boob.” He blinked and did nothing more. No reaction at all. “Jason?” Had she misjudged him? She’d thought he’d rejoice at the news, but the longer he stared at her, the less sure she became. “Say something. You’re scaring me.” He blinked again and narrowed his eyes. “You’re going to have a baby?” “That is what pregnant means.” “And it’s mine, right?” Her jaw dropped, stunned at his question, and she stepped away from him. Anger wasn’t far behind. “Tell me you didn’t say what I think you just said.” “Well, you did say my brother was handsome and a good father.” Jason wiggled his eyebrows and winked at her again. “Oh, you dog, you!” She swung, but he caught her slap halfway to his face. “I wish I had a gun right now. Why, I ought to─” Taking her other arm, he put both around his neck and drew her to him. “Good grief, Syd. You ought to know when I’m ribbing you by now. But I know one thing I’ll never joke about.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Yeah? What?” He touched her soul with his intense look and quickened her pulse. “I’ll never joke about my love for you.” She melted from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. “Kiss me, wolfie.” Jason’s laughter rang out over the meadow before he brought his lips to hers.
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About the Author
Beverly Rae’s witty, sexy, action-packed romances leave readers experiencing a wide range of emotions. As a multi-published author, Beverly is always working on her next book, taking the “usual” and twisting it into the “unusual.” To learn more about Beverly, please visit www.beverlyrae.com. Send her an email at
[email protected] or join her Yahoo! Group to join in the fun with other readers as well as Beverly: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beverly_Rae_Fantasies.
Look for these titles by Beverly Rae
Now Available: I Married a Demon To Fat and Back Touch Me Wailing for Love
Coming Soon: Magical Mayhem
What’s a nice girl like me doing with a demon like you?
I Married a Demon © 2008 Beverly Rae Jennifer Randall ignored her instincts and rushed into a vacation-fueled romance and quickie marriage to devilishly handsome Blake Barrington. But as a Level 10 Protector with the super-secret Society, how’s she supposed to keep the man she adores happy while hunting down gargoyles, zombies and other evildoers of the Otherworld? As if balancing work and newlywed nookie sessions wasn’t hard enough, now she’s been assigned to find the Bracelet of Invincibility before a high demon lord can claim it. And Blake seems hell-bent on distracting her at every turn. Blake Barrington will do anything to regain his mortality and live happily ever after with the woman he loves. Including delivering to his demon lord the one object that could be his salvation—the Bracelet. Too bad part of the contract includes killing his wife. Getting around this small glitch might be doable…if his ghoul-cursed brother wasn’t after the prize, too. Jenn’s suspicions mount, and finally the evidence is undeniable. Her sexy spouse is a demon. Great. Now what? Shag her husband? Or shoot him Warning: Okay, so there’s graphic sexual language. So what? Trust me, if chopping off a few demons’ heads doesn’t bother you, why would the sex? Either way, it’s all good. Enjoy the following excerpt for I Married a Demon: At the exact moment I noticed him, he was only a few feet from me. Mr. Ta-DaH—my nickname for Mr. Tall and Dark and Handsome—lay sprawled like the King of the World basking in the sun, surveying his kingdom and the lowly subjects he allowed to share his beach. He held a drink in one hand and scrutinized me through dark sunglasses, his chiseled face a mask of controlled passivity except for the slight lift at the corners of his mouth. I’m good at playing cool. I have to know how to play it cool in my line of work—both of my lines of work. But this guy’s intense scrutiny was almost more than I could handle. With my sunglasses resting on the bridge of my nose, I nonchalantly spied on him, trying to appear unaware that he studied me. I tried to suck in my ass, hoping to make the dimples disappear, but knew the battle was lost before it began. How do you suck in a bottom, anyway? Is it the same as a butt clench? I sighed and hoped he liked women with junk in their trunks. The man was perfect. At least physically, but physical was all I had to go on. His wet hair, silky and shiny black, slicked away from his forehead and curled around his earlobes. Just the right amount of
matching chest hair glistened with drops of perspiration, drawing my gaze to all the right places. Notice I said perspiration, not sweat. No one this good-looking ever sweats. I’m talking the perfect model of a man. The kind of man I’d buy if I could call in my order and have him delivered to my doorstep in thirty minutes or less. Remember how moviegoers went gaga over Matthew McConaughey when he started taking off his shirt? Yup, me, too. I was one of the hundreds, probably thousands of women, who sat through his movies, not caring about the plot. Instead we sat glued to our seats and waited for him to strip off his shirt and take the heroine to bed. Take M’s sex appeal and multiply it by a zillion times more heat and that’s what oozed from this guy. His shoulders, wider than the beach chair he leaned