by Alexis Davie
* * *
THE END
Shifter Pursuit
Prologue
The party was in full swing, a swarm of laughing women toasting each other in a sea of disbelief and happiness as they sipped champagne.
None of the other guests had arrived at the Kappa Mu Pi house, but the idea was to bask in the glory of the year’s end and exam finals amongst just the girls.
The din was nearly deafening, and half a dozen juniors stole away from the hub of activity and made their way into the backrooms toward MJ’s, where they had agreed to meet, giggling at the secrecy of the assembly.
“This is just like pledging,” Molly whispered, her eyes wide and amused.
“Hopefully with less abuse,” Megan replied worriedly, and the others chuckled in agreement, knocking gently on the door.
From inside, MJ’s voice called out, “Come in.”
They ventured into the room and curiously looked around at the small group gathered there.
All of them were juniors about to embark on their senior year. Of course they knew each other, if only by name, but they were a family after all, bonded by the sisterhood of the sorority.
Their eyes—all of them a different color: blue, brown, green, and hazel—studied one another with mild interest. but unlike the rest of the house, the room was filled with a moderate quietness, as if an air of anticipation sat heavily above them.
None of them could say for certain why they had been called to the gathering, and each was eager to find out.
“Is that everyone?” MJ asked, doing a head count while the other fourteen girls stood, unsure of how to respond.
“What is this about?” Erin demanded, glancing at her watch as if she had somewhere else to be. “I have—”
Her sentence was abruptly cut short as an extension door opened and Sylvie entered, her long gown sweeping across the ground to make her appear as if she was floating toward them.
Mouths gaped to the floor in unison as they stared at her, licking their lips in nervousness.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” Sylvie called sweetly, plopping onto MJ’s bed and staring at them with startling blue eyes. “Congratulations on making it to your senior year.”
There was a nervous murmur of collective “thank yous,” but the women could not stop staring at the eerily beautiful actress, who had been president at Kappa Mu Pi during her years at college. It looked as if she hadn’t aged a day, even though she had to be at least thirty-five years old.
She was an icon in their circles, an internationally known thespian. Never had she graced them with a private meeting in the past.
“This is something huge,” Courtney whispered, and Beth nodded in agreement.
“I imagine you are wondering what this is about,” Sylvie continued, smiling brightly at them, and her statement was met with a variety of nods.
The icy blonde beauty sat back and closed her eyes for a long moment.
“Since the day Kappa Mu opened its doors in 1901,” she said, “we have been blessed with something other sororities cannot claim, something… ethereal.”
The women held their breaths, hanging off every word she spoke, even though no one understood what they meant.
“Perhaps it was the women we chose to join our path,” Sylvie continued, “or the unity we created. For whatever reason, it exists, and it is our duty—your duty—to maintain the integrity of our sorority.”
She waited for the words to settle in as looks of confusion began to pass from girl to girl.
“There are beings in this world, ladies. Beings you have met dozens of times in your life, whether you understand it or not, but you have felt their hands, heard their words. They are as real as you or I appear, but beneath the surface, they are different. They are shifters.”
A combination of giggles and gasps filled the room, and Sylvie allowed them, a serene smile on her face.
“I know,” she went on. “It sounds unbelievable, but I assure you, it is so.”
“Like werewolves?” Kellie chortled.
“And dragons?” Sarah laughed.
The snickers grew louder.
Abruptly, Sylvie’s face contorted, her canine teeth elongating as she flew up from the bed, hissing as she levitated toward the ceiling.
“And vampires,” she snarled, baring her fangs.
The women fell back, terrified and awed.
Sylvie fell casually back to the bed as if nothing had occurred, examining her nails.
“You have a duty, ladies,” she repeated. “You must keep your eyes open and find these creatures, for they are your mates. Every senior Kappa must find her mate in these shifters. When you pledged, you were chosen because of your ancestry. All of you have a direct lineage to shifters, and some to vampires, although your shifting abilities are dormant since you are many generations removed.”
“Are you saying you want us to… sleep with these beasts?” Lisa gasped, her face pale.
“You are being forced to do nothing,” Sylvie assured her. “You may find yourself pleasantly attracted to them. You likely have been before.”
Amy scoffed. “Not likely,” she growled.
Sylvie only continued to smile warmly. “Never say never, my dear,” she replied, winking. “The heart wants what the heart wants.”
The women looked at each other, uncomfortable and unsure of how to respond, but there was no need for them to say anything.
Sylvie had vanished into thin air.
A long silence ensued until one girl finally broke it.
“That was ridiculous!” Kristy spat, turning to leave. “And with party tricks, too! I don’t have time for this ridiculousness. I’m leaving on a summer trip, and I have a million things to do. I’m out of here.”
The other women murmured in agreement, following behind her.
But no one could deny that Sylvie’s words echoed heavily inside them and followed them around for the rest of the summer.
1
Deserted
Molly reached into the cooler, pulling out another beer.
May as well, she thought. If Jess isn’t here by now, she’s not going to be here tonight, no matter what she’s claiming.
