Her Wild Side [Werewolves of Forever, Texas 16] (Siren Publishing Menage Everlasting) Read online

  Werewolves of Forever, Texas 16

  Her Wild Side

  Tasha Harden’s mother has been bitten and transformed by the elusive vampire-like animal called a chupacabra. Tasha is determined to keep her mother alive when two mysterious men attempt to kill her. But first, she has to find her mother.

  Werewolf brothers, Paul, Wick, and Shane Shilo have been watching the beautiful blonde for a while, unsure of what she’s tracking. When she barrels into them as wolves, they can’t resist her any longer. Talking her into trusting them isn’t easy, though. She’s suspicious even though she’s drawn to them. However, the connection that brings all werewolves together is too strong for her to resist. They swear they’ll help her find her mother, and she’s grateful for the help.

  Can they help Tasha find her mother in time? Even then, will Tasha accept them for what they are? Or will heartbreak break them apart?

  Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter, Vampires/Werewolves

  Length: 29,601 words

  HER WILD SIDE

  Werewolves of Forever, Texas 16

  Jane Jamison

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  HER WILD SIDE

  Copyright © 2017 by Jane Jamison

  ISBN: 978-1-64010-662-8

  First Publication: September 2017

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2017 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for going on the journey of a lifetime with me. Writing is a solitary profession where the reward of an email from a reader saying that she/he enjoyed the book is worth more than the numbers on a paycheck. Without your continued support, I would spend my days wishing for what might have been.

  Yours,

  Jane Jamison

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  From an early age, Jane Jamison was fascinated with stories about werewolves, vampires, aliens, and whatever else might be hiding in her bedroom closet. To this day, she still swears she can hear growls and moans whenever the lights are out.

  Born under the sign of Scorpio meant Jane was destined to be very sensual. Some would say she’s downright sexual. Then one day she put her two favorite things together and found her life’s true ambition: to be a romance author.

  Jane spends each day locked in her office surrounded by her two furry bundles of joy and the heroes and heroines she loves. Her plans include taking care of her loving husband, traveling, and writing until her fingers fall off.

  Jane also writes as Beverly Rae.

  For all titles by Jane Jamison, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/jane-jamison

  For titles by Jane Jamison writing as

  Beverly Rae, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/beverly-rae

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Landmarks

  Cover

  HER WILD SIDE

  Werewolves of Forever, Texas 16

  JANE JAMISON

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  Tasha Harden was as nervous as a cat thrown into the middle of a dogfight. She hadn’t seen her mother in over two years, and seeing her now was about to make Tasha lose her mind. She fiddled with her purse again as she had a thousand times before then slid out of her car, closed the door, and walked toward the café. Her limbs felt stiff, and her heart threatened to pound out of her chest. But this was something she needed to do. Not for her mother, but for herself.

  Although she was thirty years old, Tasha suddenly felt like the fifteen-year-old girl her mother had left behind. Not legally or permanently—perhaps that would’ve been better—but the result had been the same. Tasha and her two brothers, Rick and John, may have grown up in their mother’s house, but the woman who had acted as their mother had been their housekeeper. Rosita had been the one who’d given them care. Rosita had been the one who had wiped their tears away when they’d cried for their mother. Rosita had been the one they’d turned to whenever they’d wanted a mother’s comfort. Her mother was soon relegated to a woman who called every few months and sent presents they didn’t want. She could still hear her brothers’ cries as they begged for their mother to come home. Every six months or so, her mother would show up, throw her arms around her children, and act as though she’d been away only a few days.

  Her mother had always put her work first with her three children coming in a distant second. Most of the time, their father hadn’t even registered on their mother’s radar. As a scientist on the cutting edge of new and innovative digital technology, her mother was well known in corporate as well as scientific circles. Tasha couldn’t say the same when it came to their family. She felt as though she didn’t really know her mother at all.

  Her father, having been hurt too many times by their mother, had sadly followed in his wife’s footsteps and had also ended up going away all too often for work. At least he’d tried to leave the children with a relative who might care, but their Aunt Luanne had cared more about the contents of a Vodka bottle than she had for her niece and nephews.

  Tasha put her hand on the doorknob of the café then paused. Noticing the tremble in her hand, she took her hand off the knob and crossed her arms, almost daring herself to go inside.

  Why am I doing this? Why should I give a damn about her after all these years?

  Yet as much as she wished she didn’t, she still cared. She cared far more than her mother deserved.

  No. That’s not it at all. I’m curious, that’s all. I don’t really care. How can I? How can I care for the bitch that left us alone?

