Shifted Illusions

by C. E. Black

  Shifted Illusions

  Alpha Division, Book 5

  C.E. Black

  Contents

  Description

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by C.E. Black

  Edition License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations are entirely coincidental.

  This book contains content that is not suitable for young readers 18 and under.

  Shifted Illusions

  Copyright © 2019 by C.E. Black

  Editing: Kimberly Gallant

  Cover Design: C.E. Black

  All rights reserved.

  Published in the United States of America

  Alpha Division Series

  by

  C.E. Black

  Shifted Temptations

  Shifted Perceptions

  A Shifted Wedding

  Shifted Obsessions

  Shifted Illusions

  Beta Division

  Shifted Undercover

  Shifted Under Construction

  Description

  Can three hearts beat as one?

  The recent attack on the Alpha Division left Leo a broken shell of the man he once was. Gone are the dimpled smiles and his signature smirk. All that remains is a twisted, scarred mess. If anyone could love such a beast, it would be Hawk. But his best friend still dreams of the “woman who got away.” A woman who stars alongside Hawk in Leo's own fantasies. Fantasies too perfect to ever become reality.

  Having escaped a life of torment, Beth is finally free. Free to pine for her ex who would never love a half-breed like her and his best friend, a man desperately in need of her love. But when her past rears its ugly head, she must place her life in the hands of the two men she craves most. Now if only she can protect her heart from being torn between them.

  Hawk has always harbored a fierce desire for Leo, but he couldn't risk losing his best friend. So, when Beth comes barreling back into his life, he hopes he’s been given a second chance. If only he and Beth weren’t in love with the same man... But maybe together, they can heal him.

  Prologue

  Beth

  Cool, dry air seared my lungs with each inhale, and with the next exhale, I couldn’t help but check over my shoulder. The full moon illuminated the terrain. An advantage not only for me but for my enemies as well. Though I saw no one, no doubt they were here. Hunting. They were silent predators, masters at hunting their prey. And it wouldn’t be long before they caught up. A loose stone rolled out from under the worn sole of my borrowed sneakers, causing a surge of adrenaline to shoot through my veins.

  My half-human body could never run fast enough—a head-start my only blessing. Thanks to Sonya. If it hadn’t been for the soft-spoken shifter, I wouldn’t have been able to escape my impending prison sentence. Though not considered a prison in the traditional sense, forced marriage and breeding fit my definition. As if the years of torture hadn’t been enough. They had pumped countless drugs into my system, given me electroshock treatment, and beaten me to an inch of my life. Twice. And for what? All in the name of family, my uncle James would have said.

  As a half-breed mountain lion shifter who couldn’t complete the transformation into her animal, they marked me a disgrace. Half-breeds who couldn’t shift weren’t unusual. But my uncle couldn’t handle having one in our family and had done everything his evil, little mind could come up with to force the transformation on me. Actually, he’d done nothing. He’d ordered others to do his bidding. No way James Olsen would get his hands dirty. And all of it was for naught. Nothing had worked. And now, according to him, I would be good for only one thing.

  The cool wind aided in forming my tears. But there was no time for a pity party. I blinked them away, thankful I’d had the chance to escape. My only regret was leaving Sonja behind when she refused to join me. She had three cubs to go home to and a husband who loved her. They had a good life with the pride. A life I would have given anything to have.

  I ran through a patch of trees, ducking at the last minute when a low branch threatened to clothesline me. My destination wasn’t far now. If memory served me right, past the second cropping of trees, the reservoir would reveal itself. Only a few more yards to go.

  Without slowing, I pulled the small note from my pocket and read it for the millionth time, the words shaking in front of me. I doubted the thin paper would survive, and I couldn’t afford to forget the phone number. According to Sonja, these people could help me. My only concern was making it there. Tennessee was a long way from Wyoming. But the journey would be worth it if meant I’d be safe. Safe and free.

  A sudden rustling sound caused me to trip over my feet. Quickly righting myself, I cursed when a startled deer leaped from behind a bush and ran in the opposite direction. I breathed a sigh of relief, or tried to. I was panting with exertion, my heart threatening to beat right out of my chest.

  But it was the low growl from behind that had my pulse leaping into my throat.

  It took all of my willpower to focus. I was close now. The reservoir was only a few yards away. So close. My stomach clenched, contemplating the fifty-foot drop into an unknown depth of water, but I couldn’t slow down. Not even for a split second. I had to run right over the edge.

  My speed increased through the last outcropping of trees. The reservoir came into view, as well as the cliff’s edge. Heights scared the living daylights out of me. But the ‘men’ chasing from behind terrified me more. I could feel them. They were so close; I imagined I could feel their breath blowing hot against my neck.

