Stalked (Rogues Shifter #2)

by Gayle Parness

  “AP English History.”

  “So are we.” He was grinning. “We could start a study group.” Oh yeah that sounded like so much fun. This guy was going to be hitting on me the whole summer.

  “You’re both seniors? Are you twins?” asked Frank.

  “Yeah, I’m older though,” said Ethan. I rolled my eyes. Here we go.

  “By 12 minutes, asshole.” I shoved his shoulder.

  He grinned, enjoying the game. “I got all the healthy brain cells.”

  “It doesn’t matter how many you have if you don’t use them.” That made Sherrie and Frank laugh.

  “I’m a much better bowler.” He arched an eyebrow. Hmmm…bowling is a good idea, Ethan.

  I looked at Darren and Sherrie staring at each of us. “How about we put that theory to a test right now? I saw a bowling alley two blocks back near the pizza place. Any of you want to come? We could make it guys against girls.” Ethan seemed pleased that I'd picked up on his idea and run with it. A bowling alley would be an ideal place to hang out and be seen by the locals.

  “Frank and I are in, but I’d rather be on your team Melanie.” I just bet he would.

  “Yeah, let's go.” Sherrie was grabbing Bridgett’s arm and starting to walk in the direction of the bowling alley.

  Bridgett pulled away. “I’m pretty broke right now. You guys go ahead.”

  I wasn't letting her get away so easily.“I’ll lay out the money, you can pay me back. I’d like to have at least one friend at the school.” I looked at Sherrie and pointed toward the guys. ”And don’t you want to kick their butts?” I saw the look she gave Ethan as he walked away talking to Frank and Darren and realized that kicking wasn’t what she had in mind for Ethan. I sighed. He’s too hot for his own good.

  After a few more prods we were eventually able to get Bridgett to come along with us. We caught up to the boys, paid and went in search of bowling balls, giving me a chance to talk to Ethan privately.

  “Bridgett’s a cheetah, but she’s tried to hide it under a Jaguar scent. Plus she has a strong wall up protecting her thoughts, so she can use the lines. I’m sticking close to her. She’s definitely a Brina candidate. Darren’s a bear, Frank is a black leopard and,” I smiled, “Sherrie’s a cute little cougar.”

  Because I was a cheetah, my senses were more acute, so even though Ethan could tell that they were all shifters, I could tell what kind of animal they shifted into. I could also see their auras, which would come in handy if Brina couldn’t mask hers.

  Ethan smiled back at me. “Darren’s not so subtle about what he wants either. Should be an interesting few games. Oh, and I am going to beat you, Mel.”

  “Give it your best shot, Sammy.” We grinned toothily at each other and then went to do battle, the gauntlet having been thrown down and picked up.

  The boys started off strong. All three of them could bowl and got strikes and spares the first three frames. Sherrie and I held our own, but Bridgett rolled the ball into the gutter or only knocked down a few pins, almost as if she was trying to mess up. Her yellow aura would waver and then her ball would go wide. She was doing it on purpose and I was not happy. Heck, if she had the power to construct a mental wall, then she could put in the energy to get a strike.

  I took a chance and pushed a little magic at her, managing to break a chink out of her wall. “Why are you trying to roll gutter balls?”

  I heard her gasp and look at me with startled eyes. Her strong mental defenses had suddenly crashed and burned as waves of fear poured from her mind, so she twisted away and ran into the ladies room, tears already streaking her cheeks. Crap, I hadn't meant to scare her.

  Sherrie stood up looking confused, but I motioned for her to sit down again. “It’s your turn next after Sammy. I’ll go see what’s up. Make sure he doesn’t cheat.” Sherrie nodded with a smile, relieved that she could stay with Sammy. Ethan gave me a curious look but I scratched behind my ear, our signal that I was good to deal with the situation alone. He nodded and got up to bowl.

  I walked quickly to the restroom, hoping to repair any damage I might have caused. Bridgett was in a stall sniffing and blowing her nose. Her wall was back up so I couldn’t really tell what was upsetting her. “Hey Bridgett, what’s the matter? It’s ok that you’re not a good bowler. We’re all having fun, right?”

