Lunar Eclipse B.J. McCall All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2008 B.J. McCall
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction o...
77 downloads
617 Views
316KB Size
Report
This content was uploaded by our users and we assume good faith they have the permission to share this book. If you own the copyright to this book and it is wrongfully on our website, we offer a simple DMCA procedure to remove your content from our site. Start by pressing the button below!
Report copyright / DMCA form
Lunar Eclipse B.J. McCall All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2008 B.J. McCall
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is
illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary
gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison
and a fine of $250,000.
ISBN: 978-1-59596-888-3
Formats Available:
HTML, Adobe PDF,
MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader
Publisher:
Changeling Press LLC
PO Box 1046
Martinsburg, WV 25402-1046
www.ChangelingPress.com
Editor: Sheri Ross Fogarty
Cover Artist: Reneé George
This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
Lunar Eclipse B.J. McCall Canon Ross seeks his birthright, to live among his mother’s pack. Reluctantly received, Canon is establishing his place in the pack until he’s seduced by a she-wolf. Violet Winter’s father has decided it’s time for her to settle down. Violet wants to mate for love and has refused to bend to his will. Brought before the pack elders, Violet is told to choose a mate by the conclusion of the lunar eclipse. Sex with the unacceptable half-breed during the eclipse is an act of defiance, meant to demonstrate her independence, but the flames ignited aren’t easily extinguished and Canon Ross isn’t going to be a werewolf easy to dismiss.
Chapter One “Wow!” Violet Winter glanced at her friend Macy. “You weren’t kidding.”
Her gaze returned to the half-naked hunk climbing a ladder. Like the rest of the
construction crew working in the blazing afternoon heat, the guy had taken off his shirt. “Nice butt.” “Thought you’d appreciate it.” Reaching the top of the ladder, the well-built worker stepped onto a framing beam, providing Violet with a full frontal view. She sucked in a breath. “He is serious eye candy.” Macy laughed. “Now you know why I’ve been running in the afternoon instead of in the morning.” His golden skin glistening with sweat, the hunk pulled a gray bandanna out of the back pocket of his cut-off jeans. Raising arms bulging with muscles, he raked his black hair off his forehead and tied the bandanna around his head. A triangle of dark hair was sprinkled across his chest, descending in a narrow strip down his belly and disappearing beneath the metal button of the frayed cut offs. Ohhhhhh, God. “Does Jack know about this?”
“Raising three wild boys entitles me to a daily treat. I just look, never touch, but
I’m gonna be real disappointed when this house is finished being built.” Muscles rippling, the hunk picked up a nail gun and secured a two-by-four. “Who is he?” “Trouble.” Violet’s insides went molten. “Define trouble.” “He’s the half-breed everyone is gossiping about.” “They didn’t say he was built like a god.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
-6-
“His name is Canon Ross. He’s single, twenty-eight. Just moved here from Wyoming and he’s petitioned the elders to join the pack.” “Well, aren’t you a fountain of information.” “I met him at my mother-in-law’s. She and his mother were best friends when they were growing up, so he stopped by to introduce himself.” “Tell me more.” “His mother fell in love with a human and petitioned the elders to let her marry him. They refused. She married him anyway and the elders banished her. She moved to Wyoming and never came back.” “She chose a man over the pack?” “If his daddy looked anything like him maybe she couldn’t help herself.” The hunk’s hair was jet black, straight and long enough to touch his shoulders, but Violet couldn’t get a good look at his face. “I’d like a closer look.” “Believe me, the closer you get the better he looks. I understand a couple of the elders aren’t too happy about his presence, but since his mother was related to Elder Garn, the old wolf is supporting his petition.” “Was?” “She died years ago. Shot by a neighboring rancher who thought he was killing a wolf.” Her heart went out to him. “So where do I find Canon Ross when he’s not working?” “Maybe you should cool your jets and stay off the elders’ radar for a while.” Violet tore her gaze away from the half-breed and looked at Macy. “What have you heard?” Her friend pushed her damp bangs off her forehead. “Jack saw your father at the elders’ lodge this morning.” Violet and her father had been at odds for weeks over her refusal to take a mate. “Any idea what he was doing there?”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
-7-
“Word is he met with the elders and you were the subject. That’s why I asked you to take a run this afternoon.” Violet clenched her hands. “Fuck!”
*** Entering the antechamber of the elders’ sanctum, Violet leveled an angry glance at the pack leader. Hands on his hips, Jance Ryland stood before two massive oak doors. Jance was tall, with long, black hair and piercing brown eyes. “You’re late,” he said. “I just got home.” She grabbed the lapel of his suit jacket. “Why didn’t you call me on my cell and warn me, cousin?” He removed her hand from his jacket. “Last time I warned you, you hid out in the city with your human friends for two weeks. It’s time to face the music, cousin.” “I’m not ready to take a mate.” Jance shrugged his broad shoulders and reached for the door handle. “Then plead your case and talk them out of it.” “Fat chance of that.” Inside the dimly lit sanctum the pack elders were seated in a semi-circle behind a crescent-shaped table. Directly in front of the table was a single chair. Violet swallowed and grasped Jance’s arm. “You’re coming in?” “Your father has put the issue before the elders,” he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I can’t save your butt this time.” Seven pairs of eyes focused on her. “I’ll never forgive him for this.” Jance poked her in the back, urging her forward. “Your father wants what’s best for you.” “He wants me tamed by some alpha wolf so he can wash his hands of me.” Before the door closed behind her, Violet heard Jance say, “I pity the wolf.” Lifting her chin, Violet faced the group she’d known since childhood. Acknowledged by the pack as the wisest weres, the elders were the final arbiters of pack law.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
-8-
The leader of the group, Elder Rander, was like a grandfather figure. He called her forward. Showing proper respect, Violet bowed, slipped into the chair and folded her hands in her lap. Looking into Rander’s golden gaze, she found no sympathy, only displeasure. “Your father has instructed you to choose a mate, yet you have refused.” She kept her eyes on Rander. “I have.” A long silence filled the room but Violet held her tongue. “You do not wish to mate?” “I wish to mate with a wolf I love and who loves me. I have yet to meet that wolf.” Elder Launt, the oldest of the group, broke the silence. “Pack law is designed for the good of all, not for the pleasure of one. By defying your father, you have disrespected the pack.” Violet addressed Launt. “Father has chosen to return to his birth pack and take a new mate. I respect his life choices. He chooses not to respect mine.” “Perhaps your recent behavior has him concerned about your choices,” Rander said. “Father chooses not to interact with humans.” Her father hated and distrusted humans. “I enjoy having human friends.” “Not all humans are tolerant of weres,” Launt said. “Over the years you have demonstrated an uncanny ability to find the limelight and bring attention to yourself.” Elder Launt never forgot a transgression and could recall them back to her eighth year with amazing clarity. She prayed he wouldn’t drag them out again and remind the elders of her prior wrongdoings. “This recent incident has forced your father to put the matter before this council,” he said. Violet’s brief but passionate relationship with a handsome major league hockey player had been an issue. When a photo of Violet and the athlete made the local news, her father decided the time had come for her to choose a mate and settle down.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
-9-
In hindsight dating a celebrity wasn’t the best decision, but the man was decent in the sack and very generous. The diamond bracelet she wore was a testament to his generosity. Next time she’d choose a lover with a lower profile. “The relationship has ended.” “The relationship shouldn’t have begun,” Launt said. “The decision is made,” Rander said. “During the lunar eclipse you will take a mate.” The elders weren’t fools. They were counting on Violet’s sensual nature to bring her into line. An eclipse heightened the senses and intensified the basic needs. During the infrequent event many a she-wolf had succumbed to the charms of a virile were. Breaking protocol, Violet jumped to her feet and approached the table. “But that’s tomorrow night!” An elder with long white hair snarled, warning her to sit down. “You’ve never forced a were. I won’t --” Launt slammed his fist down on the table. “Choose or this council will do it for you.” Rander rose and shifted into wolven form. The remaining six followed his lead. I beg of you, please don’t do this. Her plea was met with a wall of cold silence. The meeting was over. Furious, she stormed out of the sanctum and through the lodge doors. She barely glanced at the shiny black and chrome motorcycle parked out front. The short walk from the elders’ lodge to her home did little to cool her anger. The flicker of the television through the window in the family room confirmed her father’s presence. Confronting him now would be a mistake. After what had happened in the elders’ chamber, she couldn’t bear it if he reminded her of the accident. Since the loss of her mother, the relationship between Violet and her father had been badly strained. He’d never forgiven her for the accident. Violet had never forgiven herself. The pain and guilt ever simmering beneath the surface surged. Instead of entering the house, Violet climbed into her sports car. She drove a short distance to the park where she’d played as a child. Beyond the groomed lawn
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 10 -
were miles of forest laced with trails, several creeks and a huge lake. The pack owned the land and patrolling weres secured the perimeters to keep it safe for werewolves to run and play. She stripped, tossed her clothes onto the passenger seat and shifted. Muscle and bone stretched, reforming into lupine shape. Legs shortened and shoulders narrowed. Her face elongated and her nose twitched. Honey-brown hair sprang from every follicle, growing into a soft, shiny pelt. Hands and feet became paws. Violet shook, the shudder running the length of her spine. Her bushy tail wagged in the cool night air. Leaping forward, she raced through the park, her paws flying over the thick grass. She ran, wild and free on the miles of trails, burning through her anger and disappointment. Breathing hard, Violet raced up a narrow trail. In the distance she heard the low rumble of a motorcycle engine climbing the winding road. The trail crossed the roadway at the summit. Wanting to cross before the motorcycle reached the top, she picked up her pace. The engine growled as it climbed the hill, then speeded up. At the point where the trail met the asphalt, Violet burst through the brush. Bright light blinded her as her paws hit pavement. Swerving wildly, the bike skidded sideways, metal scraping against asphalt before it came to a stop. Standing in the middle of the road, Violet watched as the rider righted the motorcycle. The driver killed the engine, shoved up his face shield and swore. “What are you trying to do, get yourself killed?” Relieved the rider wasn’t injured, Violet continued across the road. “Hey! Come back.” Swishing her tail, Violet turned to face him. The rider wore a leather jacket, jeans and boots. He pulled off his helmet. “I’m new around here. The name’s Canon Ross.” Lifting her head, Violet sniffed the air. Instead of the strong scent of were, his was muted with human aroma, a surprisingly delicious combination. Curious, Violet moved closer and sniffed Ross’s leg. His heady scent curled in her nostrils, triggering an immediate sensual response. A shiver raced along her spine.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 11 -
The elders weren’t foolish old men. They knew a lunar eclipse heightened a shewolf’s senses far more than the full moon. Already, she felt the sweet stir of desire. By tomorrow night she’d be on fire. Ross leaned closer. A thick lock of straight dark hair fell onto his forehead. Framed by black eyebrows and lashes, his eyes were blue. Macy was right, up close he only got better. He reached out. She licked his hand, tasting him. He ran his fingertips through the fur between her ears, rubbed her head with a calloused hand. She leaned into his palm, taking comfort in his gentle touch as a plan to defeat her father and the elders took shape. Headlights flashed through the trees, signaling an oncoming vehicle. Violet gave his palm another lick, then bounded off into the forest.
