He’d parked his truck and hurried inside the barn calling her name when his cell phone rang.
“Zeke? What is it?”
“You need to get to the clearing and fast.”
“Why? What is it? Is it Kinzey?”
"I think so. I've been listening to the police scanner, and someone just reported a redhead passed out in an open meadow over on the south side of the lake. Police are already in route."
“Shit. Is she okay?”
“I don’t know, man. But you better hurry.”
Paul raced out of the barn and into the forest. With every thud of his feet against the ground, he began to undress so that he could begin to shift. Leaving a trail of clothing behind him, he ran through the thick wash of trees. Thick, coarse hairs of his wolf’s coat poked through his skin and began to spread throughout the canvas of his body. He growled and stretched his limbs as he shifted further.
With his feet turning to the thick pads of his paws, he fell forward onto all fours. His pace quickened as his human form changed into that of strong wolf legs, giving him more strength and quickening his pace.
His tail began to grow from his backside, just as his whiskers began extending and tickling his face.
Only minutes later he was fully shifted, and about to enter the clearing where Zeke had seen Kinzey.
Paul moved into the opening, and his blood boiled when he saw Kinzey lying on the ground beside a large rock.
A quick scan of the area told him little.
If Orpheus had brought her here, he was nowhere to be found.
He let out a growl, announcing his presence as he walked the perimeter to be sure no one was lurking in the shadows. Every part of him was screaming to get to Kinzey, but he couldn't be careless and put either of their lives in any more jeopardy than they were already.
With still no sign of Orpheus or any other Amorkan, Paul circled around Kinzey’s limp body, checking for any signs of injury. She was still wearing the clothes from the night before, but other than looking helpless and a bit bruised, she didn’t appear to have any immediate signs of being hurt.
He paced back and forth several times, sniffing for signs of a predator in their midst, but he still couldn’t sense a thing.
Coming up beside Kinzey, Paul brushed the side of his face against hers in an effort to wake her. Despite several attempts, she didn't respond. She just lay there as if she were taking a leisurely nap in the middle of the forest. Any other time, he might have found the sight beautiful.
Paul heard the growl of Orpheus come from behind him. He turned his head and returned the predatory greeting. It was deep, threatening, and meant to send a message.
Leave her alone! Paul threatened.
His warning came no sooner than the sound of sirens filled the silence of the forest.
Orpheus snorted and snarled at Paul. We’re not through here! You’ll be seeing me again, Racinitine. You better be prepared!
He zipped around and raced up the mountain and out of sight. The sirens were growing closer, and Paul knew he was running out of time. He couldn’t carry Kinzey away in the shape he was in, and he couldn’t leave her there and risk what she might tell the authorities.
Forcing his emotions aside and pushing through the pain of an early shift, he lay down on the ground beside Kinzey as he waited for his body to morph back into its human state.
Painful moments passed as he heard the sirens getting closer. Finally, and not a moment too soon, he had gained his limbs back and jumped to his feet. He swept his hands under her knees and pulled her close to him.
He began his run through the trees and off into the opposite direction of the sirens. Despite being naked and barefoot, he managed to run faster than he had in some time. Maybe it was his fear and worry over Kinzey, or perhaps the thought of getting caught. Whatever the reason, he made it back to the barn breathless and exhausted.
Laying her down in the same spot where he’d held her just nights before, he sat down to catch his breath, thankful that no one in the area ever bothered to come this far up the mountain.
He'd go back for his clothes later, but in the meantime, he grabbed an old pair of jeans he kept in a duffle bag behind an old tractor. Once dressed, he turned his attention back to Kinzey and knelt beside her.
He brushed at her forehead and whispered her name. “Kinzey? Talk to me, baby.”
Slowly, her eyes opened, and she looked up at him. For a moment she didn't hesitate and just allowed herself to be vulnerable to him. That moment was fleeting, though, as her eyes widened and she frantically tried to move away.
“Please don’t be afraid of me.”
“I saw what you did. You…”
“I know what you saw. And I’m so sorry. And I know I owe you a ton of explaining, but right now I need to be sure you are okay. Because I’m not sure how long we can stay here.”
“What…are you?”
Paul hated the look of uncertainty in her eyes. He missed the fiery look of passion that he'd seen in them. He missed her blushing laughter and the innocent way she looked up at him. That was what he wanted to see, not this look of fear.
She might have been human, but as far as he was concerned, she belonged to him. To hell with the traditions and what their history told him. He wanted her. He needed her.
He let out a sigh. “I’m a Racinitine. We’re a half-wolf, half-human species.”
“You’re a werewolf?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Werewolves are myths brought on by fear and folklore. My kind, we’re good. We don’t harm people. We just want to exist like everyone else.”
“I must be dreaming.”
"You know you're not, baby. You saw what I can do. What I need to know is whether or not you're afraid of me, or if you can trust me."
“Afraid of you… No. I mean, I guess I should be. This is crazy. But… you saved me.”