  The visual sent another surge of adrenaline straight to my feet. I ran faster, the edge getting closer and closer...

  A sudden and crushing blow to my shoulder jolted me forward. I cried out as claws jabbed deep into my flesh. But my screams quickly turned to maniacal laughter. They were too late.

  I shoved off the cliff’s edge, the momentum projecting me far out over empty air. I felt the sharp tips of their razor-like claws scrape down my arm as they tried—and failed—to hold on to me, leaving the flesh stinging and hot. But the pain was only background to the terrifying, yet exhilarating, sensation of free-falling.

  Though certain torture hunting me from behind, I feared the murky water below held the grim probability of my demise. Between the two, I was more willing to take my chances with death.

  1

  Leo

  “Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” I snarled at the slacked-jawe
d barista.

  She nodded quickly and snatched the money, then dumped the change on the counter next to my waiting palm. My bitter sigh received a few looks, which I ignored as I waited in yet another line to pick up my order. I crossed my arms and pretended the people crowding the shop weren’t there… ogling with their lips parted as they did a double-take.

  Yeah, yeah. I’m ugly. Get over it!

  Damn, Hawk! I shouldn’t have been out in public looking like this. Had he seen my face lately? What had he been thinking—sending me to get his precious coffee and doughnut?

  He’d been concentrating on how hungry he was, my conscience scolded, reminding me my best friend didn’t deserve the assholery spewing inside my head.

  Hawk spent months holed up in the what we called The Motherboard Room, searching his computers for any information he could find on Wolford’s whereabouts. The piece of shit had been on the run since we’d found out he’d been experimenting on shifters and humans alike and had killed a lot of people in the process. His endgame hadn’t been clear. But, eventually, he had been successful in at least one of his goals—altering a human into one of us.

  We were born shifters, not turned. It should have been impossible. It went against nature. The tortured and deformed group of misfits now living in our headquarters proved it.

  Wolford’s only success story had been Liz. She’d been dying of cancer when he’d gotten ahold of her. The fact that she now lived because of his crazy undertakings put a damper on my rage, but not enough to keep me from tearing him limb from limb when I finally got my paws on the asshole.

  I ran a finger over the scar on the left side of my face, my scowl deepening. It had been a gift from Wolford. One I was prepared to thank him for someday. In person.

  We had to find the fucker before he hurt someone else. And of all the people on our team, Hawk was the one most likely to get this accomplished. His only request had been a little sustenance from his favorite café. He had been working diligently to bring Wolford to justice. He deserved a damn mocha-shitta-latte whatever. But why did I have to be the errand boy?

  Putting myself in a position to be stared at wasn’t on my list of fun things to do. The explosion hadn’t made me any prettier, that was for sure. Lips would curl, disgust written all over people’s faces as others sent piteous looks. I saw it all. And I loathed them. Each and every one of them.

  But saying no to Hawk? I couldn’t do it. Don’t ask me why. Cause I sure as hell didn’t know.

  So, there I was, standing in line at The Beanery, scowling at the young man who rushed to make my order while shooting curious looks over his shoulder at me.

  “Leo!” The barista called when he finished, this time not even hiding his blatant stare.

  I collected the coffee and the little white bag with Hawk’s bear claw and nodded my thanks without making eye contact. Finally, I could get the fuck out of there.

  I spun around, and a curse shot from my lips as I slammed into someone. The coffee flew from my hand, landing on the floor with a splat as the steaming liquid spilled out all over the tiled floor.

  “Hey, watch where you’re…” My scowl eased as I fell into a pair of stunning green eyes.

  “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. Let me get you another coffee.”

  The alluring voice—husky, deep, and rich—made my toes curl in my boots. My gaze lowered to those plump red lips.

  Fuck!

  “No.” I cleared my throat as I tried offering her the smile that used to have women falling into my arms. But the tightness in my cheek reminded me of the impossibility, and the smile twisted into a grimace.

  “No,” I said again more clearly. “Totally my fault. I didn’t spill any on you, did I? It was pretty hot.”

  Speaking of hot…

  I trailed my gaze over the rest of her, making sure she hadn’t gotten splattered. And maybe to get a better look at the goddess standing in front of me. I couldn’t help but allow my gaze to skim over her curves. I’d been hard from the moment those wide, luminous eyes met mine.

  “I don’t think so,” she breathed.

  My pulse leaped at the sound of her voice, and I shifted from foot to foot as she glanced down at her shirt.

