The Howl (By Kiss and Claw Book 1) Read online

  The Howl

  Melissa Haag

  Copyright © 2019 Melissa Haag

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without express written permission from the author.

  ISBN 978-1-943051-75-5 (eBook Edition)

  ISBN 978-1-943051-44-1 (Paperback Edition)

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Editing by Ulva Eldridge

  Cover design by Shattered Glass Publishing LLC

  © Depositphotos.com

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Author’s Note

  More books by Melissa Haag

  To the werewolf lovers in the world,

  Thank you!

  The Howl

  Most parents want their kids to grow up to be something respectable like a doctor or a lawyer. My mom wants me to become a man-eating ho. I, Eliana Barchim, vow to never follow in my mother’s footsteps.

  Eliana’s determination to never be the succubus her mother wants her to be starts faltering when her mother unexpectedly interferes. It doesn’t help that a local shifter with a cute dimple is trying to help cheer Eliana up when her best and only friend leaves town. With her control slipping, Eliana resorts to something drastic to get rid of her mom.

  However, Eliana’s fear of ruining the one person she can trust to stand by her side might be the thing that brings her carefully composed control to its knees. Nothing can withstand a starving succubus’s hunger.

  Chapter One

  Fighting tears, I drove away from my best friend’s house.

  Megan going to New York for a few weeks shouldn’t have been grounds for a torrential sobfest. But, Megan wasn’t just a friend. She was my only friend. The only person who never judged me because of what I was or my hunger.

  Even as I thought of it, the need to feed rose sharp and heavy. Wiping away the tears tracking down my cheeks, I glanced in my rearview mirror and cringed at the sight of my blackening irises.

  “You are not hungry, Eliana Magdalene Margarete Howland. You are not a Barchim.”

  Instead of making me feel better, using my mother’s last name as a reminder of why I needed to fight my hunger only made me sadder. And that additional sorrow only made me hungrier, which turned my eyes completely black.

  I switched on the radio to a deafening level and sang along with the music, glad the magical barrier that encircled Uttira and the surrounding countryside didn’t keep the station out.

  My hunger hadn’t completely faded by the time I pulled into the oversized garage attached to the Quills’ house. While I knew I’d need to give in and feed eventually, I was determined to put it off for as long as possible.

  If only Megan were still here. Her anger did nothing to nourish me, but at least it felt like feeding and tricked my body for a little while.

  I smoothed a hand over my blonde hair and checked my eyes in the mirror to ensure they were once again a mellow brown. Not noting any redness from my recent tears, I got out of the car and grabbed the cooler I’d taken from Megan’s house.

  When I entered the kitchen, Mrs. Quill looked up from her cup of coffee. Her gaze swept over me before landing on the cooler in my arms. Despite my petite size, the jam-packed container didn’t burden me. Extra physical strength was one of the few traits I didn’t mind inheriting from my mom.

  I set the cooler by the fridge and started unpacking the food.

  “What’s all that?” she asked.

  “All the perishables from Megan’s place since she will be gone a while.”

  “That was nice of you to help her. Did she and Oanen get off okay this morning?”

  I wanted to groan at her wording when my mind went south. Why did I always have to think dirty thoughts? Why couldn’t I just think normal thoughts like normal teens?

  “Yes, they’re on their way to New York.”

  “Do you think she’ll ever forgive us?” Mrs. Quill asked.

  I shrugged and stuck the lettuce in the crisper. It was an honest, noncommittal answer. After the bullcrap the Council had pulled, Megan had every right to hold a grudge. The Council needed to stop meddling in the lives of the youth stuck in Uttira.

  “Are you hungry, Eliana?” Mrs. Quill asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

  I realized I was just standing there and quickly reached for the bread.

  “A sandwich does sound like it would hit the spot. Would you like me to make you one, too? There are plenty of options with what I brought over from Megan’s.”

  “You know that’s not what I meant. You can’t survive on human food.”

  “Who said I’m trying to survive on it? I like the taste. Mom eats it all the time.” Usually at high class restaurants paid for by her adoring harem of men, but I pushed that thought aside and focused on the food in front of me.

  “Look at me, Eliana,” Mrs. Quill said.

  Don’t be black…Don’t be black, I chanted to myself as I lifted my gaze.

  The woman who’d raised me for the last four years smiled at me kindly.

  “You know you only need to ask, and I will gladly feed you.”

  It took everything I had not to vehemently shake my head.

  “I know,” I said. “Right now, all I want is a sandwich.”

  “Very well.”

  She didn’t leave the room, but instead watched me closely as I made my early lunch. Likely, she wasn’t fooled. She rarely was, which made my life that much more difficult.

  “I think I’m going to eat this while I watch some TV,” I said, picking up the plate.

  “Enjoy, sweetie. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

  I nodded and fled.

