Her Werewolf Hero by Michele Hauf

And you took that thing’s head off. OhmyGod.”
    She clasped her hands over her mouth. Even in the darkness the moon managed to land in her eyes and blink at him. Teasing. Defying him to face this truth.
    â€œIt was a wraith demon. Not common in the mortal realm and stupid as bricks.”
    â€œThe mortal realm,” she whispered nervously.
    Those moon-drenched eyes implored him. Her beliefs would have been easier to swallow had she perhaps learned about one paranormal being. Say, the vampire. And leave it at that. But unfortunately the universe had plans to inundate her with myriad knowledge of the otherworldly. And that could mess with anyone’s sanity, open-minded or not.
    â€œI suspect someone must have been commanding the demon,” Bron offered softly. He always felt invigorated after a shift, but the simple act of facing Kizzy’s innocent stare challenged him and even forced him down from what might turn into an aggressive denial.
    â€œCommanding it? To go after me?”
    He shrugged. It was a ridiculous response, and he hated knowing next to nothing. “I knew the only way to defeat it was to wolf out. So—” he squeezed the steering wheel with both hands and offered her a sheepish smirk “—I did what I had to do.”
    â€œWolf. Out.” She tugged up her legs and pulled her knees to her chest, making herself small against the door. A wince reminded her of her wound, and she touched her shoulder.
    â€œI checked it when you were passed out,” he offered. “Surface cuts. They’ll heal.”
    â€œAm I going to turn into one of those things now?”
    â€œWhy would you think that?”
    â€œIt clawed me. I might have its venom or essence or whatever inside me. Maybe it was poisonous?”
    He couldn’t help a chuckle, but she did not share his levity, so Bron turned to her, and when he almost touched her shoe, he kept his hand but inches from doing so.
    â€œThat’s not how demons are made,” he said. “Same with werewolves. You don’t create werewolves with a bite or claw wound. We’re born this way, and that’s the only way we come into existence.”
    â€œYou’ve been like this all your life? Ohmygosh, I told you about the guy in high school who I thought was a werewolf. And you didn’t say anything.”
    He sensed a tendril of her usual fascination in that tone, and that gave him some hope this conversation wouldn’t result in tears or screams or her running from him. Much as she had every right to do so.
    â€œWould you have really believed me if I’d said, over a plate of sausage and eggs, oh, hey, that guy you sat behind in school might not have been a howler, but I am?”
    She bit her lower lip. Those big brown eyes. They were wondering and yet condemning at the same time!
    â€œKizzy, it’s something I thought I could keep to myself. It is my usual mien. The last thing I ever want to do—any werewolf or paranormal species, for that matter, wants to do—is just come out with what we are and invite the worst.”
    â€œRight. I suppose. But you knew I was a believer.”
    â€œI figured a vampire and harpies in one day was enough for you to handle.”
    â€œGood call. Maybe. I don’t know. I might have been okay with it. I mean, learning about you being a Retriever was cool. So, all your life? That’s... Wow.”
    â€œYes, but we don’t come into our first shift until puberty.”
    She clasped her arms about her bent legs and rested her chin on her knee. He could sense her heartbeats slowing and her fear shifting to allow her fascination. “That’s interesting. Is it the same with other...uh...creatures?”
    â€œIt varies. Vampires can be born or made. Witches are born into the craft, though some humans can study and reach a certain level of magic comparable to a natural witch. Demons come from Beneath. Angels come from