Chapter Two Canon smiled at the amber-eyed woman sitting two tables away. Although her reciprocating smile didn’t ask him to come right over, it didn’t say no-chance-in-hell either. She looked away, engaging her two female friends in an animated conversation. Canon figured the good-looking women were in their mid-to-late twenties and, given their sexy bodies, were into working out. All three were dressed in short skirts and one wore a camisole style top with a display of cleavage guaranteed to grab a man’s attention. Still, his gaze kept coming back to the woman with the big amber-brown eyes and long honey-colored hair wearing the simple white T-shirt and black skirt. Just looking at her brought a quick hard thump in his chest and a deeper more powerful stab right where it counted. It had been way too long since he’d caressed a woman’s silky bare skin or felt the intimate slide of it against his own. The full moon was already aggravating his wolven senses and sending his normal male desires into overdrive, but the imminent lunar eclipse would exacerbate the situation. She looked back, her gaze slowly moving over him as she ran a fingertip along the stem of her wine glass. A shudder of pure need rippled through his middle, settled in his balls. What was it about her that set his body on fire and his imagination racing? The three women were drinking white wine, their soft laughter occasionally rising above the baseball game playing on a huge screen in the back of the bar. The area was designed to look like a living room and three guys were kicked back on a huge couch watching the game. Two men dressed in expensive business suits entered the bar and joined the three women. Reluctantly, Canon turned his attention to his beer and the game.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 13 -
A loud cheer rose from a group of guys on the couch. Canon figured their team had just hit the home run. The scrape of chairs caught his attention. The three women and the suits were leaving. She was leaving. He should go home and try to get some rest. He’d been up since four, but the impending eclipse had his blood running high. The subtle scent of perfume mingled with something primal, sensually earthy and decidedly she-wolf. Canon turned to see if he’d just imagined it. The amber-eyed beauty stood a couple feet away. She placed a slender hand on the back of the empty chair at his table. His insides coiled hot and tight as her fingertips stroked the curved back. She held an empty wine glass. “I hate drinking alone.” Canon rose and inhaled her hot she-wolf scent. No wonder his senses went on full alert the moment she’d entered the bar. “Can’t have that,” he said, pulling out the chair next to his. “May I buy you a glass of wine?” “You may.” She slid into the empty chair, giving him a good look at her long legs before they disappeared beneath the table. He moved his chair closer to hers and sat. Raising his arm, Canon got the waitress’s attention. He pointed to the woman’s glass and his beer. The waitress smiled and hurried to the bar. Turning his attention to the beautiful she-wolf, he started to introduce himself. “You’re Canon Ross,” she said. “We met last night. I hope your motorcycle wasn’t damaged.” “That was you?” “Sorry, I’m Violet. Violet Winter.” “Pretty name. Unusual.” “I have a sister, Indigo. My mother had a thing with purple. She almost named us Lilac and Lavender.” “No brother called Heliotrope?” She laughed and shook her head. Their drinks arrived. “Last night you said you were new around here. I noticed the Wyoming plate on your motorcycle.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 14 -
“I moved here about a month ago.” She sipped her wine, licked the liquid off her upper lip. Canon tightened his grip on his beer. A smile curved her lips. “Are you a cowboy?” Her scent curled in his nostrils, tapping into his receptive, wolven sensors. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him? “Lived on a ranch most of my life,” he managed. “I spent more time in a pickup than in the saddle.” “Why did you leave?” “My Dad remarried, started a new family. It was time to live my own life.” “What about your mother?” “She died when I was ten.” As the years passed, the memories dimmed, but Canon would never forget his mother’s scent. He’d been raised in the midst of humans, so her unique scent was one of his most treasured memories. Violet’s hand covered his, squeezed. “I lost my mother, too.” Pain flickered in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said, wrapping his fingers around her hand. She picked up her wine glass and took a drink, but she didn’t let go of his hand. Her hands were slender, soft and delicate. Her nails were short and painted a pale pink. “So what do you do for a living?” “I manage a wine warehouse.” “Wine?” “We pick up cases from the wineries, store them in a temperature-controlled warehouse. When the wine is sold, the winery sends us a shipping invoice. Our trucks deliver them to grocery stores, liquor stores and restaurants. The pack owns the warehouse.” He leaned closer. Her she-wolf scent enthralled him. “I work for the pack’s construction company.” They chatted, making small talk about music and movies while they finished their drinks. She set her empty glass on the table. The sultry look in her eyes made his insides sizzle. “The moon is full. Let’s get out of here.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 15 -
“I think you should know, I’m a half-breed. My father is human.” She leaned close, so close her face was a mere inch from his, and inhaled deeply. “I know. You intrigue me and I like your scent.” Her voice dropped. “It turns me on.” She knew he was a breed and didn’t care. The wolf gods had spoken. The desire she ignited moved through him like hot lava. For a second he couldn’t breathe. Finally, air filled his lungs. He stood, pulled his wallet from his back pocket and tossed a few bills on the table. Canon replaced his wallet and picked up the helmet and black leather jacket resting on an empty chair to his left. “Do you like motorcycles?” She stood. “I like riding in the moonlight.” He wrapped his arm around her waist. His fingers slid along the ribbon of soft skin exposed between the hem of her short, stretchy T-shirt and the waistband of her knit skirt. His whole body went hot. His bike was parked right out front. “Since helmets are required in this state, we should stay off the main roads.” “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you follow me?” She dug a set of keys out of a tiny black purse hanging from her shoulder. The hard points of her nipples were visible beneath her T-shirt. “I know a place where we can ride.” “Sounds good,” he said. “You lead the way, I’ll follow.” She crossed the street and climbed into a green sports car. Canon put on his leather jacket and donned his helmet. He followed her out of town and into the forested hills. Every so often he caught a glimpse of the rising moon. A half an hour later she stopped before a huge metal gate, one of several marking the border of pack territory. She reached out and punched in a code on a keypad. Canon followed her through the gates. A few minutes later, she pulled the convertible off the road. Canon parked the motorcycle. The surrounding area was dark, quiet except for the hoot of an owl. A full moon hung in an inky black sky. He climbed off the motorcycle, removed his helmet and jacket. The scent of fir, earth and she-wolf filled his nostrils.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 16 -
Violet pushed her seat back then leaned over and opened the passenger door. “Join me.” Angling his long legs inside the low-slung car, Canon dropped his ass onto the bucket seat. He adjusted the seat all the way back and stretched his legs. She leaned her head back. “How does the moon affect you?” “My human half appreciates its striking beauty. My lycan half feels its force.” “I thought we might watch the eclipse, experience the force together.” She took his hand. “Look, it’s starting.” Inside he tightened, burned. The full moon made him horny as hell and the intensity of the eclipse had him reeling. A shadow obscured the edge of the moon. Canon’s heart pounded and a thrum beat deep in his loins. He gripped her hand. “Canon.” He tore his gaze from the moon. Violet’s face was bathed in its light. Her eyes glittered. Without saying a word, she climbed onto his lap and cupped his face in her hands. Then she kissed him. Hot and insistent, her mouth moved over his. She suckled his tongue and rubbed her breasts against his chest. Straining against the fabric of his jeans, his cock throbbed. He caught her at the waist and slipped his hands beneath her T-shirt. Warm and soft, her bare breasts filled his hands. He caressed her soft, warm flesh, raked his thumbs over her taut nipples. A shot of heat went straight to his balls. The combination of the moon and this beautiful she-wolf was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Bone and muscles heated. Hot desire coiled and the desire to howl overwhelmed him. When she broke the kiss, Canon opened his eyes. “Listen,” she whispered. Fearing she’d heard something or someone, he released her breasts. At first all he heard was her soft intake of breath. Then the howls of wolves echoed through the surrounding hills. She raked her fingers through his hair. “We’re not the only ones feeling the force.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 17 -
He tilted his head and buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her hot scent. Slipping his hands beneath her skirt, Canon stroked her bare thighs. Her skin was soft, velvety smooth. Canon gripped her ass and pushed his hands beneath her bikini panties. He massaged her firm flesh, worked the panties down her thighs. She growled, low and throaty, the passionate sound of it making him shudder in anticipation. He’d never made love to a she-wolf, never experienced lycan sex. Her soft lips skated over his. Then she nipped his ear. His blood thundered, hot and heavy, coursing through him. His cock ached. “Tell me what you want, Canon Ross.” “I want you.” She tugged at his T-shirt. He released her ass, yanked off his shirt then removed hers. She rubbed her bare breasts against his chest, the hard points of her nipples leaving trails of fire. He sucked in a breath, growled through clenched teeth and grabbed her ass. She licked his face, nuzzling him below the ear. His senses sizzled and burned. He tugged down her panties and brushed his fingers over the soft curls between her legs. Soft, wet flesh greeted his fingertips. Moaning, she rocked her hips. Canon pushed a finger inside her. She clenched around him tight and silky wet. He slid in another finger. Crying out, she arched and threw back her head. She raised and lowered her hips, riding his hand, squeezing and releasing his fingers. Wanting her to find her pleasure, Canon rolled the pad of his thumb over her clit. Her breath came in short and fast puffs. He leaned forward and captured her nipple between his lips. Drawing deeply, he suckled her lush breast. A low keening wail of pleasure filled the night. The distant howls of several wolves answered.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 18 -
