Paranormal After Dark: 20 Paranormal Tales of Demons, Shifters, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Witches, Magics, Ghosts and More

by Rebecca Hamilton

  “Me? You’ve got to be kidding! Why would Samell create me if he knew I was going to become so powerful? Seems kind of stupid if you ask me.”

  “He only saw what you could do for him. He had no idea you were predestined to be Keith’s mate. He was not privy to the knowledge of the book. You need to stop doubting yourself, Selena. You might feel like a scared little girl, but inside you’re one helluva danger to demons. If you mate with Keith, you’ll be one wicked bitch!”

  “You’ve been dying to say that, haven’t you?”

  “Maybe.”

  “So, all in all I simply have to mate with a wolf and save the world? No pressure there.”

  Another knock at the door announced the arrival of my alleged soul-mate and ended the conversation with Sterling. I opened the door and everything in my world was right. When I looked at his smiling face, my insides turned to jelly and ignited a fire deep in my core. Every fiber of my being yearned to be held in his arms, to feel his heartbeat against mine and my body silently begged for his. The mere twelve inches we stood from each other was too far. My destiny was right there in front of me and I hoped I would be able to live long enough to embrace it.

  Chapter 20

  “HEY, KITTEN.”

  Why did that one word turn me to mush? I’d never been a fan of nicknames, but everything the man said caressed me like soft hands that rubbed my worries away. His sexy, southern drawl alone was an aphrodisiac, combined with his charming personality and well-built body inherited from great genes and hard work, was enough to wet more than my appetite.

  “Hey, yourself.” I blushed and held the door open wider for him to enter.

  “Come on in.”

  “Fancy digs” he whistled.

  “Yeah, it’s alright, I guess.”

  “Hey, Buddy. How are ya’?” He rubbed the top of Sterling’s head after putting our sacks of dinner on the table.

  “Hi, Bro!”

  Bro? Were they going to give each other high-fives, too? It was so weird watching these two creatures who were supposed to be enemies act like besties, but it was also nice in a twilight zone kind of way. I figured I should just stop questioning all of it and enjoy the good stuff.

  “I brought your favorite.” Keith said and held the sack of containers up in the air. The aroma from our favorite food joint had my stomach gurgling and pleading for sustenance.

  Sterling clapped and giggled like a silly school-girl before he realized Keith’s watchful eyes were on him, clearly amused. Sterling cleared his throat and sauntered across the floor, playing the ‘cool cat’ card instead.

  “That should be fine” he said as he launched and strutted across the mahogany table with an air of indifference.

  “For you,” he turned to me “I brought a turkey club, fries, salad, and sodas. I also have more out in my truck. You can stock up your mini-fridge or maybe you’ll decide you’d rather come home with me? You already know I cook a mean breakfast” He winked and turned on that panty-soaking, crooked smile.

  Did he practice that in a mirror? Damn the man was tying me in knots and we had barely said ten words so far. He was absolutely perfect. Everything about him screamed ‘pure temptation’. Well, except for the whole ‘changing into a dog’ thing. But I could get used to that, I supposed.

  Don’t get me wrong, I love animals. But the idea of kissing Keith, knowing he could (and probably did) lick his own ass and balls was just a bit stomach turning. But he was so damn sexy.

  “Selena!”

  “What? Holy balls you scared the shit out of me! Why are you yelling at me Sterling?”

  “Because I’ve been trying to get your attention for a few minutes, but you were in la-la land.”

  “Oh. Well, excuse me.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Next time, you might want to filter your thoughts. Some of us don’t need the visuals.” He glared at me and flipped his long, gray tail.

  My eyes darted to Keith who stood there grinning at me and he raised one eyebrow.

  Shit! I forgot they both could read my thoughts! I must’ve turned an incredible shade of crimson with the amount of heat that rushed to my cheeks and I glanced away quickly. “Let’s eat” I mumbled.

  “Yeah, I’m suddenly very hungry, too” Keith said.

