A Magical Shift: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves, and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 1) (3 page)

Rye loped back to his friend, and then went on the offensive, once more managing to get in a few good gouges before retreating. As they became more energized by having fun, their growls and snarls rang through the forest.

“Hey, you two,” Chelsea shouted.

Rye stopped. Man, he hadn’t even sensed his sister was near. He was losing it. Chelsea was carrying the puppy who appeared quite content. “I stopped by to tell you that Badger is going to be okay, thanks to you big brother.”

Badger was a cute name, but in his shifted form, he couldn’t tell her that. Times like this, the restriction of whom he could communicate with was frustrating and inconvenient. If he shifted back into his human form, however, he’d be naked. Usually that wasn’t a big deal, but this was his sister, so he remained in his animal form. Kalan had enough sense to do the same.

“I don’t want to interrupt your playtime, boys; I’m just delivering the good news.” She held up a palm and continued, “No need to shift on my account.”

Kalan roared.

“Because I don’t need to see anyone’s private parts, that’s why, especially my brother’s.” She acted as if she understood what Kalan’s roar meant. With a grin, she waved goodbye. “Later.”

She spun around and rushed back the way she came. This time, Rye howled at her hasty retreat. As soon as she was out of sight, they shifted and headed inside to dress. As much as Rye enjoyed the quick tussle, his neck was stiff from Kalan flipping him over. He rubbed the sore area near his shoulder, hitting a sensitive spot.

“You should get a massage and have your aura cleansed at the Crystal Winds Spa,” Kalan said.

“Great idea. While I’m there, I’ll make sure to get a mani-pedi too.” He glared at his friend. “Hell no, I’m not going to a spa. That’s for women.”

“Not true. Both our dads claim Kathryn Berta has the hands of a goddess. One hour under her talented fingers, along with some crystals and aroma therapy, and you’ll be good as new.” Kalan tapped his chest. “I’ve been, and afterward, I felt like a new man. In fact, after the day I’ve had, I might make an appointment for myself.”

“You’ve never said anything before.”

“Because I knew you’d ridicule me.”

That was probably true, and if ever there was a time that he needed a clear head, this was it. “I’ll think about it, but if I do go, you absolutely cannot tell anyone.”

Kalan laughed. He made the motion of zipping up his mouth and throwing away the key. “Go take your shower, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As soon as his friend left, Rye hurried to wash off the stench and think. He loved his job and he loved his Clan, but he had a hard time prioritizing what needed to be his main focus. Should he work his way up the fireman’s ladder so to speak, or throw all of his energy into being the best possible Alpha?

Right now, what he needed was a shower and a good night’s sleep.

After the much-needed shower, Rye crawled into bed but found it was hard to turn off his brain, despite his exhaustion. He would doze for a while, and then wake up again thinking about the Changelings and what he and the other shifters could do to contain them.

By the time morning arrived, he was agitated and pissed off that he’d let himself lose sleep over those mutant werewolves. Even before he had a cup of coffee, he called the Berta home, hoping Kathryn could fit him in for a relaxing aura cleansing.

She answered after the first ring. “So nice to hear from you, Ryerson.” He asked if she was free. “For you, I’ll find the time. How about nine? We’ll have your aura cleansed and your muscles relaxed in no time. In case you don’t know, for privacy purposes, we do our cleansing for your family and the Murdochs at the house next to mine.”

“Izzy’s place?” he asked. Her parents had given it to her when she’d graduated from college, but she hadn’t lived there in the last four years.

“Yes.”

“Sounds great and thank you. I’ll see you soon.”

Once Rye disconnected, his energy actually perked up knowing he might soon be able to figure out a few things. He quickly brewed his coffee and fried three eggs and some bacon. By the time he had finished eating, he was running late and left his dishes in the sink.

He hopped into his black Ford Escape and headed down Riverside Drive toward the Berta compound, admiring the sparkles shooting off the stream that connected Silver Lake to Wendayan Cove. He and his father had visited the Berta family last year when Kathryn’s husband, Len, had needed some help.

A burst of energy speared him at seeing the well-kept, pretty, yellow house with white shutters. Sitting on about two acres, the wood frame home had a nice porch and a long pathway lined with flowers that led to the street. A small but well-tended garden was to the west of Izzy’s single-story home.

Once he parked, Rye cut the engine and jumped out. Instantly, the sounds of the distant waterfall settled his nerves. As he continued up the pathway, he inhaled the sweet scent of the honeysuckle that bordered the path. Nice.

Rye knocked, and when the door opened, his body practically exploded with unbridled lust.

No, no, no.
This couldn’t be happening. Not now.

‡

R
ye could only
stare. Izzy was more beautiful than he remembered. Her wide-set deep blue eyes shone with happiness and her full ruby lips were made for kissing.

“Rye! How nice to see you again.” She held out her hand, not knowing that her presence was making his body go wild with need, his wolf demanding to be set free. “Come on in.”

As soon as he shook her soft hand, his attraction magnified. With a five-year age difference, they had rarely run into each other during their school years, but even if they had, he had been nowhere near ready to be mated back then.

Was Izzy his mate? It sure as hell felt like it, but he wasn’t happy about it or willing to admit it just yet.

The shifter community believed Naliana paired up people, and if that were true, he needed to find some way to make the goddess pay since this meeting couldn’t have come at a worse time. As the future Alpha, if he ever did mate, it should be to another wolf.

When she stepped closer, her alluring scent invaded his body. Rye couldn’t quite pinpoint the incredible aroma wafting off her, but it seemed to be a cross between some kind of day lily and hops. Whatever its name, her scent was addictive, provocative, and ever so captivating.

