by Liza Street
And she would fight for him. She wouldn’t give up, hide from love like her aunt had done. She would go after it with a…with a… She looked around until she spotted a giant metal pipe. Tucking the crystal into her sports bra, she grabbed the pipe and hoisted it in her hand.
She’d fight for Grant, for love, and for their future—whether that future would take place here in the Junkyard or out there in the free world.
She ran again—this time not away from trouble, but toward it.
When she reached Grant and the others, she found them in the midst of a heated battle. Four against one, Grant in the center of it.
One of the men spotted her and left the fight, rushing toward her. She held the pipe in her arms, praying her adrenaline would give her the strength she needed.
They thought she was weak. She’d use that. She pretended to struggle with the weight of the pipe.
The guy smiled. “Is that too heavy for you, sweetheart?”
“No?” She pretended to tremble.
He reached forward, still smiling.
Giving him a smile of her own, she lifted and swung the pipe at the same time. It caught him beneath the chin. He didn’t go down, but he fell back with a curse. His movement distracted Mathers, and Grant took the opportunity to give Mathers a roundhouse kick to the throat.
Mathers fell down, choking, and the other guys paused.
“You can try to win this,” Grant said, “but you’re gonna lose.”
Mathers rolled on the ground, clutching his neck.
“So?” Grant said.
None of the guys stepped forward.
Satisfied, Grant nodded and walked over to Caitlyn. “You okay?”
“I’m good,” she said. “Is Mathers going to die?”
Grant gave him a scornful look. “Sadly, no.” He held out an arm to her. “Shall we?”
Caitlyn nodded and linked her arm with his. Together, they walked to the edge of the Junkyard where the witch was supposed to meet them.
“Do you think we’ll make it in time?” Caitlyn asked.
“I hope so.”
A few minutes later, they passed the small pond. Caitlyn could make out the shape of a person in the distance.
“It’s her,” Caitlyn said. “I think she’s turning around.”
She and Grant dropped each other’s arms and ran.
“Wait for us!” Caitlyn shouted. “We’re coming!”
The figure paused. Caitlyn and Grant kept running until they skidded to a stop at the line of gravel. The witch faced them, her pale blond hair nearly white and falling in a straight sheet down her back. Her eyes were so dark, they were nearly black.
Caitlyn bent at the waist, trying to catch her breath. Looking up from her bent position, she gasped, “I’m Caitlyn, and this is Grant.”
“I’m Maddie,” the woman said.
“Hi, Maddie.” Grant’s deep voice resonated with hope. “Can you let us out of here?”
“You have the crystal?” Maddie asked.
Caitlyn fished the crystal out of her sports bra and showed it to her.
“Good. I’ll let you out, but not him. I don’t know him or why he’s in there.”
That wasn’t the deal, was it?
“No,” Caitlyn said. “You have to let both of us out of here. He’s a good person. I…I love him.”
“It’s okay,” Grant said. “It’s more important that you get out.”
Maddie eyed them curiously. “Are you mates?”
Mates? Carter had said something about that, but Caitlyn didn’t know what it meant. “Like, how animals get together?” she asked.
“For life,” Grant said, nodding. “Yes, we are. At least, I’m hers forever.”
Tears filled Caitlyn’s eyes as she looked into Grant’s determined face. “And I’m yours. I’m not leaving without you.”
Cocking her head, Maddie looked at them again. “If you’re mates, you can get out. Hold hands and come over.”
“Really?” Caitlyn asked. It couldn’t be that easy.
“The boundary will recognize your full hearts,” Maddie said.
Caitlyn looked up at Grant. That was exactly what she felt when she was with him—a full, complete, whole heart. “Should we try this?”
11
Grant held Caitlyn’s hand in his and looked down at her. He’d never loved anyone more than he loved her. He’d never wanted anything as much as he wanted her happiness and affection.
Maddie stared impassively at them from the other side of the gravel line with her creepy-as-night black eyes. “Well?”
This was it. The moment they would walk across the boundary and be free. Together.
He hated to hope for this, because he was afraid of being disappointed. What if it didn’t work? What if they were both mistaken and they weren’t mates? No, he knew without a doubt that they belonged together as mates—there was no question. But the witch could be wrong about the boundary’s rules.
He tried to ignore the doubt and fear and focus on the hope instead. He looked at his mate and felt the fear dissipate.
“You ready?” he said to Caitlyn.
She nodded, and, looking into each other’s eyes, they stepped over the gravel at the same time.
Grant sighed. Free. They were out at last, and they were together. Pulling Caitlyn into his arms, he gave her their first kiss as free people, outside of the Junkyard, ready to start a wonderful new life together. Caitlyn tasted like vanilla and she smelled sweet and rich like roses. He could kiss her all damn day, but there’d be time for that soon.
Keeping his arms around Caitlyn, Grant looked to Maddie. “Thank you.”
Caitlyn handed Maddie the crystal.
“I didn’t do anything,” Maddie said, peering at the crystal. “But thanks for this. It will help with my spells.”
She turned to go, but Caitlyn said, “Wait.”
Maddie paused. “Yes?”
“There’s another guy in there,” Caitlyn said. “I don’t think he belongs. His heart is good.”
“You’re not talking about Carter, are you?” Grant said, looking at her in surprise.
Her brown eyes were earnest. “I know he’s done some bad things. But he’s not a bad guy.”
“I’m risking the alphas’ wrath just talking to you two,” Maddie said. “They don’t want everyone to know how to get out of the Junkyard. If you want to tell your buddy, fine, but that’s it.”