  How I was able to blush any more than I already had, amazed me. But there I was, red, hot and bothered all over again.

  After we ate and discarded our containers, Keith and I walked out onto the balcony while Sterling bathed himself again. We sat at the patio watching the river barges float down the Ohio River. Their decks were loaded with coal and from a distance, the sunset cast shadows making the piles look like mini-mountains. “If only I could move mountains like that.”

  “You can, Selena. You have to believe in yourself.”

  “How Keith? I’ve never had to fight anything on my own before this week.”

  “See? And you made it through that.” When he squeezed my hand, it sent electricity throughout my entire body. The closer we became, the more I felt pulled to him. We were like magnets. I leaned in to kiss him and as soon as our lips touched, I craved more. His tongue slid into my mouth, searching, teasing and he tasted sweet like his tea. Keith wrapped his hands in my hair, pulling me closer. My own hands explored his arms, his chest as my pulse quickened to a steady, rapid staccato. Then without warning, he broke our kiss.

  Breathless, he held my face in his hands. “My entire life, I’ve wanted to kiss you, to love you. I never believed I’d have the chance.”

  “So why are you stopping? Shut up and kiss me some more.” I smiled and tugged on his shirt, pulling him up against my body.

  He held me in his arms and said, “Because Selena, we still have some talking to do. There’s more you need to know, more to learn before we just go jumping into bed together. If I don’t say these things now, it may be too late. Once I start loving you, I won’t want to stop.”

  My raging hormones would have to wait. Though I appreciated his gentleman-like attitude, I had needs and if they weren’t fulfilled soon, I knew I’d blow a gasket. “Okay, let’s talk.”

  “You might be mad at me for a few things I’m going to say, but you need to understand that I don’t intend to hurt you.”

  “Keith, really let’s just talk. Let me decide if I will be mad or not. Okay?” The sooner we finished talking, the sooner I could get laid.

  He told me he had seen Shawn with not only Roberta, but many other women from town including Janice. He knew Roberta and Shawn were demons, but their strong financial ties to the town could’ve put the community in unnecessary hardship if Keith had made a move too soon. Though Keith felt I should’ve known all along about Shawn’s deceit, he also believed I would’ve thought Keith was nothing more than a meddling gossiper and jealous, loud-mouth.

  After he told his entire side of the story, he added “I’m so sorry, Selena. I never should’ve stayed silent. Hurting you is the last thing I would ever want to do. But I won’t tell you that I’m sorry Richardson and you are through.”

  I sat down on one of the Adirondack chairs and listened to the river as its waves gently lapped at the rocks below us. I was too exhausted to be angry with Keith, besides from what Kelly had said yesterday, I’d already gathered he knew about Shawn and Roberta all along. However, I never would’ve imagined Shawn and Janice. Then again, I was way behind in Shawn’s tally of conquests and frankly, I was sick of hearing about Shawn.

  I knew Keith was being honest and he did what he thought was best, not only for me but for his father and the entire town. This was more than I had done for any of them recently. My thoughts mulled around my mind and I chose my words with care, before speaking.

  “I know you could listen to my thoughts if you wanted, so I won’t try to say it doesn’t upset me.”

  “I wasn’t invading your mind this time, I promise. I’m a bit scared of what you’re thinking, so I’m controlling myself.”

  “First, let me say you should have told
me. You should have let me decide if I would’ve believed you or not. You didn’t trust me enough to let me make up my own mind.” I turned to face him, my eyes full of compassion. “But you were right. I wouldn’t have believed you. I thought I was in love. I believed in so many things that have turned out to be so very wrong. So, I don’t blame you. How could you have known what I would do or say?”

  He held me in his arms and I continued, “For the record, I’ve always wanted you to kiss me. When you left, I was hurt. I couldn’t be there for you when your family was killed and I was alone when mine was. It sucked. I blamed the craft, I blamed the goddesses and I blamed everyone except for the demon I fell for. And that really sucks. I’ve been an idiot for so long. But I’m glad you’re back and I’m glad you kissed me, even if it ended too soon.”

