Free Werebeasties by Lizzie Lynn Lee

money?”
    “Yes, it’s about the money.”
    “Then, maybe,” Mike paused “I could sign it and hold onto the money since Jared’s busy?”
    Sam snorted. Everybody in Jared’s family was like a vulture when it came to money. “You’re not the one who’s getting divorced from me, Mike. Sober up.” She disconnected.
    So, Jared was staying in Willwood. Sam searched on Google maps for a location of a Willwood hotel. It turned out to be Willwood Lodge. She wrote the address on a piece of paper.
    Her heart beat fast. She’d made up her mind. Tonight, she would sneak into his room for the tape. She knew her ex’s habits. Jared wouldn’t come to his room until at least twelve o’clock. He had to have his beers between dinner time and midnight. That meant he would be in a bar somewhere. Probably spending the seventy-five-thousand dollar cheque David had written for him.
    That fucking bastard.
    She could go to Willwood after dinner. She had told Adam she had her period. She assumed the men wouldn’t want to sleep with her until it was over. She could tell Adam she’d forgotten to pick up a couple of items from Walgreens. Adam might let her drive the Mercedes again. But first, she needed to give the keys back to him.
    Sam inspected her clothes in the mirror. She was decent. No makeup. She didn’t feel like putting it on right now. She slipped into her canvas shoes and went looking for Adam.
    She glided downstairs to the kitchen. Nigel told her Adam was in his office. She trotted back upstairs to the end of the hall.
    She knocked. Nobody answered. The room was unlocked. Sam decided to put the key on his desk. She pushed the door and stepped in.
    What she saw made her want to scream. She dropped the keys to the floor with a loud clank.
    A big panther lounged on Adam’s leather sofa. The beast was sleeping, but it woke up and zeroed its eyes on her. Sam couldn’t breathe. Panic slammed in like a hurricane.
    Run. Run now…
    Before she could break the spell that the beast had cast on her, someone put a hand on her shoulder. Sam jumped, turning to flee. But her knees weakened. Adam caught her before she collapsed on the floor.
    “Adam…” Sam gulped hard. Her gaze darted to the panther again. The beast had risen and was sitting on the sofa with its full attention on her. “There’s a…” She couldn’t finish her sentence.
    “We need to talk, Sam.”
    David emerged through the door. He saw the panther. His expression changed. “Oh, shit.”

Chapter Six

    He was tired and he’d needed a nap. A long nap. He had been prowling through the bushes and hills all night looking for small animals to hunt. He had caught a hare and had a midnight snack. It wasn’t bad. Wasn’t great, either. His human didn’t like raw meat—his human preferred his meat cooked by the fire. Well, too bad. When He took over, He was in charge. So, Calvin could shut up and be a good boy.
    His human awakened. Usually, Calvin would want to take over as soon as he woke. This time, he didn’t. He eyed the female in the room with interest.
    Lush, Calvin said.
    He agreed. The woman had a healthy figure like a female should. Perfect to mount and bear many cubs. He knew Calvin had mated with the female and couldn’t get enough of her. He also sensed Calvin was in distress about her. Something involving Him and it scared the female. She didn’t know Calvin shared the body with Him. Sometimes, He liked to be free and roam the streets. Sometimes, He needed to hunt and kill, even it if was only small animals. He and Calvin didn’t hunt big animals like they used to. But He was okay with that. As long as Calvin let Him have occasional pleasure.
    David urged the female to sit, while Adam got her something to drink. She kept watching Him. She was scared of Him, but she was also curious. She listened attentively as David talked. David’s tiger was docile. And so was Adam’s lion. They were fond of the female and didn’t want to do anything to scare