  “Fuck you! You’re the problem. You’re going to mess everything up.”

  Huh…shy little Bridgett just had a personality downgrade. I chose to ignore it. “Come out. We’ll get a soda and talk.”

  The stall door opened and she walked out, glaring at me with angry brown eyes. “If you tell anyone, I’ll beat the shit out of you.” She'd stormed over to me and was trying to be all in my face, but she was so petite that she was more—in my clavicle. I had to hold back a smile so she wouldn't get any angrier. I didn't doubt that she could hurt me if she focused that anger.

  “I won’t tell anyone that you were crying. You can trust me.”

  “No dumbass.” She lowered her voice.”You can’t tell anyone that I’m a cheetah.”

  Ok it was getting harder to be nice. Still I wanted to get more info, so I asked calmly, “Why are you hiding it?”

  “None of your fucking business!” She hissed out.

  I felt my hands clench, but managed to hold back the desire to punch her by reasoning it out. She was frightened by something. Her anger was probably related to that. She's another cheetah. Maybe I can get her to trust me.

  “I won’t talk if you promise not to tell anyone that I’m a cheetah.” My cover would be blown before class even started. Not a stellar performance for me as a new member of our team.

  That stopped her tirade, at least for a moment. She looked at me suspiciously then crossed her arms and asked, “Why are you hiding it?”

  “Same answer as yours.”

  She smiled a little then. “It’s not so easy is it? We’re freaks.”

  “Aren’t your parents cheetahs?” It occurred to me that they might have known my parents, so I moved closer.

  “No. My mom is dead. My dad’s a wolf, she was too.”

  Suddenly the fear made sense. I remembered what Sinc had told us about her adopted werewolf parents. They couldn’t accept a shifter kid and so they'd sent her away. Bridgett was apparently going through the same kind of thing, only her parents had kept her around. I didn't want to delve into her personal life, since she obviously wasn't Brina, so I let it go for now. Instead I asked, “Why do you mess up your rolls on purpose? You could bowl well if you put your energy into it.”

  “I can’t draw any attention to myself.”

  “Messing up that badly draws more attention to you than if you just got an average score. Everyone knows you're some kind of a shifter, right? Shifters are pretty coordinated."

  She looked at me with narrowed eyes. ”I guess so.”

  “What do you tell people your animal is?”

  “Jaguar.”

  “Me too.” Ethan and I had decided that jaguar was rare enough that no one would question it. Obviously I hadn’t counted on another cheetah with a great nose to pin me out. “Why don’t we go back? Just relax and have some fun. I swear to you that I won’t say anything to Sherrie or Darren or Frank or anyone at the school.”

  “What about Sam?’

  I shrugged. “I tell him just about everything, but he won’t talk. I promise.”

  Her gaze was thoughtful, trying to judge if I was being honest with her. In the end, she really didn’t have a choice. “Ok, but remember what I said. I’ll kick your ass. I'm used to beating on wolves.“

  I tried to look impressed. “I won’t tell anyone, Bridgett.” Something about her reminded me of myself not so long ago.

  We walked back to the game and picked up where we'd left off. Ethan was watching me carefully as I got up to bowl, checking to make sure I was ok. I got a strike and Sherrie and Bridgett cheered. I gave Ethan a smirk and sat down. Darren watched my every move like I was a hive full of
honey. I’m sure he was enjoying the fact that, thanks to Sinc, I was wearing tight shorts. I saw Frank watching Bridgett with some concern in his eyes. Now, him I liked.

  Sherrie was all over Ethan, asking him if he wanted another soda or a slice of pizza. He saw me laughing and tilted his head toward Darren who was looking at my breasts.

  I frowned. “Darren, I’m up here.”

  Ethan and Frank cracked up, but Darren just moved his eyes up to mine and smiled, not embarrassed in the least. “Sorry Melanie, but you’re so—”, I waited to hear what he’d say, ”—yummy.” Yep, this bear thought I was some tasty piece of honey cake.

  “I’m not dessert. It’s your turn to bowl. Maybe you should concentrate on that."

