Darlings of Paranormal Romance (Anthology)

by Chrissy Peebles

  Numb and exhausted, she closed her eyes and tried to think of better times, of their happy childhoods, hide-and-seek, skipping rope, and Christmas mornings. “Do I have any regrets? Yes! For one thing—maybe the biggest regret of all—I’m sorry I left you in those woods years ago. I deserted you, and I have never forgiven myself, but I hope you were able to forgive me. Know that I’ll always love you, Liz, and I never stopped looking for you. I hope you are…resting in peace, dear sister.” Emotion choked her as she straightened her back and, with one last glance back, walked back through the iron gate. She had been looking for answers about what had happened to her older sister, but now she wished she’d never found out. It had been easier holding on to hope than it was to know the truth. She would never have stopped searching, but now she had lost all purpose in life. How can I go back to my life? How can I ever be happy again knowing my sister was killed…because I left her behind?

  The others had been waiting patiently in front of a big boulder. “I’m here for you,” Beth said, embracing her as she reached them.

  Frank wrapped his arms around her in a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

  She buried her head in his chest and let her tears flow freely into the fabric of his shirt. “She died a year ago—killed by the Immortals when she married King William’s son Charles. Liz and Charles were killed. Those same Immortals are after me!”

  “I know. Adam told us.” He held her tightly. “Everything is going to be okay, Sarah.”

  Okay? How can he even say that? Nothing is okay. My sister is dead, and I will never be okay again! The pain cut out a huge part of her heart.

  They all gave her words of hope and encouragement, but nothing they said could take away the pain in her heart, the only part of her that was still human. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. Even though she knew she would not find the person she had really come for, she couldn’t leave without meeting Gloria. “Maybe we could track Princess Gloria down and talk to her.”

  Adam shook his head. “Go into King William’s castle? There are probably wanted posters of your face plastered on every brick! Every single person in there is probably after your head…literally.”

  “No way,” Beth said. “We have to think about your life.”

  Frank gripped her hand tightly. “Remember, babe, those are the people who shoot first and don’t bother asking questions now or later. I know you want your questions answered, but getting yourself—and possibly all of us—killed isn’t the way to go.”

  “I know! Of all of you, I know! They shot me in the freaking heart. If I could get to Gloria, though, I think she could help us,” Sarah pleaded.

  “She might be able to,” Beth said. “She’s Charles’s sister.”

  Steven leaned against a rock and met Sarah’s gaze. “Yeah, man, that sounds great and all, but you won’t get one breath out to explain yourself before they string you up to be roasted like a marshmallow.”

  “Why do you even need to find Gloria?” Adam asked. “I’m not trying to be insensitive here, but it seems pointless when you have the answers you need. Let’s just get the heck out of here.”

  Sarah rolled her eyes. Adam wasn’t sporting an irremovable ring and running around with everyone out to kill him, or he might have been singing a different tune. “I’ll tell you why. Sure, I wouldn’t mind finding out more about my sister’s life, but that’s not the reason. I have a feeling those Immortals from the court will follow me right back home to my doorstep, and so will King Victor. For all I know, King William might even have a way to crash the party. I need to find out how to get this ring off and what I can do to get the Immortals off my back. Until I know that, I will never have control of my life again.”

  “They’re at war with King Victor,” Frank said. “They hate him. They might help us based on that fact alone.”

  “Gloria lost her brother,” Beth said. “She won’t want to lose you, too, especially over the exact same thing.”

  “I agree,” Sarah said. “I’m sure Princess Gloria loved Liz, and I think she will understand why I pretended to be her. It’s her father who is crazy, not her.”

  “Then we’ll avoid him like the plague,” said Frank. “Sarah’s right. She’ll never get her life back until we figure out how to get this ring off.”

  Adam kicked at stones in the dirt, his brows furrowed. “This sucks.”

  “This is something I have to do,” Sarah said. “If you don’t want to go with me, that’s okay, but I hope you understand.”

  “Nobody’s backing out on you now, Sarah. We’re a team, remember? Now c’mon. Let’s head toward the castle,” Frank said.

  Sarah nodded. Heading into dangerous enemy territory was risky, but it was something she had to do to get answers to the lingering questions in her head—and even more importantly, how to get that ancient wedding ring off her finger. “Let’s go.”

  To be continued….

  Please see next page for book 2.

  If you enjoyed this story, please let others know by adding a review. This helps others find new authors that they may have never heard of before, but may enjoy. Thank you, I appreciate it so much. Thank you for your support.

  Eternal Destiny (Book 2) is available now!

  Eternal Destiny Link: http://www.amazon.com/Eternal-Destiny-Book-Second-ebook/dp/B007JCSMD4/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

  Eternal Fire (Book 3) is available now!

  Thank you so much for sharing Sarah’s journey. It was a pleasure having you along. I hope you enjoyed the story just as much as I enjoyed writing it. Connect with me online!

