Page 2 of The Howl
“Very well.”
She didn’t leave the room, but instead watched me closely as I made my early lunch. Likely, she wasn’t fooled. She rarely was, which made my life that much more difficult.
“I think I’m going to eat this while I watch some TV,” I said, picking up the plate.
“Enjoy, sweetie. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”
I nodded and fled.
Upstairs, the room connecting my bedroom to Oanen’s had everything we could possibly want for entertainment. From gaming consoles to high-quality screens, comfortable couches, and our own refrigerator, the room was meant to be a teen’s oasis. And it had been with Oanen here. Now that he was gone, it just seemed empty.
Oanen had been one of the best parts of my time in Uttira until Megan showed up months ago. He was the best almost brother I’d ever had.
Catching myself in a downward emotional spiral, I went to the snack fridge and grabbed a dark chocolate candy bar. The bitter tang of the chocolate distracted me from everything but the flavor I so loved. I didn’t need to eat food, not like humans did, but chocolate was one thing I thoroughly enjoyed despite the pointlessness of eating it. Bake it. Freeze it. Melt it. It didn’t matter what form the chocolate came in. There was something about it that helped keep my real hunger at bay, which was why I kept an impressive stockpile of it hidden in the snack refrigerator.
Content for the moment, I plopped on the couch and tucked the rest of the chocolate into my sandwich so Mrs. Quill wouldn’t see it if she came in to check on me. She’d know right away what was going on if she saw the chocolate. And the last thing I wanted was to worry her, because if she was worried, then she would tell her sister, Adira. Not only was Adira a member of the Council, she was also Girderon Academy’s Student Coordinator. If she got involved, I’d be wearing far too little to school tomorrow.
I took another bite of chocolate and turned on the TV to watch an action flick. The bloodier, the better, given my current mood.
An hour later, I was feeling a bit more in control and absently reached for my phone when it buzzed.
Fenris: First security sweep done. Megan’s car is still here and unmaimed.
I rolled my eyes as I typed back a quick message.
Me: They just left. Of course her car is still fine.
Fenris had been inadvertently making my life impossible for months now. It wasn’t his fault he smelled like lust all the time, a scent no succubus could seem to ignore. His hormones were due to his wolf genes.
Instead of thinking of genetics, my mind went to his jeans. The dark pair that rode low on his hips and loose on his legs. Oh, the things they did to his backside…
My vision sharpened immediately, and I knew my eyes had gone black.
Using the remote, I turned on some really loud party music in an attempt to corral my thoughts. But, my phone vibrated in my hand to let me know Fenris had replied.
Fenris: It doesn’t hurt to be cautious. How’s your car?
My insides went hot then cold at the idea of Fenris coming here.
Me: My car is fine. Go home, Fenris.
I threw my phone onto the cushion next to me and got up to dance like I was in a dance-off for the next thirty minutes. By the time I stopped, I was tired and sweaty.
I hated that I wasn’t a normal teen. Why did I always need to think about sex and being touched? About being liked by a boy? No, not liked, worshipped. I thought of how my father worshipped my mother, and every ounce of succubus hunger left me.
Calmer, I went to my room for a quick shower then stood inside my closet in indecision.
Adira had given me strict orders that I was to pick clothes from the right side of the closet. Reaching out, I trailed my fingers over one of the many dresses on that side. Low neckline, thigh-high slit, silky material, the dress was what a normal succubus would use to incite lust in those around her.
All of the clothes to the right were beautiful beyond a doubt, and I loved wearing them. But only in the privacy of my own room. Never in public. A shudder ran through me at the thought of what would happen if I wore those dresses in public like Adira wanted.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to find a compromise. I understood that the adults in my life were worried that my instincts weren’t developing appropriately. And their concern was the only reason I was even attempting to meet them halfway with my wardrobe. Well, their concern and my fear that they’d involve my mother if they got too worried.
After selecting a dress that Adira would approve of, I found a lacy bralette and a pair of knee-length biker shorts to wear underneath it. Then, I chose a cute pair of flats that didn’t at all go with the gorgeous, shimmery number I’d picked. Spiked heels with thin straps would have set off the length of my legs the best, but setting off any body part was the last thing I wanted to do.
With my cleavage safely hidden by the bralette and the thigh slit thwarted by my shorts, I felt marginally ready for dinner.
Too bad I still had hours to kill.
