Page 2 of Knot Quite Ready

It took me a second to realize she meant the human whose hand I almost, probably, crushed. I scoff, “Sure if his number is 911 and his bitch ass can use his fingers enough to dial home for help.” Rolling my eyes at her burst of laughter, I reach for one of the drinks in front of me, chugging without bothering to ask what is in it. It didn’t matter, my wolf would burn through the alcohol in minutes. There was no ‘getting drunk’ for a wolf, but fuck me if most days I wouldn’t at least settle for a buzz.

“One fucking day, you will have to have a steady guy to fuck senseless instead of your five-minute get-the-heat-edge-off quickies. It will help with whatever you got going on locked deep inside your vault of secrets,” she waves her up and down my body, taking a drink at a much more moderate pace than me.

I snort back a laugh, “I don’t want anything serious, and steady dick turns into serious dick. Then he will expect me to wash his socks, and I’ll have to kill him, and then you’ll have to help me hide the body. You’ll become an accomplice and will end up in jail. You’re too pretty for jail, so in all honesty, I’m looking out foryou.You’re welcome.” I sigh dramatically and reach over the bar to signal the bartender for another round of drinks, his attention caught almost immediately as my breasts spill out of my too-small top.If it works, it works,I shrug internally.

“Gee, you’re such a gem,” Storm says dryly.

“Aren’t I, though?” I laugh and glance at my watch, cursing the time. We had to open up the bookstore in just a few short hours, and despite living right above the shop, there is still a full day of work ahead of us as we are getting a shipment first thing.

I look regretfully at Storm, who looks like she is ready for another round on the dance floor, “We have to get going, Storm. It’s already 2 am.”

Instead, she reaches for another drink, chugging it in one go and turning around, to run into the crush of people, screaming, “One more dance!” Scowling, I punch her in the face in my head, and I rush after her knowing damn well it was never just one more dance. I attempt to frown as she seizes my hand and whirls us in a lively spin, yet her infectious grin causes my lips to curve upward involuntarily. I feel my body start to move as the beat picks up, trapping me just as effectively as Storm, and I sigh as I feel my stress and worries melt away again, replaced by a feeling of pure joy and freedom.

Fuck it,I think to myself,what’s a bit longer?At that, I close my eyes and surrender to the music, and as it moves through me, I move with it, a force of nature that can’t be tamed or held back. Because right now? I am free. But…for how long?

Chapter2

Aneira

It was 5.30 when we finally dragged our asses through the front door making enough noise to wake the dead. I had just enough time to peel off my sweaty club outfit, shower, and throw on fresh clothes before making my way back downstairs to open up the shop for the book delivery set for this morning. I curse Storm, who’s passed out on the couch, her long, curly hair framing her face. My body feels like it's made of lead as I stumble through the bookstore, desperately trying to shake off the remnants of last night's non-stop dancing at the club. The pulsating beats that once invigorated me now echo in my head, only amplifying the exhaustion that weighs me down.

We are too old to be going out without proper naps and sustenance. You must eat if we are to breed strong pups.

Although she can’t see my reaction, I narrow my eyes, knowing she will get the gist as I respond to the growly, tired voice in my head.

My voice is pitched low, a stark contrast to the vivacious chatter that had filled the club just hours ago.“We are 26 years old, Agatha. And sure,” I walk behind the counter, each step feeling like a Herculean effort, and I can't help but notice how my once energetic, shifter limbs now feel like limp noodles. I flick on my expensive coffee maker, the one and only love of my life, and then prop myself against the counter while it gets to work and begins to create the most delectable source of power. A power that transcends species. Transcends the very Veil that separates us from the Gods… Bean soup… okay, coffee. But as much coffee as I have, if I call it soup. It’s healthier.

I continue as I feel Aggy Agatha poke me internally for some attention—dramatic ass giant puppy. “Stop nagging me, Grandma! Sure, I could have had myself a rare steak or wild rabbit before going out with Storm. And sure, maybe my sleep cycle needs a little bit of help, but you got out, didn’t you? Got a little bit of extra energy out? No longer want to rip out a few throats?”

She huffs in my head.You can huff and puff all you want, wolf-lady. She knows I’m right. It’s tourist season, a summer holiday, and we are very close to our heat. Grandma Agatha knows damn well if we go gallivanting into the forest to hunt a wild rabbit, even in the dark, even with the witches working overtime for concealment charms, considering the amount of boy scout camping trips in the area, we will attract attention.

