Paranormally Yours
Seven of today’s hottest paranormal authors come
together to bring you a boxed set guaranteed to keep you warm on a cold
winter’s night. Do shifters make you howl? Or do you prefer the bite of a
vampire? Perhaps the controlling hand of a demi-god is more your style.
Paranormally Yours has a story—or seven—to set your pulse racing.
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The
Reluctant Gift by Sotia Lazu
Mini blurb:
Salina has earned her one-year
vacation on Earth, damn it! She’s been an exemplary sentinel for her pack, and
saved all the universes.
Too
bad she hasn’t been very effective at kicking Aherin to the curb. She had one
little lapse in judgement—sleeping with the annoyingly persistent vampire—and
now he just won’t leave.
As
if that wasn’t enough, her holiday plans are spoiled, her world is turned
upside down, and she’s going to miss out on a yummy family dinner, all because
she’s kidnapped on Christmas Eve.
By
Santa.
Excerpt:
Tame:
“What the hell is going on here?” Aherin hadn’t expected to
find anyone other than Salina waiting for him when he kicked his door open.
Hers had been the only scent to reach his nostrils, as he approached the tomb
that had become his home.
But of course, Santa and his elves only smelled faintly of
candy.
“Care to explain?” He arched an eyebrow at Saint Nicholas,
and was about to go on a tirade about property law, when he took in Salina
sitting on the ground. Forgetting his questions, he rushed to her. “Salina?
What happened to you?”
He was kneeling down next to her, when she turned and
punched him in the nose. The momentum of her whole body fortifying her left
hook landed him on his ass.
“Like you don’t know them.” She hopped to her feet, and
assumed the fighting stance that always made his desire for her soar. Legs
spread at shoulder width, knees slightly bent, her weight perfectly balanced.
She held up her fists, emerald eyes sparkling dangerously.
Finding his footing just as gracefully as she had, he raised
his hands, palms facing her, to show he posed no threat. “I know them. Well,
him.” He pointed at Santa, who apparently saw that as his cue to cut in.
“Are you one”—he pushed his glasses a bit further up the
bridge of his nose—“Aherin the Resurrected?”
So he had a nickname now? Cool. Still… “Oh, cut the fancy
formalities, Nicholas. You know full well who I am. You wouldn’t have met the
Missus, if it weren’t for me doing the introd…”
He trailed off at Salina’s stunned look.
“I’m a romantic,” he said to her. “They were both jolly and
both single. It was an obvious match.”
Her eyes remained wide as saucers, but she waved at him
impatiently. “Just tell me what is going on here. Who is he?”
Santa answered before Aherin could. “I am the Santa
Claus, Ms. Crest. Feel free to call me Santa.” He glared at Aherin. “Both of
you.”
Salina looked at Aherin, and appeared to believe him when he
nodded his confirmation. “And what do you want?” she asked Nicky—sorry, Santa.
“Is it another curse thing? Did a reindeer go missing or something? ’Cause I’m
supposed to be on vacation on this plane, and I’m not even the Balancers’
favorite. Maybe you wanna check in with my sister? She’s the one who usually
takes on the hero stuff.”
Even as she spoke, Aherin could see her assessing her
surroundings. He’d seen her fight her way out of a couple extremely sticky
situations, and knew she was about to wipe the floor with red velvet.
“Nothing like that, child.” Santa’s tone was casual now.
“I’m here on my usual business, delivering Christmas presents. You”—he turned
to Aherin—“were a very good boy-mpire this year!”
“Boy-mpire?” Salina snorted. “That’s not even a word.”
“I would not throw stones, dear. We have all heard your
vocabulary, and I do not mean back when you were a cub.” The playful glint in
his eyes belied the stern voice. “As I was saying, because of your being a very
good boy-mpire, and helping avert the destruction of all universes, the
Balancers have decided you deserve a present. I am here to deliver you that
present: Salina Crest, if you will have her.”