The beer was helping her foul mood, but Molly should have been used to Jessica’s incessant propensity for lateness—which, in this case, was a full day behind.
She’ll be here tomorrow, and we can meet up with the others like we planned. We’ll just drive through the night. Nothing we haven’t done before.
She glanced wistfully at her Harley, wishing she had gone for a ride before she’d had too much to drink, but the time for that was gone. Evening had fallen, and Molly looked reluctantly at the unlit fire pit, slightly too comfortable in her folding chair to act. She hadn’t brought enough food for a two-night camping trip, anyway. There was no point in lighting a fire.
I’ll have to find somewhere to eat, she realized, reluctantly standing up from her seat. She had seen a biker bar on her way into the Santa Fe Lake Camp Ground. It would be in their best interest to serve food. It would be bad business—not to mention madness—to serve beer to a bunch of men that size without anything else to counter it.
Molly knew that the bar was within walking distance, and given her state of mind, it was best that she was in stumbling distance to her tent.
Next year, I don’t come alone, she vowed, snatching her leather jacket from the back of her chair and grabbing her purse from the ground. The only problem was that she had no real way to secure her cooler, so she simply slipped it in the tent and hoped for the best. Not that she had anything to worry about in Williams, Arizona.
It wasn’t the danger Molly was afraid of; it was boredom.
The campground near Santa Fe Lake was filled with families. There was not an unattached man over the age of eighteen in sight, let alone one who could possibly appeal to her.
If Molly had known she would be waiting two days for Jessica, she might have gone for a hotel, but it was too late
now. She had already paid for her site, and her tent was set up. She wasn’t going anywhere, except to collect some food and maybe have another beer.
She cast one last look around the quiet area and spun to walk away, eyeing her motorcycle.
No one will dare touch it, Molly assured herself. Not if they know what’s good for them.
As her father had always told her, “Molly Magee, the only two things you should pay for in life are your education and your wheels. Take pride in both.”
Molly had heeded the advice like gospel, and she had only spent her own money in her education and in her Hog.
Whenever she was home for the summer, she ensured she got as much use as she could out of the vehicle. Or, at least, she tried to.
Molly cast aside her negative thoughts.
Tomorrow is another day, she thought, decided not to curse Jessica for her lateness anymore. We still have time to catch up with the rest of the crew in Phoenix… if Jess ever gets here.
They had communicated via text, and her childhood friend had assured her that she would be there the following day, if not that same night, come hell or high water.
More likely hell will claim her before the great flood, Molly thought, giggling to herself.
Her black Dr. Martens kicked up the dirt as she strolled purposefully from the campground. Although it was nearly eighty-five degrees, she slipped on her leather jacket over her plain black t-shirt and reached for a packet of gum from the inside pocket. Popping a piece in her mouth, Molly continued toward the bar she had seen on the edge of town.
She quickly found the run-down roadhouse, and Molly’s heart skipped a beat in anticipation. More than a dozen people stood outside the establishment, smoking cigarettes and laughing as she approached.
Loud country music was twanging through the open windows, and Molly could hear more chuckling from inside the walls.
A smile broke out over her pixie-like face, and she nodded to herself.
Now this is more like it, she thought happily.
“Well, hot damn!” one drunken fool catcalled Molly as she sauntered toward the building. “What’s your name, baby?”
Molly flashed him a dry smile as he nudged his friends, licking his lips.
“They got food in this joint?” she asked instead.
The man broke away from the crowd and stumbled toward her, grinning charmingly. “Baby, I’ll take you somewhere real classy to eat.”
His friends laughed as Molly rolled her eyes and left him in the parking lot.
“Hey, wait!” he bellowed after her, but Molly paid him no mind. She wasn’t looking forward to making friends that evening.
Inside, the din was almost deafening, between the boisterous conversation and the music piping through a beat-up juke box in the corner. Not many people were inside, though the noise indicated otherwise.
Molly made her way up to the bar and slid onto a stool, catching the bartender’s attention right away.
“You’re not from around here, are ya, kid?” the older man growled.
Molly grinned disarmingly. “Do I seem that out of place?” she asked innocently, but the bartender did not return her smile.
“This is no place for a little girl,” he told her flatly. “There are more places up the road. You’ll have more luck there.”
A combination of indignation and concern coursed through Molly. Before she could protest, the man from outside slid beside her on the stool.
“Get the lady a drink, Mario!” he yelled, drunkenly slapping the counter.
Mario seemed taken aback by the order, and Molly stared at him to see what he would do.
“What are you waiting for?” the young man shouted. “I said, get her a drink!”
“Sure, Caden,” muttered the barkeep, and Molly’s dark eyebrows rose in surprise. “What’ll it be?” the bartender asked begrudgingly.
“A Bud, if you have it,” she answered.
Mario grunted and turned away to oblige, leaving Molly somewhat stunned by the exchange.
Why would that guy take orders from this inebriated ass? she wondered, turning to offer Caden an appreciative smile.
