Read Online Southern Shifters: Pryde and Precious (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Heather Long - Free Book Online

him raw. The mountain home had been designed to soothe his senses and give him the isolation he craved. He was a solitary being, though his brother often flouted their nature by being a party animal.
    A brief smile curved his lips at the thought of Dominic. Unlike John, he hadn’t Americanized his name or tried to blend with the clans. He’d gone his own way, giving them only as much information or loyalty as required to earn a spot. Then he roamed. If he saw John now, he’d probably laugh at his fascination with the little Psi.
    Dragging on a pair of jeans, John glanced at the closed bathroom door. The sound of her moving around, peeling off her wet clothing, teased him. Her muttered curse followed by water splashing gave him another curiosity to track. He and Dominic had been fourteen when their mother wandered off. They knew how to hunt, how to track and how to survive. Neither of them really needed their mother to feed or clothe them. Over time, they’d migrated from the village schools to the larger towns. Eventually, they’d immigrated to the United States.
    He liked his place. The military had been a good choice for him. It provided him with food, shelter and marketable skills. The clan appreciated his efforts, but though he helped and served their security, he never really sought to be a part of them. Dominic eventually continued on, surrounding himself with other cats or humans who enjoyed his particular lifestyle.
    A band groupie who became a roadie, then eventually a band member himself. He loved music, the louder the better. John always thought it was the nomadic lifestyle that appealed to his brother, the only other cub to survive their childhood. They’d had seven siblings altogether, but only Dominic and John matured.
    Normal, his mother would tell him. Only the strong could make it from cub to adulthood. Sometimes he wondered about her, where she was and whether she had other cubs. Maybe she’d simply moved on with her life, her duty as a maternal complete. He and Dominic had certainly learned to manage on their own without her assistance.
    “I’m sorry,” Arianna murmured. Sometime during his distraction, she’d opened the door. Her damp hair still hung in soft tendrils past her shoulders. It seemed to possess more mass when wet than dry. She’d put on his borrowed clothes, and they dwarfed her frame and hid her curves.
    He disliked the effect immensely. “For what?”
    “You’re not dressed.” Though she turned her head to afford him privacy, he could almost feel the skate of her gaze over him. Not puffing out his chest proved to be even more difficult. What the hell did he care if she liked his body?
    “I’m presentable.” He shrugged off her modesty and retrieved a shirt from one of the drawers. Tugging it on, he left his feet bare. The casual clothes offered them an air of familiarity they didn’t really possess. “We’ll throw your things in the dryer if you want.” It came out gruffer than he intended.
    “I’m not complain—” She cut herself off, then folded her arms. “Okay, maybe I am. We need to talk and make some decisions.” Firm conviction underscored her tone. So much better than the helpless whimper she’d echoed in the kitchen earlier.
    “You are feeling better.”
    “Yes. Water helps. Running water especially.” She gave a little shrug, but kept her arms folded. Her knuckles whitened where she gripped herself. So the confidence was a game for her or a façade. Letting it be, he motioned toward the door.
    “How does it help?”
    She walked down the hallway, half-turned toward him. The predator in him approved of her posture. The back was a vulnerable area, leaving her exposed to threats. She’d already told him she wanted to trust him, but she didn’t. Not yet. It pleased him that she didn’t trust easily. Winning her confidence would be much sweeter if he had to work for it.
    “Running water, I don’t know that it helps everyone, but it’s always helped