What's a Girl to do with a Werewolf

Beautiful Big Cats, half of the year, 2008 is gone, lost somewhere in the mists of quickening time. And official summer time is just around the corner, beginning on June 20. The Summer Equinox, a magical energy, a balance of day and night. This year the full moon is on June 18 ~ or the fullness of summer is there for the taking and making. For the full living of life.

Okay, on the ever-mundane side of the Kougar's life. Plain white washing machine arrived, and moi discovered she still possesses some muscular strength when she wrangled old washer outside, then new washer inside. Hopefully hook-up will occurr tomorrow, once the carpet dries.

It's been a lovely cool dry-air day on the tame prairie, with the crescent moon showing in the late afternoon sky as a luminous pearl.

Just for you, my treasured kittes all, Part Deux from Chapter One ~ Secret Lives of Fortunate Wolves ~ What's a girl to do with a werewolf?

He opened the passenger door for her. She half-dived within, part of her silly-concerned with getting his seat all wet. As her rain god sheriff, or whatever he was, opened his door, Keira concentrated on finger-combing back her stuck hair. Concentrated on not looking upon him – rain god or devil in disguise.
"Keira," she spoke her name when she heard the door shut. "Keira Summer Windsor. – Would you like to see my driver’s license?" She opened her bag. "Ms. Windsor." His voice did not disappoint. Instead – smooth, deep as a long warm summer night, deep as gazing up at the clear black sky.
Keira resisted the urge to female shudder. She looked over, then up at him, as he wanted – indicated by the tone of his voice.

"Marshall Zane Dominik Vhulfe," he formally presented. He also presented a small formal smile. But it was the warmth emanating from his gaze, the flame rising warmth behind his eyes, that captured her attention – that captured her full attention.
Why his whole name?
"Your license is not necessary yet, Ms. Windsor. Stranded?"
She nodded, shivering within. Suddenly she felt possessed. Held in some sort of weird possession as he inspected her. Sniffed her. As if he ‘sniffed’ her all over.
Strangely, she knew he sniffed her. And Keira knew he continued to inspect her. She felt it all over. And somehow, she knew, as she knew the feel of rain on her body, on her senses – he found it pleasurable. Found her pleasurable. Found it...
If I open the door, run – I wonder if they’ll find my body?

"What happened?" he finally asked, the darkness of his eyes compelling.
Dark, but golden, his eyes. Golden flames leaping. Leaping toward her.
"No power – when I pressed the accelerator," she answered, turning away from his exotic riveting face – his bone structure was to die for. "Know where I can get a tow to a mechanic?"
"I’ll have David bring your car to his garage. In the morning. I’m Marshall of Blue Moon Bay. David will take care of you. Fair price."
"Thanks. Blue Moon Bay? What a wacky coincidence, Marshall Vhulfe. I’m looking for my cousin, Rob. Robert Bateman. He’s supposed to be staying at the Half Moon motel."

"Zane," he spoke as if owned all the patience in the world. "Mother was mesmerized by Zane Grey’s westerns – still is. – You said ‘supposed’. Is something wrong?"
"Rob was supposed to call his mother last night. I was on my way past here. Said I’d check on him. He always calls," she rushed as if she ran out of breath – and noticed how tightly she clutched her bag against her chest.
"We’ll head over there right now. Nothing doin’ tonight. The rain. – May I call you, Keira?"
"Of course...Zane," she managed. "Great name. Read a few Zane Grey westerns. Teenage years."

Is it possible to actually jump out of your skin?
"Nervous, Keira?" he inquired, moving to switch on the car.
Terribly. Wickedly. Jump out of my skull nervous.
"I was supposed to be at Diane’s shop in half-an-hour now," she looked at his dashboard display clock.
"Diane Griffith?" he inquired, ease-perfectly moving out onto the highway.
"Yes! You know her?"
"Just to do a little shopping. Gifts," he explained. "Are you one of her suppliers?"
"She likes my jewelry designs. They’ve been selling."
"You can give her a call when we get to Half Moon, Keira."
Goddess! His voice – pure black magic.

"Thanks. No need for everyone to worry. Since I’m safe."
But am I?
She stared straight ahead, at the rain, still a gully washer. She listened to the wipers swish, and wondered if this was another bizarre crossroad in her life. Her life had taken bizarre turns before – but this felt even more bizarre. Somehow.
"Why is your cousin Rob up this way?"
"You’re gonna laugh. I hope you’re gonna laugh. He’s hunting the american werewolf – cameras in hand. Ever listen to radio? Coast-to-Coast? Art Bell? George Noory – only this was a new show..."
"Ian Punnett," he interrupted. "Night rounds. Officer’s best friend at times."
"Rob eats, breathes, lives cryptozoology."

"Lake Geneva, the sightings."
"Werewolves – They’re not just for halloween anymore – on Linda Godfrey’s website. Seen it?" Keira tried a light tone.
"Clever. No I haven’t been to her website. Listened to that show. Quite the conversation in town for a few days, for us night folk. Thought we might get a few people up our way – Blue Moon Bay can always use a few guests. Helps the economy."
You could be a male model – help the economy out. A whole lot!
"Anyone in town every have a sighting?" she asked. With some relief Keira watched as they turned off the highway at the Blue Moon Bay road sign.
"Tales told every now and then. Especially at the Ale House – on spooky nights."
"Ale House? Do you mean like a tavern?"

"Stone building, 1800's. Built by the same family that still owns it. They brew ale – old-fashioned recipes. It’s a gathering place for us – used for town council meetings."
"Grow up in Blue Moon Bay?" she inquired, always fascinated by people’s life stories – and especially his. Now.
"No. Close by. Visited a lot. Relatives. Lots of relatives."
She heard the boyish grin in his voice.
"Always want to be Marshall?" she asked, letting herself enjoy, a little, how he ease-expertly handled the car around the winding curves.

"Destiny," he stated, amusement in tone. "Dad was the Marshall for most of my growing up. Then my Uncle and Aunt teamed up as the Marshalls. Later, my older brother. Now my turn – Married, Keira?"
"No," she loosed before she thought. She felt stalked, but not unpleasurably. "You?" she returned, her breath stuck somewhere.
"No, Keira. I’m not married. I’m not engaged. No girlfriend. And not divorced."
"Wow," she murmured. "Aren’t the women just dripping off you?" Immediately, she squeezed her eyes tight – wishing fiercely that she hadn’t just said that.
"Have to chase off a few."
Instantly, a scene formed – a waking dream. A wolf – beautiful, primal, male-majestic – circled by other wolves, all females. All waiting. All splendidly sleek, breathtakingly beautiful. When the females approached, he charged, chasing them back.
Keira jerked upright, clutching her purse more vigorously against her chest.
"Yes, Keira." His voice touched her, black magic. Wolf magic.

Frozen, and wondering if she would ever unthaw – maybe she wouldn’t have to – he’d just eat her – Keira managed to turn her face toward him.
"Been sighted lately?" she asked.
He laughed. Or male-howled with laughter.
"No, my Keira," he finally answered. "However, a few of the brethren could have been sighted. In transition. Or playing wolfen tricks. On the humans."

Cover art, my Fabulous Kitties, today on Title Magic, Helen blogs about the commercial importance of cover art and posts some beautiful enchanting examples. Mew-sings below:

Ooooh, Helen, I absolutely love your cover choices! I'd be picking up those too. C.L. Wilson did get great artistic covers! While I will pick up a book with a wonderful cover to my eye, even occasionally purchase for the cover. I truly buy on the blurb and reading a page or two at random, first.
Hey, you should have posted your cover!

New Summer kisses from the Kougar...