Read Online Animal Behavior by Gabrielle Holly - Free Book Online Page B

backward. He doubled over, bracing himself on his
knees and struggled to catch his breath. He glanced down and watched in
terrified fascination as the backs of his hands lengthened. His fingers grew
too, and bulged at the joints. Long claws erupted through his fingertips,
ripping off his nails. The pain moved to his feet as they contorted in a
similar metamorphosis. His instep stretched to five times its original length
until his heels were at the same height his knees had been just moments before.
    Alex clawed at his skin. The terrible itching intensified as
a million coarse hairs poked from his pores. He screeched at the merciless
pinpricks.
    “ FUCK!” he cried out, but the sound coming from his
chest erupted as a growl.
    His head began to throb. He felt his ears slide up the side
of his skull and they stung as if they were being pulled into sharp points by
some unseen force. His jaws ached and popped as his face was drawn out into a
long snout. His saliva flowed freely, nearly choking him, and he ran his
elongated tongue over a new set of long, sharp teeth. He beat his chest to try
to pound away the pain. His spine and limbs crackled as they stretched. Pain
seared through every joint. The ache was excruciating and Alex flung himself
against the stone wall to escape it.
    And then—as suddenly as it had begun—it was over. The pain
stopped as if a switch had been flipped. In its place was a new reality in
which every sight, sound and smell was amplified.
    Running his elongated fingers down his rock-hard chest, Alex
studied his new body. His limbs had stretched and, judging by his new
sightline, he had gained nearly a foot in height. His entire body was covered
in coppery fur that glinted in the lantern light.
    Alex’s breath came out in pants and he could smell the old
man. Even over his own snarls Alex could hear the heartbeat pulsing in John’s leathery
old neck. He stalked up to the door and slid his foaming snout between the
bars. His vision was tinted as if filtered through red cellophane. His captor’s
life force pulsed around him with a bright aura. Alex longed to consume John’s
energy. I will kill you . He wrapped his claws around the bars and shook
the metal door. I will kill you .
    A plan flashed into his mind so clearly it was as if it had
been forged by ages of instinct. He would hold perfectly still and if the old
man let down his guard—if he got within reach—Alex would grab him. He’d pull
that brittle body against the bars then slash the throat and bathe in the hot,
sticky jets of blood.
    Saliva rushed into Alex’s mouth when he imagined sinking his
fangs into the warm, tender meat. He would yank chunks of John Chaney through
the bars and feed on him until he was satisfied.
    Then the red-hot rage that consumed him was replaced by a
much stronger emotion. An overwhelming pull forced him to tear his gaze from
his prey. The cell was awash in a pale yellow glow and he backed up until he
was at the center of the stone room, then looked overhead and saw the
three-quarter moon framed by the skylight.
    The energy pulsing from the huge orb seemed to fill every
atom of Alex’s transformed body. He spread out his arms and let the surge of
power wash over him as his howl burst from his chest and filled the night.
    * * * * *
    Present
    The effects of the painkiller were beginning to fade, and as
Gwen’s head cleared she was finally able to place him—Alex McKenzie, the Dog
Talker. Gwen didn’t watch much TV—and she certainly wasn’t the type to get star
struck—but as she studied his handsome profile, the attraction was undeniable.
    Gwen shrugged off Alex’s offer to help her out of the clinic
and into his waiting golf cart. While she was settling in, a battered hatchback
pulled into the lot. He introduced Gwen to his vet tech, Kelly. The pretty
brunette promised to take good care of Jezebel and when she winked at Alex,
Gwen was surprised to feel a twinge of jealousy.
    Bob led the way as Alex