Josette Reuel Bücher

As the Thirteen realize the Book Worms might be the answer to finding their mates, the unmated members go to protect the women who now have targets on their backs.For Darragh Curran, the whole situation is bittersweet. Dar's brothers, The Thirteen, mean everything to him and he's grateful a few have finally found their mates, but now duty forces him to leave the man he loves behind and open himself to the woman who Fate says is his future.Riordan Whelan hasn't been alone since the day he met Darragh when they were boys. It was a friendship that grew into love. After Darragh was selected for the Thirteen, Ri ignored the future without his Bear and lived in the moment. Then the day arrived and Darragh kissed him one final time before leaving for Ireland. Riordan knew the Dásreach had to come first but he wasn't ready to let go of the male he loved, so he jumped at the chance to follow him.Amelia always put on a brave face, even as her eyesight degenerated and the life she'd known growing up slowly faded away. Reading, and later listening to, books was her escape and the Book Worms became her rocks. At her age, women typically had a boyfriend... not her. It was easier to dibs a book boyfriend than to find a real-life breathing one.

Dynah Singh fled home at sixteen, no way would she be tied down to some witch or warlock for the rest of her life. Living as a cat was freedom, and she loved it as long as the weather stayed warm and someone left food for her. Then, of course, there was her current predicament - trapped in the pound with yapping dogs and scroungy cats. To add insult to injury, as a black cat which no one wanted, she found herself on death row. If a black cat loving someone didn't walk in the door in the next hour, her life would be cut short and she might have to admit things might have been better as a warlock's familiar.Laith Aris had spent his life as an unwanted mediocre warlock-lion hybrid. Hell, he was a rare black lion when he shifted and his magic was sporadic at best. His parents loved him but even they admitted that it might be best if he never mated. Neither species paid him much mind, and he was fine with the situation. He kept to himself mostly, dated humans when lonely - he was a bit of a ladies man in fact - and took care of his bookshop that specialized in rare editions. Everything would be perfect if the damn mice would leave his books alone.Note: Originally published as part of the "A Guide to Claiming a Scaredy Cat" anthology.