Deer Heart [Shifter Crossroads 3] (2 page)

Teal smiled and tugged her away. “You can meet them after you have had a shower and settled in.”

“Is it always so obvious? I mean, the males looking over the females?”

Teal laughed. “Of course it is. We aren’t here for a tea party or for folk to find book club members. They are here to find a mate, just like you are. If you remember that, everything becomes a little clearer. You know what they are after, because you are after the same thing. No games aside from the usual mating rituals.” They paused at the first-aid station where Venny met Lee. Lee was a lion shifter and everything about her screamed it. That led to another question. “Do I have to tell them what I am?”

Teal and Lee shook their heads.

Teal answered, “You only tell them what you want them to know. Ladies like Lee can’t help but broadcast what they are. You don’t have that problem. I have been wandering around with you and you don’t feel like a prey species, though by your name, I have a fairly good idea what you are.”

“I thought that Krisia would have written it down.”

Teal shook her head. “No. Your species is held with the same privacy as sexual activity. You do what you want to do, nothing more, nothing less. We occasionally have a little problem with the males forming packs while they are here, but we have countermeasures for that if it becomes an issue.”

“Countermeasures?”

“Lee, Jim and Chuck. They are all apex predators and can do a delightful job on anyone overstepping their welcome.” Teal smiled and Lee blushed.

“Thank you, but I am my own countermeasure. I have fought off wild wolves before. I can deal with them here.” Venny spoke quietly, but she put her certainty into her tone.

It had happened before. She had been attacked as the only member of the herd that stood out.

When she had first shifted, it had been herd members who attacked, and then, at the gatherings, predators would look for one to pick off and tear apart. They always picked her, and she was used to defending herself.

Lee winked, “Are you staying at the hostel?”

“No. I am staying at the Open Heart B&B. Why, is the bed and breakfast not a good spot?” Lee’s eyes widened. “No, it is only that most females prefer the company of other prey species. Safety in numbers as it were.” Venny shook her head. “I have never found that adage to be true.”

Teal and Lee stared at her and then shared a glance.

“Well, in that case, I had better show you to your accommodation so that you have time to get dressed for this evening.”

Venny bit her lip. “Can we stop at the store again? I don’t have anything suitable for trolling for men.”

Teal laughed. “I thought you would never ask. Your luggage smells like socks.” Venny blushed. “I just got off a winter rotation. I haven’t had much time to do laundry yet.” Lee grinned. “You are in good hands. The shop has a little something for everyone.” Venny waved farewell to the resident medic and asked Teal, “Is there anywhere to run around here?”

“In human or alternate form?”

“Human. I need to get this body back in fighting shape.” Venny sighed and frowned. She hated being cooped up, but she hated not doing her job more. Enforced inactivity had caused her to feel that she was in less than prime shape. If she went into heat, being feeble was going to be a detriment to her ability to choose the best man for the job.

“You can run the Crossroads themselves. I haven’t ever seen anyone do it but that isn’t any reason that you can’t.” Teal smiled.

In the shop, the swan also helped her pick out a few dresses that showed an alarming length of leg and high-heeled shoes that made her tower over the woman who was showing her how to find her way around the Crossroads.

Teal eventually asked, “Is your hair always that colour?”

Venny sighed. “No. My hair is white and my eyes are red.”

The sympathetic wince from the swan told her that she knew what a problem that could be when you needed to blend in with a herd.

At the counter, the man who had helped in the changing room smiled up at her and winked as he scanned her charm to record payment. “Come back for anything that catches your interest.” Venny blinked in surprise and smiled shyly. He was hitting on her and she hadn’t even had a shower yet.

Teal grabbed her bag and her arm, hauling her out of the shop and out into the street. “Yes, Venny, it really is that easy, though I think you would do better to strip off your hair colour and skip the contacts. Those are things that people do need to know before you mate. They don’t need to know what you are, but they need to know who you are, if that makes sense. You are a stunning woman. Embrace it and let the men try to get you into their beds. You don’t have to mate with one right away. You are completely allowed to take them for a test drive.”

