© Copyright 2016 by Pure Passion Reads – All rights reserved.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
THANK YOU so much for downloading this book!
As a way of showing gratitude, I wanted to extend a very special offer to you. I'm giving selected readers access to my VIP Mailing List. As part of this group, you will receive notifications about promotions and new releases!
Do you want to read more romance stories full of Adventures, Passion, and Emotions every week?
Click the “Get Access Now” link below to join today!
Get Access Now
Claimed by Two Navy Shifters
A Paranormal Romance
By Jasmine Wylder
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
Bonus Content
Bonus Book 1: The Alien Dragon´s Desired Mate
Bonus Book 2: The Billionaire Shifter´s Secret Baby
About Jasmine Wylder
Chapter One
Roxanne Moreno sat in her car, shivering from the cold. The heating in her car had been broken for weeks but she simply couldn’t afford to get it fixed. Lately, her finances had been strained, to say the least. Two minimum wage jobs weren’t enough to pay the bills, do groceries, and more importantly, pay for her brother’s college tuition.
On the passenger seat, there was a pile of mail she had collected from the post office that afternoon. She feared to look through it, knowing that the end of the month always brought along unwanted bills.
The letters seemed to stare at her as she rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them up. Finally, she relented and grabbed a few envelopes. To her relief, the first one was just junk mail. A culinary school was trying to get her to enroll in the spring semester. “Pfft. I can barely afford one tuition bill… let alone two…” Roxanne spoke to herself, thinking about her brother. He was a smart kid. He wanted to be a civic engineer. Roxanne knew that he would make it out well in life, just as long as she kept putting him through college.
As for her, she would probably spend the rest of her life working low-end jobs. She had dropped out of high school in order to take care of her brother after their parents had passed away in a horrific car accident. If she hadn’t, he would have been sent to an orphanage. Roxanne shuddered at the thought. On that day, her whole world had turned upside-down. In an instant, she had gone from a carefree teenager to a responsible adult in a matter of days.
The rest of the mail was mostly junk – advertisements, coupons, and donation requests. Roxanne sighed before she looked up, feeling like someone was watching her. The parking lot was full, but there didn’t seem to be anyone around – at least that she could see. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion and she sniffed the air, hoping to catch a whiff of something, but all she could pick up was the slight hint of sulfur – probably coming from the decomposing trash in the dumpster.
“It’s just your imagination, Roxie… you’ve always been paranoid.” Still, she kept looking around, convinced that someone was watching her. A sense of fear crawled up her spine, wrapping around her tightly. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on edge as if her body was trying to warn her of danger.
Wanting to leave as soon as possible, she flipped to the final letter which made her heart stop. The West Hartford University logo was stamped in the upper right corner and it almost seemed to be staring back at her. Tuition wasn’t due until February 1st, so why were they sending her mail? Carefully, she slid her finger under the seal, easing it open.
Inside, she felt the thick card stock the university always used for their letters. She felt the high-quality material under her fingers and sighed, knowing she would never have a life like her brother’s. He got to go to a prestigious school while she worked almost 80 hours a week, just trying to make ends meet. Not that she was complaining… she would do anything for her little brother. Even though she was just 26, there were days when she felt like she was 56.
Breaking the seal with a long, thin finger, she pulled out the letter and quickly read through it. “No…” Roxanne shook her head, her luscious black hair bouncing against her shoulders. “They can’t do this…”
Dear Ms. Moreno,
As Dustin Moreno’s legal guardian, we’re sending this letter as a reminder that tuition will be increasing by 2% next semester. The new tuition cost, not including room and board, dining, lab fees, and travel expenses will now be $35,000 a semester.
We would like to remind you that there are scholarship opportunities for every student. However, need-based awards will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline is January 15th.
We will also be implementing other increases. Room and Board has been raised to $10,000 a semester, for basic living quarters. For suites, there will be an additional $1,000 surcharge. Meal plans have been increased to $4,000 for the 21 meals a week plan. Low-income families can inquire about reduced pricing.
If you have any questions or concerns about these increases, feel free to contact the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected] or call us during our regular business hours at (918) 887-6540.
Roxanne’s veins felt like they were pumping liquid ice. How was she going to afford all of this? Just when she had finally put aside just enough money to cover Dustin’s tuition… this had to happen… She leaned forward, her forehead pressing against the steering wheel. Her chest tightened as she felt the overwhelming desire to cry. It was like her whole world was falling apart. What would she tell Dustin if she wasn’t able to pay the tuition? Her credit wasn’t good enough to take out a decent loan. He was too focused on school to get a job of his own. Which meant she would need to take on even more work to get through this. Her body ached just thinking about it.
