Summer Shifter Days

by V. Vaughn

  Once she and Chance got halfway to her mother’s throne, they stopped, bowing their heads in a show of respect.

  Little piglet—as she’d taken to calling their daughter, thanks to Chance’s constant referral of her in that manner—was grunting and restless. She poked her baby fists through her swaddling as though she were breaking free of her bindings. Already, she had the strength and powerful nature of the bear showing through.

  “Bronwyn, formerly of the Crow Clan, and now of the Grizzlies, come forward,” Annalida said with solemnity.

  Squeezing Chance’s hand, she made her way toward her mother with only her piglet in tow. She and Chance had decided on the name that morning, and it felt right. Powerful. Like their daughter.

  She knelt by her mother’s throne, bowing her head and staring at the face of her daughter with love shining in her eyes. Bronwyn had never known what love meant until the day she’d looked into the familiar eyes of her daughter. She loved Chance. He was all things to her, but their daughter was a piece of her soul and his, combined into the form of one.

  Only after she’d had her baby had she understood the pain she’d put her own mother through. And though Bronwyn couldn’t regret the road that had led her to Chance, she did feel shame that she hadn’t handled things better.

  Annalida didn’t make her wait long. Her tender touch on Bron’s shoulder made her finally glance up. Her mother smiled down at her with tears brimming in her eyes.

  “People of the Crow.” Annalida spoke with authority, causing the air to ripple with threads of power as she drew from the earth magick. “We welcome back our wayward sister and my daughter, Bronwyn, and the new life blessed upon us all. And now I ask, daughter mine, what name has been chosen for this child?”

  The hush was heavy. Even the wind seemed to stop moving through the boughs of the trees as they waited to hear.

  The naming of a child was a sacred business, and one done with the utmost respect and reverence.

  Smiling proudly, she glanced back at Chance for a quick moment. He gave her a thumb’s up, and once again, Bronwyn almost couldn’t believe this was her life.

  The gods had smiled down on her the day she’d seen the bear. They’d given her a second chance at a happier, more fulfilling life. She knew that no matter what came down the road, she would never cease being grateful for it.

  Inhaling deeply, she cuddled her daughter closer, giving her fat cheek a quick kiss before reverently saying, “Her name is Ursa. Ursa Hawthorne.”

  Jubilant cries of joy rang out through the woods as the Crows chanted her daughter’s name.

  “Ursa. Ursa. Ursa…” over and over and over again, they cried.

  Annalida hugged Bronwyn tightly, careful not to hurt the child, then whispered in her daughter’s ear. “A miracle has been wrought here, my child. And now there is only one question left to ask.”

  As though knowing what would be asked, Chance finally joined them, slipping his arm around her waist. It was exactly where Bronwyn knew she was supposed to be. She leaned heavily into him, breathing a sigh of relief. Even Ursa quieted down a little when her daddy appeared.

  “Are you happy?” Annalida looked at them both.

  Chance nodded but stayed silent as he looked to her for her answer.

  And she knew there was only one answer to give. “Yes. I am very happy.”

  Annalida’s arms drew into the air. With a shout, she said, “Let us celebrate our sister’s joy. Eat, drink, and be merry.”

  And though the Crows wouldn’t adopt Ursa as their own, they had shown her respect and reverence by celebrating her birth and life. It was more than Bronwyn could have hoped for.

  Later that night, when the stars were shining like tiny, twinkling diamonds in the sky, and Ursa was being tended to by one of several dozen doting aunties, Bronwyn was alone with Chance. She rested her head on his shoulder, listening to the gentle rhythm of his beating heart.

  “Until I met you, Bron, I could never imagine being happy in a life like this,” he said solemnly.

  She smiled, looking up at his rugged and handsome face. Her heart was so full, she felt it might burst from happiness.

  “No regrets?” she asked.

  Taking her hand in his, he kissed her knuckles and shook his head. “None. You’re it for me, woman. And you always will be.”

  And when they kissed, she tasted forever on his tongue. And life… well, life was good.

  Make sure to pick up your copy of August, book 2 in Selene Charles’ Mating Fever series, available now on Kindle Unlimited. Love my books, want to know when the next one releases, make sure to sign up for my newsletter!

  Selene Charles’ Books

  Mating Fever Series

  Chance, Book 1

  August, Book 2

  Phoenix, Book 3

  The Night Universe Series Collection (boxed set includes the completed series)

  In KU program, only .99

  Crimson Night, Book 1

  All Hallows Night, Book 2

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  Reckless, Book 2

  Possessed, Book 3

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  It’s a Charmed Life, Book 1

  Her Dragon’s Heart - Julia Mills

  Dragon Guard Series #8

  There Are No Coincidences.

  The Universe Does Not Make Mistakes.

  Fate Will Not Be Denied.

  What do you get when you combine one head-strong dragon shifter with a young woman whose past won’t stay hidden? Then add a coven of demon-raising wizards and a Fate that will not be denied? The perfect recipe for sizzling romance, spine-tingling intrigue, sword swinging action and swoon-worthy love. Enter the world of the Dragon Guard…Forever be changed.