  “You kissed me” he teased.

  I smiled and said, “Are we okay now? Can we get back to that amazing kissing and maybe move on to other more amazing things?”

  The smile on his face disappeared. “Not yet. I mean, we’re okay. But there’s more you need to know.”

  “There’s more? Like what?”

  “The prophecy about us.”

  “Oh. Okay, tell me.”

  “It was decided before we were even born.”

  “Sterling filled me in on most of it.”

  “How does he know anything about it?”

  “He overheard Kelly and you talking last night. He told me just a little while ago.”

  “Did he also tell you about the mating?”

  “Yep.”

  “So, you’re okay with me biting you?”

  Biting? “No one said a word about biting!”

  “Well, that’s the only way to make you mine, Selena.”

  “Marriage and sex don’t work for wolves?”

  “No. I mean we can and will get married, if you want. But to be one of us, you have to be bitten, marked.”

  Holy balls! I felt so very ill.

  “It’s not like a bite a chunk out of you. In fact, I’ve heard it’s quite pleasing to the receiver. At least until you go through the change. But that’s another conversation we will have later.”

  “Change? I have to, um, change?”

  “Yeah, change.”

  “What will I change into? I’m already a mix of craziness! When will the ‘change’ happen?”

  “It can occur anywhere between twelve and seventy-two hours after you’re bitten. Kelly, Dad and I will take care of you. Dad should be back soon and believe me, there’s nothing to worry about, Kitten. You’ll be safe and well taken care of.”

  Nothing to worry about? He wanted to chew on me like some meaty-bone and I shouldn’t worry? Oh, and then I get to become a wolf? A bunny murdering, squirrel-eating wolf! Right, not a thing I should be concerned about there.

  “I know it sounds scary, but it’s your destiny. How about I just leave for a bit while you think it over and you can call me when you’re ready to talk some more, okay? But know this Selena, I love you and I won’t let anything happen to you. Even if we haven’t mated, you’re already mine.” He stood to leave.

  Sterling’s words from earlier mixed with Keith’s and I knew they were both right. But I still had questions and I was so nervous!

  “Keith? What if Samell finds out we’ve mated and he tries to kill me? How will I stop his little, demonic party if I’m dead?”

  “He won’t know.”

  “Shawn showed up here earlier and said he could smell you on me. They’ve been watching me. I know it’s because of this damn ring. It won’t come off!”

  “I won’t let them kill you, Kitten. I promise.”

  I knew he was telling the truth. I could feel the honesty and integrity rolling off of him in waves. With him, I’d always be safe. Keith was a family man and more intelligent than I’d ever given him credit for. He must know what he was doing. Maybe it was the only way to defeat the parasites that were gunning for me?

  Deep in thought, I must’ve looked lost. Keith wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on the top of my head. I knew with complete clarity what I had to do.

  “Bite me.”

  Chapter 21

  “WHAT?” HE STEPPED back as if I’d smacked him.

  I pulled the collar of my shirt to the side, “Bite me.”

  “Selena, maybe we should slow…”

  “Here, I’m ready. Just try not to hit my jugular, okay? I’m kinda’ fond of living and blood is a bitch to get out of fabric. Besides, if I bleed out, I can’t zap the mess away, if you make one. And…”

  He began to laugh, a full-on belly laugh. Why was he laughing at me? Embarrassed, my hackles rose and I crossed my arms over my middle.

  “What’s so funny, Keith? That’s what you wanted wasn’t it? Here I am giving you permission to snack on me and you’re laughing at me.”

  “Aw, Kitten. This is why I love you.” He closed the distance between us, his eyes tender and full of love he said, “Every day and every night I want to make you smile and laugh just like you make me smile and laugh.”

  “I’m glad I am sooo amusing” I huffed. “Yeah, folks I’m here all week for your entertainment. Don’t forget to tip your waitresses” I mumbled and flopped myself down on the bed.

  “Please don’t be mad. I didn’t mean to laugh at you. You’re just so damn cute!” He tucked his hands into his jeans pockets and walked over to me.