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  Fantasy Romance Series

  Book 4 – WAKING UP DEAD

  Waking Up Dead

  (The Western Werewolf Legend Book 2)

  By Catherine Wolffe

  Copyright 2013 Catherine Wolffe

  All rights reserved

  Discover other titles by Catherine Wolffe at www.catherinewolffe.com.

  Cover design by Ally Thomas

  Adult Content

  In order to protect minors from viewing inappropriate material, please know that this book may contain language, situations or images inappropriate for children under 18 years of age.

  Other Books by Catherine Wolffe

  Comanche Haven – Free Sample

  Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: # 1)

  The Lady in the Mist (A Werewolf’s Tale) – Free Sample

  The Lady in the Mist (The Western Werewolf Legend #1)

  A Dance in Time (J.T. Leighton, Time Traveler #1)

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1 The Yankees

  Chapter 2 Belief

  Chapter 3 For the Sake of Brothers in Arms

  Chapter 4 The Journey Begins

  Chapter 5 Challenges

  Chapter 6 Responsibilities

  Chapter 7 Control

  Chapter 8 Close Quarters

  Chapter 9 The Dead Live

  Chapter 10 Rescue

  Chapter 11 Celebration

  Waking Up Dead

  (The Western Werewolf Legend Book 2)

  Chapter 1

  The Yankees

  “You’ll be fine. The old witch, Hortence is with you,” Ty said. The devil may care twinkle danced in his eyes as he searched Sonja’s face. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be careful.” He paused, taking her face in his hands.

  The warm blue of his eyes always mesmerized her.

  “This is something I have to do, Nymph. Do you understand?” He traced the dimple in her cheek.

  She’d nodded. Lying to the man she loved seemed wrong, but how could she tell him of her fears when his own determination was so strong?

  The moon glowed through the window bathing the room in a ureteral light. His face lay in
shadowy planes on the pillow next to hers. With one strong hand, Ty pulled her close and tugged at the hem of her gown. “I told you I liked you naked when you come to bed. Why do you insist on wearing anything?”

  “It’s cold. I’m cold. Hold me, Ty.” The truth remained that the entire world stopped when he held her. His heart beating inside his chest gave her strength despite her woes.

  “Then let me warm you as I want to do.” With a wicked wolf’s gleam in his eyes, Ty pulled her close fitting her near his arousal. “You do this to me. I can’t help the need that blocks everything else in its path when you’re close to me. Push reality’s concerns out of your mind and let me make love to you, Nymph. Time is short and I would have you spend it on more lusty pursuits than concerning yourself with my leaving.” The low growl in his throat spoke of heat and craving.

  Sonja closed her eyes and breathed in his scent, all male and fervid wolf. The vaguely musty aroma of male passion wrapped around her shutting out all else except the hunger for Ty to fill her and give her what she craved.

  His hands traced her breasts before centering their attention on her rosy peaks. Dropping to suck one areola into a hard crest of desire, Ty moaned sending a delicious shiver up her spine as her core tightened with each tug of his mouth.

  She arched her hips to meet his, her sex rubbing provocatively against his erection. “Please Ty, make love to me. Now, I want you in me,” she pleaded. Impatience rippled along her nerve endings and played havoc with her emotions. The battle to remain in control wavered with each assault of his mouth on her flesh. His tongue traveled to her belly making the muscles in her center spasm. No amount of concentration on her part could keep the desire from rising in her. Wrapping her arms around the wide expanse of his shoulders, Sonja gripped his slim hips with her legs drawing him further down between her thighs. Her head fell back on a soft exhale of breath. Ty wasted no time in driving deeper.

  “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. Your desire is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I want to stay right here with you wrapped in your arms and buried deep in you forever. Don’t ever consider leaving me. I couldn’t take the pain.” His words were a husky threat.

  “Don’t even consider the possibility. I love you, Ty. I’m not going anywhere.” She feathered wet kisses over his face, marking every spot with love. “I never thought I’d find someone like you, especially,,,”

  “Shuuu, don’t speak of it. Just kiss me and let me show you what you mean to me.” With his simple words, he warmed her from the inside out. The stroke of his male pride grew forceful and urgent as he claimed her for his own.

  She’d never felt the kind of bliss she found in his touch. Sonja moved in rhythm with him urging him to forge their bodies into one. Her body was on fire and he held the torch of her desire.

  “Your need shows in your eyes, when you make love. I watch your mind relax and feel your body take over. How can I hold back when you look at me that way, Nymph?” Ahhh! Ty threw his head back as the sensation raced through him.

  Like a Greek god, he rose up and thrust himself once more into her, filling her to the hilt.

  Sonja bowed up and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as she rode passion’s completion with her mate.

  ***

  The morning song of the birds, the woods’ sounds as the forest awoke to a new day all disappeared with his embrace. Even the bite of the early spring chill waned and her blood warmed with his touch. He did that and so much more to her and yet, she couldn’t share her fears with him.

