A reindeer out of season meets a lone wolf, and sparks and fur fly.

Venny can’t believe she missed mating season! With her body in an uproar and no males free, this reindeer high tails it to the Crossroads in search of a male to quench her fire. With her own species out of the running she is willing to experiment, and while the wolf she meets knows she’s a dear, he has no idea she’s a deer. One lone wolf against a horny reindeer…what chance does he have?

Excerpt:

One chance, she had one chance at a male, and she blew it. No one in her community wanted an albino. She was a beacon for hunters in the summer and invisible in the winter. Her red eyes were considered freaky, and her other form could not wear the contact lenses that she put in every morning.

Venny sobbed and wailed. It was early enough that she only disturbed a few joggers, one of which stopped to check on her.

The woman smelled of magic and had a decidedly friendly gleam in her eye. “Are you all right?”

“No. I don’t think I am.”

“Is there someone I can call to help you?”

Venny sniffled and got to her feet. “No. I have to make a few calls, but it will be better to do it in the privacy of my car.”

The woman frowned. “You shouldn’t be driving in your condition.”

“I will be fine. I just needed to get into the wild for a few minutes.”

The woman touched her arm. “A deer?”

Venny blinked in surprise. “Sort of.”

The woman laughed. “How can you be sort of a deer?”

“I am a reindeer. I look like a goat crossed with a moose.” She twisted her lips.

“You are very rare in this part of the world.”

“That I am. It is why not having a mate is such a big deal. My promised mate is shacked up with my cousin.” She blurted her shame out to this stranger, and it felt so good to get it out.

The woman flicked her fingers and a business card appeared. “Here. Call this if you need a lift after you run out of options. My price is hair from you and two relatives. Give me a call.”

Venny smiled and wiped at her face. “Thank you.” She read the card, “Krisia.”

The woman winked. “Call me Kris.” Without another word, the jogger disappeared.

Venny walked back to her car with the card tucked into her bra. Inside her vehicle, she called the local Herd Master. “Hello, Master Pierce.”

“Venny, you are home. Congratulations. How can I help you?” His rich tones rolled over her ears.

“I need to speak to the shaman.”

“What is wrong?”

She was bluntly honest. “Kevin is no longer willing, and my time is coming. I need to find a mate fast.”

Silence fell on the other side of the line. “He was promised to you?”

“Of course. You knew that. We even went through the vow in front of witnesses.” She frowned.

“Come to my place. I will have the shaman meet us here. I will explain then.”

The phone went dead, so she disconnected her end and buckled up.

Curious, she started her car and drove for an hour to meet with Herd Master Pierce.

He met her in the drive, and he bowed low. “I apologize. Kevin lied to me, and I gave him authorization to mate with your cousin, Tasia.”

She reeled at that bit of information. “What did he say?”

From his bent position, he answered, “He said that you had released him from his vow, and he was free to mate Tasia.”

Venny twitched. “That sounds like something he would do.”

“He is out of the herd.”

“What?”

Pierce stood straight, his deep brown eyes angry. “He has lied to his Herd Master and disregarded vows given in front of witnesses. Would you have him back if he were free?”

She shuddered. “No matter how bad it gets, I will say no. I don’t want a man who does not want me in return.”

“Good. Jane is waiting inside. She has prepared a ritual to cleanse you of all ties to Kevin, and she will talk to you about options to locate a mate for you. Of course, you know I am still willing.”

She patted his arm. “Thank you, Pierce, but you know you are meant for someone else. Someone who doesn’t skate the far side of acceptability.”

It was a bone of contention between them. The herd master was willing to take her on as a mate, but being an albino meant that she would never have dominant status in the herd, and it would create a situation where she could be manipulated. He would be manipulated by association.

Their attraction was mutual, but it was Venny who put the brakes on it. He needed more than she could be. He needed normal.