against, mesmerized me and I couldn’t keep from imagining the way they’d feel. I’d have donated my whole stack of traveler’s checks to charity just to feather my fingers over them. I could see the strength in his muscular arms and sense the power he could unleash at any moment. He pressed his mouth to the highball glass, moving his square jaw, and I had to fight to keep from dashing over and licking off the tiny drop of whiskey left on his upper lip. His eight-pack abs called to me. Come, Jenn. Come and run your hands over me. I let my gaze glide down his rock-hard abdomen. Can you blame me when my heart started pounding and my mouth went dry? Can you understand why the place between my legs overflowed with wetness? I pondered what to do. Should I say something? Why didn’t he say something? How long could we lie here and stare at each other? What would I do if he got up and walked away? Or even more frightening, what would I do if he came over? Then he smiled at me. My mouth dropped open. I lifted my head from my beach towel, forgetting to play it nonchalant. Instead I gaped like a schoolgirl with her first crush. He stood and started toward me, making me oh-soaware of his height and brawn. My examination of this spectacular specimen started at the top and moved slowly downward. I’d never found men’s legs attractive before—I’m an upper torso kind of gal—but the black hairs on his legs, the firm tanned skin stretched over his runner’s tendons, converted me to a leg gal right then and there. My membership in the leg lovers fan club was sealed the minute he squatted next to my blanket and gave me a front row seat to the hard bulge in his swimsuit. Granted, his first words weren’t anything particularly clever, but he didn’t need clever. He could have read me the directions on how to buckle a seat belt and I’d have thought it wonderful, riveting, mysterious and oh, yes, sexy as hell. “Hi, there. Why are you watching me?” Thick as molasses and hotter than the center of the sun, his warm voice traveled over my naked skin and made me shiver in anticipation of steamy nights and luxurious mornings in bed.
“Uh, no. I mean, no, I’m not watching you.” I rolled off my stomach and onto my side in what I prayed was a slinky kind of move, and propped my head with my hand. Sliding his sunglasses to the end of his nose, he arched one thick eyebrow upward and knowing eyes twinkled the word liar at me. “Oh, I see. My mistake.” His gaze left mine to make a very slow, very deliberate trek down my thong-clad body, and the tips of his mouth tweaked a bit higher. Thank you, oh tortuous elliptical machine. I swallowed, trying to force the liar’s lump in my throat all the way down to my stomach. Since when had I ever felt guilty about lying? I was proud I could lie with the best of them. In my line of work—both lines of work—I have to be able to stretch the truth. Otherwise, I might not live very long—or sell a bugridden condo. But something irresistible about him drew the truth out of me. “Okay. Maybe I was. But I was simply returning the favor, if you know what I mean.” He reached out to take a wayward strand of my hair off my cheek. Yet instead of putting it behind my ear to join the rest of my ponytail, he played with it, rubbing the strand between his two fingers as if he’d never experienced the texture of hair. I found myself wishing I’d spent the extra bucks for a salon-quality conditioner. “I do and you’re right. I apologize.” Huh? “What for?” I suddenly envisioned those fingers playing with my nipple instead of my hair. Forget the conditioner, think scented body lotion. The image was so intense, I wanted nothing more than to take his hand and bring it to my breast. How I kept from grabbing his hand, I’ll never know. “Why are you apologizing?” “For staring at you. I apologize for my rudeness.” Unnerved by his words, I sat up and tried to position my body as I’d seen countless swimsuit models pose in glossy magazines. Yet instead of stretching my torso and legs in an alluring way, I ended up sitting cross-legged like a big kid. A real turn on—not. “Oh, were you?” Argh! Stupid comeback, especially since I’d already accused him of staring at me. “Yes, but you can hardly blame me.” “I wasn’t blaming you, but I’d be interested in knowing why I can’t. I mean, since you’re apologizing.” He took off his glasses and, like in all those cliché romance books my mom used to read, our eyes met and a sizzle passed between us. “The answer is very simple. What man could not look at such a tantalizing sight?” Sure it was a corny line, but I fell for him right then and there. Off the deep end, over the cliff, dived in head first and all those other sayings people use when they fall in love at first sight. As if he could read my thoughts, he leaned closer and placed a feather-light kiss on my lips. Yet, although his touch barely
brushed against my mouth, the result rivaled the explosion of a nuclear bomb between my legs. My body’s temperature jumped sky high, matching the burn of the sun on my shoulders. “What are you doing tonight?” I knew a leading line when I heard it and I heard this one loud and clear. “The same thing I’m going to be doing in about fifteen minutes.” His eyebrows dipped toward his nose and he cocked his head to the side. “And what would that be?” “Having the best sex of my life.”
