Shifters Forsaken: Shifter Romance Collection Bks 1-5

by Mia Taylor

  If I had known, would I have been more careful?

  It was a moot point anyway and Berlin slowly eased the car out of the spot, her heart thudding dully in her chest.

  If I’m pregnant, this changes everything.

  ~ ~ ~

  The drive from Eugene to Portland took an hour and a half but Berlin barely remembered pressing her foot to the gas.

  All she knew was that she was sitting before Ambrosia Pharmaceutical in Portland, scanning her phone for her target’s name.

  Channing Lester.

  The company name had been tickling her mind since leaving the library and it was only when Berlin arrived at the drug store did it hit her.

  Could they all be interconnected somehow?

  She wanted to do some research on Daniel Wexley also but before she could stop herself, she had typed in the Ambrosia address into her GPS and made her way to the capital.

  Why Google when you can get information right from the horse’s mouth? she reasoned but Berlin also knew it was a way to procrastinate taking the test she’d bought at Walgreen’s.

  First I deal with the matter at hand and then…

  And then, she had no idea.

  She inhaled deeply and made her way to reception.

  “May I help you?”

  “I’m here to see Channing Lester.”

  The woman at the desk glanced at her computer screen and then back at Berlin questioningly.

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “I don’t need one.”

  They stared at each other and the receptionist seemed to think Berlin was kidding.

  “I’m sorry, Miss, but without an appointment—”

  Berlin didn’t give her a chance to finish her thought. Her face contorted as the secretary watched in awed horror, a snout appearing over Berlin’s mouth and nose.

  Berlin’s eyes adjusted and two massive paws fell onto the counter as her body shifted.

  The woman opened her mouth to scream but Berlin shook her head.

  “Don’t make any noise but to tell me where I can find him,” she growled. “Where is he?”

  She clamped her thin lips closed and gestured at the screen. Berlin pivoted her black-furred head toward it, smelling the fear emanating from the woman before her.

  Eighteenth floor.

  She bared her shining white fangs and sniffed the air around her.

  “Call anyone and I’ll come for you,” Berlin rasped, spinning to lumber toward the elevators. She was in her mortal form before the doors opened to let her on the lift.

  She reached the eighteenth floor without incident but Berlin wasn’t sure how much longer her luck would last. Surely the receptionist would sound an alarm somewhere.

  I don’t have much time to get what I need and get out.

  It would take more than a few security guards to keep her down, but if August was right about Lester and he was a danger to her kind, there might be something on-site which could render her weak. It wasn’t something she wanted to learn.

  Especially not if I’m carrying a child.

  She strolled through the open concept work space, her light green eyes scanning the doors for names until they finally rested on Channing Lester’s office.

  He was inside, talking into his headpiece when Berlin let herself in.

  “…and I said, what handicap, Bobby, I—hey, what the hell are you doing in here?”

  “Hello, Channing. You and I have some things to discuss,” she said conversationally, dropping unceremoniously into a post-modern chair. It was decidedly uncomfortable but Berlin wasn’t going to be long.

  “Lady, you need to make an appointment—” Channing started to say but Berlin bared her teeth, half-shifting before him and he choked on the rest of his sentence. Visibly swallowing, he spoke into his mouthpiece again.

  “Vern, I have to call you back.”

  He disconnected the call and stared at Berlin in shock.

  “Y-you’re one of them,” he mumbled. “H-what do you want?”

  “I have orders to kill you, Mr. Lester,” Berlin told him pleasantly, looking down at her manicured nails. “Sorry.”

  She didn’t have to look at him to feel the terror emanating through his body.

  “Please! I have a wife and two daughters! I’m a family man and I—”

  “And how would you feel if someone snatched up your kids and did experiments on them?” she interjected, fury lacing through her veins. Berlin may not have agreed with the Avengers’ methods but she couldn’t deny that the shifters faced a grave danger through these vultures who strove to obliterate their kind.

  “I was only following orders!” he gasped. “I didn’t do anything—”

  “Just shut up,” Berlin snapped, already sick of the man. There was not bound to be contrition in him. His bottom line was financially motivated. Empathy did not exist for men like him.

  “I have some questions for you.”

  His grey eyes widened and he nodded, sinking into his chair.

  “I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Just don’t hurt me!”

  “Tell me about Daniel Wexley.”

  Confusion colored Channing’s cheeks.

  “He’s the CEO, he’s the man calling all the shots...” he blubbered. “He’s the one who asked me to—”

  “Tell me about his wife.”

  Channing’s mouth clamped shut.

  “His wife?” he echoed. “Sandrine?”

  “Fallon.”

  Channing’s face was almost opaque but he shook his head.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he mumbled, his eyes darting toward the windows.

  Berlin glanced over her shoulder to note the people milling around the office, seemingly oblivious to their co-worker’s peril.

  “Oh, Channing,” she sighed. “I thought you knew who I am. You could signal every one of those people for help and I would rip them apart, limb from limb. Is that something you want to watch? I’d ask if you wanted it on your conscience but it’s clear you don’t have one.”

  Channing seemed ready to faint and Berlin hoped he wouldn’t, not before she got what she wanted at least.

