Captured & Seduced

by Shelley Munro

  “How? How did this happen?”

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged and she felt his clear frustration. “I wish I could tell you.”

  “To change I picture the cat in my mind, right?” She’d asked about how he changed forms before and knew the drill. A tremor shook her hand, and she hid it behind her back. With a deep inhalation, she thought of Ry in his cat form.

  It hurt. Pain speared through her for an instant before she felt her body changing shape. Panicked, she tried to stop but Ry’s deep voice calmed her, pulled her through and suddenly she dropped to all fours.

  “Camryn,” Ry said, smoothing his hand over her head, ruffling her fur.

  Her fur. Camryn sneezed, and her tail flicked, lashing across her hindquarters. Camryn started in fright, bringing an abrupt bark of laughter from Ry.

  Stop laughing at me, dammit. I’m not used to this.

  “Do you want to go outside and run around the garden?”

  Are you going to change too?

  “Try and stop me.” He strode to the door before turning back to grab a robe and shrug it on. “Better not shock the footman on duty.”

  She padded after Ry, mind busy cataloguing scents and tactile sensations. And the things she could see. Incredible, even though her vision was black and white.

  “Quiet,” Ry said, but Camryn had already heard the low tones of men talking near the front door. They detoured to another room and Ry opened a set of double doors leading into the garden.

  Camryn squeezed past him, assailed by myriad scents. Flowers. Coal smoke. Lingering food aromas from dinner. The sharp stones on the footpath gave way to grass beneath the pads of her paws. Behind her she heard Ry’s robe whisper to the ground and the sharp cracks his bones made when he shifted to feline. Then he leapt at her in a mock charge. Laughing inwardly Camryn darted away from him, enjoying the play of muscles and the pure rush of speed.

  This is amazing.

  Are you okay? Ry loped beside her while they ran a circle of the rear garden.

  I’m stuck this way. Half woman, half kitty.

  It’s not so bad. You have me. Ry sounded uncertain, making her realize how difficult it must be not knowing his background.

  A rush of tenderness swelled inside her. She loved this man. Without another thought, she pictured her human form and managed to shift. A bit disorientated, her heart still pumping from the rush, she sashayed to the doors they’d exited.

  “After you take me home to visit my brother and family, we can start searching for yours. We’ll go to the planet Gweneth’s mother came from and investigate from there.”

  Ry fell into step beside her, stooping to pick up the robe he’d worn before he shifted. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. I’m positive.” She’d miss Gabriel as much as she always did, but not everyone gained a second chance at love like this.

  They made it to the bedroom without discovery and locked the door to ensure privacy.

  Ry smiled and ran his hand over her naked shoulder. He kissed her gently, sliding his lips across hers. “I love you.”

  “I know,” Camryn said with a trace of smugness. “And now you’re stuck with me.”

  Ry chuckled. “Count on it.” He tugged her onto the four-poster bed and kissed her neck.

  “The box is glowing a weird blue color,” Camryn said. “Look.” She reached over to pluck it from the dresser and handed it to him. The stone set in the center is a different color. Push it and see what happens.”

  Ry picked up the box. Camryn could tell it was with little hope since they’d tried to open it before. He ran his fingers across the bright shining blue stone in the middle. With a soft click, the box sprang open.

  “Fukk!” Ry muttered. “I’ve pushed that stone a hundred times and nothing has happened.”

  Camryn crowded closer. “What’s inside?” There had to be something. Her breath eased out when she saw the aged parchment inside—more than one sheet.

  Ry opened the first one and scanned the contents. “It’s a letter.”

  Son,

  This is the traditional letter written by a father to his son and is bespelled to open only when a mate is found and the bond formed. Congratulations on finding your mate. I’m sure she’s very beautiful and a valiant warrior, willing to fight at your side.

  Ry stopped reading. “Do you think this letter is for me?”

  “We couldn’t open the box and now we can. Of course the letter is intended for you.”

  Ry’s eyes held wonder and he blinked before he started reading again.

  I’m going to mention family history, although I’m sure this is old news. It doesn’t hurt to emphasize how foolish rifts are amongst kinfolk, especially if they are the result of a stupid argument. My grandfather and his brother argued over policy and the way the House of the Cat should run. Richard left our home planet of Viros and settled on Ibrox many galaxies away. Contact between the Coppersmith brothers ceased. For a time life continued without problem until my grandfather argued with the House of the Cawdor. They hired a wizard to place a curse on the Cat and our luck suffered. Our crops failed and sickness came to our people and loyal followers. You were born during the middle of a great famine. I realized our bad luck started when the two brothers fought. It was time to repair the rift. I decided to travel to Ibrox and attempt to mend the hurt between our families. Surely two cousins can reconcile? The lives of my family and our people depend on it.

  If you are reading this letter, I know my journey has been a success and once again the House of the Cat is restored to its former glory—a harmonious clan who pull together to face the good and the bad.

  Ry looked up from the letter. “Talor and I are related.”

  “That’s weird. You didn’t look alike at all.”

  “I don’t understand why I’ve never heard anything about this.”

  “But if your parents crashed maybe there was no reconciliation. Maybe your great-grandfather never spoke of the matter again. Maybe he wiped his hands and started afresh.”

  “I wonder if Talor had a box like this,” Ry said.

  “He didn’t appear to have a mate. He might have possessed a box and not been able to open it or perhaps your great-grandfather departed from tradition. And from what Talor said the family prospered because you acted as a familiar for them, even though your powers hadn’t manifested.”

  Something slipped from between the pages of the letter and fluttered to the ground. Camryn plucked it from the floor and handed it to Ry. A sense of contentment flooded her when she touched it.