  GAELIC AS SPOKEN BY THE ORIGINAL DRAGON KIN

  HER DRAGON’S HEART

  Index of the Words from the Original Language of the Dragon Kin

  Teaghlaigh Family

  Draoi Wizard

  Fuil mo chuid fola Blood of my Blood

  Mo dhaoine My People

  A’r ndaoine Our People

  An Dara Second in Command

  Ghealach Dearg Red Moon

  Tost Silence

  Bhaint agus a chur ar ais Remove and Restore

  Mo chroi’ My Heart

  Mo ghra’ My Love

  M’fhíorghrá My True Love

  Tá tú mo ghrá eternal You Have My Eternal Love

  Ta’ mo chroi istigh ionat My Heart is Within You

  Demon ar ríchathaoir Demon on the Throne

  Copyright © 2015 Julia Mills

  All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictional manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  NOTICE: This is an adult erotic paranormal romance with love scenes and mature situations. It is only intended for adult readers over the age of 18.

  Edited by Lisa Miller, Angel Editing Services

  Proofread by Alicia Carmical with AVC Proofreading

  Cover Designed by Linda Boulanger with Tell Tale Book Covers

  Dare to Dream! Find the Strength to Act! Never Look Back!

  Thank you, God.

  To my girls, Liz and Em, I Love You. Every day, every way, always.

  1

  “I’m sure
you’ve got a damn good reason for dragging me halfway around the world and then marching me through a swamp in the pouring rain…”

  Liam paused and Jace braced for what was to come. He knew there was no way his best friend was done with his verbal ass-kicking. Liam was the Grande Poobah of bitching. He hadn’t even reached the path to the pinnacle of his capabilities yet.

  “So out with it, asshole, before I call my dragon and head back home.”

  Jace sighed a heavy sigh. He knew Liam was right. Almost forty-eight hours ago he’d awoken the other Guardsman from a sound sleep, thrown a packed duffle at his chest, and told him to ‘dragon up’. True to form, Liam had done so without question, a testament to the strength of their friendship. A bond Jace could tell was wearing terribly thin. The problem was he had no idea how to explain why they were doing what they were doing without giving away his secret…something he’d been hiding since his first trip to the hospital almost four months ago.

  One look into her haunting hazel eyes. A mere whiff of the spicy scent of flowering dianthus. Just one moment in her presence and he’d known. Could feel it with every fiber of his being. Had confirmation from the beast within… Melanie Whelan was his. The one woman in all the world created to complete him and his dragon in every way. Jace had found his mate.

  He’d spent the rest of the day in a fog. Not sure what to do or say. His beast had begged for him to throw the beautiful nurse over his shoulder, carry her far from civilization and make her theirs forever. More than a few minutes were spent in debate with his dragon and in all honesty…the big guy had almost won. After a long walk around the hospital grounds, Jace returned to his post and spent the next few hours mooning over his newfound treasure like a schoolboy with a crush.

  After a few sleepless nights, Jace had contemplated talking to Royce, the oldest Guardsman of their Force and his mentor, but as Fate would have it, things had gotten complicated. They had gotten a lead on the traitor, blown up a mansion, then lost the traitor. They also had a mating ceremony and welcomed the first female dragon in hundreds of years into the clan…pretty much same shit different day for his people. At least nothing was ever boring. It had, however, kept him from doing little more than smiling at his beautiful mate.

  Rayne, the Commander of their Force, had tried to remove him from the detail responsible for watching Lance’s mate, Dr. Sam Malone, and Jace had come close to losing his cool. His guard detail was the only time he was sure to see Melanie. There was no way he was giving it up without a fight. It took some fancy finagling, but he’d been able to stay on the team and see his mate almost every day.

  It had taken almost a week, but Jace finally worked up the nerve to have more than a three word exchange with Melanie. The more they talked, the more he realized how perfect she was. Her quick wit and wicked sense of humor were just a few of the things he would never get tired of. He’d always been told the Universe did not make mistakes, but it was still the most amazing thing he’d experienced in all his fifty-four years.

  The cute way her nose wrinkled when she giggled with the children on the Pediatrics floor or the way her eyes shone when she helped her geriatric patients filled his heart with tenderness. Keeping himself from kissing her silly every time they were together had become a constant battle. Thoughts of claiming her as his own had become an obsession.

  The more time he spent with her, the stronger their bond became. He had begun to feel her emotions, even caught glimpses of her thoughts. The intimacy of sharing her feelings was miraculous, something he looked forward to as much as his next breath. So when those feelings just stopped, like someone flipped a switch, Jace MacQuaid flipped his lid.

  In an instant, he was out of bed, dressed, and flying down the road on his Harley, constantly reaching through their mating link, praying to the Heavens he could catch even the slightest sense that Melanie was okay. The longer her ‘radio silence continued, the more his panic grew. It was a new experience for the young Guardsman and one he hoped never to repeat.

