Taming Heather [Cariboo Lunewulf 1] by Lorie O'Clare Page B

help to bridge the gap that exists between us right now.” She looked up at Johann, his expression not readable. “I want to show the member of your pack who read my article that I can do better, that it won’t be trash.”
    “You’re talking about Marc McAllister,” Samantha said.
    “Samantha.” Johann said her name so firmly that Heather jumped.
    Immediately she noticed tension fill the air. Hell, she didn’t have to be a werewolf to sense the emotions that flew between the two. It grew thick enough to cut with a knife.
    “Yes. I am.” She looked from one of them to the other, not understanding the silent communication they seemed to be relaying. “Is everything okay with him?”
    Johann’s attention snapped to her. “When’s the last time you saw him?”
    Heather shook her head. “Not for several days. Obviously I’ve upset him. This article has to help both of us—humans and werewolves. Will you give me the chance to try and do that?”
    Samantha moved to sit next to Johann, and ran her hand over his arm. He seemed to noticeably relax, and she ached to ask more about Marc. That wasn’t the reason she was here, she told herself. What she had just said to both of them she meant. She chewed on her lower lip, forcing herself to remain focused on what she knew she could do damned well if given the chance.
    “You’re taking on one hell of a battle,” Johann said, relaxing into the couch and putting his arm around Samantha, with their werewolf baby in her arms. “But I commend you for it. Ask your questions.”
    Heather let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and reached into her bag for her notes and her recorder. She had no clue how she would pull it off, but somehow she would put a dent, at least, in the animosity that existed between humans and werewolves. She had to.
    An hour and a half later, Heather clicked off her recorder and popped out the cassette. She sipped at the water they’d offered her, feeling she had more werewolf knowledge in her head than she’d ever expected possible. Everything from how packs worked, to the tight-knit culture werewolves had, to the personal history of these two sitting opposite her.
    “You make being a werewolf sound so appealing.” She sighed, thinking of her own estranged family.
    Samantha smiled. “Humans are just different. But you have something to envy too. You aren’t shunned for who you are.”
    Johann patted her knee and then got up, heading into the kitchen.
    “And that’s another thing. You know so much about humans, but we know hardly anything about you.”
    “Actually, that isn’t true. Humans have written about werewolves for centuries. You’ve just chosen to believe us as myths.”
    Heather nodded, her mind swirling with everything she’d been told. “Well, as is the case with most stories passed down through history, the facts are distorted.”
    “Well, we don’t howl at the moon, if that’s what you mean,” Samantha said, chuckling.
    Her expression grew serious then, and she glanced toward the kitchen before returning her attention to Heather.
    “I think you’ve earned this tonight. I’m going to allow you to go see Marc for a bit,” she said, and then added, “If you’d like that.”
    Heather couldn’t stop the blush that spread over her cheeks. She smiled. “I think I might do that.”
    “What?” Johann barged into the living room, his voice bellowing loud enough that the baby jumped in Samantha’s arms.
    “She is a female. And I am queen bitch.” Samantha cuddled their son to her chest, and began rocking slowly.
    “And she is not a werewolf, let alone a member of this pack.” Johann lowered his tone, but looked very pissed off.
    Heather gathered her things and stood quickly. So did Samantha.
    “Go. With my blessing,” she said to Heather.
    Johann stormed down the hallway, slamming a door.
    Heather licked her lips but Samantha came up to her and patted her arm. “I know you want to.”
    “Thank