Free Den and Breakfast: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Honeycomb Falls Book 1) by Cassie Wright Page A

agree to suck my -"
    Blake roars and leaps forward, shifting into his werewolf warform in the blink of an eye. Suddenly nine feet tall and covered in iron gray fur, he backhands Maric across the face with punishing strength, sending the man tumbling down onto the gravel, where he rolls and comes up in his own warform. As tall as Blake but not nearly as muscled and broad, he crouches, lips snarling back from his yellowed fangs.
    The two wolves stare at each other, eyes locked, both snarling in the ugliest, most terrifying manner. I back away slowly, not wanting to draw attention to myself, and hide behind one of the porch columns. Are they going to kill each other? They continue to stare and snarl, and then I realize it's a match of wills. A fight for dominance. The tension in the air is so thick it's hard to breathe.
    Finally Maric looks away and shifts down into his human form, wiping his hand across his bloodied lip. "You're not worth fighting, Blake." His voice is mean and curdled with anger. "You're just a jumped-up gardener. Not worth my time."
    Blake also shifts back into his human form. "You step foot on these grounds again, I'll tear your spine out. You hear me, Maric?"
    "Whatever. Why would I come here? Why would any shifter come here? This place will never be the Lodge. You'll never convince the Cairn." He looks at me in contempt. "You'd have better luck turning this place into a brothel. If you'll spread your legs for Blake, why not make an extra dollar -"
    But Blake's warning growl cuts him off, and Maric backpedals, hustling for the front gate. He manages to catch himself and slow down, fighting for dignity, though he keeps shooting worried looks over his shoulder even as he steps out onto the street and disappears.
    I sink onto the porch steps. Blake stands still, watching the gate, stiff and furious, and then slowly turns to me. I see concern in his handsome face, mingled with sadness. "I'm sorry, Rachel. I'm so sorry."
    Anita steps out onto the porch, followed by Hui, their faces pale. "What does this mean?"
    "It means it's over," I say, voice leaden, heart breaking. I can't look anybody in the face. Did I think this was going to work? Did I experience a moment of true happiness just moments ago around the breakfast table? "If I can't convince the Cairn Elder, then my dream for Honeycomb Hall is dead before it even gets started."
     

 
    Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    They all look at me with different expressions on their faces. Anita looks horrified. Blake looks furious and frustrated both. Hui appears inscrutable, but I can see a tightness in her eyes that speaks of a world of disappointment.
    "There may be a way," I say. I don't want to think about it. I don't want to go there. But what choice do I have?
    "What way?" Blake's voice is tight, suspicious.
    "I'll be back." I stand up, suddenly resolute. I owe it to them to explore every option. I owe it to Mama B and her hopes for me. I owe it to myself.
    Turning, ignoring the questions on their faces, I march into the hall, stepping over Hui's mop, and climb the stairs to the broad landing. Walk down the hall to Mama B's room, and close her bedroom door behind me. Press my back against it, heart hammering against my ribs like a rubber mallet. Do I want to open that chest? Hell no. Do I have a choice? Not that I can tell.
    I take a deep breath. Open and close my hands, bite my lower lip, then step forward and throw the chest open before I can change my mind.
    There it is. Mama B's staff. Dark wood and blood red crystal. I bite my lower lip again, frozen. What will happen when I touch it? Will I change? Is there any going back? I gulp. I've never done anything more magical than have a tarot reading done for me. Now here, lying in front of me, is something of real power.
    I reach down. Hesitate, my fingertips an inch from the wood, and then grab it. I close my eyes, holding it as far from me as I can - and nothing happens. I crack open one eye, then the other. What