  He nodded, smiled and stood up. He got a strike, of course, and the guys cheered. Ethan was being an asshole, laughing at me at every opportunity, so when no one else could see it, I flipped him off. Bridgett was the next one up. This time she actually got a spare so Sherrie and I cheered for her. She cracked a small smile.

  The guys won the first game, the girls the second, due to an amazing streak of luck and some mental nudges from me whenever Darren was up. We played a third game. It was close, but the guys won. Bridgett had allowed herself to get better with each game and was throwing a few strikes at the end.

  Everyone seemed to have had a good time and we all parted as new friends. Darren actually apologized for his middle school behavior and asked me out on a date. I told him that I wanted to take it slow and get to know the town and more of the people before I started to date anyone, so he said he’d ask again after I’d settled in. Even if I’d been unattached, he had about as much chance of me saying yes as Kennet did.

  Bridgett waved at me as she drove off in Sherrie’s car. I waved back. I took a few steps, heading back toward where we'd parked the car when my knees wobbled, my legs too weak to support me. I reached out for Ethan’s hand and he quickly put his arm around me.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know.“ He moved with me to a low wall built around the bowling ally parking lot and I sat down on the edge.“I feel kind of drained and nauseous. You go get the car, I’ll be ok sitting here for a few minutes.”

  “I’m not leaving you here alone. Liam and Garrett will throw me on the barbeque if I do. We’ll walk together to the car. Or I’ll carry you if I have to.” As Ethan steadied me with his arm around my shoulder, a cold shiver ran up my spine. I was certain that someone was watching me. As we walked down the sidewalk, I scanned the people on the sidewalk, the building windows and roofs. Nothing looked unusual or out of place.

  Still, there was something familiar about this cold, queasy feeling I was experiencing. Kennet? I wasn’t sure, but couldn’t stop another shiver from wracking my body. Ethan held me a little tighter and picked up the pace. When we reached the car, he helped me into the seat, reached over to buckle my seatbelt, and then covered me with a spare jacket that he’d left on the backseat. Despite the jacket, I shivered as we drove off to the relative safety of our temporary new home.

  Chapter Nine

  The house was a small ranch with two bedrooms, a nice kitchen, a large living room/dining room combo and two bathrooms. Ethan had me on the couch with a wet washcloth over my forehead while I talked to Garrett on the phone.

  “I’m fine, really. I just felt suddenly exhausted.” There was no reason to worry him without proof.

  “Do you want me there?”

  “I do, but we agreed that it wouldn’t be smart for you to come here this early in the evening. Come around midnight and don’t park the Saab in the driveway.”

  He laughed. “Okay, boss.”

  “I’m sorry. I had something really strange happen today.” I told him all about Bridgett and exactly what we’d talked about.

  “Another cheetah. That’s incredible, and she’s living with wolves? It can’t be easy for her.”

  “I’m just worried that she’ll screw me and tell someone.”

  “She’s not going to say anything if she doesn’t want you to talk. You may be able to help her.”

  “Do you think Maya could come out here for a visit tomorrow? I need to talk to her about this.”

  “Call her, she doesn’t bite, unless she’s hunting. Oh by the way Elizabeth was here and warded the house. She’s going to Gasquet tomorrow to ward your house there.”

  “Thanks. I love you.”

  “Je t’aime.” His voice grew a little husky. “Je ne peux pas attendre de vous gouter vos levres.”

  “What does that mean?” I was giggling because it sounded sooo sexy whatever it was.

  “I’ll tell you later.”

  Ethan was looking at me with an odd expression when I ended the call. “I like the French talk, what can I say? Is Sinc coming tonight?”

  “Yes, around 1:00 AM. She’s picking me up. I’ll be staying at her house every night, since Garrett will be here with you. I’ll be back before dawn each morning.”

  I laughed. “School starts in two days. We’re going to need to sleep occasionally.”

  “We’ll figure it out.” His eyes were twinkling mischievously. "I told you that we’d beat you.”

  “No, you said that you’d beat me and if you look at our scores you’ll see that I beat you.”

  He pulled out the score sheet and looked. I beat him by two pins.

  “Well, shit, you’re right. Re-match?”

