Claimed by the Beast Bundle by Dawn Michelle Page B

spoon before tossing it in the sink. “I’m good, but I didn’t notice you until you came downstairs. He’ll be able to smell you from a mile away, more if he’s downwind.”
    “ I’m—in heat?” she repeated. “Like a dog?”
    Ember chuckled. “He’s not like any dog you’ve ever met.”
    “ A wolf?”
    Ember shook her head.
    “What then?”
    “ A beast.”
    Crystal heard herself whimper. “This is so messed up. I don’t—I mean—how long will this last? What does it mean?”
    “ It’ll last until he breeds you or you die.”
    Crystal gasped.
    Ember pressed on. “Then again, I suppose anybody could breed you. Know any cute guys?”
    “ Oh my God!”
    A car horn honked, drawing Ember ’s attention. Crystal turned and stared at the door a moment until she realized her friend must be waiting. “Oh! Beth’s here.”
    Ember sighed. “Great. You ride with her. I’ll drive.”
    “ No.” Crystal shook her head. “We told my mom we’d go together. She’ll be pissed if you don’t.”
    “ Got news for you, Princess,” Ember said. “I don’t care.”
    Crystal balked and then lifted her head up. “Please, Ember. I need you.”
    Ember ’s eyes narrowed. She sniffed again and sighed. “Fine. But just so you know, you’re acting nice now because you’re in heat.”
    “ What are you talking about?”
    “ You’re going to be extra friendly and nicer than usual. Horny too. If you don’t want to spread your legs around the first guy you see that you like, you’d better keep your friends close.”
    “ What? No way! You make it sound like I’m turning into a slut!”
    Ember shrugged. “The Beast’s bite will do that. Why else do you think you’d be willing to screw a giant hairy beast?”
    “ No way. Now effing way!”
    “ Effing?”
    Crystal blushed and turned as Beth honked again. “Come on, she’s going to be pissed.”
    Ember shook her head. “You always worry about everybody being pissed off at you?”
    “ What? No—”
    “ So it’s just your hormones then?” Ember asked as she pushed past Crystal and walked out the front door of the house.
    Crystal stared after her surly protector, jaw hanging open at the woman ’s words. Was she always worrying about upsetting other people? She tried to be nice and thoughtful, but look where that got her—made fun of and ridiculed. Crystal closed her mouth and snorted before grabbing her purse and book bag and following Ember out the door.
    Beth met her in front of her car, a five -year-old Ford Fusion her mom had passed down to her. She surprised Crystal by stepping in front of her and wrapping her arms around her before Crystal could react.
    Crystal grunted and then inhaled. The scent of Beth ’s fruity shampoo and the lavender scent of her soap filled her nose and made her relax into her friend’s embrace. Beth stiffened for a moment and then held her tighter. Ember cleared her throat, breaking Crystal out of the fog of comfort she’d let herself fall into.
    “ Isn’t that sweet?” Ember asked.
    “ What? No, she’s my friend,” Beth stammered. She spun to face her and looked her up and down, pressing her lips together to show she disapproved of Ember’s clothes. “Isn’t that your shirt?”
    “ Beth, this is Ember,” Crystal said. She emphasized the beginning of Ember’s name to stop her friend from making the same mistake her mom had. “And yes, it’s my shirt. Ember didn’t have any spare clothes.”
    “ Okay, hi Ember. Now what the hell is she doing with you?”
    Crystal ’s eyes widened and Ember laughed. “Whoa,” Crystal managed. “She’s, um, a friend of Hank’s.”
    “ Hank? Is that the giant on the bike?”
    Crystal cringed and nodded. “Yes. Sorry about that. I had to get out of there. He gave me a ride the other night.”
    Ember snorted.
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Beth demanded.
    Crystal glared at Ember. “On his motorcycle! After that party.”
    “ That’s how you got home?”
    “