Berch by V. Vaughn Read Free Book Online Page B

case, I’ll take a large serving.”
    Berch points with his spoon toward the counter. “Sit.”
    I slide into a high leather bar chair and settle back on the plush cushioning. The granite countertop is cold under my arms when I lean on it. I say, “Katie and Devon said that the pack will treat me like gold, because I’m the key to providing the next generation. Tell me more.”
    Wine gurgles in a glass, and he hands it to me. “Over the years, we learned that the best women to bring into the pack are true mates. Men are encouraged to wait until they find them. So when we do, we make sure they are appreciated.”
    “I like the sound of that.” I hold out my hand, and light catches my diamond as I twist it. “I hope I’m not being too nosey asking this, but how do you afford such nice things as a science teacher?”
    Berch swallows a mouthful of wine and grins at me. “Ever hear of Lindholm Chocolates?”
    My eyes widen. “You’re that Lindholm? Wait, this is a small town. Why don’t I know this?”
    “Because it wasn’t us until a few years ago when my uncle died. He never married and left his fortune to his nephews.” The stove clicks off, and he lifts the pot of spaghetti to drain it.
    “Sweet.” I snort at my pun. “So I shouldn’t feel guilty about my gorgeous ring?”
    “No. I think of it as a wise investment.” Berch brings a bowl of pasta over to the stovetop between us and spoons on the chicken, broccoli, and cheesy sauce. “Speaking of investing, I could use some help with the rest of my inheritance.” My meal clatters in front of me when he sets it down.
    My stomach flips, because I have to tell him the truth. “About my abilities.” I touch the cold metal of the fork beside my plate. I slide it to be perfectly straight and glance up at the man I love. “The only job I ever had in New York was as a waitress. The expensive things I had the night of the reunion were all rented.”
    Berch reaches over and takes my hand. “I know. I saw the security tag on your shoe.”
    “Oh.” My cheeks burn with shame.
    He lifts my hand and puts his palm against mine to thread our fingers together. “It doesn’t matter to me. So you didn’t find a job in the city. You’re still a smart woman who will make great investments. I want you to do it.”
    This man. I grin and say, “Then I’m your girl.” I twirl noodles around my fork, and steam swirls up when I lift a mouthful into the air to cool.
    Berch joins me at the counter with his dinner, and we discuss finances as we eat.
    Afterward, cleaning the kitchen, we find we already have an easy rhythm working together. The button on the dishwasher control panel beeps before I click it shut, and I turn to my fiancé. He rubs my arms and says, “Are you ready to practice shifting?”
    I nod, and Berch tips my chin up. I notice his finger isn’t searingly hot and realize that I’m probably hot blooded now, too. “Hey, it’s a lot easier than you think. C’mon.” He grabs my hand and walks us to the living room.
    “You’ll want to take off your rings.” Berch opens a drawer in the side table. “You can put them in here for now.”
    Metal thuds against wood, and I push the drawer shut. “And now I get naked?”
    “We both do.”
    Once our clothes are shed, Berch takes my hands. “Close your eyes and search for your wolf. She’s dying to come out and play.”
    I feel silly as I imagine being an animal, but within moments, a strange sensation of power fills me. A rumble forms in my throat, and the growl I hear is mine. Whoa.
    Berch releases my hands and says, “Good. Now pace in a circle the way a dog does when she’s about to bed down for the night.”
    When I begin to move, my skin prickles, and the odors in the room become intense. My hands thud to the floor, only they no longer feel human, and I gaze down at the paws that have replaced my fingers. My fur is paler than Berch’s, and I wonder if my eyes remained green. I stop pacing when the