Nitro? Meet glycerin…
Biting Nixie © 2009 Mary Hughes A Biting Love novel Punk musician Nixie Schmeling is a hundred pounds of Attitude who spells authority a-n-c-h-o-r and thinks buying insurance is just one more step toward death. So she really feels played when she’s “volunteered” to run the town’s first annual fundraising festival. Especially when she finds out it’s to pay for a heavy-hitting, suit-wearing lawyer—who’s six-feet-plus of black-haired, blue-eyed sex on a stick. Attorney Julian Emerson learned centuries ago that the only way to contain his dangerous nature is to stay buttoned up. He’s come from Boston to defend the town from a shady group of suits…and an even shadier gang of vampires. But his biggest problem is Nixie, who shreds his self-control. Nixie doesn’t get why the faphead shyster doesn’t understand her. Julian wishes Nixie would speak a known language…like Sanskrit. Even if they manage to foil the bloodthirsty gang, what future is there for a tiny punk rocker and a blue-blooded skyscraper? And that’s before Nixie finds out Julian’s a vampire… Warning: Contains more eye-popping sex, ear-popping language and gut-popping laughs than can possibly be good for you. And vampires. Not sippy-neck wimps, but burning beacons of raw sexuality—this means passionate blood-heating, violent bloodletting, and fangy bloodsucking. Oh, and cheese balls. Those things are just scary. Enjoy the following excerpt for Biting Nixie: “We might as well go, Nixie. Since the bands can’t audition tonight.” “Yeah, but when? I need to audition the bands like yesterday. The festival’s less than two weeks away!” “You’ll find a time, I’m sure.” Julian dragged me out the door of the Kosmopolitisch. The moonlight etched his flared nostrils and sharp eyes. “What,” I said as he dragged me down the street. His eyes were so intense they must have pierced every shadow. When he answered, he sounded distracted. “What, what?” “You’re doing your Elmer Fudd imitation. Do you think the lights-out wasn’t because Cary didn’t pay his electric bills?” His eyes closed briefly, as if in pain. “Do you ever speak a known language? Sanskrit, perhaps?” “Look, it’s a simple enough question—” I was interrupted by another streetlamp blowing a bulb. The sharp pop made me jump. “What is it with these cheap-ass lights? Or did Meiers Corners forget to pay its electric bill, too?”