  My mother’s a bitch, all right.

  She drew in a hard breath, hating that she’d thought of her mother as a bitch. Hating that she hated the fact that she’d called her mother a bitch.

  If ever there was one…

  Still, a child could never give up on her mother. Not even a mother who had given up on her child. Yet when Shirley Harden had called, Tasha had all too quickly agreed to meet. Hell, after her initial shock at hearing her mother’s voice, she’d even found herself excited, eager to see her mother.

  That excitement, however, hadn’t lasted long. Not after the memories came flooding back.

  Go on. Get it over with.

/>   She didn’t move.

  Come on. I’ve done harder things than this.

  Running her hand over the back of her neck and the stiffness growing there, she silently told herself to be strong, opened the door, and strode into the café, her head held high.

  No matter what, I won’t let her get to me. I’ll listen to what she has to say, and then I’m gone. Once this is over, I can put her in the past once and for all.

  “Honey, I’m over here.”

  Tasha’s gaze jumped to the right of the café and found a striking woman sitting in a booth. Her mother was a thinner, mesmerizing version of Tasha. The short blonde hair, seemingly undimmed by age, was as vibrant as it always had been. The light brown eyes sparkled as though she hadn’t aged a day in the past two years they’d been apart. Unlike Tasha’s softer, “fluffier” body, her mother’s body was firm and fit. She’d always been envious of her mother’s athletic build, but her mother looked even better now.

  Honey. What right does she have to still call me that? I haven’t been her honey for a long time.

  Her mother was smiling, but Tasha couldn’t return the gesture. Instead, she stalked over to the booth then slid onto the seat. “Hello, Mother.” Instantly, she wished she’d called her Shirley. She didn’t deserve to be called “Mother.”

  Her mother’s smile faded. “Can’t you give your mother a hug?”

  To her disgust, she wanted to do exactly that. Instead, she ignored the question and tried to turn her face into an unreadable mask. Tasha did her best to hold back her emotions. She had to be firm, resolute. If she didn’t, her mother would wind her way back into her heart.

  Get it over with.

  “You wouldn’t tell me on the phone, so tell me now. Why did you want to meet? Why now?” Did she sound petulant like a child who’d been denied ice cream for dessert?

  Her mother gripped a napkin and began to tear it apart in little bits. The gesture, albeit small, gave Tasha a bit of satisfaction. At least her mother was nervous, too.

  “So how are Rick and John? Are they all right?”

  Tasha wasn’t going to play the game. She wouldn’t let her mother act as though she was still part of the family. She’d given up that privilege when she’d left them. Her brothers were the only family Tasha had. “They’re fine.” She held back the words “not that you really care.”

  Her mother opened her mouth to say something more then closed it. Obviously, she wanted to play the game of pretending that she was still their mother, but she’d caught on fast. If nothing else could be said of Shirley Harden, it was that she was an intelligent woman. “Fine. I see how it is. So let’s get down to why we’re here.”

  “Let’s,” said Tasha. She bit the inside of her mouth, keeping tears from burning her eyes. “Tell me why I’m here, Mother.” Damn it. I did it again.

  “At least you’re still calling me mother.”

  Tasha bit back a retort, wanting to retract her words. “Just tell me what you want.” She knew she was being harsh, but there was no other way. If she let her wall down, her mother would take advantage of her weakness.

  “I won’t go into the specifics about my work.”

  Shit. It’s still all about her work.

  Another napkin was shredded. Funny, she couldn’t remember her mother being the nervous type. “Go on.”

  “I was in Africa doing research when it happened.”

  “I wouldn’t think Africa would be on the cutting edge of technology.” Tasha leaned back in her seat and placed her hands in her lap. Her mother had worked around the world, but most of her work had been centered in America. She rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans.

  “You’d be surprised what’s going on there,” said her mother. “But Africa doesn’t include everything I need to tell you. It is, however, part of my story. Perhaps the most unbelievable part of it.”

  Although she didn’t have anywhere else to go, Tasha looked at her watch, knowing her mother would understand the not-so-subtle hint. She wasn’t sure how long she could stand being with her mother. “I haven’t got all day.”

  Her mother nodded. “I was changed in Africa.” Her light brown eyes, so much like Tasha’s, lifted to hers. “While I was there, something attacked me.”

  As much as Tasha didn’t want to, she couldn’t help but be alarmed. “What do you mean something attacked you? Was it a lion? Something else? Someone else?” Her tone sounded stressed, as though she actually cared.

  Damn it.

