Captured By The Beast I

by Daniella Wright

  ~*~

  He was walking toward me. I downed my glass of pinot grigio. He smiled at me, and I raised my eyebrows at him, expecting to hear him start to sing Misty’s praises. Instead, he held out a hand to me.

  “Dance with me?”

  “Okay,” I said. The music was fast-paced, safe. The first few songs maintained the high-energy dancing. He had some weird dance moves that he pulled out, and I found myself laughing hysterically as he did a dance-off with some of my young cousins. The next song; however, was a slow one. He pulled me close to him. We were both sweaty, but he still smelled good. I melted easily into his arms, letting him rock me back and forth.

  The wine that I had had gave me a buzz, and that combined with the haze that being near Davey induced, I was irrevocably intoxicated, although still in control of my faculties. He placed two fingers beneath my chin, forcing me gently to look him in the eye.

  He kissed me, and it was everything. I responded, thinking, I want this, I want this. He pulled away suddenly, looking at me, trying to gage my reaction. I smiled hesitantly.

  “Do you—”

  “Let’s leave.”

  With that, we were rushing out of the reception, hand in hand. I thought that I saw a flash as we left the Country Club, but I thought nothing of it. I was entirely focused on getting Davey to my apartment.

  ~*~

  We entered my apartment, the door slamming shut behind us. I was already pulling at the buttons of his oxford. He unzipped the awful bridesmaid dress.

  “This dress—”

  “It’s horrible, I know.”

  “Oh, no. It’s totally sexy. I just want it off of you.” I paused. He was joking with me. He smiled at me devilishly as he let go of the dress. It fell to the floor at my feet. He picked me up, carrying me over to the couch. Placing me down, he removed his shirt, and then his pants. He knelt down, and I sat up, kissing him. He was pulling at my panties, running his hands over my naked skin. The spell—I could feel it tingling across the surface of my skin, but I wasn’t going to regret this, not at this moment.

  A gorgeous, well-toned werewolf was making love to me, the heat from his body making me sweat. He was inside of me, making me feel filled up, erotic. He looked me in the eye, and I took his face in both of my hands, bringing him to me, kissing him deeply as he pumped. Our breathing was rushed, heavy. I could feel myself building—it had been too long, and I felt like I was going to explode. He stopped, pulling out of me.

  “Quick—barricade yourself in your room.”

  “What?”

  “It’s the full moon,” he was facing away from me. His skin was moving in strange ways. “I’m shifting. Get yourself to safety.” I got up, running naked into my room. I pushed my heavy mahogany bureau in front of the door.

  ~*~

  “Have you checked the Twitter?” My mother had left me a voicemail. Frowning, I brought it up on my phone. A picture of Davey and I leaving the reception, my hand in his. I did a Google search, finding that the tabloids had already attacked.

  “Davey Allred hires and seduces Matchmaker.”

  “Allred Braves the Bad Luck Penny.”

  I groaned, covering my face with my hands. I put on pajamas, and pushed the bureau away from my door. I opened it, and inhaled in shock. My apartment had been destroyed. Davey lay curled at the epicenter of all of the damage. He was still naked. I knelt down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He flinched. Opening his eyes, he sat up, looking around.

  “God. I’m sorry,” he said. “I meant to leave before I—”

  “You meant to leave?”

  “It’s not like that,” he reached out to me. I held out my phone to him, showing him the Bad Penny headline. He exhaled, raising his eyebrows.

  “It’s my curse,” I said. “I set a spell on myself when I was twelve. I can only marry my One True Love. All of the others are injured, or obviously, dragged through the mud via the tabloids.”

  “We can get through this,” Davey said. “This is nothing.”

  “Nothing?” I fumed. “This is the end of my business. My curse has struck again. I need to stop seeing you before it does something worse. The faster that you get away from me, the better for you.”

  “Please reconsider.”

  “No. Absolutely not,” I said. “I won’t have you hurt on my account.”

  Chapter Tenth

  As I was leaving Penny’s apartment, Aunt Anna called. She sounded excited.

  “You’re dating Penny!”

  “Not quite,” I replied. “I wolfed out and destroyed her apartment in addition to having her dragged through the dirty press.”

  “That’s not right. I want to meet Penny,” she said.

  “Okay. Let me arrange a few things and convince her to leave her apartment,” I said, making plans. “Once I’m done, I’ll bring her to the assisted living community to meet you.”

  “You better not hurt that girl, Davey.” Her voice was stern.

  “I won’t, Aunt Anna. I promise.”

  “She’s wholly in love with you.”

  “And I’m wholly in love with her.”

  ~*~

  There was a knock at the door to my apartment. Figuring that the man who worked at the front door wouldn’t let the press in, I answered it. My mouth fell open to find Davey standing there. He was dressed in a plain black t-shirt, jeans, and Converse.

  “I need a favor,” he said.

  “Haven’t I done enough?” He smiled.

  “The woman who raised me—my great Aunt Annalise, would love to meet you.” He looked down at his feet. “Could you just come—as a favor to me?” I nodded.

