Free Corrupt Cravings by Jennifer Salaiz

mouth water. Marcella didn’t hesitate as she pushed the button, allowing in the fresh air. Following her instincts, she pushed the car faster, letting her hair whip around her face. She could feel the fire behind her eyes as the moon called to her. God, time was running out. The part to play the new shifter couldn’t be any truer. She was completely lost when it came to what she was meant to do on a full moon.
    A dirt road grabbed her attention and threw off alarms in her mind like a neon sign. Turning onto it, she slowed down enough to catch her breath. The rapid beating of her heart caused her whole body to tremble. “This is not good. Not good at all.”
    The need to comfort herself wasn’t helping one bit. Loud rap music broke through the silence, and she knew she was at the right location, but somehow that didn’t reassure her. Slowly, she pulled the car around to the back of the two-story house. For some reason, the main door wasn’t facing the road.
    “My, my, how I’d like to take a bite out of you.”
    Marcella screamed as a man suddenly appeared at her window. He’d come from nowhere. At least, she hadn’t seen him before the second his face was inches from hers. In the darkness, she knew he was Hispanic. His shaved head was covered in tattoos. Fear poured from her in waves, so thick she was nearly choking on the scent.
    A group of men walked out of the house, all carrying weapons. Two large, lightly tanned men towered over the rest. Marcella put the car in park and slowly eased out.
    “Please, I need to speak to your leader.”
    Pains twisted in her stomach, and she knew she didn’t have much time. Gripping the top of her car, she pleaded to them with her eyes.
    “For what? Who told you how to get here?”
    Looking at one of the Hispanic men who addressed her, she took another step toward them. “No one told me. I sensed it. Please help me. I was attacked almost two weeks ago. Something’s happening to me.”
    The men began to circle her, inhaling deeply as they moved closer. More panic rolled off of her. The sweet fragrance hung heavily in the air, growing thicker as they began to crowd her space.
    “Oh, she’s good. Real good.”
    A hand caressed her back, and she spun around to get away from it. She knew deep down none of these men were Donavon. Samael hadn’t lied. They were thugs of the worst nature. More hands reached out and touched and she continued to try to get away from them, but they kept swarming around her.
    “Please. Get your leader. I must speak with him.”
    More contorting brought her to her knees. The pain was too much. She didn’t want to shift. Not yet.
    “Get back! What in the hell do you think you’re all doing? Can’t you see she’s in pain?”
    Marcella was pulled up by the scariest man she’d ever seen. Tattoos completely covered him from the top of his neck down. His head was shaved, and silver glowing eyes pierced her very soul. No, he was definitely not Donavon. There was evil in this one.
    “I’m Alpha, come inside. Let me look you over.”
    His rough hands practically jerked her through the door of the house. The moment they entered the living room, she looked into a pair of sapphire and gold mixed eyes. Time stopped as their gazes locked. Blond hair stuck out at odd angles as he looked up from cleaning out his gun. My God, he’s beautiful. Now that was Donavon. She knew it deep down from where her collector called to him.
    “Got another one. She was attacked almost two weeks ago. Seems her wolf is dying to get out. Odd, don’t you think? It’s barely dark.”
    Donavon stood, and Marcella’s eyes traveled up for what seemed forever. Damn, he was tall. Exactly Dominic’s height. The eeriness with which they looked similar went beyond shocking. If she were to put curly hair on him and take the gold out of his eyes, they’d be identical twins.
    “Where did you come from?”
    His question was directed at her, and not too nicely. Just getting her brain to