Shifters Forsaken: Shifter Romance Collection Bks 1-5

by Mia Taylor

  “Everyone is weak–”

  “No. I mean why would you want to know for yourself? What do you want to know about me? I’m nothing special.”

  She saw him look at her out of the corner of his eye. He bit his lip to hide a smile. “Well, I know two men who have known you for a long time who would vehemently disagree with you. They may not know how to read you or how to help you, but they both think of you like family.”

  Cora smiled at her hands. “It’s weird not to get upset about Ryland feeling I am more like a sister.”

  “It’s a good thing, to be sure. Good that you are alright with it.” He seemed to feel it necessary to clarify what he meant.

  Cora smiled, “You know, you should hate me after everything I put you through.”

  “And you should have refused to come with me after the way I treated you and the danger I put you in.”

  “I think I put you in more danger,” Cora wrinkled her nose at him.

  “You only did the initial work to get us in trouble. I managed to make it so much worse by leading us to a drug ring. The smell intrigued me, I just didn’t realize what it was until we were close. Now I know how meth smells. Not sure that makes me happy, but there it is.”

  “So you are all shifters?” Cora had avoided talking about it, mostly because it meant finding out that Silas and Ryland had never been the people she had thought they were. The fact that they weren’t even human was mind-boggling.

  “Believe me, what you have been through would come as just as much of a shock to them as them being a shifter does to you.”

  Cora became instantly nervous at the mention of what she was hiding. “You aren’t going to tell them, are you?”

  He chuckled, “Oh no, not even a chance of me telling them. It gives me an advantage that they don’t have. An advantage that in time I hope to use in my favor.”

  Cora felt her cheeks flush at the implications, but she wasn’t quite sure how she felt about what Emery had admitted. He had angered her so many times, and worse, she hadn’t had any trouble letting him know that. She did not feel that was a good sign.

  Almost as if he could read her mind, Emery said, “I am glad that you feel you can actually show your real emotions in front of me. They have been largely negative so far, but who else has gotten to see that?”

  “I don't know if that is a good thing.”

  “You never show your real emotions for long, and you sure don’t explain how you feel to anyone. Granted it is much easier to do around someone you don’t know than someone you do, but judging by the way you have hidden it from new friends, I take it as a compliment. You feel comfortable around me. Or at least that is what I would like to think it means.”

  Cora turned and watched him drive for a few moments. He cleared his throat, “I’m not entirely comfortable with you watching me, though. It makes me feel very self-conscious.”

  “Sorry. I’m just not quite sure what to think of you.”

  “Understandable. You only just learned about me this morning.”

  Cora furrowed her brow. “What about your injuries? Don’t you need to get some form of care?” She knew that there was no point in suggesting the hospital.

  “It’ll be fine. I can just shift back into a bear when I get home, and it will be little more than a scar in the morning.”

  “Really? It disappears that quickly?”

  “Not being human has its distinct advantages.”

  “That must be nice. What about your life span?”

  “It depends. I think you know that Silas’s parents are dead. They were killed by poachers back when he was really young. Of course, my brother died incredibly young, even by human standards.”

  Cora was silent for a moment, causing him to turn and look at her. “I didn’t know about his parents.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. That was not my place to say. I–”

  “No, it’s fine. I always wondered why he chose to live with us all of those years ago, but that makes sense.”

  “There were family members willing to take him in, but he was certain that you were his mate. I think he always assumed your parents were dead, too. Up until your brother mentioned them a few years ago. Silas was so confused, but by then he already knew you guys weren’t going to end up together, so he didn’t bother to ask.”

  “I probably wouldn't have been honest about it, or would have been intentionally vague.”

  Emery nodded, “I am pretty sure he knew that, which was one reason he didn’t inquire. He always thought that you wanted someone famous.”

  “What do you mean?” Cora was a bit upset by that assessment of her character. She never cared for popular people or celebrities.

  “Well, first you were interested in Alaric, who is incredibly famous all around the world.”

  “Oh, and then I was interested in Ryland. Yeah, I guess I can see why he would think that.”

  “But it wasn’t what you liked about them.” Cora nodded at his words. Emery reached a hand out and pushed some of her hair behind her ear, only briefly looking at her as he drove. “You like the fact that they were mature men who might be able to talk to you about what you had experienced. Then you never brought it up.”

  “It was embarrassing. And what if they blamed me for the deaths, too? I couldn’t deal with it.”

  “No one will blame you for being young and inexperienced. Nor will they blame you for being human – that wasn’t your choice, so it’s hard to fault you for it.”

  “Oh, like you guys are perfect,” she reached over and smacked his arm.

  “No, we aren’t. We are very similar to humans when it comes to emotions and errors. A bit of an embarrassment, but–”

  Cora smacked his arm again. “You are being terrible.”

  “You have my apologies. I think I lost a bit too much blood and now I need to go get some sleep.”

  “Oh, well, then why don’t we pull over somewhere and you can get some sleep.”

  “I’m not going to make you suffer because I need sleep.”

  “I really don’t mind. Considering my place is another hour and a half away, getting some sleep would be for the best.”

  “That really isn’t a good idea.”

