Shifters Hunt: Shifters Hunt Romance Boxset Books 1-4

by Selina Woods

  “Time to outsmart them.”

  Loping back to the stairwell, I crept down, silent and leaving no echoes to drift up to their keen hearing. Unfortunately for me, the lion with the big scar on his muzzle, whose name I didn’t know, had also been creeping on silent paws in search of me. He must have realized that the only way to catch me was not to let me know he was there.

  My instincts, honed sharp from living on the hellish streets of Cheyenne, saved my life. Sensing eyes on me, I glanced up and back an instant before he leaped. I threw myself down the flight of stairs, hit the wall on the landing with my shoulder, then down and down, the big beast snapping at my tail. The noise we made attracted Jonesy and the other lion, and I dimly heard their shouts and snarls as I ran as fast as my legs would carry me.

  Only sheer luck kept me alive. Crashing through the broken front door that led onto the street, I nimbly dodged the group of pedestrians right in my path. Unfortunately for them, Scar Face slammed headlong into them, and all went down in a huge tangle of arms, legs, torsos, and one big lion trying to regain his footing.

  Not daring to take the time to laugh and call him out for his clumsiness, I raced on, listening to his snarled curses as he once again picked up the chase. From the sounds, as I didn’t dare glance back, Jonesy and the other lion had already hit the streets and followed their pal. Straight down the street, I ran, passing shops and customers, a few cars and trucks on the road slowing down to watch.

  If other enforcers see me, they’ll join in. I gotta get out of sight. Leaving the street, I charged down an alley, then turned left, ran down another block, and made a hard right. Out of their sight for the moment, I opened the door to a relatively intact apartment building, which meant it had residents occupying it. Up the steps to a hallway on the third floor, I searched for one that might be empty and I could hide in.

  A girl stood in the hall watching me as I trotted toward her, hesitating at each door to listen for occupants. I eyed her warily. Slowing my pace, keeping my distance, I asked, “Are any of these empty?”

  Below, the door to the building crashed open. Growling voices drifted up, and I swung around, nearing panic. I had no idea if the girl blocking my way was a shifter or a human, but she could prove to be a real problem if she chose to be one. I edged my way closer to her, hoping I could dash past her and be gone. I’d also be leaving her behind to inform Jonesy where I went.

  “Who is chasing you?” she asked.

  “Enforcers.”

  She hesitated for only a moment. Opening the door to an apartment, she jerked her head toward it. “Get in.”

  I didn’t need a second invitation. Following her inside, I shifted into my human just as she closed and locked the door. “Get into the kitchen,” she ordered, standing by the door. “There’s a pantry there; hide. They may not smell that you came in here. Unless they’re wolves?”

  “Lions,” I answered, wondering if I had just walked into a trap. If they knocked on her door and she let them in, I was dead. My stomach in knots, I did as she said and hid myself in the tiny closet, my back pressed against the shelves. Leaving the door wide enough so I could listen, I waited, controlling my fear. Through the thin walls, I heard loud voices asking questions, the hall echoing with fists banging on doors.

  Sure enough, a loud pounding struck the wooden door at the front of the small apartment. The girl called out, “What do you want?”

  “Did you see a runt of a lion run through here?” Jonesy’s voice.

  “No. I’m getting ready for work.”

  Holding my breath, I waited for the demand that she let him in, hoping against hope that my scent was spread out through the hallway, that he couldn’t tell that I had actually entered anywhere. If he had no reason to believe that I had, he’d move on, asking others the same question before deciding that I had left the structure through a back door.

  Someone called something, then I heard Jonesy snarl, “He must not have stopped; he’s gone down another way. Let’s go.”

  Breathing again, I cautiously stepped from the pantry, listening to the sound of my pursuers running down the hall. Peeking around the edge of the kitchen, I saw the girl watching me with her arms folded. “Thanks,” I said.