I thrum my fingers against the countertop in an attempt to shake the cloudy sensations in my head. But my eyelids hang heavy, stubbornly resisting every attempt to stay open, and the world around me appears hazy as if seen through a foggy lens. And yet…the coffee machine takes its damn time, Gordan Ramseying these bitch beans. I look at the watch on my wrist and sigh...Delivery would be here any second.

I have lived several lifetimes…Agatha starts, but her repetitive speech about the rebirth of her soul throughout time gets cut off…thankfully…as the clock hits six am.

The shrill sound of the doorbell pierces through the bookshop, an assault on my eardrums, and I wince. I give the door a vicious glare before taking a regretful look at the still-brewing coffee I feel my chin tip back, my long ponytail ticking my lower back as I say a quick prayer to the moon goddess that this goes quickly, as I simultaneously wish the delivery men could come back later. But…books. With that thought, I straighten my shoulders and walk around the counter,awayfrom my caffeine.

With a low growl, I open the door. “Morning, right on time. As usual.” I manage to get out, but instead of my normally sweet, husky voice, the greeting comes out as a combination of a feeble croak and a pterodactyl going into labor.

“Delivery! Sultry Reads with a Dash of Clit-erature and Lust! Here comes the latest supply of literature love potions, bound to make hearts race and cheeks blush! Handle with care, for their enchantment is irresistible!” Jasper, a short, portly man in overalls cheerfully sing-songs with a chuckle, far too perky at this ungodly time in the morning, looking at his clipboard instead of at my face, luckily missing my pitiful attempt at a welcome.

As I usually do when Jasper makes me deliveries, I quirk my head and take him in, a sweet old man who started the book delivery company with his wife, Kate. But what always hits me over the head is how just how much he reminds me a bit of a sweet Disney character with his small stature, greying bushy beard, and happy demeanor. When I first met him, I instantly took a liking to him, half of me fighting with the urge to want to call him grandpa, the other half wanting to ask him to sing me a Disney song. I held back…barely…

Or... we need to give him a red cloak and chase him through the forest. Humans are gamey, but it gives us something to do.

Internally, I bite my a sigh. Clearly, team-no-sleep-no-meat Agatha has other plans, and I wrestle with her to back down.

You cannot eat our delivery men. You’re going to need to take several wolf tranquilizers. What happened to the ‘many lives’ bullshit? Shouldn’t you have more control at this point? I mean, really, Aggie.

Jasper is still blissfully unaware of the cranky wolf that is desperate for a bite of innocent cherub grandpa while I finally gain control.I am going to put your furry ass on time out. This is ridiculous.

The energy it takes to settle her down is due less to the pervasive exhaustion in my very bones and more to the arrival of my heat. My wolf is cranky and volatile on a good day but during my heat? She was downright feral and ridiculously strong. Instincts…ammiright?

I force a chuckle at his usual greeting, “Hey, Jasper. thank you. Please put them over there.” I gesture to the wall closest to the entrance of the shop. Jasper clipboard cherub finally looks up, his eyes meeting mine and widening.

“Woah. I mean su…sure…” he sputters, a flush going from his face to his neck before he scrambles back and clears his throat. I bite back a sigh, my eyes must have been slightly glowing, and Jasper isn’t privy to shifters. He turns quickly and starts to direct the hulking guys behind him. I prop open the door, letting them do their thing as the scent of freshly brewed coffee teases my nostrils, a cruel reminder of the much-needed rest I was denied. Before stepping back and heading back to the counter, I glance longingly at the plush chairs at the front of the store, envisioning them instead as a plush bed that could cradle my weary body, if only for a moment. But as the sound of cardboard rubbing against the floor reaches my sensitive ears, the reality is harsher, as my duties demand my attention, leaving me no choice but to muster every last ounce of energy and soldier on.

I pour myself a cup of coffee as I lean against the counter, ignoring the lingering looks from the delivery men. The closer to my heat, the more alluring I become, even to humans. I know what they saw, as even under the soft lighting of the store, with no rest under my belt, my bronze skin glows, and my grey eyes are heavy with suggestion. With every movement, my body leaks sensuality, my hips swaying gently even while I simply drink my bean soup.

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