On the dashboard, her car’s strange analog clock ticked away, announcing the passing of time. It was probably a good idea to head home. Sitting in her car, feeling sorry for herself wasn’t going to help her situation. Not that her rundown apartment was any less depressing than her crappy little car. There in her apartment, the only thing to keep her company were the echoes of the squeaking floorboards. Sometimes, she would go into her brother’s room, pretending like he would come back at any moment, but knowing that he was actually having the time of his life back on campus.
Her large chest heaved as she sighed, wishing for a moment that she could step into his shoes and experience that carefree life.
Feeling cold, she tried to zip up her jacket, but it was a size too small. It was the only size at the thrift store that had somewhat fit her. As the chilliness settled into her bones, goosebumps formed over her large chest. It didn’t help that she was wearing a plunging V-neck. It wasn’t her first choice of wear, but it helped bring in tips at the bar and right now, that’s all that mattered.
Ready to finally go home, she turned the key, waiting for the telltale sputter of her engine. A faint click, click, click was all that could be heard before silence settled inside the car once more. Still turning the key, the engine started to grind and the smell of burnt rubber
quickly permeated the air. “Just my goddamn luck.” Frustrated, she cursed under her breath and got out of the car, popping the hood.
Everything looked normal to her, then again, she knew absolutely nothing about cars. She reached out and touched something, but quickly recoiled when she burned the tips of her fingers. “Dammit!” It was as if the whole world was conspiring against her.
“Do you need some help?” A deep, husky voice sounded behind her. Roxie jumped before she turned around, seeing a rather attractive man standing there. She recognized him from the bar. She had gotten him a scotch, but never caught his name. Was he the one who had been watching her this whole time?
“Yeah… if you don’t mind. That would be great.” Roxie pulled her jacket tighter around her, feeling the bitterness of the cold nip at her skin.
“Of course.” The man leaned over the engine, inspecting it. Roxie couldn’t help but admire him. Even in the bar, she had been smitten with his charming good looks. His long hair, tied back in a ponytail suited him well, accentuating the sharp lines of his face. His shoulders were rolled back and his spine ramrod straight even as he leaned over. This looked like a man built for business. A necklace in the form of a strange, zodiac-like symbol, hung from his neck. A single word was tattooed below his ear, written in a flowing script. Roxie squinted, trying to read it. She wasn’t sure, but it looked like it said Lupus.
“Looks like your battery died.”
“How can you tell?”
“Well for one, it’s ice-cold.” He grabbed her hand and guided it toward the battery. Roxie’s breath caught in her throat as she felt his touch for the first time. It was like she had been electrocuted. She wanted to pull her hand back, but at the same time, the sensation was oddly satisfying. She found herself moving even closer to him, gravitating toward his warmth, like a moth to the flame.
“So, what can I do?”
“Unfortunately, not much you can do. I only drive a motorcycle, so I can’t offer to jump it for you.” The man frowned, his thin lips pressed into a hard line.
“Darn. Do you think there’s anyone else that could give me a hand?”
“What seems to be the problem here?” Another voice broke through the darkness of the cold winter evening. A second handsome man had just appeared. Roxie didn’t recognize him, but she found herself staring into his bright blue eyes as if she had been brought under a spell.
“What are you doing here?” The man who had helped her snapped at the newcomer. He stepped forward, holding out his arm in a protective manner.
“What? I can’t go to a bar?” The blue-eyed man grinned, his hands in his pockets. He wore a tight-fitting shirt that showed off his amazing physique. His arms were bare as if the cold didn’t affect him. Roxie admired the full tattoo sleeve he had on his left arm, swirling with various tribal drawings and a vivid skull on his forearm. The skull had roses in its eye sockets and its mouth was filled with vines. As he stepped closer, his muscles rippled under his skin making him appear taller and more muscular than the man currently holding Roxie.
“You stay away from her, Leo.” Roxie could feel the man shaking with rage as he growled the words.
“Now, why would I do that, Warren?”
“You know damn well.” Warren’s eyes narrowed as he growled back. For a split second, it seemed as if his nails started to grow longer and sharper.
“Now, hold on. You wouldn’t want to lose your temper in front of the pretty woman, would you?” Leo stepped forward, a smug look on his face.
“I said stay away.” Suddenly, Warren’s eyes turned into the color of dark amber.
“Do you think it wise to transform so close to her?”
Roxie had finally snapped out of it. “What’s going on here? Do you two know each other?” When she touched Warren’s arm, he seemed to calm down. His eyes returned to their normal brown color and he blinked a few times, shaking his head as if he had been dazed.
Leo walked up to the car and checked the engine, purposely getting between Warren and Roxie. “If you don’t mind…” His body pressed against Roxie’s, making her shiver. He had this powerful aura that instantly made her feel safe.
“You shouldn’t be here…” Warren hissed under his breath.
“And why not?”
“You very well know why. I told you to stay away from me a long time ago.”