With that, Maddie walked away, maybe so Grant and Caitlyn wouldn’t be able to ask her any more questions.
Grant squeezed Caitlyn’s hand, then moved his arm around her waist. “Carter, really?”
“Really.” She tilted her head back, looking into Grant’s eyes. She was tired, he could tell. It had been a long-ass night. But there was still a smile on her face. She stood on tiptoes and he bent forward slightly so she could kiss him. “He’s a jackass, but he isn’t all bad.”
“The man can’t stop with the violence,” Grant said.
“Agree to disagree.”
“Or you could just agree with me,” he said.
She gave him a light smack on the shoulder. Grinning, he reached down and literally swept her off her feet, hauling her into his arms like she was his bride.
Hmm, bride. Not a bad idea. Yeah, he would marry her if she’d have him. But first he wanted to show her his place.
He carried her around the edge of the Junkyard, this time on the outside of that gravel line. The air was the same here. The trees looked and smelled the same. The forest noises were the same. Yet it felt different because they were free.
His cabin came into view, with the hammock on the front porch. He couldn’t wait to show Caitlyn inside, and he hoped she would make the place her own.
He stepped up onto the porch and set Caitlyn down. “Wanna check it out?”
“Yeah, I do,” she said.
He opened the door and they walked in. It was dusty and the food in the refrigerator was going to reek as soon as he p
ulled it open. He’d leave it closed, for now. The trash, thankfully, didn’t stink—he’d taken it out shortly before he’d gone into the Junkyard.
He tried to see the cabin through Caitlyn’s eyes, and watched as she took in the homey-looking furniture—a simple couch, an easy chair facing the wood stove. No television. The bedroom was the same as the living room except with a bed and nightstand. Everything was simple, except the walls were covered in murals.
“This is amazing,” she said, spinning around to take in the murals, her brown eyes wide in admiration. “I love it, Grant.”
“Do you think you could live out here in the middle of nowhere with a Junkyard shifter like me?” he asked her.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she said, “Yes. I’ll choose you, and love, every time.”
“Caitlyn Dorsey, I love you,” he said. “I’m so happy you’re my mate and my forever love.”
“I love you, too, Grant Lewiston.” She kissed his lips as he held her close, breathing in her scents of vanilla, roses, and happiness.
Loving the Junkyard Shifters? Find the next book, Filthy Beast, at your favorite retailer by visiting https://lizastreetauthor.com/lizas-books/junkyard-shifters or https://books2read.com/filthy-beast.
From Filthy Beast:
He hooked two fingers into her belt loop and dragged her closer. “How about you use that tongue for something good and kiss me?”
“Fuck you.”
“Anytime, kitty cat.”
The look she gave him was pure revulsion, but he could scent her desire in the air. She might not like him right now, but she wanted him.
He could work with that.
“You think I’m the same as the other guys here?” he asked. “A violent fighter, ready to kick the shit out of anything that moves?”
“I know you are. I saw you in the ring,” she said, her blue eyes revealing some of the hurt she felt.
“That wasn’t me, kitty cat. That was the beast inside, trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need protecting.”
He laughed and held up his forearm. The scratches she’d left there while in her cougar form still stung even though they were already starting to heal. “I know that, now.”
“Sorry I hurt you,” she said, looking down.
“Sorry I dragged you away from your fight. Now come here.” He kept his fingers in her belt loop and wrapped his other arm around her waist. Her skin was so warm, he felt it through her shirt. “I want that kiss.”
Get your copy at https://books2read.com/filthy-beast!
Also by Liza Street
Fierce Mates: Sierra Pride
The Sierra Pride: The Complete Series
Fierce Wanderer
Fierce Heartbreaker
Fierce Protector
Fierce Player
Fierce Dancer
Fierce Informer
Fierce Survivor
Fierce Lover
Fierce Mates: Corona Pride
The Corona Pride: Books 1-5
Savage Yearning
Savage Loss
Savage Heartache
Savage Thirst
Savage Bliss
Savage Redemption
Irredeemable (a FREE prequel)
Savage Penance
Fierce Mates: Dark Pines Pride
The Dark Pines Pride: Books 1-3
Wild Homecoming
Wild Atonement
Wild Reunion
Wild Engagement
Fierce Mates: Rock Creek Clan
The Rose King
Ruthless Misfit
Ruthless Outlaw
Ruthless Fighter
Ruthless Rogue
Ruthless Knight
Junkyard Shifters
Filthy Vandal
Filthy Beast
Filthy Wolf
Filthy Alpha
Charmslinger
Blood Bounty
Blood Beast
Spellbound Shifters: Dragons Entwined
(with Keira Blackwood)
Dragons Entwined: Books 1-3
Dragon Forgotten (a FREE prequel)
Dragon Shattered
Dragon Unbroken
Dragon Reborn
Dragon Ever After
Spellbound Shifters: Fates and Visions
(with Keira Blackwood)
Oracle Defiant
Oracle Adored
Spellcaster Hidden
Spellbound Shifters Standalones
(with Keira Blackwood)
Hope Reclaimed
Orphan Entangled
Alphas & Alchemy: Fierce Mates
(with Keira Blackwood)
Claimed in Forbidden
Fated in Forbidden
Bound to Forbidden
Caught in Forbidden
Mated in Forbidden
Forever in Forbidden
Destined in Forbidden
About Liza
Liza Street got her start in romance by sneak-reading her grandma's paperbacks. Now she’s a USA Today bestselling author. Whether writing paranormal romance or urban fantasy, she delights in throwing humans and supernaturals together and watching the magical mayhem.
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