From her outward calmness, she didn’t appear to have any idea they were destined to be together. “I hadn’t heard you’d returned home,” he said, not wanting to just stand there and stare.

A pretty pink hue tinged her pale skin. “My studies overseas were cut short. But enough about me. Mother said you wanted your aura cleansed.” The soft, tempting way she said it sounded like water caressing a leaf after a long drought.

“Yes. With the crime spree last night, I need to clear my head.” She smiled, and his damned dick turned harder than any crystal on one of the nearby shelves.

“Follow me.”

The cozy living room was a combination of light blues, pinks, and greens. The large white sofa with its many tasseled pillows looked very comfortable, and he wondered if Izzy had picked out the furniture before she left the country or if her mom had come in and redecorated. An oil painting of the entire Berta family hung above the brick fireplace, but it was from her earlier years.

He wanted to ask why her mother wasn’t here to perform the cleansing, but that would have been rude. Rye’s dad had come here often to have his aura cleansed, and Rye now regretted not asking him what to expect during this cleansing process, but he’d been too damn arrogant to believe he’d ever need one.

Rye followed Izzy into a small room off the living room where a massage table sat squarely in the middle. The lights were low, soft music was playing, and the scent of incense filled the air. The crystals—pink quartz, black onyx, jade, and a brown stone he didn’t recognize were displayed on a long, narrow table along the side wall. This, along with the lit incense, helped reduce the urge to do something about his mating call—at least for now.

Izzy nodded to the table. “Go ahead and get undressed, and then place the sheet over yourself. I’ll wait outside while you get ready.” She then quietly slipped out of the room.

Was she serious? He wasn’t sure he could be naked anywhere near her and not embarrass himself. He rubbed the outline of his cock that was pressing hard against his jeans. This wasn’t good. No way could he keep his erection from tenting the sheet. He’d have to roll onto his stomach and think of the Changelings, the horrid creatures they were. He’d do anything to take his mind off Izzy’s tantalizing scent.

As he pictured the evil werewolves, his yearning decreased. He quickly undressed, and then climbed onto the table, pleased that he might survive this experience after all. Unfortunately, the moment she returned, his lust surged again. Her sweet fragrance once more invaded his body and wreaked havoc with his libido.

Once Izzy closed the door behind her, the room seemed to shrink in size. Pure disgust at his inability to control his desires slammed into him, and Rye inhaled to push out the prurient thoughts. Men for ages had been dealing with this whole mating thing, and none of them had died—other than from embarrassment—so he just needed to suck it up.

With his face planted firmly in the donut ring, he could only see her feet, but her soft footsteps were enough to indicate her every move. Two hard objects scraped against each other, and then her delicate scent drifted toward him again.

“Now relax,” she crooned. “I’m going to pass these crystals over you. Let yourself feel the recharging aura soak deep into you.”

He let out a breath, relieved she wouldn’t be rubbing oil over his naked skin. If any part of her touched him, he’d be lost for sure. Damn Kalan for suggesting he come here. By the time Izzy was finished with him, he’d probably be more of an emotional mess than before he came, which defeated the original purpose of his visit.

Stop being a baby and let her do her thing.

Trying to take his own advice, he closed his eyes and attempted to push out his frustrations and angry thoughts. It was ridiculous that a woman he hadn’t seen in years could affect him so much. He was built of stronger stuff. Rye would overcome!

For the next half hour, Izzy switched crystals, dragging them up and down his body while chanting words he didn’t understand. Eventually, her soothing tone achieved the goal. His mind cleared somewhat, and his muscles finally relaxed.

She tapped his butt. “We’re done. I’m going to step out now, but I want you to rest here for a few minutes. When you’re ready, get dressed and come join me.”

Not waiting for him to answer, she stepped out of the room. Rye was pleased she had acted totally professional but, dare he say, indifferent to him? Perhaps he’d made a mistake in thinking they were to become mates.

Embarrassed at not having asked enough questions about different species mating, he lifted the sheet and sat up. His intense sexual attraction was probably due to the fact he’d been under so much stress lately and hadn’t bothered to find release with another woman in quite a while. This yearning and need must have been a result of his upcoming responsibilities within the Clan.

Confident he’d figured out the source of his recent discomfort, he slid off the table and tugged on his clothes, feeling stronger than ever. This aura cleansing sure had done the trick.

As he stepped from the room, Izzy was standing in front of the window, the light illuminating her sensually curvaceous body. Her auburn hair was tied back with a green velvet ribbon, and the sunlight streaming in the window created a halo around her. Any man would fantasize about her, so her being his mate wasn’t creating this draw. Add in her other talents and she would be a fine catch—for another Wendayan.

She spun around. Her pupils had dilated as if she was now feeling something for him, but he dismissed it. The change from the bright sunshine to the subdued lighting of her living room must have caused it, or else he somehow reminded her of the bond between the Wendayans and the shifters. He thought he spotted some tiny sparks bursting off her skin but chalked that up to the backlighting too.

To test the theory that this attraction was merely lust and not because they were destined to be together, he thought it best to ask her out. His uncle owned a pub, and while it might not be the classiest place, it was safe and clean. “You interested in having a drink tonight at McKinnon’s Pub and Pool?”

“A drink? Sure. I’d like that. It will be nice to visit with some old friends.”

Good. Her apparent reason for going with him was as her escort. Her friends probably consisted of shifters as well as other Wendayans, so that made sense. His parents once mentioned that her mom, sister, and cousin interacted with humans on a daily basis, so Izzy’s circle of friends might include them too. Regardless of the reason for accepting his invitation, Rye was happy to help. “How about I pick you up at seven? We’ll eat some food and maybe shoot a game of pool.”

She laughed. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to control myself.”