  “What do you want to know about Fallon?” he squeaked. Berlin smiled to herself and leaned forward.

  “Everything,” she replied. “Tell me everything about her and the boys.”

  Chapter Ten

  Missed

  “How was that?” Margaret asked, grinning happily at her sons. “Do I still make lasagna like I used to?”

  “Better!” Briar and Alex chorused in unison before exchanging an embarrassed look. It was hard not to act like teenagers in their mother’s presence. She spoiled them like they were kids.

  “Thanks, Mom,” Briar offered. “You really went out of your way.”

  “She was happy to do it,” his father sighed. “She only gets to cook boring, flavorless crap for me. She was excited to use salt again.”

  “Oh, Dave, hush now. No complaining while we have both boys here.”

  Dave grimaced and the brothers laughed at his expression.

  “No salt, no complaining—what’s the point of getting old if you can’t do anything?”

  “On that note,” Alex interjected, shooting his wife a sly look. “Deb and I have an announcement which might help with your aging process.”

  There was a slight pause as the family stared expectantly.

  “We’re having a baby! You are going to be grandparents—and uncle!” Alex called out excitedly. A whoop of glee escaped Margaret’s lips and she jumped from the table to embrace Deb while Dave shook the proud papa’s hand.

  The scene had a surreal quality about it from Briar’s perspective, like he was watching someone else’s family as he sat at the table.

  He’s having a baby. He’s married and set for life now, with the woman he loves. I’m still the same kid I was fifteen years ago, unsure of who I am and unable to keep meaningful relationships.

  “Briar, w
hat’s wrong?” Alex asked sharply and he immediately looked up, jamming a smile he didn’t feel onto his lips.

  “Nothing! I’m so happy for you!” he chuckled, rising to shake his brother’s hand and offer him a hug. “Congrats, Deb.”

  “Thanks, Briar.” His sister-in-law smiled softly at him and he wondered if she could read his thoughts. “You have anyone in the picture these days? Some high-class Seattle girl?” Deb asked teasingly. Briar snorted and shook his head.

  “No,” he replied, but as the word left his mouth, he realized how sad it sounded.

  Have they ever known me to be in a committed relationship?

  “I mean, there was someone here in Eugene,” he continued, feeling the need to save face among his family. “But it didn’t work out. You know, the distance and everything.”

  He wondered why he was lying.

  “In the age of technology, you shouldn’t let something as trivial as distance stand between you!” Alex cried, snaking his arm around his wife’s waist. “We made it through four years of college barely seeing one another but we had Skype!”

  Briar sighed and looked down at the table.

  “It’s more complicated than that,” he muttered.

  “Nonsense!” Dave insisted. “If you really care about this girl, you need to find her and tell her that distance isn’t going to keep you apart.”

  Briar flushed, wishing he hadn’t been so liberal with his thoughts.

  “Forget about me! When is the baby due? Do you know if it’s a boy or girl yet?”

  He exhaled in relief when the subject turned back to the impending birth and sank back into his chair, his mind automatically on Berlin.

  It had been his intention to stop at his old house first before joining his family for dinner, but he’d driven past and seen that Berlin’s car wasn’t there. He would try again later… maybe.

  His family’s vote of confidence had certainly leaned him toward making a return visit to the house, but he didn’t want to blindside her.

  I could always call her, he thought but he dismissed the idea also. He wanted the element of surprise to be slightly on his side. The expression on her face would tell him everything he needed to know, really.

  “How’s the new job going, Bri?” Alex asked after the excited din had settled.

  “It’s not really a new job,” Briar explained. “Same crap, different location.”

  “I like Seattle,” Deb offered. “There’s something romantic about the rain.”

  “Romantic?” Alex scoffed. “Depressing, more like it.”

  “Some women like the rain,” Deb insisted, her blue eyes fixed on Briar’s face. “Maybe your girl would like it, too.”

  Ah, we’re back to this again.

  “She might like the rain,” Briar replied, laughing. “But she won’t uproot her life here to come with me.”

  “How can you be sure? Did you ask her?”

  “She’s doing her PhD at UO,” Briar explained, casting Deb a lopsided smile. He liked his sister-in-law. She had always been on his side and now was no exception.

  “A PhD?” Alex choked. “Well, she’s obviously too smart for you.”

  “Quiet, Alex!” Margaret scolded. “Both my children are brilliant and worthy of brilliant women. Deb is proof of that.”

  “What’s her field of study?” Deb asked.

  “Anthropology.”

  There was another round of exclamations around the table.

  “What’s her name? I want to Google her,” Alex demanded and Briar scowled.

  “More reason for you to never, ever learn it,” he countered and Alex grinned wickedly. Briar knew his brother was only teasing him.

  Kind of.

  “Her name is Berlin Matthews. She teaches at the university also. I think it’s safe to say she’s staying in Eugene for a while.”

  There was a brief rest over the table and Briar could feel a wave of sympathy flow from them.

  “What are the chances of you coming back home?” Margaret asked timidly.

