Disciplining the Beast: Taming the Beast, Book 5 Read Online Free

strays were outside now, wailing like banshees and weres. Every freaking night, the same thing happened. The moment Wynona showed up for work, so did they, along with the wind, announcing her presence to everyone near and far. Didn’t help that goodhearted Heather had taken to feeding the mutts, encouraging them to come back.
    Becca stepped closer and then retreated the same distance. “We’ve called a no-kill shelter. They’ve promised to take care of things.”
    “Awesome sauce.” Wynona killed her smile. “Who are you planning to call to take care of me if I don’t tone things down?”
    “I was hoping you would.”
    “Hey, I can be as agreeable as the next person, but what exactly do you want in addition to me not messing with the electricity, weather, and the animal population? By the way, I have no control over that stuff. It just happens. So do you also want me to be more like Zoe, Constance, Heather, and MJ? Is that it?”
    “No, not at all.” She smiled weakly. “I don’t expect you to be exactly like them.”
    “Whew.” Wynona wiped her brow. “That’s a load off. I was worried you’d want me and three naked guys to get it on in the break room like Zoe, Stefin, Taro, and Anatol tend to do. Or maybe steal kisses with a former satyr and genie in the reception area, the same as Heather does. Or wait. How about threatening to remove memories from someone as Constance always likes to do, especially when the person doesn’t want that. Or I could be like you, mixing lousy potions that never, ever work right for the—”
    “I get it, okay?” Becca screwed up her mouth. “None of us is perfect.”
    “You said it, I didn’t. But let me guess, I’m a special case. The other women here don’t have to change, but I do, right?”
    “I’m only asking you to tone it down a little.”
    “How?” She uncrossed her arms and gestured frantically. “You tell me. I’ve always been this way. It’s who I am. No one came to me the second I was created and said, ‘Hey, Wynona, how about being a reaper? It’ll be a blast.’” She dropped her hands. “I didn’t have a say in this or how I affect things because of what I am. If I’d had a choice, I would have opted for going to prom, cheerleading at football games, having friends, being voted most popular, and living a normal life like a mortal or even a socially acceptable supernatural.”
    She pointed at Becca. “You and the others get kisses and hugs from your guys. Do you know how long it’s been since someone has actually wanted me, other than a reaper or the Horsemen of the Apocalypse? I dated three of those guys at once, all of them turds. Don’t get me started on War and Famine. Talk about crappy attitudes. And Conquest? I’m into BDSM as much as the next person, but he went too damn far.” She rubbed her forehead. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to go centuries without a real hug? Not mindless sex, but genuine affection? Can you even imagine how lonely that gets?”
    Becca’s face was slack, her color drained. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know…I didn’t think. You poor baby.”
    She raced across the space, arms open. More than a foot away, she stopped and froze before they touched.
    Despite her good intentions, there was always the same shit to overcome. Touch a reaper and die.
    Wynona hung her head. “I’m not telling you what to do, but your powers will neutralize mine. No way can I harm you, even if I wanted to, which I don’t. If you want to test things out, touch my shoulder first with your fingertip, see if anything happens. If it does, Heather can always heal you. I swear I’ll call her in here, pronto. Then you can fire me. Send me to the depths of Hell. I don’t care.”
    “I’d never do that. And you should care. You don’t have to promise anything. I trust you.”
    Becca threw her arms around her and hugged. Not tentatively, as one would if holding a viper or a corpse. With tenderness in her caress, care in