Less tame:
She turned to fully face him, and he tensed in anticipation
of her wrath. He was more than surprised to see a tiny smile play on her lips,
as she glided a few steps closer. Close enough that, when she slid her hand
between her long legs to cup her sex, Aherin saw her push a finger between her
folds. He’d spent some time during their journey wondering what her pussy
looked like, but he hadn’t expected it to be completely bare.
“Are you coming in?” she asked. “It’s divine.”
He forced his gaze to the lake around her. It looked
otherworldly, the dark waters, clear as a black diamond, reflecting the
moonlight and odd patterns of stars hanging on this universe’s skies. Then again, he was in a world other
than the one he knew. He
wanted to go in the water—a swim was all he’d had in mind before he’d seen her
breaking the surface, tossing back her silver mane. Now all he could think of
was getting inside her.
“I didn’t know if you wanted to share.” He stood and leaned
against a tree. Was there a challenge in her eyes?
She shrugged. “It’s a free world. Still. Thanks to us. I
think we could reward ourselves with a little indulgence.”
His sensitive hearing picked up the sounds of her sister and
his best friend rutting like animals back in the cave. Maybe Salina could hear them
too, though he wasn’t sure how acute her shifter senses were in her human form.
It wasn’t the right time to find out. “Is this your idea of indulgence?” he
asked instead. “A bath?”
She smiled, and took another step toward the shore. “Could
be worse. At least I don’t smell of blood anymore.” She tilted her head to the
side, arching the appetizing column of her neck. “Do I?”
“Can’t really tell from here.” He was lying. She smelled of
the blood she’d shed, and her arousal, and Aherin didn’t know which one drove
him wilder with desire.
“Maybe you should come closer, then. Just to make sure.”
Was she…flirting with him? He’d wanted her from the moment
he’d laid eyes on her, but she had cut off his advances, and they’d eventually
settled into spending their time together exchanging barbs and jibes. He’d
accepted that he’d never have her and convinced himself he was all right with
that.
The taunt in her eyes now looked too much like an
invitation.
Aherin realized he’d untucked his T-shirt and unbuckled his
belt. He forced his fingers to stop, before he also popped the buttons of his
jeans. He needed to know what she was offering before he took the next step.
“Careful what you wish for, little shifter. If I decide you smell delicious
enough, I may eat you.”
She grinned, and amber shone in the depth of her emerald
eyes. “I’m the wolf, remember? I don’t
think you could eat me.”
Author
links:
Twitter:
@justsotia
Website: www://sotialazu.com
Blog: www://sotialazu.wordpress.com
Facebook pg: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sotia-Lazu-Author/506067129453183
Goodreads author pg: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4597070.Sotia_Lazu
Amazon author pg: http://www.amazon.com/Sotia-Lazu/e/B006ZXWZYK/
Website: www://sotialazu.com
Blog: www://sotialazu.wordpress.com
Facebook pg: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sotia-Lazu-Author/506067129453183
Goodreads author pg: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4597070.Sotia_Lazu
Amazon author pg: http://www.amazon.com/Sotia-Lazu/e/B006ZXWZYK/
Dreaming of a Wolf by Sofia Grey
Blurb:
Alun was Olivia's first, and he was
supposed to be her forever. After a tragic accident steals him away, Olivia
wonders how she can ever be whole again.
When he starts talking to her in her
dreams, she has to ask herself: is she going mad with grief, or is there still
a chance for their forever?
Excerpt:
I lay on my side in bed, facing Alun, knees
bent, our hands linked between us. He was cooking up some mischief, I was sure.
The devilish glint in his eyes was usually a precursor to some wild idea. Driving
twenty miles in the darkness of very early morning to watch the sun rising from
a particular hill top. Throwing clothes and toiletries into a backpack for an
impromptu weekend hike. Kite flying on a windy beach.
I’d never been so impulsive before I met him,
or as bold.
