Free Shifter Wars by A. E. Jones Page A

Cleveland suburbs.”
    “So they come here.”
    “Griffin’s property is extensive, and fenced in, with a high level of security on the perimeter.” Beatrice sipped again before continuing. “Members of our pack are able to come here and change, knowing they’re safe.”
    “So shifters can be any type of animal?”
    “Yes. It can get confusing, since we call our groups packs, which usually is associated with wolves, but we can be any animal.”
    “Wow.” I hesitated for a moment and then plowed on. “Why are you guys so secretive about your animal form?”
    Beatrice looked at the fire for a moment before responding. “I wouldn’t say we are secretive, really. As shifters we can normally sense what another shifter’s animal is, but we have chosen not to share that knowledge outside the packs. Our animal form is sacred to us. I am surprised Matthew told you what he was.”
    “He didn’t tell me. I caught him changing and my gun convinced him to tell the rest of his story.”
    Beatrice’s eyes widened. “You can be persuasive when you need to be.”
    We sat in silence for a couple of minutes, staring at the fire and drinking. Finally Beatrice fidgeted for a moment, took a quick breath, and then went silent again, frowning.
    “Is something wrong?” I asked.
    “Kyle, don’t write Seamus off.”
    “Why do you call him Seamus when everyone else calls him Griffin?”
    “Seamus is his first name. As a sign of respect, the pack leader is called by his last name.” She grinned. “Since I’m his baby sister, I have a little leeway.”
    “And why are you pleading his case to me?”
    “As the leader, Seamus carries a huge amount of responsibility. Responsibility no one prepared him for or thought he could handle.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Have you ever heard the saying ‘the heir and a spare’?”
    “No.”
    “Seamus is the second-born son, the spare. He was never supposed to become leader. But when our older brother William died…”
    “He took over the throne.”
    “Exactly. And it wasn’t easy. William had always been the golden son who could do no wrong. It’s hard to fill those shoes.”
    “Well, Griffin appears to have no trouble bossing people around.”
    “He can be a royal pain, but he means well.”
    “Well, I’m not one of his subjects. He doesn’t get to order me around.”
    She laughed. “No, you’re not. But understand there is a reason why he’s barking at you.”
    “And what would that be?”
    “He likes you, you silly human.”
    I gawked at her, my stomach tightening. “Half the time I want to throttle him.”
    “And he you, which is part of the fun.”
    “Fun? How is it fun?” I took a sip of the rich chocolate to hide my face.
    “If you think arguing strikes sparks, think about the sex you’ll have.”
    I choked, sucking the cocoa down the wrong pipe.
    Beatrice set her mug down and thumped me on the back. “Oh, dear, I forgot how repressed you humans are.”
    I coughed for a couple more seconds, wiping the tears from my eyes. “I’m not repressed. I just don’t normally discuss my sex life, especially with a man’s sister.”
    “Don’t worry. When it happens, I won’t ask for any details.”
    “It isn’t going to happen.”
    “We’ll see.” Beatrice smiled and curled her legs underneath her. She looked like a satisfied cat, which made me wonder what her animal form was. Somehow I was sure she wouldn’t be the garden variety domestic short-hair. I had a sneaking suspicion she was of the more exotic variety that spent time in Griffin’s backyard.

Chapter 11

    I woke up sweating. Not the glistening, pretty kind, but the dripping sweat everywhere kind; behind my knees, under my arms and pooling between my breasts. I sat up and looked out the window. The sun was just coming up. Snow swirled outside, and wind rattled the pane as if someone was trying to break in. I shook my head to clear away the fog. The dream that woke me up had been a teeth-clenching