  Cora looked over at Emery and noticed that his face was a little pink. Suddenly she understood what he meant. “Oh, don’t worry, I can get my own room if you don’t want to share one.”

  “It isn’t a matter of what I want, but what is best for you.”

  “Go ahead and find a place to pull over for the night. I can call Jason and let him know that we had some problems and that I won’t be home until tomorrow.”

  Emery looked over at her. “If you are sure.”

  “Yes, it’s fine. I don’t have any classes tomorrow, it’s been a very long and trying day, and I am feeling rather tired myself.”

  “Okay. If you are tired too, there is a place not far from here.”

  With that, they chatted a little bit. It wasn’t long before they exited the highway.

  Chapter 11

  Understanding

  Cora looked out the window at the huge mansion. “What are we doing here?”

  Emery hopped out and hurried around to open her door. “I think you will find this a bit more comfortable than a hotel room. We know who has slept here.”

  “I don't think I can afford to stay here,” she looked up at him.

  “It’s free. I'm not about to let you pay since you are being kind enough to let me get to bed instead of making me get us all the way back to your home.”

  “I'm not a monster.” Cora got out of the car and found that her eyes kept going back to Emery as he walked beside her.

  “No, that would be me.”

  “I don’t think you are a monster.”

  “Well, you don’t know me that well.”

  “Well enough, I’m sure.”

  He looked over at her and smiled. Taking a step closer to her, he took her hand. It was the first time he had done so wi
thout having any reason for it. Apart from wanting to hold her hand.

  She smiled and looked down.

  “Wait a minute,” he stopped and looked at her, then up at the sky. “It’s a blue moon.”

  “Hmm?” Cora looked up at the sky. “Oh, yeah, I guess so. Didn’t realize a whole month had passed.”

  “Not quite a full month.” He stepped closer to her.

  Cora looked up at Emery. He wasn’t as tall as Ryland or as wide as Silas, but she felt far more comfortable around him. Her heart began to race a little faster, and suddenly she realized what was going on. Giving him a smile, she moved a little closer.

  The smile on his face looked simultaneously angelic and demonic, but to Cora it was beautiful. His face neared hers, and before she knew it, he was kissing her. The way his lips felt was surprisingly soft. Cora found herself wanting more, and she opened her mouth a little. The feel of his tongue as it slid into her mouth was both shocking and pleasing. Her tongue began to stroke his, and his arms slipped around her, pulling her body closer to his. Cora’s arms slid around his neck and she pressed her body into his.

  Suddenly her feet left the ground, and she moaned as he carried her to the front of the mansion. Cora didn’t notice anything about the inside of the place as he carried her up the stairs.

  Emery stopped in front of a door and placed her on the ground. Though he seemed resistant to it, he stepped away from her. “This is your room.”

  Cora turned around and looked at the door behind her. “I would rather stay with you to make sure you are alright tonight. Just in case.”

  The way she looked at him, there was no way Emery could miss her meaning. His jaw clenched. “Are you sure? You have never been with a man before.”

  Cora was briefly embarrassed. Her cheeks were red as she said, “I am sure.”

  “It will make it difficult for me to sleep.”

  “That’s the idea.”

  “What?” His eyes were wide when he looked down at her.

  She moved closer to him and put her hands on his chest. “We need to get cleaned up first. It would be best if I make sure you are fine and that you wash the wound properly.”

  His eyes tried to read her face, but Emery couldn’t believe that she wanted anything more than to help. With a heavy sigh, he took her hand and led her to his room.

  “You can shower first. It’s this way.” He led her to the bathroom. Before he could turn around to look at her, Emery felt Cora’s arms move around his body and begin to pull his shirt up. “That really isn’t necessary,” he said, trying to keep his voice level.

  “You are beginning to make me think you don’t know how to shower.” Her voice was taunting as she continued to pull at his shirt.

  “I don’t know if this is a good idea.”

  “Look, if you don’t know how to shower, then I feel I should teach you. I mean, what does a shifter know about cleaning using modern technology?”

  “What?” Emery seemed at a loss.

  Cora continued to talk like she didn’t hear him. “It certainly explains Silas’s habits, though. I guess I should have taught him how to shower during all those years he lived at our place.”

  “Now, hold on one minute,” Emery turned around to look at her. “You shouldn’t go showering–”

  “Good lord, you are covered in blood and dirt. Come on. Let’s get you in some nice hot water before you think you need to go wash off in a cold stream.”

  Emery frowned down at Cora as she seemed intent on treating him like a large child who didn’t know how to wash. “I know perfectly well–”

  Then her hands moved down to his pants. Immediately he stepped back. Cora put her hands on her hips. “Look at how dirty those are. You have to remove those to shower.” Without another word, she reached down and pulled her own top off. “Let me show you how you are supposed to go into a shower.”

  Emery turned his head and held up a hand. “I promise you I already know how to shower!”

  “What?” Cora looked at him. “But you thought it wasn’t necessary to remove your shirt.”

  “That wasn’t what I had meant!” His face was bright red and it was all he could do to keep from looking at her. The sound of water caused him to look up and the sight that greeted his eyes caused him to blush deeper. “Please, I can handle my own shower. Having you in here–”

  “Having me in here what?” Cora had approached him, her hands on her slender hips.

