Shifters of Shadow Falls Collection (Books 1-3) (14 page)

“Enough!”  Alec reprimands his colleagues.

Dom snarls and Caleb’s smile slips as he glares at Natalia.  My heart hurts for Lizie. 
Broken wolf.
  She blows off the comment with a laugh that she’s known for, while shrugging and rolling her eyes.  I know it hurts her though.  I can see it in her eyes. 

“Carol will be here in five.  Then we’ll get this press conference done and over with.”  Alec walks to the window to study the forest with a stern look on his face.  I don’t understand how he’s aligned with the two of these pricks.  I’m also not sure
who
he is.  Or
what
he is. 

“I see you have a new pet Veronica.”  Remy eyes travel along Veronica’s body with obvious desire.  It surprises me since I figured he was with Natalia.  Even more unexpected is Natalia’s heated gaze at his comment.

“I’m her mate.”  Vince’s strong voice is relaxed.  He’s not threatened in the least.  The lack of offense seems to throw Remy off.

“You let the dogs speak for you now?”  Natalia picks up where Remy left off. 
What a fucking bitch!
  All eyes turn to Veronica for her response.  She tilts her chin up slightly and leans into Vince’s embrace which makes him smile.  She kisses his cheek and then turns to face me. 

“Don’t mind the bitch in heat comment,” I meet Veronica’s dark eyes, “you can’t help the heat and there’s nothing wrong with being a bitch.”  She turns in Vince’s arms and starts to lead him towards the hall.

“You’re turning your back on the authority, sweetheart?”  Natalia asks casually to their backs with a cocked brow and a threatening smirk.

Veronica returns the same smile and answers easily.  “My back no, but I’ve been known to turn a blind eye.  Wouldn’t you agree, darling?”   The vampire pales and her thin lips press into a hard line.

“Come pup, this doesn’t concern us.  You need to show me around,” she grins deviously and takes his hand as she waltzes to the doorway, “start with your bedroom.  I have a treat for you.”

He returns an asymmetric grin, “yes, Mistress.”  She blushes so violently at his words, her cheeks blister red.  I smile unconsciously as I watch the massive, rugged beast allow his small, feminine mate to lead him away from us. 

Chapter 2: Dom

              I sit back in the seat, but then immediately sit forward.  I hate that I’m not sitting next to her.  Carol bursts through the door in her dramatic, typical fashion.  She pops the gum in her mouth and removes the buds in her ear.  The noise flowing from them fills the room.  It’s a wonder how she’s not deaf. 

              She smiles brightly as she enters.  “So where are my humans?”  Her sing song voice bounces off the walls.  She reminds me of Lizie as she waltzes across the room with confidence.  Before I got a hold of my mate she had the same carefree air.  The thought makes my scowl deepen. 

              She stands in front of my mate and gasps looking between Caleb and myself.  She points her finger at the two of us, “Well, well, congrats to you lovely lady.  A ménage mating; now that’s something you don’t see everyday.  Fate has certainly blessed you little human.”  Her eyebrows raise and she takes Lizie’s small hand in both of hers.  “Good luck taming these two.”  Caleb bellows a laugh and Lizie smiles shyly. 

“She’s wolf.”  I correct Carol.  “Latent.”  I say the words with pride; nonetheless Lizie’s smile falls and she recoils into Caleb.  I wish I’d kept my stupid mouth shut.  I can’t do a damn thing right by her. 

“Oh,” Carol perks up even more, “well that’s wonderful dear.”  She purses her lips and taps her heel.  “But it’s a PR nightmare.”  My brows furrow and Carol answers my unasked question.  “A latent wolf on human territory?”  She shakes her head.  “It’ll be a conspiracy of course.  That we set her up as a spy of sorts.”  She tisks.  “It’s a shame, but we’re going to have to have to stay with the human version.” 

“We’re on in five.”  Alec positions a chair angled towards the sofa and turns the camera on, moving a screen away from the camera and flipping it so we can view the human newscasters.

“Alright Daddy.”  Carol answers him easily.

“Daddy?”  I feel the urge to smile at Ari’s curious look.

“He’s not really my Daddy.”  Carol winks at the alpha mate loudly whispering her flirtatious response and takes a seat, fixing her skirt and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.  She exposes her teeth, “no lipstick right?”  She sucks her teeth while Ari shakes her head, grinning at Carol.  A warmth settles through me as I watch Lizie relax.  Carol and Ari are good for her. 