He squeezed my fingers. Here we go. “You
are going to marry me, aren’t you, Olivia Tanner?”
He asked me every time we got together, and I
couldn’t help giggling. “You know I am, but not yet. We graduate first, figure
out where we’re going to live, and then we get married.” I rubbed my
knees against his, and watched a smile spread across his face. “What’s the
rush?”
“You’re my Mate, Cariad.” The Welsh
endearment sounded beautiful the way it rolled from his tongue. “I’m impatient
to share my life with you.”
I blinked, and he was gone. My heart skittered,
and I took a rapid breath. Had I been asleep?
Cautious, I stretched out one hand to where
he’d been lying. The sheets were cold. He’d looked real. Felt as alive as he
always had. You’re my Mate. I’d never heard him call me that before.
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/
Amazon author
profile page: https://www.amazon.com/author/sofiagrey
Red Dawn by Ann Gimpel
Mini
Blurb:
Llyr
is a whale shifter with a big problem. The seas are dying, poisoned by heavy
metal contamination and barrels of trash. In a bold and desperate move, he and
his mate Galatea, the Sea Witch, hatch up magic to allow him to spend as long
as he needs to on Earth.
Masquerading
as a marine biologist, Llyr signs on with a firm whose mission is to save the
oceans. When his boss turns out to have malevolent underpinnings, Llyr returns
to the sea for answers. With death lurking behind every corner, he and Galatea
find themselves boxed into an impossible situation.
Excerpt:
Llyr stood on a rocky, deserted shore on an unnamed island
south of New Zealand. Cold, damp wind sent shivers along his arms. Galatea
moved from where she squatted a few feet away and closed her arms around him.
“Do you need a break?”
He shook his head emphatically. “No. I can make this work. I
know I can.” He watched with disgust as one of his arms shimmered into half a
flipper.
Galatea blew out a frustrated sounding breath. “Let’s start
over from the beginning.”
“Let’s not. We’re here on land. I don’t want to retreat to
our whale forms again. We’ve done that, and it didn’t make this any easier.”
“All right.” She let go of him and stepped back, eying him
appraisingly, as if she were taking his measure.
Llyr straightened. It was important she not find him
lacking—on any front. He crinkled his brow in thought. “I have an idea.”
She crooked a finger his way. “Out with it.”
“You have two types of magic. The sort all whale shifters
have, which you discovered, and your Sea Witch power. You’re trying to use your
witch powers, and my magic is fighting you all the way.”
He glanced askance at her. “You’re the first Sea Witch to
pick a mate. Men had sex with them and then ran the other way. No one ever wanted
to get much closer than that.”
Galatea rolled her eyes. “Yeah, we scared the crap out of
everyone because of Circe.” Breath whistled from between her teeth. “Idiots! If
we’d wished to sow harm, we wouldn’t require proximity.”
He strode to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You
make it sound like we overreacted.” Llyr took a measured breath. “Circe and her
nymphs turned Odysseus and his men into animals. Remember? They had to roust
Hermes to save them.”
“Your point?” She screwed her mouth into a moue.
“Circe was the first Sea Witch, which makes you a direct
descendent.” He tightened his grip on her shoulders. “I’ve always been proud
and honored you broke tradition and mated with me.”
A corner of her mouth twitched. “Maybe I was relieved I
wouldn’t have to spend hundreds of years by myself. Not that you weren’t the
best looking whale I’d ever seen,” she grinned archly, “but you were also the
only one who wasn’t scared of my power.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “So can we try my idea?”
“Sure. Give me a moment.” She turned away from him, and the
air around her glittered in diamond tones, some clear, some yellow, some a
watery rose. When she turned, she nodded sharply.
Llyr reached deep to where his own magic dwelt and threaded
a tendril outward to weave with hers. Muted triumph flashed through him when
his power braided neatly with hers. He gave the spell time to mature, feeling
the difference as it filled him.
