by Rene Folsom
“It’ll be okay, my beloved Rosetta,” she said soothingly. “This will be the worst that it’ll ever be. It’ll become easier, more comfortable as you grow into it.”
I tried to pull away from her, but she held me tight against her, not letting me go. I began to hyperventilate, the air around me growing thick, stifling my labored breaths.
“W-what’s happening?”
“I told you that things have a way of working themselves out,” she explained, a sad smile adorning her face as I writhed in her arms. “This is the only way.”
A soft groan trembled from my lips as the bones of my fingers crackled. I lifted my hands to watch as the fingernails of my four top digits began to sharpen, growing longer until a set of claws glinted in the lantern’s light. My thumbs began to shrivel, as if they were balloons being deflated, the palms of my hands hardening into pads.
“The moon is the catalyst,” she said, taking my now-clawed hand into her own. I marveled at how similar we were now, our fingers intertwining. “You will not be controlled by it, but merely strengthened by it. It’s why I had to wait so dreadfully long to come to you. I had to wait for the moon to come.”
Little hairs began to grow along my arms, just a shade darker than the strands atop my head. My pants became more ragged as I felt something poke at my lips. Running my tongue over my teeth, I discovered that my canines had elongated into sharp fangs.
“The moon has reached its apex,” she continued. I realized then that she was talking to try and help calm me. The look on her face was that of guilt, as if my pain caused her pain. “It’ll be over soon, I promise.”
She stroked my hair, and I closed my eyes, focusing on it—focusing on her. She held me tight, whispering sweet nothings as I felt my body change. The muscles along my back shifted, forcing me to crouch onto the ground. Following, she never once let me go as I groaned and cried. She placed kisses against my forehead, even after it was covered in fur and my face had distended forward. Cradling me in her arms, she gently pulled away my clothing as my body didn’t fit in them anymore. She smiled as I stopped whimpering and looked up at her, the world around us seemingly different from behind my new eyes.
“You’re just as beautiful in the form of a wolf as you are a human, Rosetta,” she said, leaning forward to place a kiss on my snout.
I tried to speak, but found my vocal chords weren’t meant for human speech. I whined, not out of discomfort, but because I couldn’t express to her how much I wanted to be able to kiss her back.
“It’s okay, my darling,” she said in response to my thoughts. “Let me join you.”
Her transformation was quicker than mine, I noticed, as I watched her revert back to the wolf. She didn’t once groan or cry out as she changed, reminding me of how she said it would get easier with time. Once she was done, she stood tall with her sandy brown fur and glowing, golden eyes. I felt awkward walking on four legs, but I did my best to step forward and rub my head against her soft mane, reveling in her scent that washed over me. She licked my ear, and I shivered with delight as we twined together to share auras.
I’d never felt so complete before, my life always seeming to be missing something important, though I could never figure out what. Now, standing here in the form of a wolf along with my mate, I felt whole, like I’d been waiting a lifetime to find this kind of fulfillment and acceptance.
Rosetta, my love, her voice echoed in my mind, filling me with adoration and joy. Catch me.
Without waiting for my response, she turned and ran off into the Shrouded Wood. I was reminded of when she appeared to me at the river, teasing me with her gaze and her game of cat and mouse. She was doing the same now.
And like before, I didn’t hesitate to run after her.
The End of Tempt,
Book One in the
Twisted Wolf Tales Series.
Continue on with more unique retellings of classic fairy tales with the Twisted Wolf Tales Series. Release information can be found on Rene’s website at www.renefolsom/twisted-wolf-tales.
In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come next:
Trust: A Twisted Wolf Tale
Beau Shapiro has spent his whole life being called gorgeous, handsome, sexy… every word imaginable to describe his outer appearance. But despite his popularity, he never once lets it all go to his head. He’s holding out for that one girl that has it all—beauty and personality.
While out searching for his father, Beau meets Karoline—a woman cursed to be a beast. Striking a deal with her to save his father’s life, Beau is taken to Karoline’s home deep in the mountainous woods to live with her. During his stay, he finds that there’s beauty within the beast, and slowly, for the first time in his life, falls in love.
Delve into the story of Beau and Karoline, a modern day retelling of the classic tale Beauty and the Beast.
Warning: This supernatural romance novella contains adult situations and is meant for ages 18+.
Find out more on Rene’s website at http://renefolsom.com/trust
The Red Hot Treats Collection
This Halloween, something sinfully wicked is coming your way. Give yourself a Red Hot Treat this fall with ten spine-tingling stories sure to warm up your night. Scary just got sexy with TEMPT, part of the Red Hot Treats multi-author series of nine stories for 99 cents each. Each book stands alone for reading enjoyment.
