Panther's Claim (7 page)

Lyssa stared in disbelief at the
multiple hangers of clothes. Every outfit was exquisite but also revealing. She'd
always been what she considered conservative when it came to selecting clothes.
She might look like she was in her late twenties, but she was closer to
thirty-five and far from the skinny type she saw flaunting their bodies in
outfits like these.

“I like the black skirt and halter
in the back. It would look amazing with your legs.” Ren came over to stand
behind her and point to the hangers in the far back corner.

“It looks really short.” She pulled
the outfit out and took a better look at it. It was made of supple black
leather with zippers up both sides, and it matched the pants he currently wore.

A long wolf whistle made her smile
as Trey stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. “That will
look fabulous with your legs.” Damn, they thought alike.

****

Seated at the large dining room
table, Lyssa looked about as what seemed like a hundred conversations buzzed
around her. Never had she experienced such a sense of belonging or family. Her
life had been nights of silent meals as either her grandmother or ex informed
her of her shortcomings. No smiles or laughter, no one telling her how happy
they were she was there or how beautiful she looked. This was almost too much
to believe, and she thought more than once she might wake up from a dream.
There were not nearly the number of individuals present as had witnessed the
claiming ceremony the night before, but there were a few new faces, namely four
children who appeared to range between the ages of four and fourteen.

The children and some of the adults who
crowded around the table were dressed for the holiday, wearing an array of
Halloween masks or other seasonal embellishments. Even the table had been set
with bright orange and black place settings among pumpkins carved with scary
faces.
This is so enchanting, s
he
thought to herself as she asked each of the children their names. Evidently,
she now had a very large extended family.

“Do you want to go with me over to
Clara's to pick out an outfit for tonight?” Ally asked as she toyed with one of
her long spider web earrings.

“Tonight? What happens tonight?”
Lyssa shot both men a questioning glance.

“Only the most awesome party ever!
Everyone dresses up in costumes. We'll have to be certain to get you something
sleek and sexy, and we dance, eat, and mingle.” Without stopping for a breath,
the young woman continued, “Then those who can shift go running around in the
moonlight, while the rest of us are left behind to clean-up the mess.” She was
excited as she spoke and sloshed whatever concoction she had been drinking all
over the tablecloth. “We can only have the celebration with a full moon on
Halloween, so it is a major event for the entire community.”

“We had thought to forgo the event and
the three of us were simply going to go for a run through the forest for most of
the night,” Ren told them but stopped short when his mother cleared her throat
rather loudly.

“Or not,” he added, much to Lyssa
and most the table's amusement. It was obvious who was in charge in this
family.

“I would love to join you. Who knows?
Maybe I'll pick up a few tricks and a few treats,” she told her eager friend
and sister in-law.

“Great! As soon as you finish up we'll
head out.” Ally jumped up from her chair and went to search for her car keys.

Leaning over close, Ren whispered in
her ear, “Welcome home, baby.” For the first time in her life, Lyssa truly felt
at home.

The End

About the Author

JL Oiler lives in the mountains of West
Virginia with her husband, two children, and boxer. She began writing stories
at a young age, but did not begin sharing them until her late teens. When not
writing, she enjoys the outdoors and teaching middle school shop. Her first
release came in January of 2010.

She joined forces with fellow authors
BethAnn Beulher, Lila Munro, and Ashlynn Monroe to form the group Wicked Muses
in June 2010. She can be found frequently chatting on Facebook, Myspace, and
Twitter.

Contact: [email protected]

Websites: www.joiler.weebly.com and
www.wickedmuses.webs

Other Books by J L Oiler

Eclipse of the Twin Moons

To Kiss A Demon

Have Yourself a Rotten Little Christmas
(Coming
Soon)

Seeds of Oden

Blood Dance

Blood Dawn

Blood Denial

Cassy Van Storm
(Young Adult)

Staking the Grade

High School Bugs Me

Anthologies
with Other Authors

All I Want For Christmas is Redemption

Force Recon: Beacon Bayou