Time dripped past; the sky shaded to deep purple as night
approached. Clouds heavy with moisture peppered the horizon, and a light snow
pelted down, but Llyr wasn’t cold anymore.
“Gala?” he ventured as the last of the dying day washed over
them.
She opened her eyes. “Yes.”
“This will work.”
“I thought the same, but there’s a price.”
Llyr’s stomach tightened. “Tell me.”
“When I use the witch power, I can do more, much more. My
own magic is closer, more personal. What we’ve created is draining me. I can
maintain it, but not hold my human form at the same time.”
“What do you want us to do?” Llyr asked.
The edges of her body became insubstantial as she struggled
to maintain her shifted shape. “Since our first efforts didn’t work, we’ll do
it this way. I’ll see if I can’t figure out a way to keep both my magic and our
combined spell afloat at the same time, but for now I must return to the sea
while I can still get myself there…”
Links:
@AnnGimpel (for Twitter)
Courting Mortality by Loralie Hall
Blurb
Eli’s spent
eternity thwarting the same family curse that granted his brother, Loki,
ever-lasting fame. Eli kind of got screwed in that one. His plan to stay single
and detached has worked for several millennia. And then he meets Marley. She's
making him abandon all his resolutions, except the one that never lets him
forget the curse. Falling for her means her death, and he won’t let that
happen.
Excerpt
As you are, for all of
time
To taste neither love
nor death
When you find the one
worth more than life
She’ll draw her last
mortal breath
“At least tell me Mister
Last-night didn’t do what the previous guy did.” His teasing laugh fell short,
and he snapped his mouth shut when her head shot up.
Please don’t let him be
talking about… “Which last guy?”
He glanced in her direction
before turning back to his cable. “The one who wanted pictures.”
She never should’ve
given him so much detail after that date. She’d done it because she liked the
idea of him making a similar request, and had been trying to judge his
reaction, but that didn’t mean it was a good idea. “It wasn’t like that.”
He put down what he was
doing, and gave her his full attention. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” She turned back to
the cable, crimping as furiously as possible while still being accurate. She
wouldn’t look at him from her spot on the counter, pretending it wasn’t a big
deal.
Eli extracted himself
from the spindle and snakes of wires, and crossed the room. He took the
crimpers from her hand, and set all of her work aside too. “Except you just
crimped an RJ45 onto that cable instead of an RJ12. What’s up?”
Oops. She never made
mistakes like putting a network connector on a phone cable. Her pulse raced
through her veins at his light touch, making it hard to think. She needed to
look away, but his gaze held her captive. If she’d been drawing a blank before,
it was nothing compared to now. He’d put the thought in her head. The reminder
one of her dates had asked for pictures when he’d dropped her off. Told her if
she wasn’t going home with him, she at least owed him a topless shot to keep
him warm that night. And now part of her was hung up on the thrill of doing
that for Eli.
The temptation of
turning him on, without ever touching him. “You’re telling me you can’t guess?”
The corner of his mouth
pulled into a lazy smile. “I’m telling you I don’t want to guess.”
She couldn’t ignore the
mental images of what it would feel like if he leaned in and kissed her. “I
just… It’s not as though I had a problem with the request from Mister
Send-me-pictures. Just with the requester.”
There, that hadn’t been
so bad. They could gloss over it, laugh about it, and go back to work. Except
she’d rather they took a break and got down to other things instead.
“Really?” His thumb
stroked the inside of her wrist. Did he know he was doing that? She sure as
hell did. The feather-light sensation spilled through her, desire growing
between her legs. He stepped closer. “Who would it take, then? Just out of
curiosity.”
They needed to get this
project done. To step away from this line before it was too late. Who was she
kidding? It had been too late months ago. At least for her. “Well, I’d have to
like the guy first. Actually being attracted to him helps.” Would Eli have any
idea she was talking about him? What the hell was wrong with her? And why
couldn’t she stop?
