Night Moves by Desiree Holt

her. “Such a short time? Did you really know what you wanted that fast?”
    “Oh, yes. I knew the first night we were together. We were meant to be mated.”
    Regan’s eyebrows rose. “Mated?”
    Sierra nodded. “There was something inside both of us that knew we were meant to be together. We had some… issues to resolve, but that didn’t take us long.”
    “Then you won’t think I’m crazy if I tell you I feel the same way with Brian. As if we’re bonded forever.” She shook her head. “I know this sounds crazy, but the first time he touched me the word ‘forever’ flashed through my brain.”
    Now Sierra laughed. “I don’t think you’re crazy at all. And I know Brian feels the same way. When he stepped out of your courtroom for a while this afternoon, he called Luke and talked to him at great length.” She paused and wet her lips. “Did Brian tell you he’d asked me along tonight to talk to you?”
    “Yes, but I can’t imagine about what.”
    Sierra picked up the book and flipped it over. Regan could see now how old it really was, the covering frayed in places. Across the front, in gold script, was written, The Legend of the Wolf. “How much do you know about wolves and shifters?”
    Regan nearly dropped her mug. “You mean like werewolves? ”
    “Werewolves are an old myth started by people centuries ago. Shifters are an ancient race of people who evolved through generations into what they are today. Humans who have a specific gene that allows them to change—shift—into wolf form.”
    Now Regan was sure she was losing her mind. Wolves? Shifters? She thought back to the logo on the business card and the shadowy form she’d seen lurking around the office building.
    “Are you telling me Luke is a…a…wolfman?”
    NIGHT MOVES
    Desiree Holt
    41
     
    Sierra nodded. “The first time I saw him was in his wolf form, as a matter of fact.”
    “My God.” Regan felt a chill sweep through her. “That means Brian is, too.” She stood up so quickly she almost knocked her chair over. “I think I need something stronger than coffee.”
    In her family room, she opened the cupboard that held her liquor and brought a bottle of bourbon back to the kitchen. Dropping ice cubes into a glass, she poured herself a healthy shot and took a quick swallow, choking slightly as it burned the back of her throat.
    Sierra was beside her at once, arm around her shoulders. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to shock you so badly, but sometimes you can’t work your way into these things.”
    Regan flapped her hand in the air and caught her breath. “Give me a minute, and I’ll be fine.” She held out the bottle. “Would you like some?”
    “No.” Sierra smiled at her. “Coffee’s fine. Come. Sit down again.”
    Regan took a smaller sip of her drink. “Tell me. Weren’t you shocked when Luke told you? Did you see him shift? Have you ever,” she dropped her voice, “made love when he was in wolf form?”
    The other woman laughed. “Yes, yes, and no. All the partners in the agency are shifters.
    They’re all that’s left of a pack from Minnesota that once numbered in the hundreds but were decimated by hunters when they ran at night as wolves.”
    She went on to explain how they’d eventually migrated to Texas and were reaching out to find others like themselves. How, rather than be repelled by Luke’s admission, she’d been fascinated.
    “I’ve always been intrigued by wolves,” she explained. “And really, when he’s in his human form, he is a truly magnificent male specimen.”
    “What about children? Don’t you want to have a family?”
    “Of course. Our children are called Halflings, and if they are born with the gene, they can be given medicine to repress it. But eventually, we’d like to re-establish a pack large enough that our children will have friends and accept their genetic differences.”
    Regan pulled the book towards her and flipped it open, leafing slowly though the pages. Her heart