Lost Howl Read Free Page B

beast as well as the outer human. It made for a more well-rounded selection process and a happier match.
    “Now?”
    “You are in heat, so there is no reason to wait. I am guessing you have tried to slake your lust on humans but it hasn’t quite worked.” Nadine smiled.
    Amira blinked at the frankness and looked around to see that none of the people with her was the least bit embarrassed. “Um, you would be right. What is missing?”
    “In a word, magic. Your inner beast is calling out to their souls but nothing answers. Your body is satisfied but your beast is looking for a match of its own.”
    “Shifters have magic?”
    Her aunt, Aileen, chuckled. “How else do you go from a woman to a wolf half your size?”
    Amira cocked her head. “I don’t shrink. I get bigger. Isn’t that normal?”
    Her grandmother looked concerned. “You do?”
    “Yes. I am close to two hundred pounds when I shift. Is that a problem?”
    Thomas asked, “Do the wolves know about it?”
    Amira shook her head. “There was no reason to tell them.”
    Nadine sighed in relief. “Good. They would demand to keep you. That particular mutation is highly sought after in their circles. It is best that you go and quickly find a mate that suits you, not them.”
    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?”
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    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