His voice dropped an
octave. “And I would assume you can’t dive straight into things. You’d want
seduction. Teasing. The right words to set the mood…”
Even as she told herself
to back away now, images raced through her thoughts, of stripping in front of
the camera, one piece of clothing at a time, knowing Eli was her audience. A
hands-off, private show where she’d caress herself, pinch her nipples, slide
her fingers between her legs, and get off on the idea that she could turn him
on that way.
The vivid image wouldn’t
leave. Her sex whimpered for attention, and her breasts ached to press into his
palms.
Links
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/LoralieHall
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aszreal
Blog: http://blog.apathyshero.com
Website: http://urielsfall.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aszreal
Blog: http://blog.apathyshero.com
Website: http://urielsfall.com
For Heaven’s Cakes by Diane Saxon
Blurb:
Twelve
years of living in Ireland smoothed Beau’s rough edges, and hard work as a
construction worker made him a wealthy man. The call of his pack is stronger
than he can resist though, and he isn’t averse to returning to show his small
home town in America what he’s made of himself.
What
he doesn’t anticipate is meeting the local pharmacist’s daughter - in his wolf
form. By day, he renovates the pharmacy, and tries to cajole the lush assistant
into having dinner with him. By night he watches Catherine bake her fantastic
creations and blossom through her art.
Sleeping
on her bed each night in his wolf form isn’t exactly ideal, but how does he
tell her the wolf she’s come to love, is the man she lusts over?
Excerpt:
The cracked, peeling paint looked different from the way it
had twelve years earlier when Beau had been a regular visitor to the pharmacy.
His younger brother obviously still was from the way he strode inside, allowing
the door to bump against the stopper and bounce back. It creaked and groaned at
the stress, and almost hit Beau in the face. He shot his arm out to stop the
door with the heel of his hand, feeling the crackle and splinter of the paint
against his skin while he observed the quick grin on his brother’s face as Zeke
glanced over his shoulder at him. Bloody kid, never would grow up. Zeke would
have just laughed if he’d managed to break his nose for him. Always one to
challenge the supremacy of the pack, he’d probably ruled the town in the
absence of his two older brothers.
Zeke had taken pride in showing him around. A lot had
changed, fast food restaurants had sprung up – they’d filled their bellies in
one, enjoying the rich taste of the promised breakfast.
With a shake of his head, Beau wiped the shards of old paint
from his hand and stepped inside.
Doc Tyler must still own the place from the way the shelves
were stacked - exactly the same as they always had been. Beau tracked his gaze
around the pharmacy, noted the perfect placement of each item, not a speck of
dust in sight, unlike the outer shell of the building. On a closer look, the
shelves had deteriorated, some of the screws had pulled loose and not been
fixed back into the wall.
He’d bet his life the old boy still kept the condoms behind
the counter so he could monitor the teenagers and scare the shit out of them
for daring to think about having sex. Doc Tyler should have been proud of them,
at least they were the responsible ones, those who bought condoms instead of risking
unprotected sex.
He glanced at the counter, and expected to see skinny Doc
Tyler, eyebrows pulled low as he glared over the top of his half-moon glasses.
Beau had thought he was old twelve years ago, he was probably ancient now. The
guy had scared the ever-loving crap out of him when he was kid, but looking
back, there was no-one who’d shown him more charity than the Doc. A tough word
and a soft heart.
Instead of the old boy, a curvaceous brunette stared at him
with eyes the color of cinnamon. Her startled gaze caught and held his with
stunning luminosity and a hint of familiarity in them. His automatic reaction
to the sight of a beautiful woman was to smile, but she ducked her head and
applied herself to serving the middle aged lady who struggled to keep a pair of
lively young boys in hand.
Zeke made straight for the counter, leaned his elbow on it
and cupped his chin in his hand while he stared at the delicious, buxom morsel
on the opposite side. With a flick of her hair, she lifted her nose and ignored
him completely while she addressed her customer.
“Thank you Mrs. Porter, I hope it helps.”