For more spooky Halloween fun, check out these other stories and get your treat on!
www.redhotauthors.com
*****
Kissin' Hell by Jodi Redford
There are two certainties in life soul collector and hellhound Jericho Stryker knows too well—Death never takes a holiday, and women are typically more trouble than they’re worth. That goes double for his personal nemesis and regular pain in his backside, Lola McKenna. Sure, the luscious little hellcat gets his blood boiling in more ways than one, but some scratches are best left un-itched. That determination is strained to the max when a botched soul acquisition job lands him on the same case as Lola.
Fetching a stubborn soul from a haunted bordello should be a piece of cake. Unfortunately for Lola, she has to deal with Jericho horning in on her bounty. Attempting to keep her cool and her wits around her sinfully sexy adversary? Easier said than done. Especially when she finds herself locked overnight with Jericho. Not strangling him before sunrise? A faint possibility. Ignoring the lusty, depraved sexual fantasies he awakens in her? A snowball’s chance in hell of happening. But worst of all is the very real possibility that he could steal the one thing she most fears losing to him—her heart.
www.jodiredford.com/That_Old_Black_Magic.html
*****
Eyes of the Wolf by Desiree Holt
When Jamie Dalton moved into the mouse her grandparents left her she was just looking to reconnect with her past and settle in familiar surroundings. Digging through the attic for treasures, she found a nearly life-sized statue of a wolf and a very old, very strange book, Legends of the Werewolf. Each night after returning home from her job as the town's head librarian, she curled up in a big chair with her little black cat, Mischief, fascinated by what she read. She was shocked when her new neighbor, Mike Volka, introduced himself and the eyes watching her looked just like the wolf in the book.
Mike Volka's ancestors once owned Jamie's house and the book that is his heritage as a wolf shifter, the one that will guide his future, is hidden somewhere inside. He sure didn't expect the intense sexual heat the erupted between them. When he sneaks into her house and sees her asleep in the big chair, the book open on her lap, the temptation to have her is too great for him. Using the hypnotic power of the shifter, he draws her into his web and they have sex so hot it nearly burns down the house.
But can a union born in stealth survive? Is she the human mate his family had told him might be waiting for him? Will Jamie succumb to his hot alpha impact and can she believe what others dismiss as a fanciful legend? On Halloween night it will come
to an explosive conclusion but will the heat consume them or bind them closer together.
www.desireeholt.com
*****
All Flash No Cash by Randi Alexander
When Deadwood, South Dakota bar owner CJ Overton hires Pete Gonally to paint a motorcycle for a charity giveaway, she expects him to do it her way. After all, he’s a small-time rancher, and graphic arts is just his hobby. But Pete comes back with his own ideas, and sparks fly as tension builds between them. The only way to relieve the pressure is one hot night in her bed. Just one. But then Pete wants more.
Pete lets CJ think he’s just a farm boy, but working on the oil field for years, he’s accumulated a small fortune; more than enough capital to buy his family ranch plus thousands of acres surrounding it. CJ’s dream future includes selling the bar, leaving Deadwood, and traveling the world. Attaching herself to a hayseed like Pete would only ruin her chances. How can Pete convince CJ that falling for a “dirt-poor farmer” will make her happier than anything she’d ever find outside of South Dakota?
www.randialexander.com/preview/red-hot-treats-flash-cash/
*****
Tribulation Road by Shyla Colt
The members of Noble exist in the shadows, keeping the evil seeking to ruin the world at bay. For centuries, the covert organization caused fear in the hearts of the supernatural community. But that is all about to change. As the daughter of the Noble Clan leader, Brigh Howell is prepared for anything. Until one hunt changes life as she knows it.
With the revelation of a betrayer in the ranks, she’s forced to call the one man she hoped she would never see again. Her ex-fiancée and Noble deserter, Jaeger Sutton.
Forced to work together to save their clan, the two find the connection between them is still alive and well. Will airing their secrets be enough to mend the broken pieces of what once was?
www.shylacolt.com
*****
Hot Caramel Passion by Graylin Rane
Ava’s skills as a chef took her from private celebrity chef to owner of Miami’s hottest new restaurant. Shy since kindergarten, she expressed her passions in the kitchen. Loneliness lowered her shoulders as the accolades faded at closing each night. At thirty-three, she was still single, preferring a crowded kitchen to a man across a small table.
Her brother signed her up with Viviana, owner of The Candy Man Delivery Service. She’d been appalled until he showed her the picture of Viviana’s man, Adonis. Her anxiety quelled each day by a furious work schedule then ran rampant over her mind as she tried to sleep.