When she shifted her weight, pressing her pussy against his erection, he groaned. His pants were tight and confining, the space in her convertible restrictive. He felt like he’d explode. As if reading his thoughts, Violet reached for his belt buckle. He lifted his hips, the relief instantaneous as she released the buttons of his jeans and pulled aside his knit boxers. She wrapped her hand around his cock, stroking his length. “Ohhhhh my God.” Heat flooding muscle and bone, Canon bucked his hips and shoved his jeans and underwear down to his knees. He tugged on her panties. Her hand still stroking his cock, she shifted her weight until he managed to rid her of her underwear and shoes. She lowered herself right onto the jutting tip. Heat met heat. Flesh touched flesh. He thrust, bucking his hips, driving inside her tight, wet pussy. Canon grasped her hips, pushed deeper, burying his cock inside her. Her fingers dug into his shoulders and her pussy pounded his cock. His balls hummed, the pleasure building like a volcano under pressure. He gritted his teeth, holding back the climax. Relentless, she rode him, taking him to the edge once again. Then she yanked on his hair, hard, and her hips stilled. “Look at the moon.” Heart banging against his chest wall, Canon sucked in a breath. Raging with need, he wanted to explode, the urge to move, to thrust into her, so overwhelming he shuddered. “The eclipse.” He opened his eyes and looked up. The moon was turning blood red. His gaze dropped to Violet. Bathed in the moonlight, her skin glowed. She clamped down on his cock, sucked him with her pussy. “Feel its power.” He felt her mind-blowing power pulling on his cock. Hands on his shoulders, she began to undulate her hips, squeezing him, fucking him. Her beauty mesmerized him and her pussy held him in a vice grip. Letting her set the tempo, Canon cupped her breasts and raked his thumbs back and forth over her taut nipples.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 19 -
He bucked his hips, thrusting hard. She met his urgency with her own, clenching and releasing his cock. She growled, dug her nails into his shoulders. Then her pussy gushed, silky wet. Hot lycan juices surrounded his cock. His climax exploded with such fury Canon feared he’d have a heart attack.
Chapter Three Still reeling from her climax, Violet inhaled Canon’s amazing scent. The powerful combination of man-wolf sex and a lunar eclipse held her in an emotional vortex unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Wow! She glanced at the rusty-red moon, felt its fierce pull. Her blood running hot, Violet climbed off Canon’s lap and dropped into the driver’s seat. “Let’s shift. My blood is on fire. I need to run.” When her man-wolf didn’t respond, she glanced at him. He wasn’t looking at the moon but at her. “Something wrong?” “The change is difficult for me, agonizing.” Shifting was so natural and sensual an experience Violet couldn’t imagine the process being painful. “What happens when you shift?” “It’s like my bones break and my tendons and muscles violently tear then reform. The process is quicker during a full moon, but still painful.” “Most weres learn to transition with ease, but some have difficulty. You can work through it.” “That’s why I moved here. To learn the lycan ways and find out what and who I am. I’m caught between two worlds and don’t feel like I belong in either one.” She leaned toward him and cupped his cheek. “Let me help you.” “Okay. Tell me what to do.” Violet climbed out of the vehicle. “Clothes off.” She removed her skirt and tossed it onto the seat. By the time she’d rounded the car, he’d gotten out and stripped. He stood naked, his sculpted body bathed in the moonlight. A shiver slid down Violet’s spine and a throb, deep and needy, pulsed between her legs.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 21 -
Violet stepped into his arms, gripped his shoulders and pressed her breasts to his chest. The crisp hair on his chest teased her taut nipples. He clutched her hips, pulled her close. The skin-to-skin contact brought an instant heat. Fire danced over her skin, licked her pussy. She nipped his lower lip and raked her nails across his shoulders. An answering growl came from deep within his chest. His lips captured hers, his kiss demanding, arousing. She welcomed his frantic caresses, the hard ridge of his cock digging into her hip. When his skin was hot beneath her palms, she pushed on his shoulders and stepped back. Aroused with his attention focused and his body heat high was the best time to attempt a shift. Young weres used their intense sexual energy to perfect the art of transformation. Concentrate your energy, Canon. Focus on your desire. Bone, muscle and tissue reformed as she shifted, fell to the ground on all fours. She looked at Canon and growled. Feel your lycan power. His face contorted and his body shook. He fisted his hands.
Relax. Don’t fight it. Embrace it.
He unclenched his hands.
Look at the moon. Absorb its power.
He lifted his face to the moon.
Draw it inside. When you feel the burn overtake you, transform.
His skin began to glow, then black hair covered his chest and arms. His jaw
elongated and his ears extended. He dropped to the ground. A fierce beast with a deep chest, he trotted around in a circle. Lifting a paw, he inspected it. How do you feel?
Powerful. He pawed the ground. Burning with energy.
Violet rubbed her flank against his, swished her tail as her rump moved past his
muzzle. Let’s run. Feel the moonlight on our backs, the earth beneath our feet. He growled. She nipped his rump and took off. If you catch me you can fuck me!
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 22 -
Her paws ate up the ground, but Canon kept pace. At times his breath feathered her ear. She darted down a steep, narrow path, forcing him to run behind her. She jumped a narrow stream, ran up a short embankment and broke out onto an open meadow bathed in moonlight. Thump! The blow forced the breath from her lungs and sent her sprawling. She rolled, sprang to her feet, but the sudden weight of Canon’s big wolven body held her fast. His front paws pressed into her shoulders. He nipped her ear, dug his fangs into her neck and mounted her. A myriad of new sensations engulfed him, primal and wolven. He gasped at the huge knot swelling in his wolf’s penis. Beneath the waning eclipse the taking was swift and fierce. Canon’s breath exploded as his orgasm slammed into him. Hot semen spurted in thick pulsing waves. Gradually, the spasms subsided, shrinking the huge knot locking them together. Growling, he withdrew and dropped on the ground beside her. Panting, Canon rolled onto his side. Shocked at what had just happened, Violet sank down and laid her head on her paws. What had she done? Are you okay? I don’t know what came over me. I’m fine. But she wasn’t fine. She’d let things get out of control. He pawed her flank. I’ve never experienced anything so wild and primal. It’s the first time I’ve really felt like a wolf. Damn, it felt good. I’m glad I caught you. He’d done more than catch her. He’d claimed her as a mate. It couldn’t have happened on just any night, but a lunar eclipse wasn’t just an astronomical alignment for a werewolf. It was the only time other than the annual Lycaon Moon when catchand-fuck was a pair bonding. She’d seriously screwed up. Canon had no idea he’d broken pack law. A rogue male wasn’t allowed to mate without the elders’ approval. If her father got wind of this, there would be hell to pay. Violet had intended to make a stand for equal rights for she-wolves by defying the
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 23 -
elders’ edict. Instead, she’d allowed an outsider to claim her. What price would Canon pay for her defiance and loss of control? Violet liked Canon, a lot. The sex was great, better than great, but if the elders found the two had mated, he’d likely be banished. She had to convince Canon tonight was nothing more than a one-night stand. If they had no further contact he’d be in the clear. Canon didn’t strike her as the kiss-and-tell type. Canon rolled onto his belly and licked her muzzle. I feel like I’m ready to explode. Let’s run. She jumped to her feet. Sorry, I’ve got to go. Before he could protest, she took off, racing back to her car. Hot on her heels, he followed. Her heart hammered in her chest, not from the pace but from remorse. She’d set out to use him for her sensual pleasure and prove a point to her father but the last thing she’d wanted to do was hurt Canon. As soon as they reached their vehicles, Violet shifted. She pulled on her clothes and slid barefoot behind the wheel. Struggling with his transformation, Canon howled in pain. Don’t force it. Draw the energy. He shook violently. Still in wolven form, he jumped up and planted his paws on the passenger door. His ears twitched. What’s wrong? I don’t understand. She couldn’t explain what had transpired. If the elders found out they’d kick his ass back to Wyoming. “I can’t see you again.” Why? “I’m promised.” You’re engaged? “Something like that.” Married? “Just forget about me.” Howling, he pushed off her vehicle. She turned the ignition. The engine fired.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 24 -
Fuck! My clothes. His anger was palpable. If the situation were reversed, she’d feel the same way. Better if he thought she was the biggest bitch on earth than discover the truth. Violet leaned over, unlatched the door and tossed his clothes and boots onto the ground. “Forget tonight ever happened!” Then she hit the gas.