She gave a stiff smile while she kept her attention on the
older lady who scrabbled with her package and hastened her two boys from the
shop as though she believed Zeke’s wild boy attitude was contagious. Beau
glanced at Zeke who stared with puppy dog eyes at the assistant. Perhaps it
was.
“Hey, kitty cat.”
Beau tried not to roll his eyes, but his brother was so
predictable, his deep Irish voice smoothed the way for the next woman to take
her place between his sheets.
“Zeke.” All cool business, the woman raised an eyebrow and
Beau sidled in closer, unable to resist the soft curve of her mouth, the wide
invitation of her eyes.
“What can I help you with today?” The slow roll of her husky
voice gave his breath a sharp hitch.
Beau imagined she’d practiced the line so many times in an
attempt to avoid all the connotations and interpretations his bad brother could
spin on it. Still, Zeke leaned in, gave her his undivided attention and a
wolfish grin, “I need a party pack. What would you recommend?”
She drew in a long breath through her delicate nostrils and
Beau watched with increasing interest as her ample bosom expanded. She blew out
through beautifully sculptured lips and his mouth watered.
“Zeke, I think you know we don’t carry adequate stock for
your requirements,” Beau almost spluttered out his appreciation of her cheerful
rejoinder, but she held up one long, elegant finger “…but I can offer you
these.”
As she turned to the shelf behind her and bent over to reach
the condoms, Beau stretched onto his toes to get a good look at her over the
counter. The rounded globes of her ass were nicely enhanced by the tight
stretch of her black skirt. His pulse kicked up and he gave an uneasy swallow.
He lowered himself back down as she straightened and turned. The quick flick of
her gaze caught his again before she gave her attention to his brother.
“Here you go, Zeke. I placed a special order just for you.”
A soft choking sound came from Zeke as he picked the blue
box up from the counter. Face blank, the pretty assistant stood stock still.
The only giveaway was a rapid blink of her eyes as she waited patiently.
“You are an evil
woman.” Zeke managed to splutter out as he studied the box, then waggled the
condoms at her. “I have never bought
extra small condoms in my life.”
Links
:
Author
Twitter @Diane_Saxon
Uncaged by Christy Gissendaner
Blurb:
Mixed breed vampire shifter, Gabe Moncrief, has
made a name for himself in the Cage, an arena where only the strong survive.
He's training for the fight of his life--and vengeance--when Rain Pettis
appears. As an Elemental - a supernatural being descended from Zeus himself -
she holds the key to his future in the Cage.
As much as she loves her brothers, Rain needs to break away from their overwhelming influence to become her own person. Gabe is the only shifter capable of standing up to them. But when Rain learns a secret that tests her loyalty to her family, she has a decision to make. Does she risk it all for love? And can she bear watching Gabe endanger his life within the Cage?
As much as she loves her brothers, Rain needs to break away from their overwhelming influence to become her own person. Gabe is the only shifter capable of standing up to them. But when Rain learns a secret that tests her loyalty to her family, she has a decision to make. Does she risk it all for love? And can she bear watching Gabe endanger his life within the Cage?
Excerpt:
An ill-timed
crack of lightning singed Gabe’s eyebrows. He ignored the sizzle of energy, and
landed a final punch. His opponent’s eyes rolled back into his head, as he sank
to the ground. The elemental effects of the arena disappeared. Gabe once again
stood in the center of a dirt ring. No rain drummed on his head. No dust clouds
or lightning threatened.
Gabe didn’t
wait for the announcement of the knock-out to echo across the arena’s sound
system. He strode to the center of the ring and lifted both arms into the air.
A chorus of screams reverberated in the arena, bounced off the rafters, and
grew to a deafening roar.
He lifted his
gaze to the owners’ box. The tallest of the three figures lingering within the
glass structure lifted his hand in salute. Gabe tilted his chin and moved his
gaze, zeroing in on the lone female within the box.
