Lost Howl (3 page)

Amira realized something. “You are really worried about me.”

Nadine took her hand and squeezed it. “We really are. Your mother was desperately unhappy with the husband chosen for her, and we want you to be the one to pick the man that you will have to live with and enjoy.”

She looked from one concerned face to the next and her bag by the door. What harm could checking out her options do? “When do I leave?”

Two hours after her decision, Amira unpacked her bags in the Open Heart Bed and Breakfast.

She didn’t have anything for having fun or luring men. Apparently, the little charm on her wrist would take care of anything she wanted. With her small bag unpacked, she headed downstairs to look around and go exploring in the Crossroads. Her hostess was waiting.

Teebie smiled. “All unpacked?”

“Yup. Are you really blue? Is it body paint?”

Teebie laughed. “I am really blue. My father was blue, though not this particular shade. He was more sky blue and less primary blue.”

Amira smiled. “It is very becoming.”

Teebie snickered. “Enough about me. Do you want a tour of the Crossroads? Teal said she was in a hurry when you arrived.”

“Right. I think I can find my way around. I will need some more appropriate clothing.”

“Of course. Down the road and to the left. The store has everything you need, and what they don’t have can be procured in a number of hours.”

It was a dismissal as a man came through the doors with his own parcels. He nodded to Teebie and gave Amira a long look with his crystal grey eyes.

She inclined her head, said a quick, “Hello,” and was on her way out the door before he could reply.

Her heart was hammering and her body pulsed in interest. She was not going to leave this place without having sex. It wasn’t even a possibility. Her body wanted someone inside it and here she had a pretty good chance of finding the one person she would want to screw for the rest of her life.

Amira shook her head to clear it and headed to the general store. If she were going hunting, she would need bait.

Dressed in a glossy liquid silver cocktail dress, Amira stepped into the Crossed Star Bar. Several of the men around the room turned to look at her, and she met their interested gazes as she made her way to the bar.

Knowing that she was actually in heat was quite a bit different from simply thinking she was horny. Her body wanted more than just a one-night stand and that tidbit was going to have to be taken into consideration.

She sat down at the bar and smiled at the bartender.

The man with tattoos smiled and asked, “What can I get for you?”

“Water with lemon.” She bit her lip when she realized that his eyes were the slitted eyes of a serpent. “Can you tell me how this works?”

He picked up the lemon slice with a pair of tiny tongs that looked ridiculously correct in his fingers. “You let yourself feel and listen to your reactions. When you find the right one, you will know it. Don’t fight it. Let yourself learn them and they will learn you.”

“What if our beasts don’t agree? What if they aren’t compatible?” She bit her lip.

“You will know immediately. Your inner animal won’t let you choose a mate that isn’t compatible. You might not know why, but you will be a match and you will be able to begin planning your life from there.” He grinned, showing a bit of fang. “It worked out fine for me. I never suspected that I would find a mate, let alone a swan, but there she is in the corner, scowling and working on our latest project.”

“Project?”

He looked proud. “We write books together. It is a bizarrely satisfying partnership.”

She smiled and accepted her water with lemon. “Thanks. That gives me hope.”

“Be open to the possibilities. You never know what will come your way if you give it a chance.”

“Wise words.”

“True words. This place was developed to give shifters a place to meet each other without worrying about humans walking in at the wrong time. You are out of reality and you can truly be yourself. Do it.”

He nodded and headed off to the other end of the bar to fill another order.

Amira took her water and walked to one of the high tables near the dance floor. She boosted herself onto a chair and crossed her legs. With the bait set, she only had to wait.

Fortunately, the men at the Crossroads did not keep her waiting long.

She was up and dancing with a male who smelled fascinating. They didn’t exchange names, simply let their animals get to know each other.

When the brunette released her at the end of the song, another took his place, and she danced for two hours before returning to the bar to get another water with lemon.

Her feet throbbed. The new shoes fit well but they were still new and needed major breaking in.

The man from the bed and breakfast stood next to her. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

She cocked her head. “I am. I am Amira.” She extended her hand.

He took it with a smile. “Lorr.”

Her skin flicked to life and flames roared up her arm out of that small contact. She nearly dropped to her knees, but the bar stool caught her.

He seemed just as surprised as she was. His cool grey eyes blinked slowly and he smiled. “Would you care to dance?”

Amira smiled. “I don’t think I have a choice.”

He laughed and held her hands as she hopped off her chair and followed him to the dance floor. The song was a little fast for slow dancing, but he managed to plaster her against him, and they rocked together in lazy circles.

She was tall but he was taller. With a happy sigh, she pressed her head to his shoulder and let him lead them around the dance floor.

The music slowed down and they swayed together. His hand was in the centre of her back and pressing her against the erection that was unmistakable. She kept her face averted as her fingers curled on his shoulder. She wanted to grab him, haul him into a dark corner and explore every inch of the cock pressing against his trousers.

Somehow, she was almost positive that it defied first-date etiquette if you wanted to see the guy the next morning. She had never been good at the second date.

Lorr bent his head and inhaled against her hair.

She smiled. She had been snuffling against his neck for two songs.

When the song ended, she pulled back. “I think I still need that glass of water.”

He smiled. “Do you mind if I join you?”

Amira slid her hand down his arm and took his hand with her fingers woven through his. She hauled him to the bar and the bartender had her water with lemon waiting for her.

He got a glass of cider, and together, they took a seat in one of the booths.

“So, Lorr, what brings you here?”

He smiled. “Timing. The other three times I attempted to come to the Crossroads, my family thwarted my efforts. This time, I was informed that my journey was encouraged. What brings you?”

She shrugged. “Necessity. Heat. Learning about other shifters and my own family for the first time.”