“And I’d do it a thousand times again.” He brushed his fingers against her cheek and this time she didn’t move away.
“Paul! Damn it, why weren’t you answering your phone?” Zeke burst into the barn.
“I dropped it on my way down to the clearing. What’s going on?”
“The sheriff, man. He’s on his way up the mountain. They’ve got search and rescue dogs with them. They’ll sniff this place out in a heartbeat.”
“Shit!” Paul stood up and reached his hand out for Kinzey. “We’ve got to go.”
“Where? What’s going on? Are you wanted by the cops? Are you…” she pulled her hand away, “Dear God, are you the one who’s been killing people?”
“No.”
“Paul, we don’t have time for this!” Zeke urged him to hurry.
“Gimme a minute!”
Paul turned to Kinzey and took her face in his hands just like he had when he’d kissed her for the first time. “I promise you I am not a killer. I am the same man you spent the night with in this barn. You know me. You know the real me.”
“I don’t know. This is all so much.”
“I know it is, baby. I know.” He kissed her forehead.
“Paul! Come on!”
He turned toward his brother, standing impatiently at the barn doors. “My brother’s right. We have to go. I don’t want to leave you. But I have my pack to think of. I have a responsibility to them. I’ll come back for you if I have to, but I have to leave now.”
"No," Kinzey replied.
“No, you don’t want me to come back for you?”
“No. Because I’m coming with you.”
Paul's heart sank, and then beat back to life again. He'd never heard anything sweeter. "Are you sure?"
“I’m sure. I’m with you.”
“All right. Great, can we go now?” Zeke asked anxiously.
“Come on.” Paul grabbed her hand, and they raced toward his truck.
Zeke got in his own truck, and they peeled out in unison. Needing to feel her warmth, Paul reached over and laced his fingers through hers.
“For what?”
“Coming with me. Trusting me.”
“I do trust you. I don’t know why, but I do.”
“Good. Because things are about to get dicey in Grand Lake, baby. And I need you by my side. I need to know you’re protected.”
She leaned over and kissed the side of his face. "As long as I'm with you when night falls, I'll be safe."
About the Author
Nicole Morgan has been writing since 2009 and is an author of romance novels, which more often than not have a suspenseful back story. Intense and passionate romance mixed with good old-fashioned whodunits. While she’s written everything from contemporary to paranormal, her leading men will most likely be wearing a uniform of some kind. From military to police officers, she has a love for writing about those who protect and serve. From her very first novel about Navy SEALs to her more recent releases you will be sure to find a few twists and turns you were not expecting. But, don’t take our word for it. Pick up any of her titles and get immersed into the lives of these characters. Experience, their hearts, feel their love, and get lost in their world.
www.NicoleMorganAuthor.com
www.nicolemorganauthor.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/authornicmorgan
www.facebook.com/authornicolemorgan
www.pinterest.com/AuthorNicMorgan
www.instagram.com/AuthorNicMorgan
www.romancecollections.com
Other titles by Nicole Morgan
Series Books
Intimate Persuasions (Intimate Temptations 1)
Intimate Confessions (Intimate Temptations 2)
Intimate Seductions (Intimate Temptations 3)
Sweet Redemption (Sweet Awakenings 1)
Sweet Salvation (Sweet Awakenings 2)
Sweet Vengeance (Sweet Awakenings 3)
Sweet Affliction (Sweet Awakenings 4)
Impetuous (Incessant Passions 1)
Tempestuous (Incessant Passions 2)
The Nexus (The Paladins 1)
Risqué Renovation (Blue Collar 1)
USA Today bestselling title, Shadow’s Mark (Shadow Legions 1)
Night Falls (Racinitine Pack 1)
Secrets of the Hollows (The Hollows 1)
Secrets of the Hollows (The Hollows 2 – Extended Version)
Storm of Seduction (Gilpin County Search and Rescue 1)
Bossy Boots (Spryth Bloodline 1)
Dex: The Spencer Family Saga (Book 1)
Max: The Spencer Family Saga (Book 2)
Kindle Worlds (no longer available)
The Omega Team: Any Means Necessary
The Omega Team: Imminent Danger
The Omega Team: Collateral Damage
The Omega Team: Deadly Reckoning
The Phoenix Agency: Fatal Desires
The Phoenix Agency: Pressure Point
PDA: Wolf at the Door
PDA: Catch a Tiger
Sassy Ever After: Pain in the Sass
Sassy Ever After: Sass Appeal
Sassy Ever After: Candy Sass
Dare to Love: Dare to Feel
Standalone Titles
Cowboys Only
Contractual Obligation
Do You Wanna
Removing the Layers
Ricochet
Surrender Her Inhibitions
Cupid’s Arrow
Beautiful Mess
Surrounded by Roses
Swept Away
Remind Me
Love Knows No Boundaries
Sudden Devotion
When Promise Meets Passion
Entice Me
USA Today bestselling title, The Best Man
Boxed Sets & Anthologies
Dominant Persuasions (no longer available)
Shared for the First Time (no longer available)
Beta’s Mark (no longer available)
Name Your Demon (no longer available)
Wanna Be Bad (no longer available)
Snowy Knights (no longer available)
Wedding Dreams (no longer available)
Prowlers and Growlers (no longer available)
In the Shadows (no longer available)
Just You and Me (no longer available)
Tropical Tryst (no longer available)
Sultry Nights (no longer available)
Moonlight Magic (no longer available)
Season of Seduction (no longer available)
Love Me Tender (no longer available)
Love Me Hard (no longer available)
Desperate Measures (no longer available)
Teasers and Tastes 2015 Romance Sampler
Roping the Cowboy
Summer Nights of Delight
Simply Irresistible
Covet the Curves
Mystic Realms
Spring Fling
The Billionaire’s Club
Coming Soon
Lost in You
Curve Appeal
Super Nova (Racinitine Pack 2)
Too Hot to Handle
Real Men (Silver Foxes) Boxed Set
Tropical Tryst 2 Boxed Set
Fiery Fairytales Boxed Set (For Adults Only)
For Her (Reverse Harem Boxed Set)
Eternally Enchanted Boxed Set
Holiday Hunts Boxed Set
Whispers of Winter Boxed Set
Moonlight Mist Boxed Set
Nicole has also written under the pen names of Taylor Brooks and Nicki Day.