  Everything in her world was perfect when she’d awoke a little over an hour before. The light filtering through the leaded glass window of her small bedroom had danced in a jagged pattern across the quilt. She’d lain resting on his shoulder, his warmth enveloping her as he slumbered. Remembering their lovemaking the night before, she shifted to an elbow and watched him sleep. His features always softened with rest and he looked younger, more innocent as he lay with one arm flung out, his face turned toward her. Those long, thick lashes splayed over sun-kissed skin. Heavens, the man was something to look at, all that dark hair mussed with sleep, his chin so strong and those eyes, as blue as the sky, could open at any moment and heat with the slightest touch from her. The memory stirred the slow simmering fire she enjoyed deep in her core whenever her lover was near. She wanted him to stay with her. The Confederate lieutenant wouldn’t, couldn’t stay. She leaned close and brushed a fingertip across the swell of his cheekbone. His Choctaw blood, so evident in his profile called to her in a primitive way. She whispered a prayer to the gods for his safe return and with her fingers shifted his jaw to face her.

  His eyes fluttered open. The groggy smile he gave her filled her for a moment. Only he could do that to her and she tucked the sight of him stirring from sleep to her memory for safekeeping. Kissing him softly, she laid her head next to his as she watched him.

  “What time is it?” His voice was thick with the dregs of rest.

  “Five o’clock.” Unable to ask the question she wanted to ask, Sonja nuzzled his neck and breathed him in. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Yes, I always sleep well with you beside me, Nymph.” He pushed back and looked into her face. How are you this morning?”

  Sonja understood the meaning of his question. “Somewhat resolved.”

  Ty’s face broke into a wicked grin. “Perhaps, I can convince you of my plan with more than words, hum?”

  She shoved playfully at his shoulder. “Don’t tease me so, Tyler. This is serious. Something could happen to you, alone, out there.” Sonja didn’t want to spend the last bit of time she had arguing with him so she pulled him close and burrowed into his neck. Giving his collarbone her undivided attention, she smiled when he growled low in his chest and reciprocated with nips along her shoulder and upper arm. He threw his long, lean leg over her thigh drawing her close. His erection strained against her stomach as she moved to meld their bodies together. He wasted no time in clamping his large hand across her ass and urging her to focus on his cock, warm and hard against her stomach.

  Sonja’s thoughts disappeared with the feel of him against her, stiff and wanting her so badly. “My man wants me, I wager. You’re going to miss me when you leave. All the more reason, I should go along.”

  “Shhh. Don’t talk, Nymph, just let me pleasure you.” He rose up and hovered over her for a moment before spreading her legs with his knee. Slipping two fingers into her wet heat, she stroked her slowly at first and then with more force as she went liquid under his touch. “I can never imagine being without you for long. Never worry that I won’t return as soon as possible.” With the vow, he lowered himself to her and slid inside, gliding and filling her completely with his fiery need.

  ***

  Sonja lingered in the kitchen as Ty prepared to depart. After defeating the vampires in a battle to end all others, she and Tyler had made plans to leave Pennsylvania and travel to his father’s place in Texas. Of course, the discovery of his men changed their plans. They’d been taken as prisoners of war in a nearby compound. Sonja had pleaded with him to let her go along. He’d refused. She hated the ever present worry that crept up between them.

  “One so newly turned needs time to hone his skills,” she told him and cringed with the words.

  “We don’t have the luxury of time.” Ty’s face was a mask of duty and dedication to his fallen comrades.

  Without pausing, he continued by pointing out an obvious responsibility she hadn’t wanted to consider. “One doesn’t desert his friends without at least attempting to save them from the evil in these woods. You of all people should understand, Sonja.”

  His words stung. She fisted her hands together. How dare he remind her of the werewolf he’d become because of her actions. Hadn’t she saved him without consideration of her own discovery that night in the swamp? Of course, she wouldn’t have left him to die in the mist shrouded battlefield that dreadful night anyway, but being reminded of his sacrifice, h
is becoming a werewolf because she was the one to help him, weighed heavily on her heart.

  Resolute, she laid a hand on his arm and tried for peace. After all, those men were his friends. “Please be careful.” Her words had been simply stated but held such emotion.

  ***

  The cold air of March, 1864 whipped around the corner of the cabin and tugged at Sonja’s long robe. She gritted her teeth not only against the cold but against Ty’s decision.

  “Are we ready to go?” Tyler glanced at Abram Clemons and got a nod in response. The Confederate private who’d appeared on Hortence’s front steps had shared information Ty found useful. With Abram as a scout, they’d leave to seek out a Union prisoner-of-war camp, not far from Spotsylvania where his men were being held.

  Ty turned back to Sonja and gathered her close, nuzzling her ear and whispering, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He held her tight for a moment more before stepping back.

  Immediately, the air chilled and Sonja’s chest constricted for a second. Forcing her face to remain calm, she watched them go. Nothing had prepared her for the empty hole in her chest where her heart had been moments before. She wheeled and raced back inside to the bedroom.