Free Forbidden Attraction by Lorie O'Clare

killed by humans shortly after we entered the United States.”
    “Nicolo, Dimitri and I are all that survived of our den when our pack was burned in Malta.” Erin’s long black hair covered part of her face when she focused on her coffee cup.
    “Your pack was burned because some of you had powers?”
    Erin nodded. Now Heidi understood why Erin hated talking about how her pack was different. There wasn’t any greater pain than losing a den. And even though she’d love to know more about these powers, this was Erin’s den.
    If the bitch didn’t want to talk about it, Heidi wouldn’t press the subject further.
    “We better bring in more firewood.” Erin got up and put her coffee cup in the sink.
    Heidi hurried to follow. Erin didn’t say much as they hauled wood from a small shed behind her den into the living room until they had enough to keep the fire strong throughout the night.
    “These are all the extra blankets that I have.” Erin handed Heidi bedding and then knelt in front of the fire. She poked at it and the flames danced. “My mate is the littermate of the werewolf who Dimitri blamed for burning our pack. Even today, they hardly speak to each other. Dimitri knows I’m happy, but his damned pride and anger over our den being destroyed keeps him from admitting it. I’m not sure what he’d do if Nicolo also defied him with a mating Dimitri didn’t approve of.”
    After both of them confessed their pain over their destroyed dens, Heidi suddenly felt selfish for her interest in Nicolo. The last thing she wanted was to hurt anyone’s den. She opened her blankets, covering herself, but she doubted she’d sleep. It wasn’t like taking a late night run was an option in Malta territory. Erin settled in next to her, grabbing the remote and flipping channels, acting as restless as Heidi felt.

    Morning came faster than she expected. Erin had fallen asleep next to her, either because she didn’t trust Heidi, or maybe the bitch didn’t want to sleep alone. But when Heidi stirred, Erin woke up and shifted under the blankets she’d cocooned herself in.
    41
    Lorie O’Clare
    “Coffee,” the bitch muttered. She padded into the kitchen, wearing just her shirt.
    Moments later, the rich brew’s smell tickled Heidi’s senses enough that she got up and folded blankets.
    Heidi entered the kitchen and Erin nodded to the pot, mumbling something about Heidi making herself at home in her den before heading into her bedroom. Apparently Heidi passed some test of trust with Erin. A good feeling washed over her as she helped herself to steaming hot coffee.
    “I don’t know about you, but I’m going to go nuts sitting here wondering where my mate is.” Erin came out of the bedroom wearing fresh clothes. “You may wash up in our bathroom if you like, but then I say we head out and find out where everyone is.”
    With cold water splashed on her face and a couple cups of coffee inside her, Heidi couldn’t wait to get out and bound through the snow. The only problem was that she’d be running through Malta territory. No matter that Erin was with her, fear trickled through her when the two of them undressed in front of the fire.
    Heidi twisted her clothes into a collar and wrapped them around her neck, then followed Erin to the door, noting how beautiful the bitch looked. Her dark skin and coal-black hair gave her an exotic appearance. Heidi imagined Nicolo naked and almost tripped over her feet.
    The sudden rush of lust and aching desire that hit her brought the change on with even more fury. Her bones popped and grew while blood pumped in her veins at a speed too fast for her human body to handle.
    The sweet pain of the change hit her like a fast-acting drug. Erin had opened the door with the change already consuming her as well. She barely managed to close the door securely before falling to the ground, her long black coat draping to her feet while she stood before Heidi.
    Heidi’s senses heightened, her vision