Gods and Mortals: Fourteen Free Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Novels Featuring Thor, Loki, Greek Gods, Native American Spirits, Vampires, Werewolves, & More (318 page)

Clay turned and started barking at Peter.

“Enough.” My voice echoed in the small room. It apparently took Clay by surprise because the noise stopped. However, his attitude hadn’t changed. Teeth still exposed in a fierce snarl, he glared at all of us. At least he’d finished barking and growling. For the moment. I turned toward Peter and Rachel.

“I’m fine. Thank you. Just give me a few minutes to change.”

They shared a glance then left the room and shut the door behind them.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. Without trying, I could “see” Clay in a painful burst of light. A first. My other vision usually required an amount of focus.

With a sigh, I opened my eyes and turned to him. He looked seriously pissed. My stomach churned. Sam had promised he could control himself.

“Will you bite me if I sit next to you, Clay?”

He snorted, and I watched the silent snarl ease from his muzzle. His hackles slowly laid flat. When he settled onto his hunches, I knew he’d calmed down and sat next to him.

“You know I don’t understand dog, right? It’d be so much easier if you just told me what was wrong.”

I turned my head to meet his gaze. Our faces were close together. Because of his height, he was looking down at me. He let out a gusty sigh and bent his head to nudge the clothes I still held.

“You don’t like the clothes or that I’m going out?” I watched his face, trying to figure out what he was getting at. He actually bobbed his head yes.

“You don’t like both?”

He lowered himself down onto the mattress and watched me with his sad puppy eyes, not trying to communicate further.

“You’re really frustrating me, Clay.” I moved to get up, and he growled again.

“Now, hold on...” I did get up, but spun with my hands on my hips to look him in the eye. Aware that only a door separated us from the suspiciously silent couple in the living room, I kept quiet despite my anger.

“I’m trying here, Clay, and you’re not. So stop growling at me. Got it? And so what if I go out? Do you trust me so little? Have you not been paying attention? I’m not comfortable around guys. It’s not as if I’m going to go out tonight and come back with a boyfriend or something. So, just chill out about your Claim, all right?”

He continued to growl at me and gave me a dog-eyed glare. In his mind, he and I shared a tie. I knew that. I also knew from a werewolf standpoint, in a strongly tied pair, the male often acted in an extremely possessive manner. If other unMated males came near before the Claim was completed, a fight typically broke out. Sometimes to the death.

“But we’re not talking unMated males,” I whispered to him, thinking aloud. “They’re just men.”

He chuffed out his canine laugh and hopped from the bed to walk toward me. I couldn’t help it, after all that barking and growling, I stepped back from him. His sides heaved as he sighed and stopped advancing. I knew my fear disappointed him.

“Sorry,” I mumbled automatically. Although, he’d done nothing but try to communicate why he didn’t want me to go out tonight, I didn’t appreciate his chosen methods of communication. They could use improvement.

“Let me think, Clay.” I sat on the edge of the bed while he stood on the floor, and watched me. I still didn’t understand what continued to bother him. The date wasn’t with a werewolf. I had no interest in Scott. I only wanted to go as a favor to Rachel. And the clothes were the only going out clothes I had.

“Can we compromise? I don’t want to spend the entire year sitting at home with a possessive dog who won’t talk to me.” Yeah, that sounded weird. “What if we went somewhere dog friendly? There’s a bar with cute little bistro tables on the sidewalk. If you’re on your leash, you could come.”

He stood, turned around so he faced away from me, and sat again.

“Is that a yes?” I leaned to the side in an attempt to see his face. He didn’t move.

“I’m taking that as a yes. If you turn around while I’m changing, I’m going to have you neutered.”

He just laughed again, so I hurried into my skirt and switched my t-shirt for the fitted top. As my head cleared the neckline, I met his eyes in the mirror. Thank the stars I hadn’t changed any underthings.

“Hope it was worth it,” I said. “You’re on the couch tonight.”

Rachel and Peter sat talking on the couch when I walked out of my room.

“All set, but can we change our plans? I think Clay was freaking out because he knows we’re leaving. He’s been left alone so much this week...”

