Read Online Lover's Instinct: A Moon Shifter Novella by Katie Reus - Free Book Online

be putting herself at risk to submit to him. What if he expected some perfect, submissive little beta that she could never be? Her father had expected that from her mother and while he hadn’t been physically abusive, he’d been ridiculously possessive to the point that he’d almost snuffed out her mother’s natural zest for life. She’d slowly become a quieter, more reserved woman, so different from how she’d been when Esperanze was a young cub.
    “Why did Connor ask if we were mated yet?”
No! Why did I ask that?
Esperanze wanted to kick herself. The question had slipped out as too many questions and worries raced through her head. She hadn’t been able to control herself.
    Nikan’s grip tightened around her, his embrace like steel bands, and his earthy scent seemed to intensify as he leaned down. His mouth brushed her ear, sending a delicious shiver rolling through her. “Are you sure you’re ready for the answer?”

Chapter 6
    The feel of Esperanze’s back against his chest, her petite body curved into him, was so perfect. His canines ached, demanding to lengthen, to sink into the soft flesh of Esperanze’s neck and leave a permanent mark as he pushed deep inside her.
    But he wasn’t a complete fucking animal. He couldn’t and wouldn’t just take from her. Wouldn’t demand more than she was ready for. Right now she held all the cards. She completely owned him even if she didn’t realize it. No other female made him want the things she did: a permanent home, cubs, a woman to wake up to every morning. But not just any woman. It had to be Esperanze. She was so sweet and giving, taking care of her sisters and keeping them positive after Alicia’s death. Some alphas might look at betas as weak, but he knew differently. They might be physically weaker but they were the backbone of any pack. Esperanze was the perfect example with her inner strength.
    He was practically holding his breath as he waited for her response. If she was ready for the answer, he’d tell her exactly why Connor asked and exactly what he wanted from her. Which was pretty much everything.
    As Esperanze started to turn in his arms, the bathroom door flew open. Antoine flew out, his eyes wide as he held out his phone.
    “They’re calling,” he whispered, as if the shifters on the other end could hear.
    Nikan gritted his teeth, resenting the interruption, but he also hated that they were making contact before he’d spoken to Connor again. Releasing Esperanze from his hold, he grabbed a pen and small pad of paper with the hotel’s logo on it from the breakfast table in case he needed to write down instructions. He nodded at Antoine. “Answer it.”
    Swallowing hard, the vampire did as he said. “Hello?”
    “Who the hell were those two shifters this morning?” Nikan recognized the voice as Gregorio, the one he’d spoken to.
    Conference
, Nikan mouthed.
    “They’re colleagues from the conference. We were supposed to meet for drinks last night and I didn’t show up so they were worried.” Antoine’s voice only shook a fraction.
    Nikan was impressed by how well he was keeping it together compared to the way he’d been moaning only minutes before.
    “So you’re friends with shifters now?” A snide question.
    “I’m friends with all species.” Antoine’s answer was immediate.
    Thank God
, Nikan thought. The vamp needed to keep his cool for his kidnapped friend’s sake.
    “Are they going to make trouble?”
    “No. I convinced them I just owe you money. They even offered to give me some.”
    Gregorio laughed, the harsh sound streaming clearly through the phone line. “That’s fucking rich. If you’re lying, Chandra will pay.”
    “I’m not lying,” Antoine said.
    There was a brief silence, but Gregorio finally spoke again. “We need you tonight for a special client. He wants his product directly from the source.”
    Nikan shook his head and mouthed no.
    Antoine faltered, but nodded. “I’m not letting someone