  “Okay. Just give me a few moments.” I walked back into my bedroom. I had magicked away most of the mess from Davey’s shift, crying as I went. I put on a dress and some mascara. My hand was shaking, I realized. I was happy to see him, but it was also painful.

  This was worse than with my past fiancés, but I knew that it was only right to end it before anything drastic happened to Davey. I did it because I cared for him.

  We sat in silence as we were driven in a limo to the senior living facility that his great aunt lived in. The whole time, I could feel the heat of his body. I could smell his scent—I wanted to launch myself at him. I got out of the car. We walked inside in silence.

  A tiny woman sat on a couch inside. She grinned widely when she saw us.

  “You must be Penny,” she said. She held her arms open, taking me into a surprisingly strong hug. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

  “It’s wonderful to meet you, too.” I liked her already. Davey wandered away, mumbling something about having left something in the car, and I sat down on the couch beside her.

  “You have a shimmer about you,” she said to me.

  “You have some witch sight,” I responded.

  “Some,” she replied. “Werewolf shamans tend to have the tiniest bit.” I had a million questions to ask her about it. Her gaze was trained on Davey, who had returned with a man dressed in a priest’s clothing. Davey threw down a stack of papers, dropping to one knee.

  He pulled a tiny black velvet box out of his pocket, opening it. Inside, there was a plain gold band.

  “Marry me,” he said. “Right now.”

  “I can’t,” I said. “I love you too much to put you in that kind of danger, to be engaged to me.”

  “I love you too much to play it safe,” he countered. “Additionally, if we get married this moment, we will have never been engaged. I mean, the chances of me getting in a horrible accident before the wedding, this moment, are very slight.” At that moment, a huge crack of thunder struck outside. He raised his eyebrows at me.

  “Marry me, Penny,” he insisted. “I will keep asking until either the sky falls on us, or you say yes.”

  “Yes,” I said, my voice cracking. He picked up the marriage certificate, handing me a pen. He had already signed them. I signed them, and he took my hand, gesturing at the priest.

&n
bsp; “Do you promise to love, cherish, and honor Penelope?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you promise to love, cherish and honor David?”

  “I do.”

  “By the powers vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.” Aunt Annalise clapped loudly, and Davey kissed me on the lips.

  He took me back to his apartment, picking me up off of my feet, and carrying me over the threshold. I kissed him. The haze began to clear, and I could see the threads—our threads, I realized. They were a warm pink, thick and entwined.

  “Oh,” I said.

  “What?”

  “It’s all clear now,” I said. “I can see our threads.”

  “Really?”

  “It’s you. It’s always been you,” I said, and he smiled, heading straight for the bedroom. He placed me gingerly on the bed.

  “No wolfing out,” I said.

  “No wolfing out,” he agreed, peeling my panties off and throwing them to the ground. I pulled his t-shirt off, amazed at the fact that I was going to spend the rest of my life with this incredible man. He supported my back as he unzipped my dress, pulling down the straps and freeing my breasts. He kissed me, taking one of my nipples in between his teeth.

  I clawed at him, wanting him inside of me, immediately. Sensing my desire, he responded, entering me. I panted with desire, and the heat that came off of his skin made me sweat. My husband placed his hand on my abdomen and looked me in the eyes as he made love to me.

  Epilogue

  We had a more elaborate ceremony several months after our rushed ceremony in the senior living facility. During the months that we had spent together, we had only fallen deeper in love. Davey held my hand at the reception. I was wearing a couture wedding gown that was made of a white silk that was as soft as butter.

  Aunt Anna and my grandmother were seated next to each other. They had become good friends over the past few months as our families blended. One of the waiters came over with a tray of champagne in hand. Davey reached out to take champagne flutes for both of us.

  “Ah ah ah!” Aunt Anna yelled.

  “Penny gets cider,” my grandmother interjected. Davey and I looked at each other, our eyes wide.

  “Congratulations,” Aunt Anna said, settling down in her seat.

  “Well?” Davey asked his aunt.

  “What?” she looked at him with innocent eyes.

  “Boy or girl?”

  “You’ll see,” she responded, primly cutting into her slice of cake with a fork.

  ~*~

  THE END

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  Stranger

  ~ Bonus Story ~

  A Hawk Shifter Romance

  I stood up and grabbed hold of his hand. He let my hand go.

  “It’s not safe for you if I stay,” he replied, “He may come back!”

  He took a step closer, leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. Warmth travelled down my body.

  “I have to go.”

  “Wait!” I cried, “Please don’t go!”

  He had barely been there a minute and he was now back at the balcony door.

  “Teseen!”

  He shifted into his hawk form and disappeared into the night. I stared at the door, but he didn’t return. How could he just leave again like that, I thought.”

  Layla

  I’ve always felt out of place, with family, with friends and even with guys. So from a young age I began to prefer the company of books. In my job, I’m surrounded by the things I love, but something is still missing. Even though I was used to feeling lonely, being an only child, when something surprising comes into my life and then leaves again, I feel a melancholy even my meditation can’t cure. All I have left are these strange dreams I keep having. I would never have guessed they would be linked to the tall, handsome stranger, who is not who he appears to be.