“She’ll be alright,” Caleb’s words sound in my head as he pats her knee and kisses her forehead.  A faint blush appears on her cheeks.  I love the look of her flushed skin.

“Okay ladies and gents.  I’ll field the questions.  You just play along.”  Caleb and Dom nod slightly as Lizie fiddles with her fingers before Ari takes her hand and squeezes.  “Any questions?  It’s now or never.”  Ari shakes her head and Lizie follows suit.  Alec hands Carol a mic that she immediately turns on and taps lightly.  The sound vibrates through the room making her smile.  There’s an innocence in Carol that hundreds of decades of violence has yet to break. 

“There’s a five second delay in case we need to cut the feed.”  Alec speaks only to Carol as he gets behind the camera.  “We’re live in three, two,” he finishes by mouthing “one.”

“Hello Carol,” we hear the human’s voice from the screen.

“Hi, Karen.  How are you this evening?”  Carol’s sweet voice takes an edge of professionalism.  It’s her mask for the humans.

“We’re all a bit anxious over here to see the state of Elizabeth Weatherly and Ariana Windom.  I can see they’re sitting with you now.  Is that right?”

“They are.  I can assure you that I was just as anxious.  The authority was prepared to take action and bring justice had the werewolves of Shadow Falls violated the law.  We will always honor our pact with the human nation. However, we have no desire to interfere in this case.  As you can see, both humans are doing well.  The authority’s investigation has determined that no laws were broken.”

“Carol, I have to ask.  Why is it that there was such a difference at this offering?  We’re given so little information that the sight of the Shadow Falls incident was very disturbing for the human population.  It reminded all of us of much darker times.”

“As we promised years ago when we formed our alliance, we will not allow supernatural beings to harm humans that reside in areas of treaties.”  Carol answers with an air of authority and confidence.  “Unfortunately, this offering was different due to mistraining of a wolf.  The werewolf collecting Elizabeth Weatherly was given poor advice on how to handle humans.  As you can imagine, our touch can be intimidating and forceful.”  Carol turns in her seat to face Lizie, “I can only imagine how scared you were.”  Her eyes and tone turn sympathetic.  “Would you like to tell us how you were feeling during the offering?”

Lizie’s arms wrap around her mid section as she answers nodding her head.  “I was scared when he grabbed me.  I wasn’t expecting it.”  Her voice is small but firm. 

“And how were you feeling Miss Windom?” 

“I was scared for Lizie.  She obviously wasn’t okay.”  Ariana’s eyes find Lizie’s and she squeezes her hand. 

“How are the two of you feeling today?  Now that you’ve had time to adjust.”

Lizie and Ari both smile sweetly into the camera.  “We’re much better today.”  Ari answers for both of them.

“I can’t tell you two enough how much the nation is relieved to see that you’re happy and well.”  Carol faces the camera again.  “Do you have any more questions for us Karen?”

The woman on the screen doesn’t hesitate to ask, “what is the purpose of the offering?  Why were they taken?”

Carol’s smile slips and she turns solemn.  “Unfortunately, I’m unable to divulge that information at this time.”  I cross my arms and sit farther back in my seat.  That’s the authority’s game.  Keep us separate and divided with misinformation.  “Any final questions?”

“Are we going to see them again?  Can we be updated on their progress?”  The newscaster sounds hopeful.

“That’s a possibility Karen.”  My eyes flash to Carol.  That would be a first.  She must be lying.  “We understand there is fear in the unknown and we are doing everything we can to dispel your fears of our species.”  She smiles so sincerely at the camera.  She’s such a fucking liar. 

I watch my mate force a smile for the camera as they wrap up this charade.

“I need one of you for the fucker in the shed.”  Devin’s words sound in my head.  Apparently he’s over this and already making plans for the soon to be dead shifter. 

I nod my head and say my silent words, “I’m all yours.” 

“You want me to take care of Lizie on my own?” 

My lips turn down even further at Caleb’s question, “I’m sure she’d rather it just be you.” 

“Knock it off.”

I don’t respond.  It obvious that she reacts differently to our touch.  Why wouldn’t she?  Caleb doesn’t look like the prick who tortured her.  I do.  I don’t know how to make it right.  I can’t change the past.  I’m just grateful she’s going to let me claim her. 