Julian’s fingers tightened on my elbow. “Don’t blame the city.” The hunter face was back in spades. His eyes were bright violet and he was working his jaw like he tasted something nasty. “Apparently some people don’t know a warning when they hear it.” Four figures swirled out of the dark. Three long coats and a suit. Julian inclined his head toward them. “Gentlemen,” he said, his voice dark and thorny. If I thought by his calm nod he was being all friendly, that dangerous tone would have clued me otherwise. That, and the fact that he was grinding my elbow into powder with his tight grip. “Emerson.” The lead suit greeted him cautiously. “Did you deliver my message to your bosses already?” Julian was the epitome of cool. He could have been at a Victorian tea party, asking “one lump or two”. The suit shrugged. “We phoned it in.” “It doesn’t have the same impact if they didn’t see my…little gift.” “We took a picture.” One of the leathercoats held up a cell phone. At least Julian wasn’t so digitally challenged that he didn’t recognize a camera phone. “Ah. And their response?” The suit shrugged again. “You die.” “So you waited until I was alone.” “Hey,” I objected. “Yes.” The suit smiled. And his canines were really long. I leaned closer to Julian. “Four of them, two of us,” I said under my breath. “We’ll have a better chance with a plan. You take the toothy Lupin, I’ll take the left coat.” But as I started to move, something tugged my head forward, and the lights went out. I was suddenly blind. Couldn’t see a damn thing. Fighting down panic, I realized something covered my head. Something clingy and soft. At least I hadn’t had a stroke. Struggling with the thing, I realized it was some sort of cloth. A sack? A hood? Growling and snarling slashed the air around me. It sounded like a pack of ravenous dogs. I had to do something. But how could I fight without my sight? A couple quick little snicks were followed by a deeper ka-click. And I realized I could fight—with my ears! I swung both fists. Hit nothing. In front of me came a sound uncomfortably like meat tearing. I flailed at it, again swiping air. And then came that terrible, awful sound I hoped never to hear again. Wet plopping. Blood, spattering onto the pavement. Inside my restraint, I gasped for breath. I had to see! I reached for my face but a roar startled me into falling on my ass. The voice was Julian—if Julian had eaten a lion. What the hell was going on? Frantically, I tore at the cloth over my face. It wouldn’t come off.
My fingers hit some lumps in the stuff. Gathers, like a tie in a channel of cloth. It was my hoodie! My own freaking hoodie. I traced down until I found the laces. They were knotted tight. Blindly I picked at the knot. Around me were sounds of a fierce fight. Four against one. I could only imagine the beating poor paper-pushing Julian was taking. If only I could help! The knot loosened but refused to come free. In impotent fury I jerked at the hood, as if I could rip it open. The cloth remained stubbornly whole. The sound of fighting died away. What was going on now? Was Julian down? Was he…no, he couldn’t be dead. Julian Emerson, Super Suitguy, was too damn arrogant to be dead. But it was so silent. What else was I to think? And what would happen to me if Julian was…down? Hands came around my waist. I went ballistic, hitting and scratching with no finesse at all. Strong fingers grabbed my wrists, restraining me. Arms wrapped around me like steel bands. Lifted me. Caught me tight to an immense chest. My legs curled automatically around a lean waist. My fight died. Strong fingers, steely arms, concrete wall chest. I recognized these body parts. And the oh-so-lean waist. Panic flamed into instant desire. I tightened my legs, snuggling my crotch up good and close. Well, hello. Someone was very glad to see me. “Nixie.” Julian’s voice. But not his usual cultured drawl. No, this voice was tight and strained. The kind of voice you got when all your blood drained from your vocal cords to your baseball-bat-sized cock. Ooh, he really did carry foot-long things in his clothes. I rubbed my hips against Mr. Big Gavel. That drew more blood down. “Nixie,” he said again, even more strained. I found I liked Julian’s voice all stiff and growly. “Stop that. I’m trying to untie your hood.” Damn. Aroused, but in control of himself. How disappointing. In my dark cave, I blinked. Disappointing? No way. I was not disappointed that Julian Emerson, stodgy old hoag, was not interested in me. Well, feeling his big nightstick flex, maybe he was interested. But not enough to be out of control about it. And that was a good thing, right? Except I was burning up. That thick rod pulsing against my crotch, the smell of fighting male, the feel of his hard body under me… I was wet enough to grease a Cadillac. So when my hoodie came loose, I took one look at his beautiful, dark-bronze mouth and kissed him good. He tasted like war. Like fast rides with a powerful motorcycle between my thighs. Like getting drunk on expensive champagne. I ran my tongue over his lips and drank. Julian’s hands, in the process of putting me down, stopped. Came back around me. Crushed me to him. His mouth opened against mine. With a raw groan, he kissed me back.