  “No, I’m good,” she said. “But I’d still like to buy you another cup of coffee.”

  Her smile made my breath catch. Shit, I probably looked like a fool.

  Clearing my throat again, I shook my head lightly. “No, no. You don’t have to do that.”

  “I want to. Go sit down over there,” she pointed to an empty table in the back corner, “and I’ll bring it out to you.”

  Her smile widened, and I nodded like a dummy. Then my brows furrowed at her choice of words. “You work here?”

  “Yes, sorry.” She chuckled. “I’m not on the clock, but old habits die hard.”

  Smiling, or grimacing, depending on how you viewed it, I made my way to the table and sat, my gaze never straying far from the beautiful woman buying my coffee. Hawk’s coffee, I reminded myself. Though not sure why. Did it matter whose coffee it was?

  I wiped my sweaty palms over my jeans and cursed myself. Why the hell was I nervous? I was never nervous around women. Then again, I’d never been disfigured before, either.

  “Here you go,” she said in her soulful voice. She placed two coffees on the table before plopping down in the chair across from mine.

  “That was quick.”

  She grinned. “Perks of the job.”

  Glancing over her cream-colored shirt, I licked my lips at the way her breasts pressed against the soft material before quickly looking away.

  “Yeah. I know, I know.” She rolled her eyes. “Why am I hanging out at my job on my day off? Pathetic, right?”

  “Well, no. I wouldn’t say pathetic. Especially considering the location. Coffee, pastries? I’d hang out here too.”

  She laughed, and the seductive sound made my dick weep. Did my heart actually skip a beat?

  “You’re pretty spot-on, though,” she said. “The only thing my coffee maker produces is so bad it would send someone to the hospital.”

  A surprising chuckle slipped from my lips. Nice, funny, and hot? I should grab the coffee and make a run for it. A woman like her wouldn’t be interested in me. Not anymore.

  Ducking my head, I stood up to leave. “Thanks for the coffee, but I have to run.”

  “Oh?” A hefty amount of disappointment laced her tone. “Well, it was nice meeting you…”

  “Leo,” I blurted, setting down the coffee to shake her hand.

  “Leo,” she smiled shyly. “My name’s Bethany, but you can call me Beth. Nice to meet you.”

  Her soft hand molded to mine as we shook. Then she tipped her head to the side, staring at me so hard I jerked my hand out of her grasp.

  A blush bloomed over her neck and cheeks, and just like that, my ire melted away. Damn, but she was cute.

  “Sorry. You look a little familiar, but I don’t remember where we’ve met.”

  “I would have remembered you if we had.”

  Her blush deepened, and I held back a grin. She would have thought I was scowling at her.

  Picking up the coffee, I gave her a nod. “Thanks for the coffee,” I repeated. I wanted to ask her out to dinner, but why put myself through the rejection?

  With a heavy sigh, I wheeled around to leave, stopping when a small hand grasped my arm.

  “I’m not normally so forward,” she began softly, “but would you like to have coffee sometime?”

  My eyes widened.

  “I mean,” she chuckled nervously and pointed to my cup, “coffee with me?”

  “Oh, um…” I scanned the cafe, scowling as people spun away. I faced her again and shook my head. “Why?”

  “Well, I—”

  “Is it because you feel sorry for me?” Anger and disappointment colored my words.

  Had it really come to this? A pity date?

  “What? No, of course not,” she
stammered. Then her eyes narrowed, and her gorgeous full lips twisted. “You know what? Forget it. If you’re not interested, fine. But don’t turn it around on me.”

  She sat back down and pulled a paperback from her purse. Opening to the bookmarked page, she began reading, completely dismissing me.

  I shuffled a few steps away, then stopped. Damn it! Now I felt guilty. And baffled. She really wanted to go out with me. Who in their right mind would waste a chance like this?

  I strode back to her table. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to women asking me out. At least, not anymore.”

  Sighing, she closed the book and glanced up at me. “That’s too bad.”

  “Too bad?” My eyebrows knitted together as I tried to imagine what the hell she’d meant.

  “The world is filled with too many shallow people. But I promise you, I didn’t ask out of pity. I find you attractive… when you’re not scowling.” She grinned, and I did my best to smooth out my features.

  “And you made me smile.” She shrugged. “It’s been a while. So, for that alone, I want to get to know you.”

  Well, hell… Suddenly, I felt like my old self again. The corner of my mouth tipped up in what used to be a wicked grin. “So, you think I’m hot?”

  Laughing, she grabbed her purse and stood. I stepped back to give her room.

  “Maybe. Meet me here tomorrow at nine?”