An unwilling shapeshifter -- #MFRWHooks #PNR #ShapeShifter

Greetings and Happy Wednesday!

It’s time again for the MFRW Book Hooks blog hop. I’ve got an exclusive excerpt from my newly released paranormal erotic romance, The Eyes of Bast. Hope you like it!

Blurb

Trust your heart. Follow your dreams.

When instinct tells Shaina to visit the feral cat trap she’s set in Central Park, she listens to that inner voice. The sleek black cat she finds has a terrible secret. Tom is an unwilling shape shifter, cursed by a sorceress who craved a human plaything. Shaina vows to defeat the vicious but seductive witch and save the man she believes is her soul mate—though it might mean losing him forever.

The Hook 

Thank God it was Sunday. Otherwise, I’d have had to call in sick. There was no way I was going to leave Tom alone in my apartment. I honestly had no idea what he’d do. Something told me I needed to keep him safe.

The creature who’d been my dream lover only hours previously crouched in a corner, his tense body compact, his black fur bristling. His wary gaze followed my every move, but he’d emit an ominous growl whenever I tried to approach him. I ached to touch him, to soothe him. He wouldn’t let me come any closer than about three feet.

“Tom, please. It’s okay. It’s me—Shaina. You can trust me, you know that…”

His feral manner made me wonder, though, how much he could recall in his animal state. Did he in fact recognize me as his amorous partner from the night before? Or even as the woman who’d freed him and tended to his wound? Had fear and instinctive caution so overwhelmed his humanity that he viewed me as a potential threat?

Still, he’d been far friendlier before I’d learned his secret. Why had his behavior changed? He must somehow be concerned that I’d hurt him because of his dual nature.

In the end, I gave up trying to coax him. I knew from long experience that a cat’s stubbornness will wear out a human’s patience every time. Placing food and water bowls within the reach of his corner, I retreated to the far end of the apartment, curled up on the sofa, and picked up the mystery I’d been reading for the past few days.

I tried not to think too much of what I’d seen that morning. It was impossible, unbelievable, and yet I knew very well I hadn’t been asleep. “Don’t let your beliefs blind you to reality.” I could almost hear Gram’s voice. I didn’t believe that a man could turn into a cat—but I’d seen it happen. Unfortunately, it seemed the cat wouldn’t forgive me for that mistake. His rejection hurt more than I would ever have expected.

The long day wore on. Every now and again, I’d hazard a glance in Tom’s direction. Although he seemed uninterested in the kibble, I was heartened to see him taking a drink. Around five p.m., he slunk off to the bathroom to use the litter box, giving the couch a wide berth as he did so.

On the return trip, he stopped in the middle of the room, settled onto his haunches and stared at me.

“What is it? How can I help you, Tom?”

“Mrew.” He tilted his head toward the open Venetian blinds. I understood immediately, hastening to the window and pulling the cord to close them tight. I blinked in the sudden dimness.

“Mrowr.”

I couldn’t quite interpret this vocalization. “Is that what you wanted?” When I took a step toward him, he backed away. My chest hurt—I wanted so much to run my hand along his back, smoothing and caressing his sleek black coat—but he still would not allow it.

“Mrowr,” the feline repeated. He rose, paced in the direction of the bathroom then turned back to me, fixing those gleaming eyes on my face. “Mreeor.”

The room grew darker. I began to switch on the overhead light but stopped as I suddenly understood.

The sun had nearly set. And he didn’t want me to see him change.

Buy Links

Kinky Literature – https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/4072-the-eyes-of-bast-/

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4LVYDLH

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4LVYDLH

Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1390042

Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-eyes-of-bast-lisabet-sarai/1121761796?ean=2940166056207

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-eyes-of-bast-2

Apple Books - https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6448929321

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150375804-the-eyes-of-bast

Be sure to visit the other authors participating in today's Book Hooks hop!

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