Psyche Honor (Psyche Moon) by Chrissie Buhr Read Free Book Online Page A

watching my eyes
open. The water began to boil. “Anyone else want a cup?” Everyone nodded, so I
filled the French Press to the brim. “How was the run?”
    Amy giggled. “Adrienne was injured.” Stunned at her joy over
an injury, I cast her a bemused look. She went on to explain. “It was her own
fault. Pure stubbornness. And she’ll be fine in a couple of days.”
    Billie explained. “Nathan was panicking and instead of
moving out of his way, she let him run into her. He snapped and took a bite out
of her leg. She knows better.” Billie clearly didn’t think very highly of
Adrienne despite her neutral words.
    Amy continued. “I didn’t see that part, but she was all
upset at Billie. Only I couldn’t tell if she was upset at Billie for saving her
or for not saving her quick enough.”
    Kathryn added her two cents. “Both.”
    “You saved her?” I asked Billie, pride swelling in me.
    “I pinned him until he calmed down.” She shrugged as if
unimportant.
    Amy elaborated excitedly. “Nathan was chewing Adrienne’s leg
off, so Billie grabbed him by the throat until he rolled over. Second time she
did that today, only the first time it was because he grabbed my butt. Then
they chased a rabbit.”
    I shook my head at her. “Just when I think I’m getting used
to your world, Amy says something to make it sound completely bizarre.” Billie
laughed so hard, she choked on her muffin.
    Amy’s eyes lit up. “The coffee smells ready.”
    I extracted coffee cups, sugar, and creamer from their
various locations, feeling comfortable in Billie’s kitchen. “So does that mean
his first run went well or not well?”
    Billie grinned, “It went well. He only panicked once, we
sustained one moderate injury, and he returned to human form when I threatened
him. Compared to my first run, it went very well.”
    Amy nodded, solemnly. “Yep. I remember that one. I had three
very injured patients that night. Didn’t get any sleep. It was pure luck that
Richard didn’t bleed out, and you were a furball of broken bones before you
stopped fighting. Could have been a lot worse!”
    I turned to my friends curiously. “What was it like for the
two of you?”
    Kathryn smiled warmly. “It was lovely. The full moon was
high, and my best friend ran beside me.”
    Amy nodded. “Feeling four feet beneath me for the first
time. It was perfect, like I knew exactly who I was for the first time in my
entire life. We feasted on a deer my first run.”
    “I fed on a hare,” Kathryn reminisced.
    Billie sipped her coffee in silence as her friends compared
memories. You feel cheated out of something special. I commented. Billie
nodded without reply.
    Kathryn noticed the solemn exchange. “Much is different for
those who are turned forcibly. Many of our special memories are haunted for
them. That is not our way.”
    Billie assured her friends and mate. “I love being Wolf. If
that’s the way it had to begin in order for me to have this life, I’m happy for
it.” Billie put an arm around my waist. “If I hadn’t been bit, I would never
have moved to Boise, and I wouldn’t have met you. How can I complain?” She
pulled me close, kissing me deeply.
    “Okay, now I’m getting jealous!” Amy protested. “I’m 91
years old and haven’t found my mate. Billie finds hers at 33.”
    Kathryn patted her hand. “You’ll find your mate, my dear. I
was not young when I found Richard.”
    Amy jumped at the opportunity to pester. “Which would make
you how old?” she questioned.
    Kathryn smiled sweetly but did not respond.
    Amy retorted. “100? 120? Come on, Kathryn! We’ve been trying
to guess your age for years.” Kathryn only patted her hand again, enjoying the
endless game.
    Amy sputtered. “Okay, Sadie, I know you’ve got rules and
all. But please will you do this one little thing for us and find out how old
she is?”
    Kathryn glanced serenely between the women as I shook my
head. “Nope. I promised Jason.” I turned a