  Upstairs, the room connecting my bedroom to Oanen’s had everything we could possibly want for entertainment. From gaming consoles to high-quality screens, comfortable couches, and our own refrigerator, the room was meant to be a teen’s oasis. And it had been with Oanen here. Now that he was gone, it just seemed empty.

  Oanen had been one of the best parts of my time in Uttira until Megan showed up months ago. He was the best almost brother I’d ever had.

  Catching myself in a downward emotional spiral, I went to the snack fridge and grabbed a dark chocolate candy bar. The bitter tang of the chocolate distracted me from everything but the flavor I so loved. I didn’t need to eat food, not like humans did, but chocolate was one thing I thoroughly enjoyed despite the pointlessness of eating it. Bake it. Freeze it. Melt it. It didn’t matter what form the chocolate came in. There was something about it that helped keep my real hunger at bay, which was why I kept an impressive stockpile of it hidden in the snack refrigerator.

  Content for the moment, I plopped on the couch and tucked the rest of the chocolate into my sandwich so Mrs. Quill wouldn’t see it if she came in to check on me. She’d know right away what was going on if she saw the chocolate. And the last thing I wanted was to worry her, because if she was worried, then she would tell her sister, Adira. Not only
was Adira a member of the Council, she was also Girderon Academy’s Student Coordinator. If she got involved, I’d be wearing far too little to school tomorrow.

  I took another bite of chocolate and turned on the TV to watch an action flick. The bloodier, the better, given my current mood.

  An hour later, I was feeling a bit more in control and absently reached for my phone when it buzzed.

  Fenris: First security sweep done. Megan’s car is still here and unmaimed.

  I rolled my eyes as I typed back a quick message.

  Me: They just left. Of course her car is still fine.

  Fenris had been inadvertently making my life impossible for months now. It wasn’t his fault he smelled like lust all the time, a scent no succubus could seem to ignore. His hormones were due to his wolf genes.

  Instead of thinking of genetics, my mind went to his jeans. The dark pair that rode low on his hips and loose on his legs. Oh, the things they did to his backside…

  My vision sharpened immediately, and I knew my eyes had gone black.

  Using the remote, I turned on some really loud party music in an attempt to corral my thoughts. But, my phone vibrated in my hand to let me know Fenris had replied.

  Fenris: It doesn’t hurt to be cautious. How’s your car?

  My insides went hot then cold at the idea of Fenris coming here.

  Me: My car is fine. Go home, Fenris.

  I threw my phone onto the cushion next to me and got up to dance like I was in a dance-off for the next thirty minutes. By the time I stopped, I was tired and sweaty.

  I hated that I wasn’t a normal teen. Why did I always need to think about sex and being touched? About being liked by a boy? No, not liked, worshipped. I thought of how my father worshipped my mother, and every ounce of succubus hunger left me.

  Calmer, I went to my room for a quick shower then stood inside my closet in indecision.

  Adira had given me strict orders that I was to pick clothes from the right side of the closet. Reaching out, I trailed my fingers over one of the many dresses on that side. Low neckline, thigh-high slit, silky material, the dress was what a normal succubus would use to incite lust in those around her.

  All of the clothes to the right were beautiful beyond a doubt, and I loved wearing them. But only in the privacy of my own room. Never in public. A shudder ran through me at the thought of what would happen if I wore those dresses in public like Adira wanted.

  Taking a deep breath, I tried to find a compromise. I understood that the adults in my life were worried that my instincts weren’t developing appropriately. And their concern was the only reason I was even attempting to meet them halfway with my wardrobe. Well, their concern and my fear that they’d involve my mother if they got too worried.

  After selecting a dress that Adira would approve of, I found a lacy bralette and a pair of knee-length biker shorts to wear underneath it. Then, I chose a cute pair of flats that didn’t at all go with the gorgeous, shimmery number I’d picked. Spiked heels with thin straps would have set off the length of my legs the best, but setting off any body part was the last thing I wanted to do.

  With my cleavage safely hidden by the bralette and the thigh slit thwarted by my shorts, I felt marginally ready for dinner.

  Too bad I still had hours to kill.

  I debated what to do with my time. I loved the greenhouse on the roof, but it would only make me miss Megan and Oanen more. And, I’d already spent enough time watching movies.

  Leaving my room, I took the back stairs out to the gardens instead. The brisk winter wind robbed my arms of any heat the moment I stepped outside. I rubbed a hand over my skin and followed the snow-covered path to the bench in the center of the garden.

  I stood there and looked out over the dormant grounds. It was beautiful in summer. Green and lush. Filled with singing birds and other small creatures that made noise. Now, it was silent. Silent and lonely.

  Like I’d been before Megan.

  Hugging myself, I thought of my life in Uttira and wondered if I would ever be able to go back to the isolation I’d found so comforting before Megan’s arrival. I doubted it.