  Her mother drew in a ragged breath. “Do you believe in mythical creatures?”

  It took a moment for Tasha to regain her equilibrium. “What? Mythical creatures? What are you talking about? What does that have to do with anything?”

  Her mother closed her eyes for a moment as though trying to gather her resolve. When she opened them again, Tasha could see the torment there.

  “Have you ever heard of a creature called a chupacabra?”

  “A what?”

  “A chupacabra. Don’t worry. I hadn’t heard much about them, either. At least, not before this happened.”

  “What are they? And what do they have to do with you?” She didn’t trust her mother, especially since nothing she’d said made sense. “I didn’t come here to listen to a story about a mystical creature.”

  “Please humor me.”

  Tasha sat back and crossed her arms. “Fine. Go on.”

  “Thank you.” Her mother continued to shred yet another napkin. “A chupacabra is thought to be something like a wild dog. It’s supposed to be hairless with a pronounced spinal ridge. It’s an ugly creature that supposedly sucks the blood from its prey.”

  Irritation flashed through Tasha. What the hell was her mother trying to do? Did she really think she’d buy into stupid shit like imaginary animals? “What’s the point of this ridiculous story? Mother, if you don’t start telling me why we’re really here, I’m going to leave.”

  “No, please stay.”

  Her mother reached out to her and placed her hand over Tasha’s. For a brief second, Tasha felt the thrill of having her mother touch her again. Quickly, she rejected the wonderful feeling and jerked her hand away.

  “Then tell me the damn truth.” Her mother had abandoned them as surely as though she’d walked out the door and gone forever, but she’d never lied to them. Why was she starting now?

  “I know this is too incredible to believe. Sometimes, even now, I have a difficult time believing it happened. But what I’m about to tell you is the God’s honest truth.”

  Tasha couldn’t think of anything to say. How was she supposed to respond?

  “While I was in Africa, I was attacked by a chupacabra. I didn’t realize it until later, but it changed me that night.”

  Tasha snorted her derision. “I’d think getting attacked by mythical creature would change you.” Sarcasm laced her tone. “But if you’re asking me to believe that one of these things attacked you, then you’re sadly mistaken. In fact, if you’re going to insult my intelligence, I’m out of here.”

  Once again, her mother grabbed her hand, keeping her there. “Please. I’m telling you the truth. That thing bit me and changed me.” Her mother took her hand away before Tasha could yank hers back. “Now I’m one of them.”

  Had her mother gone insane? Had the stress of her work finally driven her over the edge?

  “You’re one of them?” It wasn’t a serious question. She wasn’t sure why she’d bothered asking. How could she dignify her mother’s outrageous claim?

  “Yes. I am.”

  Tasha arched an eyebrow. What was her mother trying to do? Plead temporary insanity? Pull on Tasha’s heartstrings for forgiveness?

  “I know it’s difficult to comprehend.”

  “You think?” Tasha didn’t hold back her derisive snort.

  “I can show you if you want.” Her mother’s gaze scanned the room. “But not here. Not in front of others.”

  “Well, of course not. We wouldn’t want anyone c
alling animal control, would we?” Irritation was beginning to grow into anger. “I’m assuming you’ve gotten your shots, right?”

  Her mother sighed as though Tasha was letting her down. Then again, she was used to her mother’s disappointment. Tasha had never been smart enough, clever enough, or pretty enough for her mother. At least now the disappointment was mutual.

  “I understand how difficult this is for you. I wouldn’t believe me, either.”

  “Oh, thanks. I’m so glad you understand.” Tasha gritted her teeth and rubbed her hands over her jeans.

  Her mother turned to dig in her purse. She brought out a small box that looked a lot like a walkie-talkie and slid it across the table to Tasha. “Please. Take this.”

  Tasha didn’t want to touch the thing. Yet she couldn’t resist. It was a simple device with only a few controls. “What is it?”

  “It’s a tracking device.” Her mother laid her arm on top of the table, turning it so that Tasha could see the inside of her forearm. A small scar ran down the center of her flesh. “I inserted a tracking module in my arm. You can track me using that device.” Suddenly, she tore the napkin in half, seeming even more nervous than before. “I want you to find me in case they—never mind.” Her mother stopped abruptly, then made a feeble attempt to smile.

  Had her mother actually gone crazy? She stared at the small scar. “What the hell did you do? Are you out of your mind? Why would you do that to yourself?”

  “I want you to be able to find my body.”

  Tasha couldn’t take her attention off the scar. “Why the hell would you put something under your skin? And why would I have to find your body? What’s going on?”