Chapter Four Canon parked the motorcycle and pulled off his helmet. He usually arrived early at the job site and this morning was no exception. Digging his thermos out of the bike’s saddlebags, he poured a cup of coffee. Between the sex and shifting he should have fallen into an exhausted sleep, but he’d tossed and turned most of the night. Come sunrise he was still hurting and burning with anger. Violet must be in a serious relationship. Just thinking about it tore him up inside. He prided himself on doing the decent thing and told himself at least a thousand times to forget her. Maybe with time he’d stop wanting her. Before Canon finished his coffee, his foreman pulled up in his pickup. Twice Canon’s age, the were was built like a linebacker. His hair was short and his eyes were deep set and a dark brown. “You look about as tired as I feel,” Hayden said. “Bad night?” “Sort of.” “When I was young and my blood was running high I used to look forward to the lunar eclipse.” Hayden yawned. “Now that I have two teenagers, I dread them.” Canon offered his boss a cup of coffee. “No, thanks. I must have drunk two pots last night. I had to stay awake until my sons got home.” “How old are they?” “Nineteen and seventeen. The oldest one has more sense and knows how to control his urges, but my youngest is wild. Every eclipse I worry he’ll wake up and find himself mated. I keep warning him. He likes it in wolven form too much, if you know what I mean.” “Actually, I don’t. I was raised in the human world.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 26 -
“During a lunar eclipse is the only time besides the Lycaon Moon that a were can claim a she-wolf.” “Claim?” “Take her as his mate, become her alpha-male.” “How does he claim her?” “Chases her, catches her, mates with her in wolven form. Sometimes couples get carried away with the chase and when the cosmic event is over, they’re paired forever.” Canon felt like he’d taken a fist to the gut. “Any were can claim a she-wolf if he catches her?” “The were must be sanctioned by the pack to take a mate and the she-wolf available.” Canon’s insides tightened. “What determines her availability?” “Got your eye on someone?” “I’ve never lived with a pack. I’m curious about your lycan rituals.” The foreman rubbed his neck. “The she-wolf can’t be mated or promised.” “I take it that kind of thing doesn’t happen often?” “If the she-wolf is mated, that kind of thing can result in censure or banishment. Pack values are essential to pack harmony.” “What happens if the she-wolf is promised?” Hayden’s eyes narrowed. “The fur would fly.” “Come again?” “Most weres would choose to settle the dispute in the traditional way. It’s an honor thing. Two wolves square off. That kind of confrontation causes all sorts of problems.” When other members of the work crew arrived, Canon finished his coffee and dug his work gloves out of the bike’s saddlebags. “A word of advice.” Canon looked at Hayden. The foreman adjusted his ball cap. “Until you’re accepted by the pack, keep a low profile and follow the rules.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 27 -
Canon nodded. He’d follow the damn rules if he knew what they were. “Thanks.” “Let’s get to work.” Shoving his gloves in his hip pocket, Canon joined his co-workers. Reliving every moment he’d shared with Violet, he worked like a demon. She’d told him to forget about her. Easier said than done. She consumed his thoughts. Was she promised? Married? Did she have an alpha wolf? Why had she picked him up, seduced him during an eclipse? Canon didn’t know the rules, but he had a feeling Violet did. Had the rush of the chase gotten to her? Last night he would have chased her to the end of the earth and back again. Had they crossed the line? Violated pack law? If they had, was that the reason she ran out on him? Questions plagued Canon throughout the day. After work he drove the streets and roads within the boundaries of the pack’s land looking for a green sports car. Finding and confronting Violet might not be the wisest course, but avoiding things wasn’t Canon’s way. Several hours later he drove home. Unable to sleep, Canon grabbed a beer from the refrigerator. Leaving the lights off, he opened the bedroom drapes and stared at the moon. He wondered if she was running tonight. The urge to run the hills looking for her pulled at him. She owed him an explanation and despite his doubts and suspicions, he still wanted her. She’d touched him on a deeper level than any woman ever had. For the first time, his human and lycan halves had truly melded. He’d become whole, comfortable within his skin. His thoughts always came back to why Violet had invited him to watch the lunar eclipse. Was he just a night’s entertainment or was the whole thing some cruel joke because he was an outsider and a half-breed? Canon gripped his beer. It sure as hell hadn’t felt like a joke when she was riding his cock.
***
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 28 -
Violet went to work early and stayed late. Keeping busy helped to keep her errant thoughts at bay, but her need rose with the moon. She ached for Canon. With each passing hour, her body burned. At midnight, she stepped onto her private deck. A light wind lifted her hair and the moonlight washed over her bare skin. She shifted and headed for the woods. After a couple of days of being cooped up, her muscles welcomed the workout. She ran through the forest trails for close to an hour and halted when the trees gave way to a moonlit meadow. She rolled in the soft grass then lay panting. Returning to the scene of the crime? She jerked her head up. Eyes gleaming in the moonlight, Canon stood barely a foot away. He’d wisely stayed downwind of her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to catch her off guard. Crime? Seducing a rogue were during a lunar eclipse? Isn’t that a violation of pack law? Violet rose on all fours, faced him nose-to-nose. When did you become an expert on pack law? I’m not. But you know the rules. His heady scent stirred her lycan senses. He was pure temptation. She stepped back. I’m not married, if that’s what’s got you worried. So let’s just forget it happened, okay? Not okay. Wanting to end this conversation, Violet swished her tail and turned. Home was only a mile away. Asking for a repeat of catch and fuck? She’d love another romp with him in the moonlight, but the consequences were too serious for both of them. It was sex, great sex. Can’t we leave it at that? Sure, once you’ve answered my questions. It’s late. Maybe we could talk later? Moonrise. Tomorrow night. My apartment. I have plans.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 29 -
Change them. You can make this easy or difficult, your choice. After giving her his address, he bounded across the meadow and disappeared into the forest. A short time later Violet crawled in her bed, but her sleep was fitful and her dreams were filled with erotic fantasies about Canon. Upon rising, Violet thought about her impending meeting with Canon. She considered driving into the city and spending the weekend at her girlfriend’s apartment. What had Canon said, easy or difficult? Didn’t he know there was no easy where he was concerned? But difficult didn’t come close to it when she received a summons from the elders. Had they discovered her secret?