  Teseen

  I couldn’t believe I found her again after searching for so long. I cannot burden her with the knowledge I have, but I only pray she will have me once again. When my nemesis tracks me down, I have to protect her at all costs. She is my one true love, and has been for many lifetimes! I must be with her or more than just our lives are at stake!

  * * *

  Chapter One

  I used to watch the avant-garde building being constructed as my parents drove me to school every morning. When the builders finally applied the bright red paint to the building’s exterior, the extraordinary masterpiece was complete, and I knew in the future that was where I would work. That knowledge was one of the few things that got me through the school day. The incessant teasing from the other girls or tyrannical control of the Sisters definitely contributed to people becoming my anathema. I wished I could have been expelled from the school, but only managed to escape the suffocating dogma after I graduated.

  I have always loved bright colors and the “Enchilada Red” paint they’d used on the new building reminded me of the bright umbrellas outside my favorite Mexican restaurant along the river. It was a San Antonio classic. As a child, I remember hopping out of the car and dashing towards the restaurant when my parents took me there, much to my mother’s chagrin. I loved to lean over the railing too and watch the boats pass by. I was glad I now worked close to the river and walked down on my lunch breaks occasionally, if I hadn’t opted for an oversized cushion on one of the reading porches, another of my hideaways.

  My parents may not have approved of everything I did, but they never had a problem with my profession. I didn’t think I would ever leave the library. On that occasion, though it was beginning to get chilly, my mood led me to the reading porch, accompanied by one of my best friend, a novel. I was pleased to have the spot to myself too.

  After ten pages I uncrossed my legs, put down The Path of Alchemy and looked out over the city. I could see people walking over a walkway that connected two building. I had always preferred the company of books, even in college. My roommate had never understood. I just didn’t find any pleasure in the frivolous games they played. And I never seemed to meet anyone I was interested in either, though I would be subjected to blind dates at least once a month. The only guy I found mildly intriguing was one who was studying nature conversation. We met at a party and started chatting, but then he started messaging me every day thereafter and that was the end of him.

  The last date I had been on was more than six months ago, I thought, opening the cover of my book again. I noticed the end of the chapter had meditation exercises. At least I would have something to do that night at home.

  But when I arrived home I didn’t get to the exercises, at least not until later. I put my bag and jacket on the sofa and was heading to the open-plan kitchen to make a cup of mint tea, when I saw something odd. In the field opposite our three-story apartment complex we had four trees which towered above the building. Perched on a branch of the nearest tree was a massive bird.

  I slowly took a step back and peered through the glass sliding door of my balcony. I stared at it. Compared to the pigeons I had seen in the tree, this bird was three times larger. Perhaps it was a bird of prey, I thought, but I hadn’t realized there were any still in the city limits. I wanted to get a closer look, but didn’t want to risk scaring the majestic creature off. My sock-clad feet remained dead still as I studied it.

  ~*~

  As I walked passed the colorful glass-blown Fiesta tower inside the library the following morning, I thought back to the beautiful bird of prey. It was most likely a hawk, according to Google. I hadn’t taken a photo of it with my mobile, but didn’t regret it, even though I would probably never see it again. After about twenty minutes, it had flapped its immense wings and flown away, leaving me feeling melancholy. Then I remembered my book and the daily exercises. Perhaps the meditation could cheer me up, I thought. I chose an exercise on embracing loss and used the bird. I went to my bedroom, lit some incense and sat in th
e middle of my bed, with the book open next to me. It was difficult to still my mind, but the thoughts began to dissipate. After the meditation my body felt lighter and I didn’t feel sad about the hawk leaving anymore. I realized I had the pleasure of its visit and that was glorious in itself.

  I stopped and looked up at the Fiesta tower’s myriad of colors, as though I were seeing it for the first time. It was a very original work of art and matched the feel of the building well. I liked the energy it resonated.

  “Are you okay?” one of my colleagues asked as she passed by.

  “Better than okay!” I replied.

  I walked to my station as though I were bounding through a forest, like in the dream I had the night before. It was not the first strange dream I’d had lately. I had been walking on a narrow path that led through a lush forest. It was dark except for the light of the moon. The sound of an owl made me look up into the glowing orb rising above the tree line. The trees began to thin and I saw a cabin in the distance, in the middle of a clearing. I could see smoke coming from a chimney. As I took a step closer however, the path and the cottage began to fade and then were gone.

  I looked up from my desk and a queue had formed in front of me. I didn’t mind having to deal with people that day. An old man in a fedora, towards the end of the queue, caught my eye. I hoped he wasn’t one of the lonely old men who loved to tell me their whole life story. He smiled at me in a strange way and I looked away quickly. It wasn’t a creepy look, but it conveyed a sense of familiarity. I looked down and then at him again. He didn’t look like anyone that I’d met before. When I glanced at the queue a few seconds later, he wasn’t there. I studied the line of people, but he was gone.