  Slightly taller than I, she was maybe my age with a thick fall of reddish-blond hair and big hazel eyes. Pretty, in a fresh, country sort of way, like a farmer’s daughter; her cheeks held a few freckles. “You’re welcome,” she replied, but her body language told me she was just as wary of me as I was of her.

  Feeling as awkward as hell, I finally said, “I’m Declan.”

  “Jae.”

  Another silence fell between us as we stared at each other. “I, um, I really meant it when I said thanks,” I ventured. “Those guys would have killed me.”

  “Yeah, they did seem pretty mad,” she answered, at last giving me a small smile. “Not paying your dues to Raphael?”

  Emerging from behind the wall, I leaned against it and shoved my thumbs in my jean’s pockets. “I can’t. I don’t have a job.”

  Jae ambled toward me; her expression curious. “How do you get by then?”

  “I sort of steal things.”

  “Then how have you lived so long without paying? I’d think they’d have killed you a long time ago.”

  I grinned. “I run fast.”

  Laughing, she strode past me into the kitchen. “You better not leave for a while, Declan,” she said. “They’ll be hunting you and might call on a wolf to track your scent.”

  I turned as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out two cans of beer, holding them up. “Want one?”

  “Sure.”

  I accepted it from her and popped the tab. Taking a long drink, feeling the cool liquid burn down my throat, I then said, “You’re risking a lot by hiding me.”

  “I know.”

  “So why?”

  Jae sat down at the tiny table and set her beer on it, cutting her eyes from mine. “I hate Raphael and all that he does to people. All of us should look out for one another.”

  I leaned against the counter and crossed my ankles. “Yeah, but we can’t. So why would you risk your life for a stranger?”

  “Maybe I have a hero complex.”

  I liked her. Smart as well as beautiful, with the courage of a lioness. “You’re a lion, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah. So?”

  “I just can’t imagine a deer doing what you’re doing.”

  “Lion, deer, wolf: it doesn’t matter. If Raphael or his goons want us dead, we’re dead. He controls us that way. Kill any who get out of line, and the rest are too scared to stand up to him.”

  I tilted my head, catching the note of bitterness in her voice. “You had loved ones die.”

  Jae’s eyes met mine as she brought her can up to her lips to drink. “My family.”

  Though I never had a family, I’d always wished for one. “I’m sorry.”

  “So am I. Raphael had them killed as one such example. I survived by sheer luck.”

  Not knowing what to say, I said nothing. Sorry just couldn’t cut it. I stared down at the floor at my feet, wondering what I’d have done had my family been killed as an example for the rest of the city. Gone stark-raving crazy most likely. As what usually happened when I pondered parents and siblings, I felt that weird pulling sensation from deep within me, as though something called to me.

  It came from the south and, as usual, I tried to ignore it. Sometimes it was harder to blow off than others, and this was one of those times where my blood all but sang in response. I felt Jae watching me curiously, no doubt sensing my turmoil. Yet she said nothing.

  Finally squashing the sensation, I drank more beer. “Where do you work?” I asked.

  “At a bar. The owner was a friend of my dad.”

  I raised a small grin. “Having friends helps, eh?”

  “I guess. So, what’s your story?”

  “Don’t really have one,” I replied. “I was raised in an orphanage. The pla
ce was pretty bad; we were always getting beaten, hardly enough food. I ran away when I was nine. Lived on the streets ever since.”

  “That’s sad. You never knew your parents?”

  Shunting my eyes from hers, I vaguely recalled a woman with red-gold hair, the same color as mine, and green eyes smiling at me, holding me. I thought there were others with me, siblings, but that was so hazy, I wasn’t even sure if it was a true memory or not. While I wanted to lie and say no, I didn’t; I couldn’t lie to someone who put her life on the line to keep my ass from death.

  “Just a faint memory of my mother,” I answered slowly. “She looked a lot like me.”

  “She must have been beautiful,” Jae told me with a grin.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Cuz you’re pretty damn cute.”

  As a natural loner, I very rarely blushed. I felt my cheeks heat in a furious flush, which only made her laugh. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” she said, still grinning. “But you are. When you smile, you’re one good looking devil.”

