Cravings (Fierce Hearts) Read Online Free PDF Page B

her parents’ property because she hadn’t bettered her time. Endless cold nights alone locked in the basement because her cough from a cold disturbed her parents.
    And yet, she couldn’t manage to tolerate anything different. Especially not something warm and fuzzy, like kindness and appreciation for who she was. Those were not a part of her growing-up years. Hugs or kisses gave her the creeps, because from her parents, they came with a price: an unexpected slap or a jeering laugh at her tears.
    Kennedy stared at the floor. But the worst had been being caged and shipped to William Carter Enterprises’s research facility. In that place, she’d smelled pain, death, and terror all around from cats and a were-lynx being subjected to illegal drug testing.
    “Kennedy.” It was Lara. “Come join us. I want to introduce you to Shaun, Booker’s wife.”
    She shrugged off her jacket and walked out to the kitchen, a smallish but adequate and cute room, with its surround countertop and two windows.
    Lara gave her quick squeeze, then motioned to a young woman sitting at the table. “Kennedy, this is Shaun. Shaun, Kennedy.”
    She made nice with this new person, inwardly retreating from yet another introduction.
    “Shaun is a new were-lynx. She’s being mentored by Booker. She was human when they married, but she chose to join the colony.”
    “You mean you’re a were-lynx now? How?” Kennedy put her hand to her temple, pushing back against the pressure building. So many things to take in.
    Shaun smiled. “I asked my husband to bite me. I knew I wanted to share in that part of his life. I didn’t know what I was taking on.” Her short, brown hair bobbled as she nodded her head. Her brown eyes were vivid and twinkling.
    “A bite from a were-lynx to turn a human is just the beginning of the process. Just as a biological were-cat comes into true form at age eighteen with very little control, so does a were-cat who has been bitten.” Lara beamed at Shaun. “But Shaun’s transformation has gone smoothly, and she has Booker to mentor her. She isn’t involved yet in colony projects, but she soon will be.”
    “I’m eager to get more involved. You and I may be newbies together.” Shaun’s expression sobered. “I’m sorry about what’s happened to you, Kennedy. I can’t imagine how scary it must have been to be caged and not know what might happen to you. I want you to know I want to be here for you in whatever way you need.”
    “Thank you.” She tried for nonchalance, but her voice only sounded weak to her ears. The air in the room was supercharged, and it would have felt invigorating if she weren’t already stressed. When she reached to pull a chair out from the table for herself, she saw Asher’s eyes take in her trembling hand. Quickly, she slid into the chair and folded her hands in her lap, daring to slip a glance toward him. His eyes were still on her, but she looked away.
    Lara cleared her throat. “How was your day?”
    Kennedy’s stomach sunk to her feet. Was Lara really going to talk about her day? Desperation spiraled through her, pushing her to run to her room, escape this dreadful niceness. “Fine,” she murmured.
    “Good. Umm … we’re waiting for Booker and Casey to arrive.” She reached out to touch Kennedy’s arms. “They’re bringing the results of the sibling DNA test.”
    Kennedy’s breath froze in her chest. “Oh.” The room around her roared in her ears. Her heart and her gut shivered with what seemed to be the earth quaking beneath her. Inside she was running away, trying to flee the waves of fear flooding her. What would happen to her if results from the DNA test showed she wasn’t related to Casey? She’d have no identity. No place to go. “I-I,” she stuttered, a helpless rabbit caught in the jaws of her training, her loss of control.
    “It’s okay, Kennedy. No matter the outcome, we’re all here for you. With whatever you need.” Lara’s eyes remained riveted on