  Trying to calm both himself and his dragon, he thought back to the last time he’d seen her. She’d been quiet, distracted…almost pensive. Her emotions had become erratic after Kyra announced she had a lead on Calysta involving some whacked out coven of black witches/wizards known as the Dorcha, descendants of the Firbolgs – the dark aborigines from the 13th century.

  Anxiety flooded their mating bond. Jace probed, looking for the cause of her fear, but Melanie’s thoughts were locked up tighter than Fort Knox. Her features so well-schooled that only someone who’d studied her as much as Jace would notice the rigid set of her shoulders and the way she continually glanced to the side.

  He’d asked what was wrong and she’d made an excuse about being tired then walked away without looking up. Never one to relent, Jace followed, hoping for answers. Instead, Melanie ducked out of the room, returning several minutes later with her backpack and coat. She made an excuse about an early shift, which didn’t fit her schedule and raised more red flags, but the kicker was when she left without letting him walk her out.

  Jace paced Royce’s front porch until he’d worn a path, then made three laps around the yard before calming enough to go back inside, cursing himself for not making her tell him what was wrong. The notion of making Melanie Whelan do anything was laughable and made him smile.

  I should’ve told her she was my mate. That we’re meant to be together forever. That I’ll be there for her no matter what.

  Over the next few days there had been countless times he’d on his way to see her, only to have her look up, fake a smile, then head the opposite direction. He knew she was avoiding him but had no idea why. Using every one of his enhanced abilities, he watched from the shadows, undetected but still close enough to protect her.

  On the evening of the second night, he’d had enough. He knew their attraction was mutual. He’d scented her arousal when they touched, seen her pupils dilate, felt her breath quicken, and felt their connection the few times he’d lowered his lips to hers. Melanie Whelan was his, dammit, and he would protect her to his dying breath, whether she liked it or not.

  Waiting in the hospital parking lot, determined to get some answers, Jace propped himself against his motorcycle and waited. Her scent filled the air seconds before she exited the large sliding glass doors. He made a beeline to intercept his stubborn mate, reminding both himself and his dragon they were there to get answers, not to be distracted by her sparkling eyes and kissable lips.

  Unfortunately, two strides into his trek, the cellphone in the pocket of her scrubs rang. Her steps slowed as she pulled it from her pocket, then stopped completely as she scowled at the display. Biting her bottom lip and staring at the phone like it might bite her, Melanie finally answered with a growled, “I told you never to contact me.”

  The hair on the back of his neck stood up. His dragon snarled. Jace used his enhanced hearing to listen as the raspy voice of a much older man responded. “But Meli Rose, we are family. I just…”

  “You just want to screw up my life…again. Well, not this time seanathair.” The venom of her tone had Jace and his beast preparing for battle. The use of the old dragon language and a blasphemous term like seanathair had him scratching his head. Only those well versed in dragon dialect would know what an insult the use of ‘old father’ would be to their grandfather. He made a note to find out how in the hell she was so well-versed in their language.

  The sing-song tone laced with malevolent force that replied to her made him want to punch something. “Now, Meli, you know you belong with your teaghlaigh. We know what is best for you.”

  Melanie transformed before his eyes. Her back went ramrod straight, her shoulders pulled back, and her feet spread to shoulder width apart. A warrior was born and she was preparing for battle. The tension in her jaw worried Jace that she might break a tooth. She growled her response.

  “You know what is best for me? You? You, Grand Draoi, presume to know what is best for me?” She paused, her ha
te and anger a living being.

  Although Melanie was truly pissed, Jace felt what it cost her to stand her ground. The internal battle to fight for what was right against a blood relative was one that never came easily for anyone. He fought the urge to go to her. His hands flexed with the need to grab the phone from her hands and verbally assault the man that dared to upset his mate. More than anything, he wanted to spare her the obvious torture the mere sound of the man’s voice caused.

  His beast within wholeheartedly agreed, chuffing and growling until the young Guardsman had a hard time maintaining his focus. Of their own volition, his feet moved forward. Jace ground the heels of his boots into the asphalt, willing himself to stay put. He knew Melanie would not welcome his intrusion, no matter how good his intentions. There was history to her torment, something he could tell she’d spent years learning to keep hidden. One of the many things he admired about his mate was her strength and knew from their many conversations that she valued her independence. Watching her, he could see how hard she’d fought to attain that independence and would do whatever he could to help her maintain it. He took several deep breaths, assuring both himself and his dragon he was doing the right thing.

  Seconds ticked by as he waited. Melanie stood as still as a statue, her ragged breathing the only signs she was alive. Just when Jace was sure she would hang up without another word, she spoke. The sound so low and ominous, he’d have never believed it was her had he not seen it with his own eyes. His blood ran cold at her words. “Let me guess, fuil mo chuid fola. I’m to follow in my mother’s footsteps? To carry on the family tradition and die at the end of your sword. Chained to a stone altar, pleading for you to spare my life, only to have you smile and tell me it is for the good of mo dhaoine.”