Read Online Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack (Siren Publishing Classic) by Siobhan Muir - Free Book Online

did with her life now that she’d divorced? He wasn’t her father. She nearly told him to take a hike, but something about the way he asked made her think her answer might be more important than she thought. Wrestling her inner teenager back into submission, she tried to formulate an honest but unrevealing answer.
    “My father’s illness took all my attention and energy for the month I’ve been home, so I haven’t considered where my path is going now that he’s gone.” She set her teacup down on the end table deliberately. “I plan to continue my research into Native American mythology, but that’s more of a hobby right now while I help my mother recover. I haven’t really had time to seriously think about a job.”
    “Have you thought about remarrying or having a family?” Richard asked then.
    Two conflicting emotions crashed inside Julianna. Is he expecting me to be barefoot and pregnant? Her anger was only overridden by fear. How can I marry someone now that I have the quadruped issue each month? I’ll never be able to be intimate again. Sorrow filled in the last little gaps in her awareness and she blanked her expression to show none of it. I’ll never be with Jeff now.
    “No. I’m not sure I want to get married again. Especially now.”
    She hadn’t meant to say the last, but it just slipped out. Fortunately, her audience thought she meant because of the divorce, not because she’d become some fantastic creature from the very mythology she’d studied in college. She loved the changeling stories she’d read, but she never dreamed such creatures existed. And how could she actually be one of them? She used to be human!
    “I hope that won’t become a permanent condition,” Jeff remarked offhandedly then smiled his heart-stopping smile. Julianna wanted to smile back, but her keen sense of loss torpedoed her attempt.
    Think of what it would be like to have lots and lots of erotic and energetic sex every day from this day forward! her Sister shouted at her from the back of her mind. He’d keep you well satisfied and too damn tired to even walk!
    Yeah, if he didn’t mind that I might gnaw off his face when I can’t find my favorite chew toy on those full moon nights.
    “Time will tell.” Julianna stared at him for a few dizzying moments. “I know I’d like the opportunity to try.” With you.
    A slow smile spread across his decadent mouth, and she felt her heart flutter. God, I wish he’d smile at me like that every day. I’d need new underwear all the time, but I wouldn’t mind that so much. Maybe I’d just go without.
    “Maybe you’ll get such an opportunity.”
    Julianna raised her eyebrows in question at Richard’s comment, but he glanced down at his watch and got to his feet. “Looks like it’s almost time for the party to start. Tawny, get yourself out there to greet folks as they come in. Ms. Morris, would you mind being a hostess? I know it’s short notice, but I think many folks would enjoy being greeted by two lovely young females.”
    Another dose of surprise hit her system. They were asking her to hostess in their own home?
    “I’d be honored to do that,” Julianna hedged, standing up.
    “And we’d be honored with your service,” Jeff said, his sultry smile burning her in unmentionable places. She wanted to throw herself into his arms, taking advantage of the promises in that smile, but she restrained herself.
    “Miss Julianna,” Tawny said from the doorway, waving her through. “Let’s open the doors to the pack attending tonight and see if we can’t charm the fangs out of them.”
    Julianna laughed in amused surprise at Tawny’s choice of words as they emerged into the hallway. Odd turn of phrase . The older woman walked just a little behind her as they strode toward the front of the house where the double doors stood wide open. Julianna frowned a little at Tawny’s insistence of remaining behind her guest. Was it a defensive move or a protective one?
    The sight