  “Well, thanks. You’re rather pretty yourself.”

  “Aww. You’re sweet.”

  This time when we looked at each other, some connection flew between us. I had never felt anything like that before, and by the way her grin faded, neither had Jae. She finally broke the eye contact and took another drink of her beer. “I, um, I’m gonna have to go to work soon, Declan.”

  I certainly didn’t want to leave, especially after that thing that happened, whatever it was, but I knew I couldn’t stay. She didn’t know me well enough to let me remain in her place while she worked, and that was something I couldn’t ask of her.

  “Where’s the bar where you work?” I asked. “Maybe I’ll come by if it’s okay.”

  “Yeah, it’s okay. It’s called the Tiger’s Paw, and it’s on the south side. The corner of Simms and Cheyenne Avenue.”

  “I know the place,” I told her, then finished my beer. “Thanks for the beer, and, you know.”

  Jae chuckled. “You’re welcome.”

  She followed me to the door as I opened it, checking the hallway for any witnesses who might squeal to Raphael that the lion his enforcers hunted was leaving the residence of a girl who worked at a certain bar. Without anyone in sight, I gave Jae a quick grin, then slipped out. Back in my lion form, I heard her door close and loped silently out of the apartment building.

  Chapter Two

  As it was easier and more natural for me to prowl the city streets at night, I headed toward one of my lairs that sheltered me from witnesses and enforcers both. I had several havens around the city, places where I stashed mattresses, blankets, and a little food. Winters in this place sucked rocks, and shelter became essential for survival.

  As it was late December, the cold penetrated my hide now that I wasn’t keeping warm by running for my life. Staying out of sight as much as possible, watching for Raphael’s enforcers, I headed for the closest of my “homes”—a basement in a bombed-out house. There wasn’t much left of the house, and I had carefully hidden the hole in the ground where the basement was. Checking my vicinity to make sure no prying eyes watched, I went down.

  After snacking on some dried beef, I, in my lion form, burrowed under the blankets to nap for a few hours until dark fell. And dreamed of the lady with the green eyes and hair the same color as mine. My son, I heard her whisper. Come home. It’s time to come home.

  I woke to darkness with a racing heart. This violent, shitty town was the only home I ever knew, so I had no idea what the woman in my dream meant. “It’s just a damn dream,” I muttered, emerging from under my blankets. The weird sensation from the south called to me again as I thought of her, just as strong as ever.

  “Leave me alone,” I told it, feeling the cold sink evil fangs into my bones.

  Using all my senses and instincts for danger, I carefully examined my surroundings as I left the basement shelter. I saw, scented, and heard nothing as I trotted on four paws toward the street, slinking from shadow to shadow. Most folks closed up shops, left work, and stayed in their homes with the blinds and curtains closed at night.

  Only the vagabonds, like me, and the predators not associated with Raphael roamed the streets after dark. On the street, I changed forms and walked with my head down, the collar of my heavy coat flipped up to my cheeks. A few cars rolled past me, but none stopped. Up ahead, I saw a shopkeeper locking his door, then turning to make his way in my direction.

  One advantage of being small, I discovered at an early age, was that folks seldom found me to be a threat. The man, shifter or human, walked quickly in my direction, evidently not at all concerned for his safety. While he was in no danger from me, his pocket was. With my head down, I bumped into him, and in the blink of an eye transferred his wallet from his possession to mine.

  “Sorry, man,” I muttered.

  “No problem,” he replied, then hurried on past me.

  At his current pace as well as mine, several blocks would stretch between us before he realized I had picked his pocket. Before rounding a corner, I shot a fast look at him and saw he was nearly out of sight. Experience told me not to check the wallet’s contents until I was absolutely certain my victim couldn’t find me. Thus, I rushed on, turning down alleys and ducking behind dumpsters, changing direction every block.

