Long Snows Moon (26 page)

Claire pulled her close. “That's wonderful
news.”

“Do you think Devon will ever forgive
me?”

Claire stared at the duck floating. “It likes
the middle the best.”

“What?”

“The duck, he likes the middle of the pond. I
guess he feels safest there. He can see everything.”

“I would think the edge would be safer. An
alligator or turtle can hide in the deep. The duck should be
mindful of its delicate feet in the depths of the dark water.”

Claire retracted her feet from the pond. “The
little guy is fearless or maybe he just doesn't know any
better.”

“We are all prey to something,” Analise
shrugged. “Look at me, victim of disease.”

“I thought you said the tea was helping.”

“It is curing me, I can feel it. It will take
time. Do you think she will forgive me?”

Claire smiled but her eyes were remote. “I
forgave you.”

“Did you?”

Claire smirked. “Not really.”

“I tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen.
You thought I was crazy.”

“I still can't believe you convinced me to
help you procreate your kind. I must have been out of my mind.”

“Love is a powerful motivator. Because of you
Devon can broaden our teaching.”

“She will never reproduce, she has a female
lover.”

Analise shrugged. “Like mother, like
daughter. I did my part.”

“I never asked you details. How did you find
him?”

“My visits to Elks Pass Sundries were not
uncommon. I met Joann Jordan at a lecture series during my first
year of college. She spoke on the myth of the Limmikin. I
approached her afterwards. I knew she would understand. I needed to
talk to someone about my condition. We became friends. When you
were out of town with Burke, I visited her. That's when I bought
the lodge, remember?”

“Yes, you bought it for us,” Claire reminded
her. “At least that's what you claimed.”

“I did buy it for us, but I also bought it
for me. While you were away doing god knows what with Burke
Danforth, I was free to commune with my pack.”

“Was Jason your wolf-mate?”

Analise cringed at the jealousy in her
tone.

“No, Kai was my mate. When he died I stopped
going there.”

Claire inhaled to stifle her temper. “No, I
don't forgive you. The truth of who you are is the reason I waited
so long. It frightens me.”

Analise pushed her onto the lawn and stared
down at her with narrowed eyes. “The part of me that frightens is
the part you ache for. You cannot resist the wildness. That is your
disease, my love. I am your addiction. You crave me like a beast in
heat.”

Claire's eyes smoldered. She grabbed Analise
by her hair and pulled her close. “Then give me what I need.”

Analise howled with hunger and went for her
throat. Claire smelled like food to her. Analise didn’t want to
harm her mate. It wasn’t her fault that Claire had bonded with the
duck energy. Now she was fair game.

Epilogue

Her night vision was
excellent. From her vantage, she watched the woman at the pond. She
noticed a frog splash into the water. Perhaps it sensed her
presence and feared her. Her task was not about a frog. She was a
sentry, a protector. She watched the women argue and wrestle on the
bank. The disease still infected Analise. It made her feral and
unpredictable. Claire didn’t conceive her immediate
danger.

She went for the frog in spite of herself. It
gave Claire the opportunity she needed to dive into the pond and
flee the beast. She did it for Analise, who was more domestic than
wild and would regret killing her mate.

Doc Jo Jo was empathic.

About the Author

I was recently faced with the heartbreaking
task of surrendering my beloved pet. It was time to return her body
to the earth and set her spirit free. Agonizing as it was, I know
now it was a lesson for me to fully understand the magic I preach.
You will understand more about this as you read my book.

We owe our animal friends the dignity they
deserve in their ending days. No voice, no choice. It’s up to us to
know when it’s time to say good-bye. They will hold on longer than
they should, in my case years. They understand how difficult it is
for us to let them go. I feel selfish for holding on for so
long.

The worst thing I have ever experienced was
holding Mavis as she passed. I whispered words of love and
gratitude for the lessons she taught me. She crossed over, safe in
my arms, comforted to know I saw her through to the other side.

Website:

www.paranormalromancebyscdane.com

Blog:

paranormalromancebyscdane.wordpress.com

Other works by Author

Grane
, Coming Fall 2013

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