Free Howling at the Moon: The Complete Series by Sasha Livingston

sending chills through my body.
    “So, is this lake enchanted or something?” I imagined some glowing lake of anti-werewolf transformation, but in my mind, it was just a regular lake from my childhood.
    “Something like that, yes.”
    “Well, let’s go now, then.” If he wanted to stop me from turning, I would comply with his plan. I got out of bed, looking for something more appropriate than pajama pants and a t-shirt to wear. “What is so important about me not turning anyway?” I asked as I searched through an unpacked suitcase.
    “If you turn, then you will forever be a werewolf. The lake can’t change you back to a 100% human after you turn.” I was getting a lesson in Werewolfology.
    “Well, I can be ready in no time,” I started searching, but my head was swirling again. I mis-stepped and almost fell, but Warren caught me just in time.
    “We must wait until the rain stops and make sure you are prepared. You are in no condition to leave.”
    I laughed as he put me back in bed.
    “Prepared? It’s only a lake!”
    “Only a lake that lies right near Mo’s land.” He sat down on the bed next to me, looking into my eyes with the darkness outside as our backdrop. “I think your grandma would want you to stay human. She worked so hard to keep it that way.”
    How did he know that?
    Warren took our dishes to the kitchen, leaving me with a heated body and decisions to make.
    When he returned, he held a book in his hand—the same book he was reading earlier that looked more like a leather-bound journal.
    “I think you should read this. I’m not going home tonight, but I want you to think about some things and we can make a final decision in the morning.”
    Opening to the first page, I dropped the book in the sheets. Covering my face, the tears came and fell down my face just like the rain fell on the ground for most of the day. On that page was handwriting that was etched in my brain: my grandmother’s famous “C” for Collins.
    Picking the book back up, I read through my tear-filled eyes.
    “How to Love a Werewolf
    By Diane Collins.”

Howling at the Moon : Part 4
    ––––––––
    I couldn’t put the book down. My hands sped through the pages, trying to get all the information I could. I felt like it was my grandmother’s voice talking to me through the pages, and every word was advice for my life.
    “To love a werewolf means risking one's self. Giving into the desires of him or her will mean changing one’s human state.” I read the passage over a few times, trying to figure out what she meant.
    “For my lineage, it will be imperative that they steer clear of Hillston and any werewolf from it, as when any Collins comes in close sexual contact with a shifter, they will then become one themselves.”
    My neck began itching, my body tingled, and my nails began to grow.
    Calm down, Jaime
    I clicked off the lamp on my nightstand and looked towards the door. Light beamed from underneath as a shadow moved back and forth. It was Warren, pacing the floor again. I wondered what he was thinking and what he wanted to do. Did he love me? Well, love was a strong word for this point in our relationship, but I could see he at least had some kind of affection for me. If not, he wouldn’t have gone this far and risked himself just for me.
    Leaning back on the pillows and closing my eyes, I inhaled slowly, trying to calm my mind. The book laid on my lap, and as bad as I wanted to pick it up and continue to read my grandma’s wisdom, it was probably best that I leave the words alone for the night. I still had a decision to make: should I stay here, or should I flee? If I did stay, was it wise for us to travel to the lake? Or should I shift into a werewolf? I couldn’t get the questions out of my brain.
    I jumped when I felt something shift in the bed. Looking over, I saw Warren’s face though the moonlight.
    “Were you asleep?”
    “Yeah, I must have dozed off,” I said, wiping at my eyes. When my