Lorr looked surprised. “Could you explain?”

“Of course, but this isn’t really the right environment.”

He looked around. “I believe you are right.”

He set his half-glass of cider aside. “Would you care to join me for dinner in the café?”

“I haven’t eaten in a while, so sure.”

She drank her water and smiled. “Ready when you are.”

They got to their feet and brushed against each other on their way out into the evening air. When another male approached, Lorr put his arm around her and eased her against him.

Amira had no objection, her body was running riot and it picked up the beat when he pulled her against him.

The urge to fling him against a convenient surface was becoming more difficult to contain, but she held it back.

They headed into the café and settled at a table with his knees bracketing hers.

She looked at his face and hair, memorizing the ash blonde locks and the wide jaw with a very mobile mouth. It was currently smiling at her.

She blushed. “You are staring.”

“You are stunning. What did you mean, learning about shifters?”

“Ah. Don’t take this the wrong way, but humans raised me. I knew that other shifters existed, but I hadn’t met any who were direct about their situation.”

“Why were you raised by humans?”

“Because my parents were dead and no one could find any trace of me anywhere in the legal system. The humans that found me adopted me and took me in.”

“Has your voice always been that low?”

She blinked. “I…it broke. There was an accident and I called for help. My voice broke.”

“How old were you?”

“It doesn’t matter. It happened. So, what do you do when you are not trolling at the Crossroads?”

“I work at the family quarry. I am in charge of selecting excavation sites. You?”

“I take tours of the nature-seeking into the wild and bring them back alive.” She smiled. “They don’t seem to mind my voice.”

His cheeks coloured, and he would have answered her, but their server came to the table and took their order.

“I don’t mind your voice, but it is huskier than that of most females.”

She propped her chin up on her fist. “I used to be a dude?”

He snorted. “Your scent is definitely female. No trace of male anywhere on you.”

“Yeah, but it sounds funnier than explaining.”

Lorr grinned. “It is that. So, you take tours around and entertain them?”

“I take groups of six or seven into the woods and show them how to live with minimal supplies and a lot of effort.” Amira shrugged. “It is what I am suited for.”

“I see.” He smiled. “Would you take me?”

“Um. Please define that statement so I know I am not getting my signals crossed.”

“I would like to learn how to survive in the woods. My beast is built for other terrain.”

Curiosity assailed her, but she had been briefed that it was the one question she could not ask. If he wanted her to know what he was, he would show her. She had the same restraint on her side. He wouldn’t ask, so she had to decide when and if she exposed her wolf.

The fur was going to fly.

After a strangely quiet dinner, Amira asked him, “How long have you been here?”

“Four days.”

“You haven’t found the one for you?”

He grinned and drank his iced tea. “The jury is out. I am still in the assessment phase, but I think I may have met the one. I know my beast is content with the selection.”

She snorted. “My beast is decidedly trampy right now. I am trying to be good.”

Lorr cocked his head. “Trampy, you say?”

She laughed at the speculation in his voice. “I have never been around shifters before. Well, not this many. I was already in heat without being tempted with males that could calm the fire in my blood.”

“Would you care to go for a walk in the moonlight?”

She snickered at the hopeful tone in his voice. “I would like that. I haven’t seen any of the Crossroads yet.”

“Then, please allow me to show you.”

They got to their feet, and he swiped his charm over the pay station so they could leave.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“It was my pleasure for the husky caress of your voice.” He made it sound like a good thing.

She blushed again. “Right, well, this way.”

She led him to the door, and when they walked outside, he slid an arm around her waist. She wasn’t complaining.

He showed her the restaurant, the new salon and the general store.

“I know the store. They set me up with this dress. I didn’t bring anything that wasn’t practical.”

“The dress is lovely. It makes you look like liquid moonlight.”

She ducked her head. “I just wanted it because it was loose enough to get out of if I needed to shift. Since this is all very new to me, it is a practical concern.”

“Well, you managed to cross lovely with practical. It is not a skill that many women pull off with such flair.”

The compliments were throwing her. She was too used to doing all the pursuit, and being on the receiving end was sending her dizzy.

Her pussy ached and she clenched her thighs as they walked. She could feel the slick heat at the join of her thighs spreading with every step.

She kept herself tucked against him, enjoying the flex of muscle against her with every movement.

He walked slowly through the town, and then, he paused and faced a huge, open meadow with cabanas set up along one side.

“This is the shifter meadow. When you want to let your beast out, you can change over there and come out in your other form.”

Amira smiled. “I like the idea of privacy. I have never been able to change if someone can see me.” She qualified it. “Well, not a complete change.”

“You can do a partial shift?”

“Yes. More often than anything else.” She was enthralled by the empty meadow, the stars above and the moon rising. She wanted to transform and howl but that wasn’t going to happen. Her howl had not made an appearance for eighteen years; it was not going to start now. “It frightens wildlife.”

He chuckled.

Lorr’s hand was slowly moving on her back, and she turned to him, pressing her hands to his chest and going up slightly on her toes to press a kiss to his mouth.

He slid his hands up her back and held her tight, keeping her in place as he joined her in the first exchange.

She could smell the heat coming off her own skin, and it mingled with the musk that was rising from his. Amira rubbed against him in a slow caress, taking a measure of the muscle and bone of his body. There was nothing missing as her body sought his. To her senses, his body was ideally suited to satisfy her.

Her inner wolf snarled and bit, trying to get her to put Lorr in a position where her dominance could be asserted. Amira held her wolf back, but it was hard when he groaned and bent her back in his embrace.

His hand in her hair held her as he turned into the aggressor. She released the tight hold on her beast and her own savagery kicked in.