That prick Remy starts packing up the camera and Devin leads the pack back to the kitchen.  I walk behind my mate with my hand on the small of her back.  When she leans in slightly to my touch, I wrap my arm around her waist.  She molds her body to mine with a small sigh.  And then she looks up.  The small smile vanishes and she noticeably withdraws.  It takes all of my effort to remain holding her.  She’ll get used to it.  It fucking hurts, like a damn punch to my chest, but both of us will get past this. 

“I’m sorry Dev.  I hope you know that I truly was hoping you’d found your rightful mate.”  I overhear Alec and Devin’s conversation.

Alpha nods his head and slaps a hand on Alec’s shoulder.  “I hold no ill will against you Alec.  I understand how it looked.”

“I’m pleased we can part on good terms.”  Alec pauses before adding, “I may need you soon.”  This catches Devin’s attention and he stops in the hallway as the rest of the pack fall into the kitchen.  I stay behind to listen in.  Making sure my presence is known.  Devin gives a small, slight nod and I get comfortable, leaning against the wall with my arms crossed.  As I listen, I watch Caleb lead Lizie down the hall to our new room.  Jealousy races through me as she takes his hand easily. 

“Have you heard about the attacks?”

Devin nods slightly, keeping his expression emotionless.

“The vampires are not fairing well now that we’re limiting their food restriction.”

“Then lift the law.  It seems simple enough.”  I agree with Devin.  It was a stupid law to begin with.

“Unfortunately, the authority disagrees.  The majority are against it.  They don’t see a need to drink from a vein when there are other options available.  Especially when it’s the number one cause of sickness in their population.”

“Veronica mentioned her coven wanting a blood bank in Shadow Falls.”

“Did she now?”

“She made it clear that the humans wouldn’t be privy to any information regarding vampires.”  Devin’s quick to defend Veronica.  I nod my head in agreement again.  Not that it’s needed.  She’s Vince’s mate and we will support her.

“Good, good.”

“Is this the way of it now, blood banks?”

“Perhaps.  But the few that have been running have had disturbing results.”  I perk up. 

“How’s that?”

“Several vampires have gone missing.”

“Surely, humans aren’t abducting vampires?”  I notice Natalia and Remy pause their conversation in the other room.  Her wicked eyes drift to Devin and Alec.

“It’s not certain what all is occurring.”

“Hhm.” 

“I just hope that if I need to call on you, you’ll be at the ready.”

“As always Alec.”  The two men brace their hands on each other’s shoulders.  “Next time it would be beneficial for you to come alone,” Devin stares back at Natalia as he says the last word.  Startling her.  I stifle my grin.  Alec chuckles and signals the two vile beings in the other room to leave with him. 

“Good riddance.”  I don’t hide my disgust for that bitch who called my sweet mate broken. 

“Agreed.  But he had to bring back up in case we had ...”  Devin trails off as his eyes find Ari.  “We’ll take care of the issue in the shed in just a moment.”  I keep my spot on the wall as I watch my alpha take his mate in his arms.  She smiles and relaxes in his embrace when she sees him.  One day.  One day soon, I will have that with my mate.

Chapter 3: Ari

              “Dom.  You’re with me.  We have a shifter to question.” 

              I watch Devin and Dom walk out of the kitchen. His bulky shoulders and corded, muscular arms ripple as he stretches out his back and cracks his knuckles.  I have no idea who the hell they’re going to “question” but I’m certain they’ll be getting whatever information they want out of him.  Dom’s almost as tall as Devin.  The sight of the two of them is intimidating.  Just watching Devin move with the skill of a predator sends a chill down my spine.  But knowing what’s underneath that white tee has my pussy clenching in longing.  I stifle my moan.  I’m definitely still in heat.  I hope he isn’t long.  I notice Lev and Jude smirk at each other before Lev opens his mouth.

              “You’re drooling a little there.”  I snort at his response. 

              “I’m just a bitch in heat remember?”  I can’t help the insecure words drenched in sarcasm from slipping out.  In an instant, the two shifters press their lips into a thin line and tense.

              “She’s a bitch and she
wishes
she could go into heat.”  I smile a little at Jude’s flat remark.  I pat his hand as I get up from the kitchen table and go to search the cabinets.  Lizie’s going to need coffee.  She’s a pain in the ass when she goes through withdrawal.  I wish Caleb hadn’t taken her the second the interview was over. 