“What’s your name, sweetie?” Caden slurred. “You sure are beautiful!”
“Thank you,” she said, offering her hand for a shake. “I’m Molly.”
Maybe I didn’t come here to make friends, she thought, but it looks like I shouldn’t be too hasty. Mario would have thrown me out of here if it wasn’t for this guy.
“Caden,” he introduced himself, although Molly already knew that. “Wow. I cannot believe how beautiful you are!”
Molly stifled a sigh. She was starting to reconsider her own advice.
He’s already starting to annoy me, she thought. I hope he’s on his way home.
But she had a bad feeling she was going to be stuck with him for a while. Maybe she should’ve listened to Mario and gotten the hell out of there while she could have.
The bartender dropped a bottle in front of her, turning leave.
“Hey! You got any food here?” she demanded.
Mario sneered at her. “Does this look like a McDonald’s, girl? I told you, there are better places up the road.”
“Don’t talk to her that way!” Caden cried, jumping from his stool and waving his fist at the server. “She’s staying here with me as my guest!”
“Caden,” Mario said in a low voice. “There is no need to get upset…”
But Caden seemed incensed.
Molly was immediately on guard. “I’m just gonna go,” she said, rising from her stool.
“No!” Caden objected. He turned back to Mario. “See what you’ve done? You’ve upset the beautiful girl! Say you’re sorry to her, Mario!”
Molly had heard enough, and she fumbled through her purse for a five to drop on the bar. She was painfully aware that all eyes were on her as she turned to leave.
Well, this is awkward, she thought grimly, annoyed at Caden and his overreacting.
“Where are you going now?” the guy howled, and Molly was becoming nonplussed. When she tried to smile, the gesture came across as a grimace of disgust.
“I’m going to find something to eat,” she informed him, walking toward the door, hoping he wouldn’t follow her. Of course, her silent wish went unanswered, and as she walked into the parking lot, she felt Caden grab her arm.
“I told you, baby,” he growled, “I’ll take you somewhere to eat.”
Molly wretched her arm away from him. “No, thanks,” she said tightly.
The people outside paused to watch the scene unfolding, but, to Molly’s surprise, no one interceded as Caden tightened his grip on her.
“Hey!” he snapped. “No one walks away from me!”
Nervousness filled Molly.
“Let go of me!” she cried, trying to wrest herself free. His hold only seemed to grow tighter. Molly knew there was going to be a bruise despite the leather jacket between his hand and her flesh.
She looked helplessly around at the group, but everyone seemed to simultaneously look away.
Molly was shocked. Are they seriously just going to let him grab at me like this?
It seemed unlike the bikers she had known, but still, no one made any move to assist her.
“Come on!” Caden insisted. “My bike is right here.” He gestured at his Harley. Despite Molly’s apprehension, she let out a stunned laugh.
“I’m not getting on a bike with you!” she snapped. “You’re drunk!”
Caden’s hazel eyes narrowed dangerously. “What did you say?” he spat.
Molly heard the group of bikers around them collectively inhale, as if she had just spouted blasphemy.
What the hell is wrong with these people? she asked herself. Why are they acting like this kid is king?
“Caden, let her go.”
Molly’s head whipped around, and she slowly exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding as a man stood behind her, glowering at Caden.
; “Mind your own damned business, Victor,” Caden rasped, pulling Molly closer. She was surprised at the strength he possessed, considering his seemingly small size.
The stranger stepped forward, his dark eyes flashing with anger. “Let her go,” he said again, but there was a stoic tone to his voice, almost as if he was bored with the situation. “You’re making an ass out of yourself—again.”
Caden’s mouth dropped open.
The door to the bar opened, and Molly watched most of the men who had been inside spill out, whispering in hushed tones as they watched on.
“What did you just say to me?” Caden hissed, suddenly dropping Molly’s arm.
She stumbled back, sensing something dark was about to unfold right in front of her.
They men stared each other down, eyes locking in an unspoken power struggle, but Molly’s money was on Victor. He was twice as big as Caden, and despite his seemingly calm exterior, she could feel the animus radiating from of him.
“You heard me,” Victor retorted. Molly could not tear her eyes away from his face, and he appeared to grow larger before her eyes.
“Victor!” someone hissed from the group. “Get back! What are you doing?”
But the larger man ignored him and advanced toward Caden.
“Go home and sleep it off,” Victor continued.
His almost black eyes shifted toward Molly. His gaze was so intense that it was like he was trying to tell her something. Like he was trying to send her a message: move away as far as you can.
Inherently, Molly understood his silent words, and she scurried backward, her eyes still fixated on what seemed to be an impending fight.
Suddenly, Caden released a feral, terrifying howl, and he dropped onto all fours and raised his head towards the night sky.
What the hell…?
A hand flew to Molly’s mouth as she watched, in horrified fascination, how Caden transformed into a wolf-like beast: claws emerging from his fingers, fur covering his body, and his gleaming canines bared, advancing towards Victor.