Predictably, Rachel made soothing noises and went to cuddle Clay. He tolerated it with as much dignity as a man in fur and a collar could muster.

“What if we went to that bar with the bistro tables that you were telling me about?” I said to Rachel.

Rachel leapt at the idea. “That’d be perfect. It’s still nice enough out. Besides, I think this is the last week they do the outdoor dining. We should go before it’s closed for the season.”

Peter stalled. “Are you sure he will be okay? He looked pretty aggressive in there.”

Rachel stopped petting Clay to look back at Peter. “He’s never done that before. I think Gabby might be right. We’ve been leaving him alone a lot. I even forgot to let him out this morning before I left.”

Peter looked adoringly at Rachel, and I knew we’d be going to the bistro bar.

“Let me grab my shoes. I’ll follow you guys in my car just in case I need to leave early.”

“I’ll let Scott know about the change in plans.” Peter pulled out his cell and started tapping the screen.

“I’ll let Clay out.” Rachel got up, walked to the back door, and called to Clay. Clay looked at me imploringly but, after what he just pulled, I had no pity.

“You know the drill. Go do dog business.”

He left the room without a backward look. I went to the hall closet to search for my black flip-flops, the best footwear I had to offer the outfit, and grabbed a light jacket.

“You talk to him like he’s a person,” Peter said.

“I tease her for it all the time,” Rachel said with a smile as rejoined us. “You should hear her scolding him at night for taking up too much room on the bed.”

Annoyingly, I started to blush. “Well, he’s huge. Most of the time I have to sleep curled up. But, I’m sure I’ll appreciate him more in winter.” I slipped my feet into the plain flip-flops and made my way into the kitchen where I grabbed my keys.

I locked the back door while Rachel and Peter left via the front.

Clay already sat in the passenger seat when I turned toward the car. It meant he’d switched into his skin to open the door. I shook my head, got in, and started to buckle up.

“You’re going to be seen doing stuff a dog shouldn’t do. That or someone’s going to call the cops because a naked man keeps popping up in my backyard.” He didn’t laugh this time. I turned to look at him while I started the car.

“You okay?”

Clay met my eyes, but I couldn’t tell what bothered him now. I wished I could read him better.

“Fine. No growling, no biting, no barking. Pretty much no anything but acting like a passive, well-behaved dog,” I said, laying down the rules as I backed out of the driveway.

I followed Peter’s red compact through traffic with ease.

“I’m really nervous about this and don’t want to worry about you, too.” I sighed and started to doubt my decision. Although Clay had witnessed how the man who’d sold me the car had acted, he didn’t know how guys acted around me in general. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. He would flip out when someone started to hit on me.

“Clay, you should know...men make me uncomfortable because of the way they act around me. They usually start flirting or ask me on a date. Most girls would be flattered, but if you really pay attention, there’s something unnatural about it. It’s like they can’t help themselves. And sometimes, after I tell them no enough, they walk away with...”

I groped for the right word, but came up blank.

“I don’t know...a look. Like they’ve been caught doing something they’re ashamed of. I just want to try for normal tonight, okay? It’ll be hard enough being in a public place. You’ll see. I just need to know you’re not going to make it any harder on me.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him turn to look out the window and reached over to ruffle his fur gently.

With increasing frequency, I caught myself touching him as if he were a dog. If I didn’t think about him as a guy, petting him comforted me.

“Does it bother you when I pet you?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the road. I knew his answer when he contorted his large body to lay down with his head against my leg so I could reach him better. I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in a long while.

“Okay. If I start annoying you with it, just move away. I promise I won’t pester you.”

Peter considerately picked a parking spot with a free space next to it for me. Clay unwedged himself as I parked. I grabbed the leash and snapped it on. He watched me exit, hopped out after me, and stayed close to my side as we walked.

Rachel and Peter politely included me in their conversation. It helped distract me from my nervousness about meeting Peter’s friend. I knew what to expect even if neither Rachel nor Clay fully understood. Peter’s lack of reaction had pleasantly surprised me. But, his response wasn’t the norm. I just hoped Clay would behave.