              “Where’s the coffee machine?”  I ask as I stand on my tip toes and arch my head looking into the tall cabinets searching for some kind of coffee maker. 

              “We don’t have one.”  I accidently slam the door shut in shock at Jude’s words.

              “How do you not have a coffee maker?” 
Seriously?
  They have granite counters top of the line appliances, but no coffee maker? 

              “Easy,” Lev shrugs his shoulders, “we don’t drink it.”

              “Well that’s not going to work.  Then you’ll really see me be a bitch and Liz will top that.  I can guarantee you that.”  I open the fridge and grab the orange juice, but then I squish my nose and put it back when I remember Lev drank from the bottle.  We’re going to have to set up some boundaries.  I tap my foot while looking through the fridge.  Maybe I’ll just write my name on my groceries.  That makes a lightbulb go off in my head.

              “Lev do you know where my clutch is?”

              “Clutch?”

              “The little purse I had at the offering.”  I point to my wrist and shake it as if that’ll give him a clue. 

His lips turn down.  “I don’t think he’d like it if you called someone Ari.” 

“I just need to run to the store and get a few things.  You can keep my phone.  It’s not like I’m ever going to see anyone ever again.”  The thought makes my heart sink a bit, but I just sigh and shake it off.  There’s no use in pining over something I can’t have. 

“If you want to see someone, Devin will make it happen.  You know that right?” 

“No, I don’t know that.” 

“The authority likes to monitor interactions between species.  But he’d move the world for you.  You’d just have to keep it on the down low, you know?”  I let his words sink it, but then brush them off.  Who the fuck am I going to call anyway?  Shadow Falls is a small town full of asshats.  It’s still nice to think that Devin would piss off the authority if I wanted to break their laws. 

I give him a small tight smile.  “I don’t need my phone; I doubt anyone will miss me anyway.”  Their eyes turn sad and they need to fucking stop that.  “Knock it off.  The one person I give a shit about is here with me.”  I point my finger at them.  “And you better believe if she hadn’t been Dom and Caleb’s mate, then we would’ve smuggling her here.”  I reach back into the fridge and settle on lemonade.  There’s only a little missing from the top so at most only one set of lips has been on the mouth of it. 

“Anyway I need my clutch so I can grab some stuff from the store.  I don’t have much cash, but it’s enough.”  I scrunch my nose again.  I have almost a grand in savings.  “Do you guys use banks?”  Jude gives me a sexy grin that makes his clean cut marine look turn bad boy. 

“Which bank do you use?” 

“S and N.”  I tilt my head and frown.  “What’s so funny?”

“Devin owns that one.  And Union trust.”  My eyes bulge. 
Oh shit.

“How did you think we make money?”

“I hadn’t really thought of that.”  Huh, so my mate is a bank owner.  “That’s weird.”

They both grin at me, “how’s that weird?”  I shrug my shoulders.  “Well you don’t need to worry about money; Devin got you a card to use.”

“So what am I supposed to do here?”  I shift uncomfortably before crossing my arms and leaning against the counter.  A small voice in my head whispers, “be the Alpha’s baby maker.”  The thought makes my pussy clench in need, but at the same time, I long for more.

“Whatever you want.”  A stinging sensation travels down my body and my heart slows. 
Whatever I want. 
It’s surreal.  Tears prick at my eyes and I don’t even know why.  I wipe them away and try to compose myself.  Lev gets up from the table with a concerned look on his face.  “You okay, Ari?”

I nod my head as he places a hand on my shoulder.  “Yeah, I just.  I just don’t know what to say.”  I can do
anything
I want.  I let those words sink in.  I can do whatever the hell I want to do.

I worked so fucking hard at these shit jobs just to escape my dad.  I doubt he even gives a shit that I’m gone.  I’ll never have to work for a lazy asshole and smile at pricks who come in just to bitch at someone.  I’ll never have to get up at the break of dawn because my loser coworker has a hangover and can’t work their shift.  I don’t have to worry about money.  No shuffling payment dates just so we can make it through the month.  I never really thought much about any of that shit.  It was just something I had to do.  Everyone has to do it.  And now I don’t.  I can do anything, yet I have no idea what I should do.  I don’t even know what I
want
to do.  I don’t think I’ve ever dreamed beyond what I could reasonably attain. 

