Bite Me by Donaya Haymond Read Free Book Online Page B

know. To do the right thing. To follow your dreams and all that other Hallmark fluff. You resist your urges. You tame the desires and addictions, and you give everything you’ve got for what you care about. But sometimes everything you’ve got just doesn’t cut it in this world. Hey, can I turn off the light?”
“Hmm? Oh, by all means.” He pulled off his sunglasses, folded them, and placed them on the table. Nat did the same after flicking the switch. They talked in the same tone of hurt, philosophy, and comfort for a while longer, but the incomprehensible conversation bored me. I watched a mosquito buzz around the room, scratched myself a bit, and then I fell asleep.
There was no way of knowing how long I had been dreaming before a loud noise woke me. The voice of the doorbell cried out to me. Ding! Ding! Ding dong! I jumped up and growled.
“Sssh, Di,” Dad said, putting his shades back on and heading over to answer it. “(Sigh) It better not be another fanatic telling us to cast abominations out of our life. Could you keep her out of sight?”
I wanted to follow, but Nat nonchalantly stood up and blocked the way despite my snarls. “Sorry sweetheart. If I could, I would, you know.”
Two male voices drifted in. First it was Dad demonstrating how good he was at instant serenity. “Hello. What brings you here?”
“Hi. Yeah, I’m looking for Dianne. This is her house, right? Are you her brother?” My ears perked up. I knew that voice!
“I’m her father.”
“Oh, okay, Mr. Anghel. I’m Matthew from next door. Is she here? Can I talk to her?” My heartbeat became irregular. Strange flashes went through my mind. Another beat. I needed to see him.
“Dianne told me about you, Matthew.”
“Really? W-was it good?” Legs arms head hands feet eyes ears mouth. . .
“The overall impression was positive. I’m afraid Dianne’s unavailable right now, though.”
“Why?” Hormones, thoughts, words . Wait, Matt, wait!
I pushed Nat aside and ran to the door. “No, I can talk to you!” I exclaimed. “I’m. . . I’m finished now. Do you want to come in, Matt?”
My crush looked puzzled but pleased. His dark eyes sparkled. “I was thinking of chatting at that little playground a block away. All the kids leave after dark, and I really like swings, so. . .”
“That sounds all right. Can I go, Dad?”
Dad had to bring his jaw back up before he could answer in a strange, artificial way. “If that’s what you want. Just come back to finish your homework, and don’t stay out too long.”
Then I realized that I was now human and laughed. The whole transition had been unintentional. I laughed again, relieving the tension I’d felt all evening. Matt looked more confused than ever. “What’s so funny?” he asked. “And I thought you said you didn’t have a dog, but I heard some growling and you have hair all over your clothes.”
I looked down at my fuzzy shirt and pants and tried to think of a cover-up. “Huh. Well, I was playing with the Calvin’s dog earlier, and she’s pretty loud. I can explain everything there.”
“Including why your dad is so shocked?”
It’s nice when a guy’s perceptive, but sometimes it can make things tricky. “A lot of stuff has been going on,” I said, grabbing a jacket from the hook next to the door and slipping it on.
“Looks like it.”
I stepped out and closed the door. Thank you more than you’ll ever know, Matt , I thought gratefully, and then resolved never to eavesdrop again.

Chapter Seven
Talk to Me
    There were enough feelings swirling around inside me to make a mood ring explode. On the surface I was excited to be with Matt, despite the deeper weirdness of having spent a couple of hours as a wolf, and I tried to push away the undercurrent of fear and worry that had started the crazy business in the first place. All things considered, it was best to let him supply the greater part of the dialogue for now.
    “I guess you’re wondering why I wanted to talk,”