  While I knew her and Oanen’s stay in New York was only meant to be for a few weeks, I also knew Megan well enough to understand she’d never be happy spending all of her time in Uttira. Especially given her history with the Council and Adira.

  That meant I either needed to make more friends or figure out a way to leave Uttira and join Megan. I wrinkled my nose at the latter. There was only one way out, and I was nowhere near getting my mark of Mantirum. Yet, making friends seemed just as impossible as earning my mark.

  Deciding to delay worrying over friendships, I went back inside to wait for dinner in the entertainment room. With a small stash of dark chocolate truffles in my lap, I lost myself to three hours of visual carnage before the faint chime of the doorbell disturbed my peace.

  I frowned at the time and stood to check myself in the mirror. Hopefully Adira would find my compromise suitable and leave the left side of my closet alone.

  The low murmur of voices reached my ears as soon as I arrived at the top of the steps. None of them sounded like Adira, who usually joined us for dinner. Curious, I descended and went to the dining room.

  Mrs. Quill was greeting our dinner guest with a gracious welcome when I entered, and the familiar back of a black head of hair slowed my steps.

  “Thank you so much for inviting me, Mrs. Quill. Your house is beautiful,” Eugene said.

  Mrs. Quill opened her mouth to reply, but I interrupted her.

  “Why is he here?” I asked.

  The sick feeling in my stomach grew as Eugene turned to look at me with a smile. As the newest human in Uttira, he didn’t know to be wary.

  “Hey, Eliana.”

  Ignoring him, I continued to stare at Mrs. Quill.

  “He’s here because I invited him. With Megan and Oanen gone, I thought you might like company your own age at dinner.”

  We both knew that wasn’t what this was. Her next words proved it.

  “I’ll let you two talk while I let Mr. Quill know dinner is ready.”

  Instead of getting angry, another dangerous emotion for me, I looked at Eugene as she left the room.

  “I’m sorry if I sounded rude. Very little is as it seems in Uttira.”

  “Even here?”

  “Especially here.”

  He nodded thoughtfully and seemed to notice my dress for the first time. I hated the look of appreciation that crept into his gaze until his hand smoothed down his own shirt.

  “I’m feeling really underdressed right now.”

  The button-up shirt was neatly pressed and complemented the dark jeans he wore. I knew these clothes were a vast improvement over what he’d been wearing when he’d arrived in Uttira. After all, I’d helped select his wardrobe.

  “What you’re wearing is completely suitable for a family dinner. My dress is a prop I’m required to wear for dinner.”

  “Required? If I were a girl, I’d want to wear that all the time. You look killer in it.”

  His simple words, meant to be high praise, hurt deeply.

  “I’d much rather just be me than a killer anything,” I said.

  Some of the humor left his gaze.

  “Right. Sorry. I forgot for a minute.”

  “Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re here. I’ll keep reminding you. Nothing is safe here, Eugene. We may look human, but we’re not. That’s something you have to remind yourself of constantly.”

  He looked around the room uncomfortably.

  “I can’t believe you grew up here.”

  “I didn’t. The Quills took me in when I was twelve.”

  “They aren’t your parents?”

  “No. My mother is currently living in New York, and my human father is in Arkansas, far away from this place.”

  He watched me for a moment, probably thinking I was going to continue with an explanation of why I wasn’t living with my pare
nts. However, since I knew why Mrs. Quill had invited him tonight, even if he didn’t, I didn’t want to encourage any kind of bonding between us.

  “I get that you’re all scary monsters who want to feed on humans in some way,” he said when I remained quiet. “But that doesn’t scare me nearly as much as ending up back on the streets does.” His gaze went to the crystal wine glasses and actual gold utensils placed on the table. “This place looks so...”

  “Ostentatious?”

  “I don’t even know what that word means, but sure.”

  “It means flashy and over-the-top.”

  “Yep. Ostentatious. You’re lucky people with money took you in.”

  Mr. and Mrs. Quill took that moment to enter.

  “I believe Eliana called it a perverse way to flaunt one’s money when she first came to live with us,” Mr. Quill said.

  “There was a lead up to that statement,” I said with a rueful smile. “And I’ve since realized the error in my thinking.”

  Mrs. Quill chuckled and gestured to the table.

  “Dinner is ready. Eugene, you may take the seat beside Eliana,” she said, not even glancing at the empty setting across from us. That could only mean that Adira meant to join us.

  As soon as we were seated, Mrs. Quill started serving, using her magic to move whatever she’d cooked in the kitchen to our plates. Eugene was suitably impressed and asked questions until he took his first bite of her beef wellington, a favorite dish of Mr. Quill’s.

  “I’ve died and gone to Heaven,” Eugene said.

  “I hear Valhalla is the place you want to go for riches and endless feasting,” Adira said, suddenly appearing in her seat. “How are you enjoying Uttira so far, Eugene?”