Exhausted and shaking, she opens her condo door to find Marcus with caramel colored skin, dark hair, and intense brown eyes. He helps her bloom as she experiences complete devotion for the first time in her life.
www.graylinfox.com/candy-man-delivery-service-stories/hot-caramel-passion/
*****
Love's Magic Spell By Sable Hunter and Ryan O’Leary
Tory has one magical night to learn what love is all about.
Night after lonely night, she tosses in her solitary bed, longing to touch and be touched, to experience desire and rapture. Her body aches to know fulfillment –to be taken and possessed by a man, but only one man will do.
Raylan West is the man of her dreams and Tory Summers would give everything she owns for a chance with him. But it isn’t going to happen, a man like him is not for her. Unless…Tori finds a way. Deep in the bayous of South Louisiana there are secrets, magical secrets. Hoodoo. Witchcraft. Will o’ the wisp floating over dark waters, lit by unearthly light.
Desperate for a chance, Tory places her faith in the supernatural. She travels deep into the swamp to acquire a love potion promised to bring Raylan under her spell for one night, one perfect moonlit Halloween night where anything is possible. For a few precious hours, Tory will be beautiful, desirable and sexy in Raylan’s eyes.
The only problem is…Tori wants the magic to last forever.
www.sablehunter.com
*****
Mask of Fire by Michel Prince
Barton Nuril has attended the Harvester's Gala for more years than most. He'd given up the dream that a woman would want him for more than copulation until a dark haired beauty he dubs Firefights to get him in bed. Even as those from his province plot to take down the establishment and all its traditions, Barton for once, is discovering love may exist.
Abigail Stone knew the Rules chapter and verse. Even as others perverted their purpose, Abby stayed true and attended the Harvester's Gala to find her soul mate. Just as she feels she's found him the fates step in between omens and a battle no one could have foretold Abby is sure her choice is doomed. Will she see beyond her traditions and still stay within the rules to find love?
Can love ignite when one believes it no longer exists and the other fears the fates have doomed the union?
www.MichelPrinceBooks.com
*****
Cat on the Prowl by Sandy Sullivan
Suzi is on the run from something or someone, she isn’t quite sure. Mitchell Cruz wants her dead if he can’t have her. His plan to dispose of her body in the middle of the dense forest seemed like he perfect way to make her disappear without a trace until she manages to cold cock him with a branch and get away.
In her mad dash to safety, she stumbles across a lone cabin with an inviting light drawing her near. Hoping to find an elderly couple to give her shelter until she can find a way out, she knocks at the door to be met by only silence except for the rumbling growl of a mountain lion in the distance.
Gabriel is a shifter. Suzi is his mate and he’s bound by the laws of love to save her from the evil clutches of a wolf shifter intending on doing her harm. When she stumbles upon his cabin, he knows fate has brought her to him finally in her hour of need.
Can a shifter and a human find love amongst the tall trees, mountainous streams and softly falling snow?
www.romancestorytime.com
About Rene
Rene Folsom, author of paranormal romance and erotica, lives in Florida with her husband and three kids. She has officially diagnosed herself with creative ADD and often has a million and one writing projects going at once. In addition to writing, she is also a graphic artist who enjoys creating custom book covers for indie authors. She is definitely an artist at heart and would love nothing more than to be elbow deep in clay during her waking hours.
Rene believes that all fiction is based on some form of reality—otherwise we would never have the inspiration or knowledge to dream up the realistic situations we portray with our words. She is proud to say that her personal experiences have been inspirational, though perhaps not always identical to that of her fictional characters. Where reality and fantasy diverge, however, must remain her little secret…
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Books by Rene
Cornerstone Series
Shuttered Affections (Cornerstone #1)
Exposed Affections (Cornerstone #2)
Roommate Romance Series
Heart You (Roommate Romance #1)
Bind Me (Roommate Romance #2)
Share You (Roommate Romance #3)
Flatter Me (Roommate Romance #4)
Soul Seers Series
Voices of the Soul (Soul Seers #1)
Eyes of the Soul (Soul Seers #2)
Truths of the Soul (Soul Seers #3)
Blood of the Soul (Soul Seers #4)
Secrets of the Soul (Soul Seers #5)
Hearts of the Soul (Soul Seers #6)
Favorite Things Series
Favorite Things: Adventurous
Favorite Things: Bound (coming soon)
Standalones
Ever
y Thorn (A Romantic Thriller Short Story)
Have My Heart (A Romantic Short Story)
Red Hot Authors Collections
For Liberty: A Red Hot and BOOM! Story
Tempt: A Red Hot Treats Story
Boxed Sets
Soul Seers Boxed Set
Roommate Romance Boxed Set
Anthologies
Paranormal Anthology with a Twist
Stalkers: A Collection of Thriller Stories
Stardust: A Futuristic Romance Collection
All Our Love: A Collection of Stories that Speak to the Heart