“I didn’t come here to see you. I came here to enjoy a good drink. Not my problem that this woman was in distress. I couldn’t just let her suffer, could I?” Leo’s smirk danced on his lips as he continued to tease Warren.
The tension between them only grew. Warren wanted to leap out of his skin and pounce on this man right then and there, but he could feel the weight of Roxie’s eyes on his body. Transforming now meant risking losing control and hurting her and he couldn’t let that happen. He offered her a weak smile, feeling his heart stir for the first time in quite a while.
“Can you fix it?” Roxie leaned forward, causing her chest to nearly spill out of her shirt. Leo glanced down at her cleavage, feeling his loins stir. His inner animal raged within him, urging him to take her. All he needed to do was bend her over the hood and have his way with her. He was just about to grab her wrist and kiss her when he remembered Warren. Making his move now meant he would have to deal with the pesky little werewolf and he definitely wasn’t in the mood.
“Sure. Let me just get some cables from my truck.” Leo walked away, leaving Roxie alone with Warren once again.
“What was that all about?”
“Huh?”
“Why were you so rude to that guy?”
Warren hesitated to answer. It wasn’t like he could tell her the truth. “Long story. Don’t worry about it.”
“Well, it felt like you two were just about ready to rip out each other’s throats.”
Warren ran his fingers over his long hair and chuckled nervously. She wasn’t far from the truth. Then again, if Warren had been smarter, he would have killed Leo a long time ago.
Roxie’s teeth started to chatter from the cold. Warren wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. “Thanks…” Naturally, she melted into his embrace, feeling like she belonged in his arms.
Leo came back, his eyes blazing with anger. He yanked Warren away from her, his nails digging into the arms of his enemy. “What do you think you’re doing?” He growled, his teeth sharp and inhuman.
“Get off me.” Warren threw a punch, right into Leo’s jaw. The two of them started to fight, banging into Roxie’s car and denting the hood.
“Stop it! Both of you!” She screamed, trying to break them apart. They were seconds away from losing all control, but her touch seemed to instantly soothe both of them. They looked away, utterly embarrassed.
“I’ll just call a taxi.”
Leo held up the cables. “But this will only take a second.”
“Well, you guys already damaged my car. I’m not sure I’m willing to risk anything else.”
“Please. Forgive me. I’ve been on edge.” Leo’s voice was smooth and seductive as he tried to convince Roxie to listen to him. Warren didn’t want to risk exposing himself in front of the beautiful woman. He walked away, a bitter taste in his mouth. Leo had won the battle, but he wouldn’t win the war.
Chapter Two
With Leo’s help, Roxie was finally able to get her car up and running. He didn’t stay very long after that. It felt like he was shaking with excitement every time he got close to her as if his body was ready to explode at any moment.
“Hey, you alright?”
“Yes…” Leo’s voice was husky, his eyes shifting to a sapphire blue. Roxie was almost certain they had been a light blue when she first saw him. Maybe it was just the dim lighting. She was sitting behind the wheel while he hung on the door, peering inside. Their faces were close together, their noses nearly touching. Roxie could feel a carnal desire sparking up inside of her. She wanted to reach out and kiss this man, even though she had only just met him.
<
br /> “Well… thanks again for helping me out…” She tried to pull the door closed, but he just stood there, the smirk on his face deepening and his eyes growing even darker. Roxie felt her lust starting to get out of control. Her instincts raged at her to lunge forward, but she managed to hold them back, her fingers tightening around the wheel. Struggling to keep her cool, she once again felt like a young woman who didn’t know how to maintain control of her instincts. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”
“Must you leave so soon?” He asked, getting even closer. Roxie could smell his scent. It was sort of musty, like the inside of a cave. She took a deep breath, finding it intoxicating. Her mind went numb and for a moment, she forgot where she was. “I wouldn’t mind spending some more time with you…” He whispered, reaching out to touch her cheek. The moment his fingers made contact with her cheek, Roxie gasped and pushed him away with all her might. He went flying backward. She slammed the door shut and quickly backed out of the parking space.
Why did he have such a profound effect on her? The last time she felt this way… No. It couldn’t be. He couldn’t be one of them. She shook her head and tried to focus on the road as she drove home. All she needed to do, was forget about the mysterious men.
***
But forgetting about them proved difficult, because the next day, they arrived at the bar. Roxie was working her usual shift behind the counter. It had been a relatively quiet evening which wasn’t the best since it meant fewer tips.
Across the bar, a few men kept looking at her. None of them drank alcohol which made their presence at the bar a little strange. At least they were tipping her well for the constant refill on soda as they played pool. She had never seen them at the bar before and she tried to strike up a conversation, but they didn’t seem to speak English very well. All of them had tattoos on the side of their neck in the shape of a G.
Claimed by Two Navy Shifters Page 1