Long Shadows: The Lycanthropy Files, Book 2 Read Online Free PDF Page B

ask.”
    “Yes. You’d think that there would be a community of people like us, maybe very underground, who knows these things or whose family legends could give us some hints as to how this is supposed to go.”
    “That would be great. I have a few questions for them myself. No one’s approached you?”
    “Not a one.” She fiddled with her tea bag string. “Not even after, or maybe because of, all the press the raid on the cave got.”
    “Did they actually say werewolves?” I hadn’t read any of the articles. I didn’t want to.
    “No, but they did mention a ‘unique strain of Chronic Lycanthropy Syndrome,’ which, if someone had been reading between the lines, they may have picked up on. I mean, we can’t be the only ones.” She hit the couch cushion with one small fist. “We just can’t!”
    There’s a psychological principle that misery loves miserable company. I wondered if that’s what she was feeling, if the five of us left in the Crystal Pines pack and the six pups, who had been created as a result of being tested on and not through natural processes, just wanted to know we weren’t unique. Not that she wanted to make other people miserable or suffer, but the inner scientist wanted more data.
    “What have you heard from Iain and your other research friends?” I couldn’t name Gabriel—the one who had driven the wedge between us the year before. He had disappeared, but his name hung in the air.
    “Iain is still busy consulting with the government. I’ve asked, but he said he hasn’t been approached by anyone. As for Robert…” She didn’t flinch like I expected her to. “We’re not speaking. He still owes me for trying to ruin my career.” The fierce expression in her eyes made me almost feel sorry for him. Almost.
    A car pulled up in front of the house outside, and I heard footsteps and a door opening and closing. My hand trembled as I put the water glass down. Part of me had been pretty sure Joanie would welcome me back. As for her mate Leo, whose temper had been a problem from the start, I wasn’t so sure.
    “I’m blocking your driveway,” I said and stood.
    “Yes, you are.” Leo Bowman strode into the room. He never just walked anywhere—he always had more momentum than a simple stroll. After Joanie met him the first time, she called him “a ball of dark energy,” and at the moment, he hurtled to her and gave her a tender kiss. My stomach sank.
    “I can’t ever see Giancarlo again. It would be too dangerous for him. But can I really stay here and be constantly reminded of what I’ve lost?”
    “You don’t have anywhere else to go,” Wolf-Lonna said, “and Giancarlo was pretty and convenient, but not your destined mate.”
    “Hi, Leo,” I said and tried not to sigh at him or the internal argument with my wolf self. She’d never liked Giancarlo, seeing his alcoholism as an unforgivable weakness rather than a disease. At least she was keeping me from showing fear to Leo.
    He pulled away from his mate and studied me with more clinical than male interest. “You look well.”
    “Thank you, Doctor. You do too. Shall I get my car out of your way?”
    “Oh, is that your Mini? What happened to the Jeep?” He sat beside Joanie and put a casual but protective arm around her shoulders. I got the message: to hurt her again would mean bad consequences for me.
    “Long story. Joanie can fill you in.” I stood.
    “Where are you staying, Lonna?” Joanie asked. She’d always been good at reading my face.
    “Well, since I fled Little Rock in a hurry, I didn’t have time to plan ahead.”
    “You can stay here,” she said. “I still have the stuff you accidentally left at my place last year.”
    “That would be great. Where should I park?”
     
     
    Leo had run into Matthew in town, and they’d decided to have a post-full-moon hunt to celebrate my return to the pack. I was afraid Leo would be upset at hosting me and my drama, but a few words from Joanie reassured him,