It went against everything she had learned in her herd, but a slow smile spread across her lips.

“Teal, I do like your style.”

T
he owner of the B&B was a predator, but she was also kind, friendly and had an amused glint to her green eyes. “I left a laundry bag for you. Fill it up and I will get everything clean and dry. Maybe even folded if it is a slow night.” Dira was friendly and offered to help do her hair. Teal was right. Her hair was snow white and she needed to show it to her prospective mate.

Otherwise, false pretences would drive them both in separate directions.

“It’s all right. I just need to change shape and change back. The hair colour will reset itself.”

“Convenient.”

Venny grimaced. “Not really. I dye my hair a lot. I buy this colour by the case and keep it at home.”

Dira showed her to her room, and true to her word, the laundry bag was waiting. Holding her breath, Venny opened her luggage and stuffed all jeans, shirts, underwear and deadly, deadly socks into the bag.

Dira’s nose was wrinkling. “Throw in the clothing that you are wearing after a shower, and I will pick it up while you go out. Toss your shoes in there as well.”

Venny laughed as she was bossed around. Even her parents didn’t bother, considering the reject they had brought into the world not worth the effort. She was left to her own devices at all times.

Dira left her alone, and Venny checked the time. It was time for her to get naked, shift twice and then take a shower. She had men to meet and new clothing to do it in.

Despite the advice, she opted to skip the shift.

She wanted to meet men, talk to them, and if they knew she was an albino, she wouldn’t even get one who wanted to get to second base.

After her shower and a fresh pair of contacts that turned her eyes an acceptable dark brown, she put on a dress and heels before walking out to find something to eat before she wandered over to the bar.

Dira took in her hair and eyes and gave her a gentle smile. “Whenever you are ready. I don’t lock the front door but do expect you to respect the rest of others when you return.”

“Of course. I don’t think I will be out too late tonight. I just want to
get
the lay of the land not
be
the lay of the land.”

Dira cracked a smile and then cackled with amusement. “I admire your attitude. Well, off you go. Make sure to eat before you go drinking.”

“Yes, Dira. Wish me luck!” She waved and exited the bed and breakfast before Dira could reply.

Venny gathered her nerve as she walked to the café. She could see dozens of figures on the two main roads. Some were women and most were not. Venny shivered at the thought of being outnumbered, but she kept going until she made it to the café and she slid into a seat at a tiny table.

Unlike most of her kind, she actually enjoyed eating meat. When you spent your time in cold climates, vegetarianism was less an option and more a burden on those around you.

A young man, with a cascade of dark hair that seemed drawn to flip over one eye, came by and took her order. “What can I get for you?” There was a warmth in his tone that went beyond polite service. She looked up into his deep brown orbs and swallowed. “I would like a cup of coffee and a cheeseburger. It has been a really long day.”

He winked and disappeared into the kitchen.

Venny fought to keep her mouth closed. He was tall, muscular and had the distinct spring in his step that put him in his early twenties. Why was he flirting with her?

She knew her features were passable but nothing extraordinary. Her value to her herd was in the strength of her shifted form. While she was glaringly obvious, she was also tall, strong and second in size to the Herd Master. She hadn’t shed her horns yet either. They seemed to be part and parcel of every shift she had had since she first turned at fourteen, and twelve years later, they had still not dropped.

The coffee was slid in front of her with a smooth motion, and her server slid into the chair across from her. “You are new here, right?” She sipped at the cup and smiled at the familiar taste of a good cup of coffee. It had been a while.

“I am. My name is Venny.”

He extended his hand. “Branson. My sister, Nia, runs this place. I am helping her with the dinner rush.”

He had an efficiency with his clothing, the black button-down shirt precisely turned up over his forearms and the short apron edging the top of his jeans. If it weren’t for his hair, she wouldn’t have thought he had one spontaneous cell in his body.

Well, his hair and the fact that he was sitting across from her. He smiled. “I will be right back.”