  “Maybe. I’m going to crash for awhile. Thanks, for helping me out today,” I took out my contacts, took a quick shower, dressed in sweatpants and a tee shirt and curled up on the large bed. Ethan had been nice enough to give me the master bedroom with the attached bathroom.

  I slept a dreamless sleep and woke up to a familiar scent and the sensation of someone kissing my palm. When his fangs grazed my skin I sighed and opened my eyes.

  Garrett was on the bed next to me and I could see exactly how much he was enjoying himself because his eyes were sparkling with silver. He stopped when he saw me smiling at him. “I like you as a red head.” He pushed a stray lock out of my face. "Ethan and Sinc are gone.”

  “I didn’t mean to sleep for so long.” I reached up and touched his hair. I loved to feel the silkiness between my fingers. He rubbed his head against my hand so I trailed my fingers down his face and over his mouth so he could grab them for a nibble. “So what did you say to me on the phone?”

  “I love you.” he smiled his most sexy smile, making his eyes crinkle up at the corners.

  “After that.” My heart was already pounding.

  He leaned over me, burying his face against my neck. I said,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear. ”Je ne peux pas attendre de vous gouter vos levres. I can’t wait to taste your lips.” He kissed my neck and sighed. “In fact, all of you looks delicious.

  I laughed and he gazed at me curiously. “A high school boy at the Gasquet bowling alley looked at me like I was dessert all afternoon.”

  “You are a seven course gourmet meal, my lovely cheetah,“ he said, gently pushing me down on the bed. I tried to raise myself back up to kiss him but he held me down with one hand on my shoulder. “Patience. Close your eyes and let me have my fun.” His breath caressed my neck with a feathery embrace sending happy shivers down my body. I sighed and let him have his way with me—and of course, it was amazing.

  Afterward, I trailed my fingers down his arm to his hand and twined them around his. “You make me feel beautiful. I never felt that way before. The way you touch me, as if I was the only woman alive.”

  He pulled me tightly against him and whispered, “Francois swears that the French invented great sex.”

  “Of course he does.” I giggled.

  “But it only takes a good imagination and a strong loving connection with your partner.”

  “Uh huh, and the magic helps too.”

  He grinned impishly, "And the blood.”

  I stroked his hair and looked into his beautiful sapphire eyes. “I want you to kn
ow something...”

  He waited, probably sensing that this was something serious.

  “He said I'd never be able to fall in love or have a normal relationship. I’d rejected him when he came on to me. He hurt me on purpose so I’d always remember him.” I was surprised by how calmly I could speak about the young man who'd taken my innocence by force. Garrett’s eyes had turned dark, so I shook my head and continued. “He was wrong about everything. I never think about him anymore. Because of you. Because of the way you love me."

  I smiled and squeezed his hand, allowing myself to remember our first nights together.“ I think I started to love you that night at Carly’s little cabin, when you trained me to build my wall the first time. I was frightened, but you were so patient. And when I got kind of power drunk you were a perfect gentleman.” I teased him with a fake British accent.

  Garrett smiled so warmly. “My Lady,” he teased back. “I loved you before you came to the island. I felt in you a kindred spirit: another cheetah who would one day work the lines, like me. You looked like an angel as you flew down the road: full of anger and courage, and you gave me hope. I’d given up on hope until you opened your heart to me.”

  He brushed my newly red hair back from my face. “Jackie, I should have protected you from your foster brother, and from those men who attacked you. Eleanor sensed my distress, and did everything she could to prevent me from leaving.”

  “None of them can hurt us anymore. Everything is perfect now." I kissed him very gently and we lost ourselves to love once more before drifting off to sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  The next morning at 11:00 AM Elizabeth Hooper warded our temporary home. She was a witch, probably around twenty-four, wearing a long print dress, which fit her petite, slim frame perfectly. Her rich brown hair was pulled back and held up in a clawed clip and her deep set hazel eyes were focused on her tasks. I watched her set a circle around the house with salt and chants, then mix herbs, light candles and sing more chants. I didn’t understand anything that she did, but when she finished I actually did feel more protected and definitely more relaxed. Her aura was a bright blue and she radiated health and positive energy. I thanked her for her help and she left with a smile and a wave of her hand.