OMG. Julian hadn’t spent all his time studying law in law school. His tongue slid between my lips, stroking my skin like wet silk. He tasted me as a man savors the last pressing of summer grapes. Suckled my lower lip like it was sweet, heavy, and ripe. And as Julian kissed, his hands, those square competent hands, were oh so busy. One slid up and under my shirt. The other stole down the back of my pants. That wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Tonight I was wearing ruffled spandex over jeans cut to my ass over a French thong. But Julian wove his fingers over and under, smooth as a wet dream. Stroked my buttocks. Found that really sweet spot right at the base of my spine. Brushed the downy hairs until my bottom was wide awake and clamoring for more. My brain filled with images. Me lying on my back, six-feet plus of male over me, all lean muscle and hot satin skin. Blue eyes clouded with desire as he did the passion pushups. Julian would be tender and attentive. Conscientious. Sober. Staid. Deadly dull. We would have vaginal sex in the missionary position. Would he even take off his tie? Lust turned off like a light. I pulled away. Julian didn’t put me down immediately. He lifted his head, looked at me. Intently, as if he could read why I’d cooled in my eyes. It was weird. His hand was still down the back of my pants. I was still breathing heavily. I could feel my lips, still wet and buzzing. But Ms. Malebox no longer wanted any deliveries. I expected Julian to be angry. I expected him to accuse me of being a cock tease or worse. After all, I had started it. And pulsing against my crotch was an erection as big and swollen as a Usinger sausage. It had to be painful. But Julian only continued to stare into my eyes. Deeply, as if he could read my thoughts. And maybe he could, because slowly he bent his head. He pressed warm lips to my neck. As if he had all the time in the world, his tongue came out and tasted me. Not a little lick or tickle. No, a full, curling hot swipe. Intimate. Wet. Sinfully erotic. And just a little bit kinky. That hot lick was not staid at all. My motor revved back up, going directly into third gear. I clutched Julian’s shoulders. Hard muscle met my fingers. I closed my eyes and enjoyed. The tongue grew bolder, tracing the line of my throbbing pulse. It slicked over my skin, steamy and questing. Hot male battle-scent spiced the air. Julian’s fingers threaded into my hair, pulled my head aside to give him greater access to my neck. His mouth opened over my skin. Fiery breath lanced me. Oh, please, I thought. Give me the sharp edge of sex. Bite me.
Talk about getting your signals crossed…
Wolf Signs © 2009 Vivian Arend Granite Lake Wolves, book 1 Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving. Meeting wilderness guide Keil at the cabin starts cravings of another kind. Keil’s one hot hunk of ripped, tasty male. Now she has to deal with raging hormones as well as strange questions about wolves and mates and challenges to the death. Keil was trying for a nice reflective retreat before challenging for the Alpha position of his Alaskan pack. He wasn’t planning on meeting the woman destined to be his mate, or finding out she’s not aware she has the genes of a wolf. Between dealing with his accident-prone younger brother, a deaf mate with an attitude and an impending duel to the death, his week—and his bed—is suddenly full. Far from the relaxing getaway any of them had in mind… Warning: Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “talking with your hands”. Includes dangerous use of sarcasm and hot nookie in a remote wilderness sauna. Enjoy the following excerpt for Wolf Signs: Robyn shifted uncomfortably on the bench in the annex outside the sauna. Keil had gone back into the cabin with TJ and left her with the directions to relax and wait for him while he grabbed a few things. She added a couple extra logs into the stove, topped up the snow in the buckets and sat to wait. It was damn uncomfortable to be sitting there knowing any moment a werewolf was going to walk in the door and have sex with her. Arghhhh. Even the thought made her twitch. What the hell was she doing? This was crazy. It was beyond crazy. The door opened and Robyn jumped. Sexual heat flowed off Keil’s body and reached to caress her skin. Okay. She remembered why she was going to do this. Every inch of her was on fire and she was being drawn toward the tall, hard male as if she had ropes that twined about her limbs, trapping her. Keil dropped a blanket on the bench beside her. He glanced at her before lifting her chin with his hand. “Hey, it’s okay. Let’s take this slowly.” Robyn dropped her eyes, blushing furiously. “I’m scared.”
