4.5 stars

I adore this short story. It was another Psy-Changeling story included in the book Wild Invitation. Not all authors can write a great novella, but so far this author is 2 for 2 with me.

Zach, a soldier with the DarkRiver pack, meets schoolteacher Annie when picking his nephew up from school. Annie isn’t exactly shy, but she’s a bit of an introvert. Zach’s confidence and blatant flirting throw her off at first as Annie feels she’s always seen as not living up to other’s expectations. But Zach is drawn to Annie and cannot wait to learn more about her.

This story is very sweet. Zach knows body language and is very observant so he not only seems to intuit Annie’s needs, but he also understands her reticence once he meets her parents and spends more time with her. He’s patient and kind but never lets her doubt how much he wants her. Annie finally has someone who believes in her as much as she believes in herself.