She watched him walk and had to admit that it was a nice view. She felt flustered and shy but wasn’t quite sure that this was the guy for her.

Damn, she should have bleached her hair out and pulled her lenses.

Branson returned with her burger and a side salad. He sat across from her much to the amusement of a woman behind the counter.

“So, Venny, you are a deer, right?” She lifted the cheeseburger to her mouth, and a moment before she bit, she said, “Sort of.” He grinned, and she noted the slightly-larger-than-normal front teeth.

“Beaver for you, right?” She realised what she had said and finished, “That wasn’t an offer.” He hooted with laughter, enough to draw every eye in the café.

She blushed and kept eating.

When he wiped the tears from his eyes, he smiled, “I think it has been a while since you were in your hoofed form.”

She tilted her head. “You could definitely say that.”

“Would you care to go for a run tomorrow? I mean, I can’t keep up with you, but there is a great meadow just for that purpose.” She finished her meal and wiped her hands on a napkin. “I am sure it would be fun, but I am not up for that sort of thing quite yet. Allow me a day to get my bearings, as it were.” He grinned. “Where are you off to now?” Venny leaned back in her chair. “I was going to the Crossed Star. Why?”

“Would you like some company?” She nodded. “That would be nice. Where do I pay?”

He winked. “It’s on me. Come on, if we are lucky, they haven’t started the karaoke yet.” Venny shuddered in horror and took the hand he extended to her, letting him lift her out of the chair and to his side.

* * * *

Athon Wells watched Bronson leave with the new woman. She smelled like prey, but she looked around like a predator. He would bet his left fang that she was a deer, but her mannerisms were all wrong. She confronted when she should retreat, and her every move screamed that she was ready to kick ass.

He paid his bill and walked past Nia to follow the couple to the Crossed Star. If he could get close enough, perhaps he could end the mystery of what this woman was and why his wolf rose to the surface at her scent. The erection that had been pressing the inside of his jeans since she walked in was another issue.

T
he music was subtle and designed to draw people to the dance floor in couples. Venny found herself pressed against Branson and swaying to a slow song.

She looked around her and took in the other couples, the heavily tattooed bartender and the singles who were watching wistfully while the music created an opportunity for couples to learn the signals of their prospective mates.

“So, Branson, have you been here long?” He gripped her waist and turned her in a tight circle that forced her up against the planes of his body and one distinct bulge that caused her cheeks to redden.

“I live here, as does my family. We build, we tear down and we build again.” He leaned toward her, and she realised he was coming in for a kiss.

A hand yanked her from Branson’s grasp, and she slammed into the stranger’s chest with both hands on his shoulders.

Blood rushed through her as her body went from embarrassed to aroused in an instant.

She dimly heard, “May I cut in?” Before the man she was plastered against began to sway, with one hand wrapping her waist to hold her tightly to him, and the other decorously held her right hand.

Branson looked from Venny to the stranger, and he nodded ruefully. “Have a good evening, Venny.”

Venny looked up into the cold, grey eyes of the man who held her. “I don’t recall being asked to dance.”

He grinned, his sharp features looking vaguely sinister. “I don’t recall asking you.” She moved with him, and it came naturally to her. He smelled like a predator and acted like one too. She wriggled her fingers, and he loosened his grip enough to let her move but not enough to let her pull free.

“What is your name?” She put her mental horns on and lowered her head pugnaciously.

“Athon. Yours?”

“Venezia. Venny to most.”

“You are named for the city of canals?” His amusement was obvious.

“Yes.” She gritted her teeth together as he pulled her flush against him. Her breasts noticed his heat right away, and his hand caressed her hip and spine.

“You have a little more fight in you than most of the deer I have met.”

She jerked in his grasp. “I am not your standard deer.”

He held her fast without effort. “I can see that.”

“You seem to be a wolf in wolf’s clothing.” The world faded away, because his kiss locked onto her mouth and parted her lips savagely. She widened her eyes, reared back and head-butted him.