*** Seven pairs of glinting eyes narrowed as Violet entered the inner sanctum and took the solitary seat before the elders. Elder Rander spoke, his tone as frosty as the cold air blowing through the floor vents. “Name the wolf you’ve selected as your mate.” Violet lifted her chin. “I love no wolf. I’ve selected no mate.” Her words were hollow. She’d mated with Canon and part of her had surrendered to him. “I can’t mate, not without love.” Her whispered statement was met with several low growls. Elder Rander held up a sheet of paper. “Your father has submitted a list of potential mates for our approval. Weres any she-wolf would find worthy.” “I have no desire --” Launt slammed his hand upon the table. “Your desires have gotten you into this mess!” “Rise,” Rander said, his tone chillingly matter-of-fact. Violet stood. Rander shoved the list across the table. “Choose, or we will choose for you.” The official seal visible at the bottom of the list sent a cold shiver down Violet’s spine. This wasn’t a threat. The elders had given her a life sentence. Anger rose, burning through her. Tears welled, but never spilled. Violet refused to give the elders the satisfaction of seeing her broken and beaten. She grabbed the list and rushed for the
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 30 -
door. Inside the antechamber, she glanced at the list of five names. All were prominent weres from distant packs. The elders had chosen banishment by marriage. Like her father, they were ridding themselves of a perceived problem. Why couldn’t they let her lead her own life? Allow her the right to mate with a wolf she loved? Everywhere she turned males were giving her ultimatums. Violet crushed the list in her hand and stormed through the chamber doors, smacking into something big, solid and warm. “Violet.” She recognized Canon’s voice and scent. Arms hard with muscle locked around her. “What’s wrong?” What is he doing here? Why the shirt and tie? “Let me go.” He cupped her cheek with one big hand. His touch calmed her, made her feel safe. “Look at me, honey.” Her gaze met his. Blazing blue eyes filled with concern searched her face. “Are you hurt?” “No, no.” He glanced at the ball of paper in her hand. “What’s going on?” “It’s nothing.” She realized he was dressed for a meeting with the elders and tightened her fingers around the paper. “Don’t worry about me.” He raked his thumb over her cheek, tilted his head and leaned toward her. “Think again.” His breath caressed her lips. Oh God! If the elders saw them together, like this… “Canon, please. Not here!” “At my place.” He dug into his pocket, pulled out a set of keys, removed one and placed it in her hand. “Go there, wait for me. Make yourself at home.” She shook her head. He took her arm and started leading her toward the front doors. “Then let’s go now.” “Okay, I’ll meet you there.” His don’t-make-me-come-looking-for-you gaze drilled into her. “I promise.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 31 -
***
Canon watched Violet race for the front doors, moving as if her tail was on fire. She didn’t look back. He glanced at his watch. His meeting with the elders wasn’t for another fifteen minutes. The temptation to go after Violet warred with discipline and decorum. The elders had granted him another interview. If he disrespected them at this point he could kiss his chance of joining the pack goodbye. His heart ached to follow Violet. Not an hour had passed since the eclipse without her in his thoughts and dreams. Just sex. That’s how she’d summed up the evening they’d shared. Canon had experienced just sex. The human physical act had transcended into something inexplicable when he’d taken her in wolven form. In that moment of completion she’d belonged to him. He didn’t understand it, but he felt it in his heart, mind and soul. “Mr. Ross.” Canon turned. An elder stood in the antechamber doorway. His hair was gray, his face weathered and his smile generous. Canon remembered him as the kindest of the group. “Elder Garn.” “We are ready for you.” He swept a gnarled hand toward the inner sanctum. “Please.” Canon followed Garn into the dimly lit room and settled into the lone chair. The last interview had been one of the most intense hours of his life. He greeted the elders and focused on the leader. “We’ve come to a decision, Mr. Ross.” Elder Launt, the most disagreeable of the council, grunted. “You may live on pack land while you learn our ways and rituals,” Rander said. “Elder Garn will act as your mentor.” “Thank you.” Canon turned to Garn and thanked the wolf.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 32 -
“A year from this date, we will decide if you can join the pack. Your actions reflect upon this pack. Any infraction, any dishonorable act will result in permanent expulsion. Do you understand?” “I do.”
“Elder Garn will make arrangements for your housing. You’re dismissed.”
Rander rose and held out his hand.
Euphoric, Canon jumped up and shook hands with the elder. He’d work hard to
earn his place within the pack and he’d do anything to make Violet his mate.
Chapter Five Using the key he’d given her, Violet entered Canon’s apartment. A rent-by-themonth furnished condo, the kitchen and dining area was to the left and the living room opened onto a balcony overlooking a pool. The bath and bedroom were to the right. Except for a bowl, spoon and cup in the sink, the kitchen was spotless. As was the rest of the apartment. Even the bathroom was neat. At least Canon wasn’t a slob. Violet dropped her purse on the kitchen counter and selected a drink from the fridge. Picking up the newspaper he’d left on the coffee table, she stretched out on the sofa. She’d read several articles by the time the front door opened and Canon walked in. Smiling, he dropped his keys on the kitchen counter. Violet set the newspaper aside and stood. “You look happy.” He cupped her face in his hands. “You’re here.” He brushed his lips to hers. “And the elders have decided I can stay and move onto pack land. Elder Garn will mentor me.” “That’s good. He’s very kind and can help you with your transformations.” His eyes held her spellbound and his scent, sensual and intoxicating, curled through her nostrils. Need burst through her like flashes of fire. “You helped me with my transformations,” he said, moving closer. “I discovered the more I was aroused, the easier the transformation.” She wanted to grab him and fuck him till he howled. “I shouldn’t be here.” “Because of the paper you tried to hide from me?” “It’s nothing important.” He dropped his hands. “How do I gain your trust, Violet?”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 34 -
“I’m sort of on the elders’ D-list right now. You need to be on their A-list. One transgression and they’ll rescind their decision.” His gaze narrowed. “Are we a transgression?” Violet closed her eyes and laid her head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. “All my life I’ve been an outsider. I couldn’t tell my friends what I was and my father refused to let me explore my lycan side. I tried to run with the wild wolves, but even with them I was an intruder. You’re the one person that makes me feel whole. Don’t shut me out, Violet.” She lifted her head and looked into his beautiful blue eyes. He didn’t know it but his approval by the elders would bring a parade of she-wolves eager to teach him new pleasures. His probation period wouldn’t be lonely. “Make love to me, then I’ll tell you about the paper.” His serious expression slid into a devastating grin before his mouth crushed down over hers, his tongue delving between her lips. Moaning, she suckled his tongue. He pulled her toward the bedroom. Breaking the kiss, he yanked off his tie. She kicked off her heeled sandals. He closed the bedroom curtains, plunging the bright room into soft shadows. Violet unbuttoned her blouse. He popped two buttons off his dress shirt before discarding it. Their gazes locked, they unzipped their slacks, shoved them down their legs and kicked them aside. “Stop right there,” he said, his gaze sliding from her black demi-cup bra to her bikini panties and back again. “I’ll take care of those.” Violet licked her lips as his boxer-briefs came off and his thick erection bobbed between his muscled thighs. Lord, she wanted to suck him. His gaze went hot and feral as she stretched out on the bed. Naked, he climbed between her spread legs. Then he buried his face in her crotch and rubbed his cheeks against her thighs. “You drive me crazy.” Big hands cupped her buttocks. His hot breath caressed the damp spot on her panties. “I could come just breathing your scent.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 35 -
His silky hair slid over her inner thighs, teasing her tingling skin. Heat poured off Canon’s body. Arousing and unique, his half-wolf and half-human musk scented the air. She inhaled, drawing it deep, filling her lungs. Her nipples tightened and her pussy ached. He nipped her thigh. Desperate to have him deep inside her, she gripped his hair and tugged. A groan tore from his throat. “You feel so good.” He kissed the spot he’d nipped, then licked her belly. A trail of sensual fire followed his tongue up the middle of her torso to the exposed valley between her breasts. With a flick of his fingers the front clasp of her bra sprang open. His chest heaved as his gaze raked over her breasts. Tight and hard, her nipples ached for his touch, his mouth. His gaze met hers. “You’re the most beautiful woman.” “Show me.” Canon palmed her bare breast and licked her nipple. The sensation of the hot lick sent a river of heat straight to her pussy. A quick convulsion dampened her panties. His thick shaft slid hot against her thigh. Closing her eyes, she drew a deep, slow breath. The scent of arousal swirled around them, potent and compelling. Trembling, she stroked his length, steel hard and deliciously silky. She licked her lips. He made her insane with desire, wonderfully crazy. The tip of his tongue circled her nipple. He nipped. Violet arched her back. “Suck me.” He answered her whispered demand, drawing her nipple deep into his mouth. With a low growl he suckled, feasting on her tingling flesh. She stroked his hair and his shoulders, relishing the hard muscles beneath her fingers. He rolled his hips, grinding his erection against her thigh. He hooked a finger in the waistband of her panties, tugging them down. Groaning, she lifted her hips, rubbing her mons to his belly. Canon released her swollen nipple and gripped her panties, pulling them down her legs as he slid off the foot of the bed. Kneeling on the floor, he tossed the black scrap of material over his shoulder. She sat up, wriggled out of her unclasped bra and tossed it aside. He grabbed her ankles and dragged her to him. “You make me feel like a wolf.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 36 -
Violet leaned back and draped her legs over his broad shoulders. His breath came in quick puffs. “Does it feel good?” “It feels right.” Eyes glittering, his gaze raked over her exposed pussy. “We feel right.” “I’m your first she-wolf. It’s the rush of lycan sex.” Canon inhaled and shuddered. “It’s you. I want to fuck you till I die.” He buried his face in her pussy, lapping the flood of hot juices his words brought forth. Reaching up, he cupped a breast in his big hand, thumbing her nipple to an aching point. Seeking more, Violet rocked her hips. His tongue caressed her folds in hot, delicious swipes. He twisted her nipple, rolling and tugging on the taut bud. The tip of his tongue swirled around her clit. Every synapse fired and her bones went liquid. “Ohhhhhhhh!” He locked on her clit, suckling, driving her to the edge. Bucking her hips, she fisted the bedspread and held on as the pleasure coiled tighter and tighter. In a burst of heat, she came, yowling her pleasure. Her body still hot and humming, she rolled onto her stomach, arched on all fours and presented her ass. Growling, Canon climbed up on the bed and kneeled between her spread knees. He cupped her ass in his hands and kneaded her flesh. “I’ve died and gone to heaven.” He nipped one cheek then lightly smacked the same spot. Wanting his cock, she wagged her hips. The broad head of his cock nudged her pussy, probing her wet folds. She rocked back, forcing the silken tip inside. Thick and hot, he thrust, going so deep she howled. Their bodies moved in rhythm, hot and primal, pounding to a wild beat heard in the rush of their blood and the drumming of their hearts. Skin slicked with perspiration slapped together. He rode her fast and hard, taking her with animalistic intensity. Sweet growls and passionate grunts communicated their pleasure, their need. Violet’s blood sang in her ears and her heart pounded fiercely.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 37 -