  Briar suddenly didn’t want to play the “what if” game anymore. There was no point in entertaining any of the scenarios about moving back to Eugene or of Berlin following him to Seattle if she didn’t want to be with him.

  He hadn’t realized he’d risen to his feet until his father barked out at him.

  “We haven’t had dessert yet. Where are you going?”

  “I’m sorry Dad, Mom, but I’ve gotta go and see if this is worth fighting for,” he breathed. “I-I’ll be back later.”

  “Briar—” Dave called but Margaret shushed him.

  “Let him go, David. Why are you standing in the way of love?”

  His father stared at her blankly.

  “I’m not!” he protested, reaching into his pocket and tossing a set of keys to his youngest son. “I was going to tell him to take the ‘Vette.”

  Briar caught the keys in his left hand and grinned at his family. They smiled at him encouragingly and a pang of sadness pierced his gut.

  Wherever they are right now, I hope that my birth siblings are as lucky as I am.

  ~ ~ ~

  To his disappointment, Berlin’s car was still not in the driveway when he returned to the house and he wondered where she could be. He had familiarized himself with her schedule well enough to know that Berlin had evenings off.

  Is she on a date? Has she moved on with someone else?

  The idea filled him with jealousy and hurt but he had no proof that was the case. All he knew was that she wasn’t there and he desperately wished she was.

  As he sat in front of the house, debating what to do, another car pulled up and his pulse quickened as he turned.

  John, the landlord, stepped from his shiny pick-up and cast him a curious look.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be in Washington?” he asked, puzzled.

  “I am in Washington,” Briar replied, hanging out the window to talk to the older man. “They let me out on a weekend pass.”

  John snorted.

  “And you thought you’d come stare at your old house?”

  “I was looking for Berlin, actually. She been around?”

  John shook his head.

  “No, she went away for a few days. Asked me to stop by and water her plants, matter of fact. That’s why I’m here.”

  “Oh.”

  He peered at John.

  “Haven’t found a tenant for downstairs yet?” he asked and John shook his head.

  “Got lots of interest but no one who I want in my house, know what I mean?”

  Briar nodded.

  “How’s your new place working out?”

  “Not better than here,” Briar replied. “When is Berlin coming back?”

  He wanted to ask where she had gone but he was already feeling remotely stalkerish sitting there.

  “She said Wednesday but that might change.”

  Briar didn’t understand. The school year had only just started and leaving her job seemed like a strange thing to do.

  “Is everything okay with her? Was it a family emergency or something?”

  He loathed to press John for details, especially when the landlord narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

  “She didn’t tell me, Briar, and I didn’t ask. I assume if she wanted me to know, she would tell me.”

  Briar hung his head in shame, knowing the comment was directed at him.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled quickly. “I’m only around until tomorrow. I was hoping to see her.”

  “I’ll tell her you stopped by,” he offered and Briar nodded. What else could he hope for? Sitting around in his father’s refurbished Corvette and staring at the house wasn’t going to bring her back any faster.

  “Thanks, John.”

  He sat back against the cool leather of the seat and sighed before leaning forward to start the car.

  At that moment, his phone rang and he jumped slightly at the noise. It was louder than he remembered setting the ringer.

 
; The number was unknown and usually he would have let it go to voicemail but for some reason he answered.

  It was likely because it bought him more time to stare at the house and remember his dinners with Berlin.

  “Hello?”

  “Briar?”

  His heart stopped.

  “Berlin? Is that you?”

  “You recognized my voice?” She sounded incredulous.

  “Of course,” he muttered. “How could I forget what you sound like?”

  There was a long pause before she spoke again.

  “Where are you?” she finally asked and he laughed.

  “I was going to ask you the same thing.”

  “No, seriously, where are you? I need to talk to you and it’s important.”

  “I’m sitting in front of our—your place,” he confessed. “I came to see you but John just told me you’re away.”

  “You’re in Oregon?” she echoed, disbelief coloring her words. “Why didn’t you call and tell me you were coming?”

  “I wanted to surprise you.” It sounded foolish when he said it aloud.

  “Well, I’m surprised,” she mused. “Very surprised.”

  “Where are you? Can I meet you somewhere?”

  She snickered. “That depends,” she sighed. “How long will it take you to get to Seattle?”

  “What? You’re in Seattle? Why?”

  “I came looking for you, crazy. I’m standing outside your condo right now.”

  “H-how did you even get my address?”

  “Are you going to ask for the details or are you going to work on getting a flight back tonight?” she demanded. “Or maybe I should come back…”

  She sounded like she was thinking.

  “I’ll come back. You stay there, okay?”

  “All right… are you okay?”

  She inhaled sharply through the phone.

  “I’m not sure,” she answered quietly. “Is John with you?”

  He looked around and saw the landlord pulling weeds out of the front lawn nearby.

  “Yeah, he’s here.”

  “Good. Put him on the phone,” she instructed.

  He didn’t ask why and did as she instructed, handing the puzzled older man his cell.

  “It’s Berlin.”

  “Hello, Miss Matthews…” John shot Briar a confused look. “Oh, I see… yes… no, no, I understand… tomorrow, then… will do and no need to thank me. You’re a pleasure to have here.”