  Ry smiled. “It bears a leaping cat.”

  Camryn crowded closer to him. “It’s the same as our tattoos.” She glanced up at his face and read his mind with ease. “We’re going to my home first, to visit my brother. You promised. I want to spend at least a month there and return often.” Camryn held her breath, waiting for his reply. She thought he’d hold to his promise, but if he didn’t she’d have to test the bonds between them. Anxiety at possible separation made her bite her bottom lip. No matter what, he couldn’t use this mate stuff to force her to act against her wishes. She had a creative imagination when it came to payback.

  Ry leaned over to kiss her. “I made a promise and intend to keep it. My family hasn’t returned to their home planet for many cycles. An extra month won’t make any difference. Besides, we’ll need to do some research first.”

  “I love you.”

  “I’m counting on it because Mogens informed me the rest of the crew wish to visit your home with us.”

  “But…but I thought they’d want to have some rest. Recreation.” Camryn tried to imagine her brother’s reaction and failed.

  “You are right. They’re my family,” Ry said. “Our family. I couldn’t say no.”

  “I guess it would be all right,” Camryn said with clear doubt. “My brother has an open mind.” And he’d need it. “What about Gabby and Luke?”

  “I didn’t think another space voyage would be fair on
them. I thought we’d stop by the Coppersmith estates and leave them there. Cody is great with animals. She’ll make sure they’re cared for. Sound okay?”

  “Yeah.” It sounded great. An adventure. With no doubt a few trials along the way. “I can’t think of anyone I rather have at my side,” she said, and smiled because words were inadequate to describe her happiness and satisfaction. An adventure indeed. “My very own kitty-cat.”

  “Who are you calling Kitty?” Ry stroked his hand across her back, rubbing her tattoo. A purr erupted and she arched against him with real pleasure.

  Camryn chuckled, biting back a groan when his busy hands cupped her breasts. “I guess it takes one to know one,” she said. “Two kitty-cats together.”

  An indignant snort emerged from Ry, but Camryn held the idea for a little longer. Although she was teasing him, she knew it was true. They had so much in common. Yeah, they belonged. Camryn purred and turned in his arms so their lips met. Their bodies strained together, whispering love with every touch and caress.

  Camryn parted her legs and Ry slipped inside, the sensual stroking making her groan out loud. It felt so good, so right. Perfect. Like a dance, they glided together, stoking the passion and cementing their love.

  They belonged.

  Two felines together.

  Acknowledgements

  A special thanks to Ravyn Wilde who helped me during the initial stages of this book. I think Ry and Camryn’s story turned out quite well in the end. Thanks so much.

  And as always, thanks to Paul. I love you.

  About Shelley Munro

  Shelley Munro is tall and curvaceous with blue eyes and a smile that turns masculine heads everywhere she goes. She’s a university tutor and an explorer/treasure hunter during her vacations. Skilled with weapons and combat, she is currently in talks with a producer about a television series based on her world adventures.

  Shelley is also a writer blessed with a VERY vivid imagination and lives with her own hero and a rambunctious puppy in New Zealand. She writes erotic romance in the contemporary, paranormal and historical genres for publishers Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing plus she has several self-published titles. You can learn more about Shelley and her books at her website, or keep up to date by joining her newsletter. You might even find her lurking at Facebook or Twitter.

  Stay Connected with Shelley Munro

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  Other Works by Shelley Munro

  Contemporary

  Wanderlust

  Playing to Win

  Spies, Lies and Sapphires

  Summer in the City of Sails

  Soldier of Fortune

  Stranger Things Happen

  Wild Child

  Tea For Two

  Lovers at Last

  Cat Burglar in Training

  One Night of Misbehavior

  Blindside

  Love and Friendship series

  The Bottom Line

  Past Regrets

  Farmer Wants a Wife

  Fancy Free series

  Fancy Free

  Christmas is Coming

  Feeling the Buzz

  Biding His Thyme

  Paranormal

  Price of Love

  Lynx to the Pharaoh

  Make That Man Mine

  Currents Run Deep

  Curse of Brandon of Lupinus

  Middlemarch Mates series

  Scarlet Woman

  Peeping Tom

  Stray Cat Strut

  Assassin

  Cat and Mouse

  Cat Burglar

  Leticia’s Lovers

  CatNap

  Tiger by the Tail

  Blue Lady

  Twin Trouble

  Lightning Strikes Twice

  Sci-fi/Futuristic

  Resisting Tamaki

  Sex Idol

  Fallen Idol

  Talking Dogs series

  Talking Dogs, Aliens and Purple People Eaters

  Never Send a Dog to do a Woman’s Job

  Romantic Interlude

  House of the Cat series

  Captured & Seduced

  Gayrotica

  Fallen Idol

  Last Wish

  Best Man

  Eye on the Ball

  Lone Wolf

  Seeking Kokopelli

  Stoned

  CatNap

  Stray Cat Strut

  No Defense

  Historical

  Mistress of Merrivale

  The Spurned Viscountess

  A Discreet Affair

  Unforgettable

  Coming Soon

  Middlemarch Capture

  Snared by Saber

  Favored by Felix

  Lost with Leo

  Tangled with Twins

  Seizing Scarlett

  House of the Cat

  Claimed & Seduced

  Seized & Seduced

  Clare Chronicles

  Part-time Lovers

  Enemy Lovers

  Copyright

  Captured & Seduced

  Copyright © 2014 Shelley Munro

  ISBN: 978-0-473-28365-0

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  ShelleyMunro.com