Smack. His palm connected with her ass. She bucked beneath the sweet sting. Canon’s low feral growls joined her raw moans of pleasure. He hammered into her, relentless, passionate. She clenched, her climax exploding, hot and all consuming. His hips jerked, his thrusts now slower, deeper, more intense. Then he shuddered and stilled. They remained joined, his hands gripping her hips, perspiration dripping onto the small of her back, his breathing harsh and ragged. Finally, Violet’s heart rate slowed and her breathing normalized. “Wow.” “Damn, that was intense. I thought my heart was exploding.” Canon rolled to the side, spooning his body to hers, and stroked her hip. “I think I like lycan sex.” He kissed her back, nuzzled her neck. “I know I like you.” Content and utterly happy, Violet smiled. His stomach rumbled. “How about we take a shower, grab some lunch and go shopping?” “Shopping?” “I’m going to sell the motorcycle and buy a truck. That way you won’t get cold or wet when we go out.” The thought of dating him, sharing his day-to-day life, clutched at her heart. She’d finally found a wolf she seriously wanted only to have the elders forcing her into marriage. “Don’t change your life because of me.” He levered his weight onto one arm and cupped her chin. “Look at me, Violet.” Her gaze met his. “The elders agreed to let me live on pack land and learn your ways. In a year I can join the pack and become sanctioned. When that happens, I intend to claim you as my mate.” “That’s impossible.” “Because I’m part human?” She shook her head. “The elders are forcing me to take a mate. They’ve given me a list of weres to choose from and none of them live here. I’ll be leaving the pack.” “Forcing you?”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 38 -
“That paper you were so interested in seeing is a list of approved weres. If I don’t chose, they’ll do it for me. Either I comply or I’m banished forever.” “I’ll talk to them, tell them how we feel.” His breath caught and his gaze held hers. “I know how I feel about you. How do you feel about me?” “You can’t do that. If you want acceptance, don’t get involved in my problems.” “How do you feel about me?” “You’re great in bed.” “That’s it?” His eyes narrowed. “Nothing more?” Nothing could help her, she was already doomed, but he had a shot at getting what he wanted. She had to protect him from himself. If he confronted the elders, he’d never be part of the pack. “That’s it.” He rolled away, sat on the edge of the bed. “Fuck!” Violet climbed out of bed, scooped her panties off the carpet and put them on. He lurched to his feet. “What about the lunar eclipse?” His question sent a shot of fear up her spine. She secured her bra. “What about it?” “We mated in wolven form during the eclipse. Doesn’t that mean something?” She closed her eyes. “If I was available and you weren’t a rogue, it would.” “Then why do I feel like we bonded? Why do I feel like you belong to me?” Violet felt the same bond. She turned to face him, to apologize for screwing up his life. He jabbed his fingertips at his chest, right above his heart. “Why do I feel it here?” “You’re possessive?” He shook his head. “I’ve never felt this way about anything or anyone. Just you.” “It will pass.” “No, it won’t.” “That’s impossible. It was sex, not love.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 39 -
“Something happened during the eclipse. I might be rogue, but I don’t think pack law rules the moon or my heart.” “You moved here to join this pack and that had nothing to do with me, right?” He nodded. “Don’t ruin your chances. There’ll be other she-wolves. You’ve just begun to explore your lycan side. Embrace it. Enjoy it.” “You don’t want me as your mate?” “You’re not on the approved list.” “I’ll get on the list.” “My father hates humans. He’d never approve.” His lips thinned. “Screw the rules. Let’s leave.” “Leave?” He moved closer. “Are you in love with anyone on that list?” “I don’t even know them, except by reputation. My father thinks I need an alpha male to keep me in line.” “If you choose one of them, you’ll move away and if you refuse, you’re banished. Either way you have to leave, right? Leave with me. I want to be your alpha mate.” “We can’t.” He cupped her face. “We belong together.” “You don’t know what you’re asking. If you defy the elders, you’re finished.” He brushed his fingers through her hair. “I came here to figure out why I felt so restless, why I’d never been whole in the human world. But I found you and everything began to feel right. For the first time in my life, I was comfortable in my own skin. My transformations are easier, less painful. Because of you I’m drawing power from the moon, growing stronger.” “That’s because you’re here, with your kind, your pack. If you leave now, you’re closing that door forever.” He fisted her hair, drew her closer. “You’d rather mate with a wolf you don’t love than choose me?”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 40 -
“There’s not a pack that would welcome us. Alone, we’re adrift in the human world.” “We’d be together.” “Was your mother happy? Was her heart at ease? Or did part of her die when she left her pack?” Pain flashed in his eyes. He released her and turned away. “A year from now you’ll thank me.” Without uttering a word, he strode into the bathroom and shut the door. Fighting back tears, Violet pulled on her clothes and shoved her feet into her favorite sandals. The shower was running as she walked out the front door. Outside, a vice clamped down on her heart. She’d done the right thing. So why did it feel so damn bad?
*** Canon parked his motorcycle and looked up at the moon. He’d ridden for miles trying to work through the anger, but the fist around his heart wouldn’t ease. He’d tried to tell Violet that he loved her. He’d never said that to any woman, but he might as well have been talking about the weather. The fist tightened. He thought his heart would explode. He stripped off his clothes and stood naked in the moonlight. Bones twisted almost to the point of breaking, muscles and tendons stretched painfully as his body transformed. He howled, his agony echoing through the quiet forest. Shaking off the last tremors of change, he pawed the ground. He lifted his muzzle and sniffed the cool night air. The scent of deer drifted his way, followed by the delicate thumping of retreating hooves. The scent faded. Canon took off, running hard, working his lupine muscles to the maximum. He ran till he hurt, finally breaking out of the forest into an open meadow he recognized. He sank into the soft grasses.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 41 -
As he watched the moon travel the night sky, the anger gave way to clearer thinking. Violet belonged to him. He felt that truth in his heart and soul. He was her alpha and he wasn’t letting her go without a fight. Decision made, he raced back to his motorcycle. Pale gray lit the eastern horizon as he pulled into Elder Garn’s driveway. Lights were visible through the windows. Showing up uninvited at the crack of dawn might be starting things off on the wrong foot, but Canon had to act before Violet chose a wolf from that damn list. He rapped his knuckles on the door. Despite the hour, the elder greeted him warmly. “Mr. Ross. I just made a pot of coffee. Will you join me?” Canon followed the old were through a living room devoid of feminine touches. The leather furniture was solid and worn. Books and newspapers were scattered about the room. A pipe sat in an ashtray on the lamp table. Next to the lamp was a recliner that had seen better days. “I usually take my morning coffee in the kitchen.” The kitchen was tidy, the appliances straight out of the sixties but the coffeemaker was stainless steel. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee scented the room. The elder directed Canon to a square, wooden table next to a window. The white window shutters were open, providing a view of the hills he’d run last night. “Cream or sugar?” Canon shook his head. The elder filled two large mugs and placed them on the table. He sat opposite Canon. “Thank you for seeing me, sir. I know it’s early.” “I rise before dawn. How can I help you?” Canon drew in a breath. “Why did you offer to mentor me, sir?” “Your mother was my niece. I was very fond of her.” That information came as a complete surprise. “Mother rarely spoke of her family or the pack. I guess the memories were difficult for both my parents. My father
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 42 -
never wanted her to tell me about my lycan relatives. But when the two of us were alone, she’d tell me stories. All my friends wanted to be firemen or astronauts, but I wanted to be a wolf.” “The loss of Sonda was difficult for us, too. I wasn’t an elder then. You must understand many of us have died because of what we are. For centuries our interactions with humans were often violent. Even now, some humans fear us.” Canon nodded. He’d heard the human side of the argument for most of his life. He sipped his coffee and decided to get right to the point of his visit. “By pack law if a were claims a female during the Lycaon Moon or during a lunar eclipse aren’t they mated for life?” “They are. Why do you ask?” “When I asked my mother why we didn’t live with the wolves she told me the elders refused to give their blessing because my father was human.” “According to pack law, the elders must approve. The good of the pack transcends the individual.” “She told me she had accepted my father as her mate under the ancient rules of law.” “Sonda told you about the moon laws?” “Do the moon laws override the pack laws?” The old wolf sipped his coffee. “Before the organized pack laws became the norm, werewolves lived by the moon laws. Those laws guided us for many centuries, but as the number and size of packs grew and the world became more civilized, pack law became necessary. We had to find a balance between moon law and human civil law.” “Do the moon laws apply to me? Am I forbidden to mate by moon laws?” The elder’s gnarled hand clamped down on Canon’s arm. “You must wait until the pack accepts you before you can take a mate.” Canon’s heart drummed in his chest. “On the night of the lunar eclipse, I met a she-wolf. We made love.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 43 -
The elder released Canon’s arm. “Don’t worry, son. A she-wolf’s desire is heightened during an eclipse. Lycans are sensual beings and it’s not only the young who are seduced by such an event. Even mature wolves are affected by its power. You did nothing wrong.” “After we made love, we transformed and ran the hills. I got caught up in the chase, the scent of her. Before the eclipse ended, I took her in wolven form.” Elder Garn fisted his gnarled hands. “Ever since the eclipse I’ve felt this strong, powerful bond with her. I feel like she belongs to me. I feel responsible for her. Simply put, I’d die for her.” “The she-wolf never should have let this happen. Pack law forbids it. Who is she?” “Do the moon laws apply?” The elder rubbed a temple. “To my knowledge no one has broken this rule. Not in my lifetime.” “Before pack law there must have been half-breeds?” “It was discouraged, but it happened.” “What about the offspring?” “Some packs rejected the mongrels. They chose to keep their bloodlines pure. Most packs were kinder. If the female found an alpha male, she became a member of the pack. Mongrel males had to fight to become part of the pack and for the right to mate. Teeth and claws determined the winner. It was those brutal challenges that brought about pack law over a century ago. Challenges still exist, but are more civilized, less bloody.” “I’m willing to fight for this she-wolf, with teeth and claws.” “You may not get the chance. You have no status within the pack. This violation could get you banished, forever.” “I’m half lycan. By moon law, I claim Violet Winter as my alpha mate.” The old were clutched his chest. “Bless the moon.”