Rain Pettis
was a force to be reckoned with, both literally and figuratively. Unlike her
eldest brother, she didn’t acknowledge him as the victor of the fight in any
way. She was strictly professional, always dressed in formfitting black
business suits, with her blonde hair swept into a tight bun. The tiny black
glasses she wore weren’t prescription. Elementals had perfect vision, courtesy
of their godly sire. The glasses perched on the end of Rain’s perfect nose were
merely a costume piece for the role she played as the unattainable ice
princess.
She didn’t
fool him one bit. He’d seen the looks she gave him when she thought he wasn’t
paying attention. She was interested—no doubt about it. But he’d always steered
clear. To mess with the youngest Pettis would be akin to having a death wish.
Rumor had it her brothers were overly protective, even going so far as to
threaten any man that dared touch their sister. The risk didn’t stop Gabe from
sweeping his gaze across her oval face, luscious lips, and lower, down to the
tiny hint of cleavage displayed by her lace-trimmed blouse.
Nice. He was
enough of a vamp to consider flying up to the box for a closer look. Only the
dangerous warning vibes her brothers sent his way kept his feet grounded in the
dirt.
A sudden
shower of cold rain washed over him. He swiped his hand over his damp face and
grinned. Apparently she’d caught him staring. A cold shower was definitely what
he needed. Nothing got to him quite like a woman determined to play hard to
get.
Author
Links
Website - http://christygissendaner.webs.com
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/christygis
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/christygis
Goodreads Author Page - http://www.goodreads.com/christygissendaner
Pursuing
Grace by Anita Cox
Blurb:
Though Grace McGovern
just graduated college, she’s restless, has no idea what to do with her life
and to top it off, she finds herself single and unsatisfied with relationships
in general.
Roman intends to claim
Grace and make her his mate and part of his pack. He’s searched for her for
five years and now she’s within his longing grasp, apart from one minor
problem. She has no idea she’s a wolf.
As Grace tries to
identify and cope with her inner wolf, she also needs to figure out the
unprecedented and undeniable pull Roman has on her. Could he finally offer her
the fulfilling relationship for which she’s been yearning?
Excerpt:
When Grace woke again, Roman’s fingers were tangled in
her curls. She was back in her human body, naked under piles of hospital
blankets. A few strands of hair broke as she tried to untwist his fingers.
“You’re awake.” Roman sat up, blinking. His dark hair in
a knotted mess around his face.
“I feel pretty weak,” Grace said with a croak.
The doctor came into view. “Grace, hello. You’ve been
through quite a lot in the last twenty-four hours.”
“How’s my wolf?” Tears stung her eyes as the words came
out. She had no idea about the wolf before this, but felt wholly responsible
for the animal’s decline.
“There’s no need to cry. Your wolf is regaining her
strength. I’m going to suggest you go back to the main house, get plenty of
food and rest. Try not to shift again until you’re back here, so we can tend to
your wolf right away.” The doctor handed her a pair of sweats. “Your clothes
were destroyed, so you’ll have to wear this for now.
“Does she need bed rest?” Roman asked.
The doctor shook her head. “Bed rest would be overkill,
but nothing more intense than a stroll through the woods.”
Roman patted Grace’s leg and stood. “I’ll give you
privacy to change.” He stepped outside of her room and closed the door.
“He’ll be a good mate”
Grace shook her head as she heard the words inside her
head. “I can’t think that far ahead. Let’s get you healthy first.”
“He’s strong and he loves us
already. He’ll be a good provider and a great pack master.”
Grace chuckled. “You move a little fast for me.”
“Talking to your wolf is good,” the doctor said with a
smile. “But you don’t have to do it out loud. You can talk in your head. Just
think the words.”
Grace looked at the doctor, red faced. “I need to say it
out loud for now. This is all new to me. I already feel like I’m going crazy.”
Doctor Maryann laughed. “Yes, but remember when you need
those private moments, you don’t have to speak. For what it’s worth, he will be your mate.” She didn’t wait
around for Grace to argue. She called over her shoulder, “You can go whenever
you’re ready.”