Other Titles by Nicki Day
Make Me Melt (no longer available)
Other Titles by Taylor Brooks
Series Books and Boxed Sets
The Sultry SoCal Complete Collection (5 Novella Boxed Set)
The Rocky Mountain Manhunt Complete Collection (5 Novella Boxed Set)
The Z-Pac Alpha Shifters Complete Collection (4 Novella Boxed Set)
Take Me (Sultry SoCal 1)
Hypnotize Me (Sultry SoCal 2)
Excite Me (Sultry SoCal 3)
Seduce Me (Sultry SoCal 4)
Pick Me (Sultry SoCal 5)
Taming Tarek (Z-Pac Alpha Shifters 1)
Predestine (Z-Pac Alpha Shifters 2)
Forbidden Fruit (Z-Pac Alpha Shifters 3)
The Alpha’s Cure (Z-Pac Alpha Shifters 4)
Shepherd’s Bliss (Rocky Mountain Manhunt 1)
Carter’s Salvation (Rocky Mountain Manhunt )
Taking Chance (Rocky Mountain Manhunt 3)
Tempting Talon (Rocky Mountain Manhunt 4)
Paul’s Possession (Rocky Mountain Manhunt 5)
Standalone Titles
The Philanthropist and the Paratrooper
You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet (branch off with characters from The Rocky Mountain Manhunt)
Serving Sebastian
Fifteen Years Later
When He Woke
Weekend at the Lake
Nowhere Fast
What Happens in Vegas
Moonlighting
Tall, Dark and Dominant
Fringe Benefits
Code Red
Carma Haley Shoemaker
About the Story
Saving lives is easy. Being in love is dangerous.
After a frantic father begs for her help, Rose, a volunteer physician for Backwoods Doc, soon finds herself facing a medical mystery in the form of a teenage boy with strange bite marks. Unsure of what attacked him and the origin of the boy’s illness, Rose is determined to discover the identity of this mystery creature.
The last person Rose expected to run into was Warren, the man who shattered her heart. With the fresh wounds of heartbreak reopened, Rose is distracted and careless, putting herself directly in the path of the mystery creature, and in jeopardy of becoming its next victim.
After considering what’s at stake, Rose doesn’t know what she fears most – the creature, losing her patient, or being destroyed by the man she once hoped to spend the rest of her life with.
TO ALL THO
SE WHO LOVE FAIRYTALES …
Werewolves and witches
Fairies and tolls
Mermaids and Harpies
Are not real I’m told
Muses and Orges
Griffons and Djinn
The Unicorn and Dragons
Oh, where do I to begin?
Some people say
Fairytales are kid’s stuff.
To them I would I say,
You just haven’t had enough
Of the magic and the mystery
That can be found on the page
Of a good fairytale
No matter what you’re age.
So go find and Elf
Or a Banshee and Faun
Because when you believe
The fairytale will live on.
Chapter One
“Thank you,” I said, politely refusing again. “It’s a beautiful necklace, but I don’t believe in werewolves.” The cashier gently placed the protective amulet symbolizing the element of water back into the display case. I’d never heard of a charm to ward off werewolves, but she assured me it would bring me the protection I needed. Nice sales pitch anyway.
I paid for my granola bar, water, and a bag of chips and went on my way. As the car’s engine roared to life, a song poured from the speakers, brightening my day. I wasn’t a bad singer – not a great one either. But I loved singing along with the radio while driving. Something about the music made me feel free. And it made the long drive through Avondale Forest more fun.
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