“Scared of me?” “Kind of.” His gentle hand traced over her ear and nestled in the hair at the back of her neck. “I don’t want to scare you, little bird. I want to love you.” She lifted her eyes to his. “I don’t know what to do. I mean, I know what to do but I’ve never…” Keil waggled his eyebrows and his eyes brightened. “I know you’ve never. I’m glad you’ve never. It’s good that you’ve never. Now I don’t have to go track down your old lovers to kill them.” “Possessive much?” “You have no idea. Yet.” Keil leaned closer to brush his lips over hers. “Wait until you are fully wolf. I bet you’re going to be just as possessive about me. Wolves mate for life, and we don’t like to share.” Robyn shifted again on the hard bench. How could she want this much and still feel afraid to take the next step. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to build up her courage. A gentle touch pulled her to her feet. “You’re thinking too hard. Let’s go slow. You must be sweaty from our ski and digging up TJ. Let me help wash you up.” Keil’s hands drifted over her shoulders, pulling her up against his body for a brief caress as he reached behind her body to grasp the bottom of her long-sleeved T-shirt. With a slow fluid motion, he lifted it off her, then dropped it on the bench behind them. As his eyes traced over her torso, Robyn fought the urge to cover her chest with her hands. Ugh. She had to decide to be seduced in a mountain cabin wearing her plainest and sturdiest underwear. Luckily Keil’s face didn’t seem to express any displeasure with what he saw. And neither could Robyn complain. Keil removed his own shirt with one swift yank and stood inches away from her, his rock-solid abs tempting her fingers. “Damn. Just…damn. Is what they mean by washboard abs? Can I do some laundry?” Keil smiled and reached for her. Removing the tight sports bra didn’t go as smoothly. In the middle of pulling it off, Keil’s hand got stuck in the twist of the Y back and Robyn froze with her arms pulled over head, bra wrapping her tight with Keil’s forearm. The heat rose in her face. “Hell of a thing to happen, but don’t worry. This gives us some very interesting possibilities.” Keil lowered his head to press a kiss on her neck, fluttering soft kisses down over the tops of her exposed breasts, sending chills shooting through her even as he supported and stretched her arms above them. His touch was gentle but the restrained power was there, under the surface. His tongue stroked over her skin toward her cleavage then his teeth nibbled back up the line of heat he’d created all the way to her lips. His hand was loose from her bra and she lowered her arms slowly, his hot gaze never leaving her body. “Take off the rest and I’ll get the shower ready.” He spun around quickly, leaving Robyn wondering what she’d done wrong.
“Keil?” His strong arms poured the heated water into the holding tank over the top of the shower. “I need to cool off a bit. You’re very beautiful and because you’re my mate, I really, really want you. I’m trying to keep things slow here.” After prepping the water, he placed her into the shower, turning her body until she was wet from head to toe. With a flick of the wrist, he stopped the water and picked up the washcloth and soap. Starting at the back of her neck, he rubbed small circles over her skin, covering her shoulder blades, slipping over her spine until his hands cupped both cheeks of her ass. Robyn dropped her forehead against the side of the shower stall and closed her mind to everything but the wonderful sensations racing over her skin at his touch. The heat from the sauna warmed the side room they were in to the point that she was comfortable even as droplets continued to cling to her skin. His mouth fastened on her neck, lapping at stray pebbles of water pooled there. Her womb clenched, releasing moisture as every stroke of his tongue sent thrills through her body to increase the desire mounting deep inside. His touch dropped lower as Keil squatted behind her, his hands caressing down one leg. The small circular motions were driving her crazy as he teased, moving closer to the core of her heat and retreating without satisfying. “Turn around, beautiful.” Keil’s voice in her mind was deep and dark. It sounded like rich chocolate and Robyn was so into chocolate. His voice made the tingles race.
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