“You get some rest now,” she said to her wolf, “we can
talk later.”
Outside, Roman leaned against the wall in the hallway.
“I’ll walk you back.”
Grace offered a weak smile. “It appears like my wolf
isn’t the only one who needs rest. You look exhausted.”
Roman shrugged while gazing at the ground in front of
him. “I’m fine.”
They walked back to the main house in silence. Grace’s
legs were weak and shook slightly. It felt like she’d run a marathon.
The sun was setting in the distance, the air cooled.
Grace took deep breaths of the country air appreciating its cleanliness, purity
and the quiet surrounding her.
When they walked through the back door to the house, the
kitchen was buzzing with three women cooking. Grace ducked her head, knowing
she looked like a mess.
“Oh you poor dear,” an older woman rushed over to Grace’s
side. “Let’s get you into the shower. Come on, there’s a back stairwell, so no
one sees you until you’re ready.”
“Uh, thanks.” Grace looked over her shoulder at Roman.
“I’m Wendy, Colin’s sister.” The woman spoke as she
pushed Grace up the back staircase. “These were the servants’ stairs back in
the day…” She pointed to the left, “turn here.” There was a hidden doorway that led to the main hall in the
second floor. “Here we are.” She opened Grace’s bedroom door and pushed her
through.
Grace turned to face her and slow the older woman down.
“Ma’am.”
“Wendy.”
Grace looked at her, her blonde hair wound in a tight bun,
worry lines forming on the sides of piercing blue eyes that were full of warmth
as she smiled at Grace. “Thank you for sneaking me up here. But my legs are so
wobbly and you’re really rushing me…”
Wendy smacked her hand to her forehead. “I’m sorry, it’s
just that everyone is coming to dinner tonight. I know we women are so hard on
ourselves, and you’ve been through so much and feeling out of sorts and a mess
would only…”
“Wendy!” Grace couldn’t help but giggle. “Slow down.
You’re right. I need a shower and my own clothes. But don’t worry so much. I’m
not as fragile as your brother seems to think.” Grace smiled and walked over to
her suitcase, which was empty.
“Your clothes have all been ironed and hung in the
closet.” Wendy said a little slower. “We wanted to help. I hope it doesn’t feel
like an invasion of privacy. It was only Tiffany and me in here.”
Though it made her uncomfortable, she knew their heart
was in the right place. “That was sweet. Thank you.” Her clothes were arranged
by type and color. It was the most OCD arrangement she’d ever seen. She snagged
a pair of jeans and T-Shirt. “Uh, where are my underthings?”
Wendy chuckled. “In the dresser out here. I’m sorry.”
Grace crossed the room to the dresser. “You really have
to stop apologizing. I’m going to need a bit of privacy. I’ll be down as soon
as I can.”
Wendy nodded and fled the room before she could apologize
again.
Grace leaned against the dresser and took a deep breath.
She was exhausted and very hungry. One
step at a time. One foot in front of the other.
She gathered her things and went to shower. It took all
of her energy to stay upright and not sit on the floor of the shower stall. As
soon as she was reasonably clean, she toweled off and dressed.
Staring at herself in the mirror, she could see her wolf
in her conscience. It looked better. Still weak, but its head was perked up and
looked like it was smiling back at her. “How are you feeling, girl?”
Weak but much better thank you.
Please go down to dinner. We need to eat.
Grace smiled. “Yes, well, I can’t meet everyone looking
like this.” She quickly applied a light layer of tinted moisturizer, a bit of
blush and a thin layer of mascara. “What do you think?” she asked her wolf.
Go eat.
She made her way down to the dining room, following the
sound of voices, plates and silverware scraping against dishes. When she walked
into the vast dining room, her heart leaped in her throat. There were so many
new faces.
Roman was at her side before she could even look for him.
“I have a seat for you over here.”