  “Selena?”

  I refused to look at him.

  “Kitten?”

  “I’m not your…”

  “Yes you are. Look at me.”

  “No. Besides, I can’t be a kitten if you bite me. I’ll be a dog, a wolf. ‘Kitten’ doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Stop pouting or I might have to spank you, kitten.”

  My jaw dropped and my head snapped up. “You wouldn’t! I swear you’re trying to push my buttons, Keith Jacobs! As if I’d let you spank me like I’m some naughty child! You wouldn’t dare!”

  He turned on that tempting crooked smile and I could feel heat settle in my middle, battling with my injured pride. “Try me” he drawled.

  “Keith, you will not spank me. Try it and I will kick your ass!”

  “Want to bet?”

  “I mean it!”

  In a flash, he had picked me up and bent me over his knees. Crack!

  “Hey!”

  Another crack across my backside!

  “Listen here! If you think I will bow to your dominating…” Crack! “Keith, I will not be treated like a child! Let me…” Crack!

  With each tap of his hand, the sting was beginning to excite me. I realized his smacks weren’t painful and I enjoyed each tap more than I ever thought I would. I knew my ass would show a red branding from his hand and it was turning me on.

  “Ready to be good?”

  I said nothing. Crack!

  “You’re a bully!” I giggled.

  Crack!

  I wanted more so I pretended to struggle and wiggle. Every time he smacked my bottom, my body tightened with need. My panties were damp and the rough fabric was creating a glorious friction against my hardening nub each time I moved.

  “Silent treatment?”

  Crack!

  “Kitten?”

  “Don’t stop, please don’t stop.” My nipples were hard little peaks and desire rolled through me in waves.

  Whack!

  I was so lost in ecstasy that I didn’t realize I’d whimpered, wiggled and ground my pelvis against his thighs with abandon.

  “Oh. You like that? I guess I should stop.” He rubbed my ass where only moments ago, he’d slapped it. The heat from his hand was soothing the sting and turning me on even more. The contrast from pain to pleasure sent my hormones into overdrive.

  “Mm mm…”

  As I lay face down across his lap, his hand traced the seam of my jeans from my ass to my front. Shivers rippled through me as he cupped, rubbed and stroked my covered mound. I could feel his erection poking me through
his jeans as he sat beneath me and I hungered for more.

  “Selena? Are you ready to listen?’

  I shook my head.

  He stood me up and I straddled his lap, facing him. “I don’t want to listen, Keith and I’m tired of talking.” Grinding my crotch against him, a small moan escaped my lips. “Do you really want to talk right now?” I trailed kisses up one side of his neck, nibbling an ear lobe. He said nothing and I pressed my breasts against him and scraped my nails across his back.

  He wrapped his hands in my hair, pulling my body down hard to meet his. I ran my hands over his shoulders and grabbed fistfuls of his long hair. I needed to touch him, every inch of him. I pulled his shirt over his head and reveled in the sight of his broad chest and muscular arms. Apparently, being a wolf is very good for the body.

  ‘Thank you Goddess!’ The man was seriously built. Not like those wrestlers on television, all bulgy and covered in veins and hard, steroid-induced muscles. Goddess he was perfect! Firm, muscular and tan with abs unlike any I’d ever seen. For being a wolf-man, he wasn’t as furry as I’d expected and I was a bit surprised. In fact there was only a thin line of dark hair down the middle of his chest and stomach that trailed into his well-worn jeans. Damn those jeans! They blocked my view of the rest of Keith’s goodies. Beneath those cursed jeans, Keith’s manhood taunted me like a present that begged to be opened.

  When our eyes met, I could feel the heat rising between us. There was an unspoken understanding, like the kind I’d only ever seen in movies or read about in books. We moved, thought, existed as one. So in tune with each other, we sensed the others desires and needs. This man felt like the other half I’d always searched for. His touch filled me with an inner peace I had never known and my spirit cried with relief with every kiss we shared.