Once Lizie and I talked about opening our own bookstore; we practically ran the place ourselves anyway.  But it wasn’t anything that could be a reality.  I knew better than to dream for something I’d never have.  Shit, I’d just barely been able to have the freedom to escape the shit life I’d been given.  I fucking loved my tiny-ass apartment with Lizie and making the best with what we had.  Other than Lizie, I had nothing.  Nothing worth anything.  Thank God I had her. 

At least I knew who I was though.  I was the hard-ass bitch with her shit together.  I knew life would get better one day and that as long as we were together, we’d survive and make the best of every situation.  But, who am I now?  Devin just bulldozed his way through my life and I don’t know what’s left in the rubble.  I should be grateful, I
am
grateful.  But other emotions are raging through me.  Surprisingly, fear is the overriding one.  Am I just supposed to lay down for him and let him knock me up?  Which brings me back to my scare this morning.  I need birth control. 

“I need to get somethings.”  I bite the inside of my cheek, making a mental list.  The morning after pill listed at the very top.  “And I know Liz is going to want coffee.  Do you have like a werewolf Starbucks?”  They grin again.

“You can order whatever you want and have it delivered.”

“What if I want to go out and go shopping.”  I’m sure as hell not staying here like a prisoner.  Even if it is a gilded cage. 

“There are a few shopping malls a few towns over; right now may not be the best time for you to go alone with everything going on.  It’s a bit of a drive, but if you want to get out of here we can take you.” 

“What about Starbucks?” 

“Sorry Ari, you’ll have to order it and have it delivered.”  I nod my head.  That’s not a bad option. 

“Let’s order Lizie’s coffee and head out so I can pick some stuff up.  Which room is her’s?”

As I ask the question Vince strolls into the kitchen in sweats, no shirt, and a belt strapped around his neck.  It hits him in the chest a few times while he walks and an irritated look covers his face before he swings it over his shoulder.

“Yo, what’re you guys talking about?”  He grins mischievously, heading to the fridge.

“Shopping trip.”  Jude gives a clipped response. 

“Ah, I think Veronica said she wanted to go out and get coffee.”  I purse my lips and make a mental note. 

“Why do you let her treat you like that?”  I speak the words without thinking and then immediately regret it, but Vince doesn’t take offense.  Thank God.  I don’t know why I’m such a judgmental bitch sometimes.

“Let her?  I gave her the idea.”  He smiles like he’s the proud kid who won the spelling bee and grabs a soda.  Lev snorts a laugh and Jude chuckles. 

“Seriously?”  How can he like being degraded like that?  I just don’t get it. 

“Yeah.  I fucking
love
it when she calls me pup.”

“I don’t get how you can like that.”

“What’s your favorite color?”  Abroad smile grows larger on his face as he leans against the counter.

“What?”

“What’s your favorite color?”  He repeats his question with strained humor.

“Purple.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why is it your favorite color?”  A smug look crosses his face.

I nod my head as I pick up on his thinking.  “There doesn’t have to be a reason.” 

“Exactly.”  He claps his hands loud in front of him.

“Don’t you feel disrespected though?”  His brows furrow and a small frown pulls his lips down.  Maybe I pushed too far.  Damn my stupid mouth.  He finally shakes his head.

“Not at all.  I’m earning her pleasure.”  His smile returns.  “And she’s earning my trust.  Fuck, she has my trust.  I know she’s going to take care of me.”  Lev and Jude choke out a laugh again as he tosses the belt back over his shoulder.  “Fucking thing keeps getting in my way though.” 

“It’s just like you and Dev.  Isn’t it?” Lev asks.  My eyes narrow.  Fuck no, this isn’t like us at all.  “He’s earning your trust isn’t he?”

“Yeah, but not like that.”  Vince laughs a bellowing chortle and his silver eyes brighten. 

“It works both ways, sweetie.  Just cause our kink’s a bit different from yours doesn’t change anything.  He’s gaining your desire to please him isn’t he?  And proving that you can trust him to make sure your every desire and need is met?”  I purse my lips in contemplation.

I let his words sink it as he strides out of the room, but I end up focusing on a single question.

How can he be making sure my every need and want is met, when I don’t even know what I want or need anymore?