Chapter Six Violet opened the box of chocolates, selected a dark cream and popped it in her mouth. Tucking the box under her arm, she poured a mug of coffee and returned to her room. She climbed back in bed and tackled the chocolates with vigor. She intended to consume the whole fucking box. Maybe one of the weres on that damn list liked their mates plump. For the first time in her life she’d called her office and told them she was taking a vacation day. Violet wanted to sulk and to wallow in her unhappiness. Maybe the day would come when she’d forget Canon, but today wasn’t that day. Violet stuffed another chocolate in her mouth and frowned when the doorbell rang. She ignored it. Macy was in the city and Indigo wouldn’t ring the bell. Everyone else could eat shit and die. The bell rang again. Go away! The ringing continued while she contemplated painting her toenails. About the time she decided on dark plum, the ringing stopped. She washed down the chocolate with a gulp of coffee and climbed out of bed. The tap on her bedroom window brought her up short. Storming across the room, she grabbed the cord and yanked up the blinds. Her breath caught. Looking sexy and angry, Canon stood right outside her window. He wore jeans and a dark tee. His leather jacket hung open. “What?” “Front door. Talk to me. I’m not leaving until you do.” Her brain told her to send him packing, but the man made her blood run high. She dropped the blinds and ran for the front door. He planted a large hand against the door to hold it open. “Why aren’t you at work?”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 45 -
“Why aren’t you?” His gaze raked over her, making her aware of her disheveled state. Although it was close to ten she was still in her sleepwear, a tank top and a wrinkled pair of cotton bottoms. Violet raked her fingers through her tangled hair. She must look a mess. “We need to talk.” She stepped back. “Want a cup of coffee? I just made a fresh pot.”
“Not here. Your father wouldn’t approve.”
“He’s not home. We can talk in my bedroom. He’ll never know you were here.”
“I’d know. Let’s go to my place.”
“I haven’t showered or brushed my hair.”
Grinning, he leaned toward her. “You look good and smell better. You can
shower at my place, after we get sweaty.” “I thought you wanted to talk.” “It’s difficult to talk with a hard-on.” She glanced down at the bulge in his pants. “Yeah, you do that to me.” He started down the front walk toward the motorcycle parked at the curb. Pausing, he turned around. “Get dressed, jeans and decent shoes for the bike. And pack a small bag. Small enough to strap onto the bike.” “What for?” “You’re spending the night.” “Stop ordering me around. You’re not my alpha mate.” “Yes, I am.” His gaze swept over her. Her insides went hot. “I want you with me tonight, all night.” “Then ask.” He walked up to her. “I love you, Violet. Please, spend the night with me?” I love you. His words curled around her heart. He said them without hesitation, without a waver in his voice. “Please, spend the night with me? Let me show you how much I love you.” “Give me five minutes.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 46 -
“Bring the list. I want to see it. Please?” He turned around and started down the walk. They didn’t speak during the short trip to his condo. Canon dropped her backpack, his jacket and helmet the moment they were inside, picked her up and pinned her to the front door. The sudden impact of his hard male body against hers unleashed streamers of need. She wrapped her legs around his hips. His mouth crushed hers, his hunger raw and blatant. She kissed him back, with equal fervor. His tongue slid deep inside her mouth. Capturing it, she suckled. The desire to drop to her knees and take his cock in her mouth washed over her. She needed to feel his pulsing flesh, to give him pleasure. First, she had to get him naked. Heat poured from his body, penetrating the layers of clothes between them. The hard ridge of his erection rubbed the seam of her jeans. Canon gripped her ass with one hand and worked the other beneath her jacket and shirt. She reeled when he palmed her bare breast. His thumb raked over her taut nipple. She gripped his hair and tugged. He lifted his head. “This position is more fun naked.” Canon grinned and withdrew his hand. “Every position is more fun naked.” Violet unwound her legs from his hips. He reached for the zipper of the jacket. Fisting his T-shirt, she yanked it up. He released the zipper tab. “You do yours, I’ll do mine.” Shoes came off, jeans and underwear followed. T-shirts flew. Violet’s knees hit the carpet with a soft thud. She wrapped her hand around the base of his cock and swallowed his engorged length. With lips and tongue, she licked and sucked. His erratic breathing and moans encouraged her to take him deeper. She grabbed his ass cheeks, digging her fingers into his clenched muscles. Growling, he tangled his fingers in her hair and rocked his hips. When she furrowed the sensitive underside with her tongue, his cock jerked. Hot, salty semen exploded onto her tongue.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 47 -
He shuddered and eased his grip on her hair. “Damn, you’re good.” His cock slid out of her mouth as he stepped back. He reached down and drew Violet to her feet in one smooth move. His eyes were fiery blue. “Baby, you can do that any time you want.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He dropped her on the bed, landing on top of her. Violet hummed with arousal. Balancing his weight on one arm, he brushed his lips over hers. “I’m gonna lick you from head to toe.” Canon nuzzled her neck, nipped her earlobe and licked a hot path along her shoulder. Her nipples tightened to hard peaks. Violet gasped as he licked each aching point, selected one, drawing it deep into his hot mouth. Using tongue and teeth, he sucked and nipped. The brush of his hair against her skin tickled and teased. Canon’s hand stroked her from breast to hip. His fingertips skated through her tight curls, brushing over her clit. A streamer of heat shot from her nipple straight to her clit. He switched breasts, suckling in fierce tugs, and Violet’s heart hammered. Her blood heated, turning veins and arteries into rivers of fire. When his fingers furrowed the damp slit between her legs, her ass came off the mattress. He released her breast and rubbed his face against her hot skin, nuzzled the triangle of curls between her legs, scenting her like a wolf, like an alpha male. The air sizzled with musky heat, tapping into her lycan pleasure sensors. Growling, Canon licked a path from the rise of her mons to her belly button. She fisted his silky hair, tried to guide his mouth to her aching pussy. He grasped her wrists, gently forcing Violet’s arms to her side. He nipped, sucked and kissed his way along her inner thighs, branding her as his. The tender restraint added zest to the moment. Erotic fantasies including velvet ties and fur handcuffs swirled in her brain.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 48 -
The touch of his tongue to her pussy jolted her out of the fantasy. He released her wrists, slid his hands beneath her ass and gave her a slow lick between her slick lips. A lush lave to her clit came next, followed by the plunge of his tongue into her pussy. Flames licked her walls. The pad of Canon’s thumb settled on her clit, swirled. Oh, God. Violet gripped his upper arms, held on as his lips replaced his thumb. Two long fingers probed her, thrusting into her slick channel. She clamped down, the tight snugness heightening the sensation of rough skin and wet flesh. He suckled, his feral attention rocketing her to pulsing pleasure. The sweet throbbing had barely subsided when Canon withdrew his fingers and covered her with his big male body. The weight, the rock hard feel of him fired the flames of love and lust. Violet opened her eyes. Fiery blue, passionate and possessive, his gaze met hers. She loved him, fiercely. That realization should have come as a shock, but deep inside she’d known she’d found her mate that night in the meadow. He tilted his head and brushed his lips to hers. “You’re mine, she-wolf.” Hard as stone, his cock nudged her wet pussy. The broad, silken head sank between her ready folds. “This is where I want to be,” he said, fisting her hair. He rocked his hips, shafting his big cock, making her burn anew. Clenching, she lifted her hips to meet his wild thrusts. Canon sucked in a breath and slowed his frantic pace. She wrapped her legs around his lean hips, taking him deeper. Rising and falling, they moved as one, the heat of their passion building with each stroke. His gaze held Violet spellbound. “This is where I want to stay, forever.” His words touched her soul. He thrust deep, stilled. His cock jerked and twitched. He sucked in a deep breath, grimaced. “Fuck, I’m coming.” His hips moved like pistons, driving hard and fast, taking her over the edge. They remained locked together until their hearts stopped racing and their bodies cooled.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 49 -
