Animal Desire: A Paranormal Romance (Werewolf and Shapeshifter) (The Animal Sagas) by Susan G. Charles Page A

and yet she sensed so much more was there with them.
    “The babies,” she gasped out, her voice strangled by her fear.
    “They’re fine, they’re quiet,” Ben tried to reassure her as he ran his hands along her tense shoulders.
    Just his touch was enough to make her want to comply. Her need to please Ben was a built in genetic desire that all were-panthers had for their mates. Still she struggled against it and pulled herself up out of the bed. She walked over to the bassinets, expecting to find them empty, or maybe even something much worse. But her sweet son and daughter were resting peacefully, their small chests rising and falling in the exact same rhythm.
    Tears swelled in Lynda’s eyes as she looked down at the sleeping infants. Ben stepped up behind her and wrapped his strong arms around her still pillow soft stomach, as she was still shedding a few pounds from the pregnancy. He hugged her tightly as they both stood there for several moments just watching the babies sleep, in awe of the miracle they had made.
    Then he kissed the side of her neck longingly. “Come back to bed Lynda,” he purred. “The children are fine.”
    Lynda shuddered in his arms, she closed her eyes briefly and the tears slipped past, flowing freely down her cheeks. She wanted nothing more than to believe what everyone else said, that all was well, but in her heart, her instincts told her something very different. Eventually she gave in to Ben’s gentle guidance and allowed him to tug her back into bed.
    He lay awake beside her at first, raking his fingers through her long flowing hair, trying to soothe her into the sleep she so badly needed. Soon enough, the combing motion slowed and Ben fell asleep beside her, lightly snoring, his hands still clutching the small of her waist. But Lynda only stared at that darkened window, expecting something to come right on through it. Sleep would not come to her this night.

Chapter 2
    The next day Lynda was completely exhausted, just as expected. She finally just decided to close herself off in the bedroom with the twins while Ben attended to the daily needs of the pack. She desperately needed some rest and thought this might be the only way to get it. So as soon as he left she locked the front door behind him, closed all the curtains and headed back to the bedroom.
    As Clay reported for duty that morning he noticed Ben’s troubled expression. “Are the babies all right?” he asked Ben with concern in his voice, as he studied a man who was not only his leader but one of his closest friends.
    “Yes, they are,” Ben nodded slightly and stole a glance at Clay. He didn’t ever like to display any sign of weakness, but he was really starting to get worried about Lynda.
    “Good,” Clay nodded slightly, noting the look that Ben gave him. Breakfast was being prepared, and as usual, of course, Sonya sashayed right up to the wolf in charge of the kitchen and snatched a muffin right out from under her nose.
    “Excuse me,” Kateri, the head cook rumbled, in reaction to the snatch. “Those muffins are for everyone, missy, not just you,” she nearly growled.
    “But I’m only taking mine,” Sonya pointed out with a roll of her eyes. “Stop being so cranky.”
    Kateri was an older wolf, and she had very little patience for the were-panthers that had recently become part of their pack. She was growing accustomed to Lynda, but Sonya’s lack of respect still visibly irritated her.
    “That’s it,” Kateri declared loudly enough to gain the attention of Ben and Clay as they were walking toward the community kitchen, “…you’re banned from the kitchen!”
    “You can’t ban me from the kitchen!” Sonya countered. “Where will I get my food?”
    “You can hunt it,” Kateri hissed, her eyes blazing with fury. “That’s right. That’s what we’re all built to do anyway… so get out in the woods and catch yourself a squirrel!”
    “A squirrel?” Sonya gasped with absolute horror. “Are