Scott waited for us at one of the outside tables. He stood and flashed a welcoming smile when he saw Peter. From a distance, I saw several female patrons at nearby tables cast speculative glances Scott’s way. Fit and tall, with light brown hair and a carefree smile, no doubt his good looks warranted it. But, something about the way he held himself bothered me. It sent off an insincere vibe as if he’d practiced his pose.

His smile turned secretive and cunning as his pale blue eyes fixated on me. The subtle change probably escaped everyone else’s notice, but not mine. Depressed, but hiding it well, I rested a hand on Clay’s back. Whether in comfort or restraint, I couldn’t be sure.

“Scott, this is Gabby,” Peter said when we stood next to the table.

I smiled a tentative greeting but didn’t offer my hand.

“A pretty name you don’t hear often,” Scott murmured, pulling out a chair for me.

Taking the chair he offered would put me across from Rachel and force me to sit between the two guys. Clay wouldn’t like that. He didn’t like the comment about my name either, but other than a twitch I’d felt with my hand on his back, he behaved.

“Would you mind if we switched spots, Scott? That way our dog won’t be so close to people walking by. He’s very friendly, but big. I don’t want anyone to be intimidated by him.”

“No problem.” He gave me a reassuring smile and pulled out his own chair for me.

Loosely holding Clay’s leash, I moved to the chair next to Rachel. Scott politely pushed the chair back in as I sat. Then he leaned close to move his drink. Clay quickly went to lie between my chair and Scott’s. He nudged Scott’s chair further away before Scott could sit. I pretended not to notice.

We made small talk while we perused the menus. I felt Scott’s gaze continually return to me but refused to look up.

After we ordered, each of the more experienced students shared their knowledge of the university. Scott offered—twice—to take me on an official tour when I admitted I didn’t know many of the campus locations they mentioned. As soon as I declined the second time, he looked less like the nice guy I’d met and more like a guy who would give me problems. I looked down at Clay. He still lay next to me, head on his paws. Only the twitch of his ears indicated his attention to the conversation.

“Why not have a drink with us, Gabby?” Scott asked, pointing at my water.

He hadn’t worried about what I drank until I’d turned down his invitations for a tour.

“I’m a bit younger than the rest of you.” I glanced at Rachel and saw her studying me. Crap! Was she noticing? Was she getting mad? I should have stayed home. Folding my hands in my lap, I tried to play it cool.

“Really? How old are you?”

“Eighteen. I’m not much of a soda drinker either, so water works.” I tried to turn the conversation off myself. “How much longer until you graduate?”

“It depends on how far I want to go,” Scott said, his intense smile relaxing a little. He nodded toward Peter. “Peter told me he declared his major freshman year and has never changed. I, on the other hand, have changed twice. I like what I’m learning now, so I hope I won’t change it again, but you never know. What about you?”

“I’m going for massage therapy. So, I won’t be here as long as the rest of you.”

“Massage therapy? I hear they ask for volunteers to come in for those classes.” He leaned closer with a fascinated smile on his face. “If you ever need someone to practice on, let me know. I’d be happy to come in.” He reached over to pat my hand. The timely arrival of our food saved me from having to avoid his touch.

Clay nudged my leg with his surprisingly warm and dry nose, and I glanced down. He stared at me a moment then shifted his gaze to Scott, who was moving his drink for the waitress. Clay returned his glance to me and pulled his lips back in a silent snarl. Without the growl, it looked more like a scary, crazy wolf smile, but I got his meaning. Scott was getting on Clay’s nerves, and Clay wouldn’t put up with too much more.

Peter spoke up while Scott was distracted. “I think you’ll both be in some of the anatomy classes next semester, Gabby. If you want a study group, you should let Rachel and I know. I’ve already been through them.” He gazed admiringly at Rachel. “And since you’re graduating in spring, I know you have, too.”

“Thank you, Peter, but I really do study best on my—”

“That’s a great idea,” Scott said. “We should start now so the class won’t be so hard later. What do you think about Tuesday nights?”

“It’s a good idea to get a head start,” I said ignoring Clay’s insistent bump against my leg. “But I’m so swamped with classes and homework now that I don’t even have time to take poor Clay for walks.”