Instead of rolling off of her, Canon kissed her, thoroughly. A slow languorous kiss that twisted her heart and filled her with warmth and contentment. He lifted his head, and Violet opened her eyes, meeting his steady gaze. “I love you.” She knew he waited for her to respond in kind. Once she did, he’d never let go. She fully expected him to challenge any were the elders picked as her alpha mate. He needed to bond with the pack males. Only then would he have true acceptance. Finally, he squeezed his eyes shut and rolled away from her. Angry and edgy, his muscles were bunched as he climbed out of bed. His big, male body exuded power and strength, exactly what she wanted in an alpha mate. Her mouth watered just looking at him. “You don’t have to say it, Violet. I know it. I feel it, and your stubbornness and your silence aren’t going to change my feelings or my actions.” Actions? “What have you done?” “I told Elder Garn about us, about the lunar eclipse.” Every muscle clenching, she jerked to a sitting position. “He’ll go to the elders. They’ll forbid you to step foot on pack land.” “We mated during the lunar eclipse.” “It doesn’t matter. You’re not a sanctioned male.” “It does matter. I’ve claimed you by the moon laws.” She shook her head. “Those old laws don’t apply.” “Werewolves lived by those laws for centuries.” “You’re not on the list.” “The elders ordered you to choose a mate by the lunar eclipse. You did. The list doesn’t apply.” She buried her face in her hands. “They won’t see it your way.” He pulled her hands away. “Our way. Whether you like it or not, we’re in this together.” “Even if the elders vote in our favor, my father will never accept our union.” “Because my father was human?”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 50 -
Her fingers curled around Canon’s. He was solid and steady, like an anchor. “When he was a boy he was attacked by a group of humans. Older boys. They almost beat him to death. He hates humans almost as much as he hates me.” His gaze flicked over her, searching her face. “How could anyone hate you, especially your father?” Her throat clogged. “Because he blames me for my mother’s death.” Canon sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She hugged him tight, taking comfort in his strength. “I’m your mate. When you’re hurting, I need to know why.” He caressed her hair and waited. She realized she wanted to tell him, to share the awful pain. “When I was sixteen I started going to the city malls, meeting humans, making new friends. They didn’t know I was a wolf. They accepted me in their group. It was exciting and fun. I had a thing for this guy. He was twenty and thought I was nineteen. It wasn’t true love, but at the time I was totally infatuated.” Guilt coiled in Violet’s chest. Ten years had passed, but the pain never left her. “One night I snuck out of the house to meet him at a party. My mother discovered I was gone. When confronted, Indigo gave me up. My mother marched right into the party, grabbed me by the arm and dragged me out to the car. It was raining hard that night. A truck and an SUV collided in front of us. It happened so fast. Mom hit the brakes and the car went into a spin. An RV hit us broadside. The car rolled.” Violet still heard the loud bang, the crunch of metal. She pushed past the clog in her throat. Tears welled in her eyes. She fought them back. “I was knocked out cold. I woke up the next day in the hospital.” The coil of guilt tightened. “Mom died in the ambulance. I didn’t get to apologize, to say goodbye. We were arguing right before the accident. The last thing I remember saying was that I hated her.” She buried her face in the warmth of his chest. “You were just a kid. I bet she knew you didn’t mean it.” She hadn’t meant a word of it, but all the remorse in the world couldn’t change those words.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 51 -
He brushed his fingers through her hair. “Teenagers make mistakes.” She raised her head from his damp chest and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “If I hadn’t gone out that night, that accident wouldn’t have happened. My mother would still be alive.” Canon’s gaze met hers with eyes that were filled with sympathy and understanding. “My mother loved to run during the full moon. One night a rancher shot her. If she’d stayed home, she would have been safe. I spent years wishing she hadn’t gone out that night, but all the wishing in the world couldn’t bring her back.” His arm tightened around her and his eyes glistened. “The day we buried her, my father did his best to forget I was lycan. Instead of drawing us closer, her death drove us apart.” Canon touched his lips to hers. “We can’t change the past. But when the memories come, we’ve got each other to share the pain.” His eyes were filled with compassion. He understood. Finally, someone understood. The sadness gripping her heart eased. She loved him. She’d tried to deny her feelings, but he’d refused to let her ignore his. “Say it, Violet.” “I love you.” A slight smile curved the corners of his mouth. Then he kissed her, gently, sweetly, as if savoring her words. “Say it again.” Violet touched her nose to his. “I love you.” “When we meet with the elders we have to stand together as mates.” Every muscle in her body clenched. “Meet with the elders?” “Elder Garn is pleading our case in two hours. We better shower and grab a bite to eat if we’re going to make it on time.” “I don’t think I can eat.” Canon’s gaze slid over her. “Let’s start with the shower.”
Chapter Seven Canon’s confidence couldn’t ease Violet’s panic. Her gaze cut to the door leading to the inner sanctum. The elders were more likely to banish both of them than approve their union. “Your hands are ice cold.” His were big, warm and comforting. If he let go she’d shatter into a thousand pieces. “The elders don’t like me. I’m trouble, a thorn in their sides.” “They see a thorn, I see a rose.” She managed a smile. “You’re blinded by love and passion.” “If we stand together, we’ll win. By teeth and claws, I’ll fight for what’s mine.” He’d reviewed the list and told her he was prepared to challenge any or all of the weres. Just thinking about it made her belly knot in fear. The doors opened and a shiver raced down Violet’s spine. Elder Garn beckoned them to enter. Canon brushed his lips to hers. “Together we stand.” Holding hands, they entered the chamber and settled in the two chairs facing the elders. Elder Rander greeted them. “Our decision was not unanimous, but moon laws are part of our heritage and tradition. Your union has been approved.” The fist of fear gripping her insides eased. Gasping, she glanced at Canon. The smile on his face said it all. “But since your father and two members of this council do not approve, there are conditions.” Would the elders make them leave the pack? Canon’s grip tightened. If they were banished, so be it. All that really mattered was that they remained together. “Mr. Ross, you must take sole responsibility for your mate, care for her and provide for her.”
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 53 -
“Agreed.” “Violet, your behavior will reflect upon your mate and affect his chances for acceptance to the pack.” Violet stood, her gaze meeting both hostile and sympathetic eyes. “I may have displeased you in the past, but I’ve never lied to you. I told you I wanted to mate with a wolf I loved. I love Canon. He’s my alpha mate.” Rander smiled. “In one year, we’ll expect you in this chamber to approve your union by pack law.” Once they were outside the elders’ lodge, Canon picked her up and hugged her. “You were great in there.” Her happiness bursting like a balloon, she went rigid at the sight of her father. “Put me down,” she whispered. Canon set her on her feet and swung around. “Hello, Dad.” Dressed in a dark gray suit, white shirt and blue tie, he looked every inch the successful attorney. Her father’s steely gray eyes narrowed and his lips thinned in disapproval. No surprise there. As a child, Violet remembered reaching for his hand when she needed reassurance. She slipped her hand into Canon’s. When his fingers wrapped around hers, Violet lifted her chin. “Canon, I’d like you to meet my father, Parr Winter. Dad, this is my alpha mate, Canon Ross.” When Canon stuck out his hand, her father ignored it. “I know who he is, and what he is.” Her father’s harsh gaze flicked to Canon. “I didn’t approve of this union.” Canon dropped his hand. “If my father were standing here, he’d be saying the same thing, sir.” For a second, her father seemed taken aback. “Well, you’ll get no help from me.” “Understood, sir.” Her father cut his gaze to her. His eyes were hard. “Goodbye, Violet.” Violet bit her lip to keep her tears at bay. As he walked away, she called out to him. “I love you, Dad.” The slight break in his stride told Violet her words had some impact.
B.J. McCall
Lunar Eclipse
- 54 -
Canon gathered her into his arms. “Don’t worry. One of these days he’ll come around.” “Like when hell freezes over?” “Like when we give him his first grandchild.” Violet swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m not ready.” Canon gave her a salacious grin. “By the time my probation has ended, we’ll be ready.” He raised her hand and kissed her palm. “Until then, we practice.” Warmth and joy flooded Violet’s chest. Holding her close, he guided her to the motorcycle. “Let’s go home and practice.” Her heart quickened. “Are you trying to seduce me?” Canon leaned close and whispered, “I have chilled champagne and chocolates.” She licked his lips. “What kind of chocolates?” “The best kind. Chocolates for the one I love.”
B.J. McCall A multi-published author of contemporary and futuristic sensual romance, B.J. McCall is a West Virginia native now residing in Northern California. Thanks to an older sister who was a librarian, reading became B.J.’s favorite pastime. B.J.’s idea of the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon or a day at the beach is reading a romance novel. The phrase “Do what you love,” applies to B.J. -- she loves to write and each story is special. She hopes her readers will enjoy each and every one of them. Visit her website at www.BJMcCall.com.