  In a deep doorway alcove, I flattened myself inside it, then checked the area for anyone too interested in me. The passing cars had ceased, and only the icy cold kept me company. Opening the wallet, I nearly whooped in triumph. Payday. It contained a thick stack of cash, enough to keep me fed for quite a while.

  Though I usually stuck to stealing food and clothes, since the victims of my thievery needed the little cash, they had to pay their dues to Raphael’s enforcers, I did take money once in a while to actually buy things. Tonight, I wanted to buy a beer and chat with Jae.

  Shifting into my lion, I trotted and loped the distance to the Tiger’s Paw, as always remaining alert to trouble. I spotted a few enforcers strolling around the streets, and I hid until they passed by. Jonesy never failed to hold a grudge, and his brother enforcers would be happy to turn me over to him. Since I had a goal, besides survival, this night, I certainly didn’t need to be chased from it.

  The Tiger’s Paw spilled light and warmth into the street as I went in. A rapid glance around showed me the only one interested in my arrival was Jae. Standing behind the bar, she poured whiskey into a glass for a patron and gave me a quick smile.

  “You came,” she said, heading toward me.

  “Yeah,” I replied, sitting down at the end of the bar where I could see the door and the customers. Out of habit, I kept my shoulders hunched and my head down but lifted my face to grin at her. “How about a beer?”

  “Coming right up.”

  Keeping my movements concealed behind the counter, I pulled out a few bills. If one was stupid enough to flash a big wad, one didn’t keep it for very long. When Jae returned to me with a full glass, I pushed them across to her. “That enough?”

  Jae picked them up and counted. “More than. Here.”

  She tried to hand some back to me, but I shook my head. “Keep the rest. It’s a tip.”

  “Declan.” Jae frowned. “You don’t have a lot. I shouldn’t.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  Her expression told me she was doing exactly that, but she put some of it in the till and the rest in her jeans pocket. While she waited on a few others, I sipped the beer. I almost never drank alcohol and never got drunk, and either could be detrimental to my life. It tasted good, and although it grew too warm to keep my coat on, I did. Survival depended upon my being able to run at an instant’s notice, and I never dared drop my guard.

  Jae wandered back to me. “Are you the only one working here tonight?” I asked.

  “Yeah. Chad, the owner, trusts me to run the place when he’s not around. Of course, I’d never steal from him.”

  “Don’t you worry about be
ing alone? I mean, you don’t know what will walk through the door.”

  Jae glanced around, lowering her voice. “I have a shotgun under the bar. I’ll use it if I have to.”

  “Even so, you have to walk home, right? That’s dangerous, even for a tough lion like you.”

  “I take my chances,” she answered. “Like everyone in this city.”

  After another quick look around to make sure no one tried to listen in, I, too, dropped my voice. “I’ve heard rumors of people leaving here, heading to safe cities.”

  “Shh.” Jae left me to refresh someone’s beer and took his money to put in the till. I understood she wasn’t snubbing me or decided she shouldn’t talk to me when she washed a few glasses in the sink behind her. Jae knew as well as I did that to be spending a great deal of time chatting up one customer might instill suspicion in the others.

  I sipped my beer, eyed the door and the drinkers, and waited. Jae eventually came back and said, “You know it’s too dangerous to talk like that.”

  “Yeah. At least here.”

  “We might talk about it,” she murmured, “if you walk me home.”

  I tried not to grin. “I’d love to.”

  Jae paid me little mind for the next hour, came back to ask me if I needed a refresher, which I refused, then doled out the alcohol and took money until closing time. I stayed where I was as the customers got up to leave, talking in low voices as they, in small groups of twos and threes, ambled out into the night. Jae shut off lights as the exodus continued, leaving me in shadow.

  “I just need to tidy up a bit,” Jae told me as she locked the door after the last customer departed.

  “No problem. I’ll sit here and watch you.”

  She laughed. I must admit, she had a very cute ass, and a graceful way of moving that endlessly fascinated me. I’d be happy to sit there and watch her all night if I could. Jae blushed an entrancing shade of pink while casting me quick looks as she worked.