Werewolf Me by Amarinda Jones

stronger when the clan is complete once more.” New blood and links forged with their mates would make it so.
    William nodded. “Maybe I am getting too cautious in my old age.” His eyes settled on Murphy. “Do you foresee difficulties with Truro?”
    “Oh hell yes.” While Murphy may be able to seduce her into making love, he knew having Truro accept the other side of him, his life with the wolves would be harder. She was not someone who trusted easily. Him telling her he was a wolf by night would probably have her running in the other direction from him.
    “I believe I will have the same problem with my lady staying at the Red Kangaroo.” Gil grinned as if that was only a minor inconvenience. “However as we all know no one can escape their true love.”
    William smiled at his words. “They are interesting women who have been through a great deal of pain but are stronger for it. Bess was the same.”
    “Yet neither would see that.” Truro would not. She was so closed down in some areas of her life. Murphy was going to make sure that changed.
    “Wounded people rarely see their own strength.” William looked at the moon. “It’s time to join the others.”
    The men walked directly to where the moon was the brightest. Each stood apart from the other and closed their eyes. As they did, a beam of the purest light touched them, encasing them in a cool, white, calming glow. The men did not fight it. It was all a part of their two lives becoming one—man and wolf. They held their hands up in the air and greeted the light like an old friend.
    First one, then the others began turning and twisting, moving with the light, their clothes falling to the ground. While there was strain on their faces it was not due to pain, more to concentration. As their bodies moved within the gentle light, they started to change shape and size. They each dropped to the ground, writhing as the change overcame them. What were once tall, strapping men started to morph into shorter, hunched beings with powerful shoulders and four strong legs. Where once were smiles of teasing amusement, sharp teeth protruded. Where was once the musky, firmness of male flesh, a soft pelt of thick hair covered their bodies.
    First one wolf then another broke free from the light and padded to the edge of the forest and waited for the others. They were of the one clan. They never left a member behind. It was all or nothing. When all three gathered together they nudged each other with their powerful jaws in acknowledgement of who they were. Then they loped off into the forest in search of the other wolves.

Chapter Three
    The next day
     
    “I’m looking to hire a van.”
    “Well, we got ’em.” Truro didn’t glance up from the bank deposit slip she was filling out on the counter in the office. She had to make it to the bank by five o’clock. Two days in a row she had forgotten to go and a third would just be sloppy. “I’m not that slack,” she mumbled to herself as the pen slid along the form. Bess Calvert, the van park’s owner, had some old-fashioned ways when it came to banking and filling out forms was one of them.
    “Did I say you were slack?” The man’s voice was full of amusement.
    “No, I’m talking to myself.” Running late, stressed and no idea what I’m doing so why not talk to myself and let everyone know how nutso I am.
    “Do you do that a lot?”
    A sudden shiver of anticipation ran down Truro’s spine. Crap I know that voice. But I couldn’t be . Her head shot up. “You again.” But how? Why? Yum — I mean oh hell, I don’t need this. Or do I?
    “Yeah me.” He smiled and held out his hand. “Murphy Green.”
    “Huh—interesting name.” Truro looked at his hand. The memory of his flesh against hers made her tremble. Get a grip. It was just no-name sex . Well, it had been no-name.
    “My father was Irish.”
    “Murphy and Green. I can see that… I thought you were just passing through town?” Enough with the