  His eyes immediately began to go over her body, and Emery felt ashamed. Turning his body, he couldn’t think of how to clear up the misunderstanding. Then he felt her hands on his back and her head leaning up against him. “Um, Cora?”

  Her hands moved around his body, and Emery couldn’t help but moan at the soft touch against his skin. Slowly Cora’s hands moved down his stomach, tracing his well-defined muscles. Though it had taken him a while, Emery finally realized that she had been messing with him. “Why you little – oh!” Her hands had slid down the front of his pants and moved along his hips.

  In one movement, Emery turned around and picked Cora up off of the floor. One of his hands worked his pants off as his mouth covered hers. His pants were left behind on the floor as he carried her into the shower.

  “Wait!” Cora’s voice as she pulled her mouth away from his was rich with feeling. “I still have my–”

  Emery did not slow down as he slipped in under the water. One hand moved out and turned on a second shower head. Turning the nozzle down, he pushed Cora against the wall. She gasped as he stopped kissing her, his hand working under the front of her bra and cupping her breast. She pressed into him as he slid her breast out of the cup. His other hand quickly undid the strap as Emery began to suck on her nipple. Cora gasped again, her hips pressing hard into him. Her hands ran through his hair, her fingers causing him to pull her body against his.

  He tore her panties off of her, too intent to apologize for ruining them. She looked down at him as he slid her body down. His dark eyes watched hers as he slid into her. Her head leaned back, and he slid a hand up to protect her head. As she arched into him, her neck fully exposed, Emery brought his mouth down to her neck. Gently nipping it as he slid further into her, Emery was careful not to be too forceful. After a few seconds, her body tensed, and he knew that she was experiencing pain. Pulling her upper body against him, he pressed his mouth over hers and distracted her from the moment of discomfort. As soon as her body relaxed, he began to slide her further down over him. She gasped and wrapped her arms around him.

  “Emery. Oh Emery.” Her voice was like an aphrodisiac, and he began to slide in and out of her. Cora’s supple body was easy to hold and move to bring her to a quick climax. As she yelled out, he pulsed against her, causing her to do it again.

  “Oh God! Emery!” She looked at him, then she pulled his face to hers and she began to move on her own. She slid up and down on him in a way that he could not have anticipated. He stepped out of the shower and carried her to the bed, unable to continue holding back in the name of caution. Once they were on the bed, Emery looked down at Cora with a wide grin. Her smile was beautiful as he leaned over to cover her mouth with his own, their bodies beginning a new rhythm.

  Bree’s Dragon

  Chapter 1

  Unexpected News

  “Gods! Is it morning already?” A rather sleepy voice was muffled through several blankets. Throwing them off displayed the incredibly vibrant curly red hair of an unbelievably attractive woman. Despite having just woken, everything about her looked like she had just stepped out of the halls of the gods. Sparkling green eyes reflected an intelligence that seemed in dissidence with the pretty features. Her nose was petite, but not small. Her cheeks bones were obvious, but they did not look sharp. A well-defined jaw rested under glimmering pink lips that looked almost heart-shaped.

  The beautiful mouth widened to reveal a perfect set of teeth and a very pink tongue. The young woman’s yawn was far more an exaggeration than a necessity. Swing
ing her legs over the side of the bed, the woman made her way to a small chest with an energy that did not seem to belong to the morning. With a quick gesture, she flicked the chest open and began flipping through all of her available dresses. Given the size of the chest, it was nearly impossible to believe just how much clothing the redhead was able to cram into it.

  Suddenly, her face brightened, “Well hello, old friend! It has been quite a while since we last got together.” With a melodic laugh, a shiny green dress was drawn from a small space behind most of the other clothing.

  The woman’s steps were light as she danced with her dress across the floor and into a small bathroom. Pulling off her glittering golden nightdress, the woman tossed it to the floor and picked up her underclothing. She gave them a skeptical look and tossed them on top of her night dress. “I think not today.” Parading around the bathroom without any clothing, the woman washed her faced, brushed and styled her hair, looked in the mirror with a gentle frown, and admired the view from her current location. In the building opposite was a rather young looking man whose eyes were clearly watching the young woman. His hands were held up to his mouth as if he was taking an imaginary drink of tea, a look that hinted at the cup that had been there until he had looked out of the window at the inn. The young woman gave him a huge smile and an energetic wave before moving back into the bedroom area, the dress back in her hands.

  Pulling open a small drawer in the chest, the young woman decided on a simple set of underclothing that would be more comfortable for traveling. Pulling the dress on over her head, the red head moved toward the door without a backward look at the mess she had made that morning.

  She missed the little head shake her neighbor gave before leaning over to see if she was still moving about naked. Soon after he called in a servant to clean up the broken cup and get him a change of clothes as his current outfit was covered in tea.

  Not entirely unaware of what she had done, the young woman bounced down three flights of stairs, her arms swinging and a beautiful melody resonating from her chest as she hummed. Her long fingers curled, and her arm stretched to rap on the door marked 204. She continued to hum as she turned the handle and barged into the room.