Deer Heart [Shifter Crossroads 3] Read Online Free Page B

padded up to her and looked at her with pale grey eyes. She shook her head and stamped her foot, but he stayed in place.
    With a smooth move, he started to trot down the street. Curious, she followed him.
    The dark wolf led her past dozens of curious folk, some of whom were wearing their pyjamas.
    She followed him until he took her to an irresistible meadow that begged her to run through it.
    She pawed the air again and took off at a full gallop.
    Running as a reindeer was a rare luxury, and she took full advantage of the open space with no hunters.
    After hours of engaging in bursts of speed, she walked back to the dark wolf and touched his nose with hers in gratitude.
    He licked her cheek and walked with her to the Open Heart. In the front yard, she shifted back to a naked human and staggered slightly. Her legs were all wobbly after the workout she had given them.
    Arms came around her and helped her into the building.
    Dira was standing by with two blankets. She shook her head. “I felt you would need these.” Athon wrapped a blanket around Venny before putting one on himself. “Thank you, Dira. You were right about many things.” Venny looked at the exchange between them but was too tired to do much more than say, “They shouldn’t have chased me.” Dira tut-tutted. “No, they should not. I am guessing that they know better now.” Athon frowned at Dira and helped Venny up the stairs. “I waited until you ran yourself out. If it is as long between shifts as I guess, you must be exhausted.”
    She nodded and leaned against him. “I am sorry for the head butt.”
    “I deserved it.” He helped her open her door and settled her on the neatly made bed. “I am just lucky you didn’t use your horns.” She smiled, and he tucked her into the sheets. “I am glad you came to get me. Thank you.” He stroked her forehead and frowned. “I know what it is like when the beast takes over. You have to tire it out and sooth it so that it doesn’t feel neglected. You are a very impressive reindeer, Venezia.”
    She yawned. “They say one of my grandparents was a moose, and it affected my size. No one can figure out the albinism.”
    He chuckled. “You are the image of Christmas. You only need a green wreath to complete the look.”
    She blinked, waking up slightly. “What?”
    “When you wake up, we will discuss this sort of thing.” He yawned. “I will be getting my own nap right away.”
    Venny bit her lip. “Stay here?” It took all of her courage to ask that simple question.
    He grinned. “Are you sure? I believe I am a bit of a bed hog.”
    She blinked and took a deep breath. “I will chance it. I can always shift and flip you over.” Athon chuckled and crawled into bed next to her, tucking her against his aroused body. He didn’t seem inclined to act on it, so she settled and matched her breathing to his, slipping into sleep.
     
    Venny woke with a start. Her body was trying to tell her something, and it was a heavy pulse that started between her thighs and moved outward from there. She was going into heat.
    The timing sucked. The last time she had gone through a heat, she had been prepared. Plenty of batteries and worn-out sex toys later, she had come out the other side sore but sane. Here, she didn’t have any of the supplies she would normally have laid in. The trip to the Crossroads was all too sudden.
    She tried to ease out of bed, but Athon’s arm around her tightened. “Good afternoon, Venezia.” His voice was a low rumble against her shoulder.
    She swallowed. “Good afternoon, Athon. I think it is time to be getting up.” He sniffed along her neck. “You smell amazing, wild, sweet and hot.”
    She shivered as he continued to move along her body, learning the scents of her arm, hip, belly and breasts in turn. He pressed her to her back and moved over her, holding her down as he learned the keys offered by her body.
    “Um, Athon, this is kind of sudden.” She squirmed and tried to break free