The Animal Sagas: A Shapeshifter Paranormal Romance

by Charles, Susan G

  She opened her eyes and stared directly into his. “I absolutely cannot allow my line to die off. I will not! Please, Alpha Wilder, help me.” The pleading blossomed beyond her voice, to fill her eyes with tears waiting to overflow their boundaries. Lynda was a proud woman, there was no question about that, but for the sake of her sister she was willing to beg if that would sway Ben to accept her offer.

  “Call me Ben.” He told her. Closing her eyes again against a mixture of emotion and dizziness, Lynda sighed and nodded her head slowly.

  “Does that mean you are going to help me, Ben?” she asked him, her quiet voice weighted with her desperation.

  Instead of answering her, he asked her another question. “Who has your sister? Are you sure it is Anderson?”

  Lynda took a shaky breath before telling him. “Jonathan Anderson declared fuitina and kidnapped her last night from our house just outside of the town.” She waited, hoping against all hope that the name would not deter him.

  “The son of Jonas Anderson, leader of the Dark Fang? You’re certain?” he asked quietly.

  Lynda, worried about his response to this information, nodded to confirm his words. She forced herself up into a sitting position and began to explain exactly what had happened.

  “Sonya met him at a local bar a few weeks back, maybe longer. Rumors had been floating around about who we were,” she sighed with a shake of her head. “Jon got Sonya drunk, and she accidentally showed him what she really was. Our power is harder to control when we aren’t sober sorry to say, but that is one weakness which we possess.”

  “A woman of Yukonia lineage was much too large of a temptation for Jon to pass up. Cowardly little cur, he knew he couldn’t take me on, so he waited until I was out asleep. Then he and a few of his cronies broke into our house and took Sonya while she was sleeping. He warned me if I tried anything, he would return for me to finish our “business.” She clenched her jaw with the fury that rushed through her at the idea of a man taking her sister while she was so vulnerable, and all because she had not been right there to protect her in the first place.

  “No wonder you came back to me. I actually suspected that you might be too proud to come despite our earlier agreement.” Ben snorted and for once it was easy to detect his frustration. “Jonas owes me big, and Jon should know better than to try to kidnap any bride this close to my territory. It should take him most of a day to get her back to the fang’s land. Even more if she fights him, and he won’t claim her until his father sanctions the match.”

  The werewolf sighed then rubbed his hands, palm against palm, as if preparing himself for the adventure. “You are right though, a mate with that sort of power is hard to turn down or give up. He won’t let her go without a fight, unless I can lay down a lot of pressure.”

  “Pressure you can’t exert on our behalf, unless Sonya is considered under pack law to be part of your family.” Lynda spoke clearly, demonstrating that she already understood their laws. “If you take me as your mate, then Sonya is your sister in law. She falls under your protection at that time. Jonas Anderson is intelligent and won’t risk war between the two packs for one woman, especially when she is being held against her will.”

  Ben was silent as Lynda studied him, trying to gauge his reaction to her words. He stared off into space as though he were frozen momentarily. He was nearly impossible to read, as if he had created an art out of indifference.

  Lynda continued in a more persuasive tone. “I realize that a mountain lion may not seem like an ideal mate for an alpha werewolf. But if you just give me a chance…”

  Ben’s sudden and stern voice cut her off. “You’ve made your point, Lynda,” he said.

  He looked over at her, and the myriad of emotions in his gaze surprised her. Was there more beyond that cool exterior? She could only hope so, considering that she was offering to commit to him for an entire lifetime. This was not something she took lightly. He could accept her as an equal, as a true mate, or he could manipulate her due to her desperation. She held her breath as she waited for his response.

  Animal Heat: A Paranormal Romance (Chapter 7)

  I’m not accustomed to accepting a mate based on a business deal,” he said quietly. “You must understand that what you are asking for is a great favor.”

  “And it is a great advantage to you,” she pointed out with a hint of feline arrogance. “Remember, this was your idea! As for me, it is not an offer you will ever have again,” she warned him. “I’ll not require more from you than you are willing to give.”

  “And what do you expect that I’ll require of you?” he asked with a subtle tone. “Once you have your sister back, what will stop you from being disloyal to me, and my pack?”

  “I would never,” Lynda said defiantly. “My word is very important to me. If you accept me as your mate, as we agreed to before, you will have my loyalty. I will live up to my word!”

  Ben studied her intently, as if he was trying to gauge whether or not to trust her, and if so, how much. He needed to be certain, as it was not just himself he would be committing to Lynda, but his entire pack.

  “I would expect complete loyalty,” he said sternly. “And perhaps,” he hesitated a moment, and allowed a glimpse of something beyond his stern exterior. She was stunned by what she saw, was that insecurity? “Love,” he added.

  “Love?” she looked at him with surprise. Not too many alphas were interested in actual love. Of course they desired affection, compliance and companionship – but when it came to actual love that was something that they could usually just take or leave.

  “It’s not as if it is something I expect now,” he said quickly, feeling a little flustered as his expression hardened once more. “But I would not mind it being a possibility in the future. Could you see that as a possibility, Lynda?”

  In fact Lynda had not really considered it. She had chosen him for specific reasons, and with a very defined purpose in mind, and it was convenient that he was handsome, and had so far been fair and kind to her, but it was not a necessity. The only necessity was getting her sister, Sonya, back home, safe and sound.

  Now that she considered it however, she did see the potential. He was a strong and confident alpha, who seemed to hold within him a deeper sense of value than most men she had come in contact with previously.

  “I could,” she agreed in a whisper. Only then did she realize the important question of the moment. “Could you?” she asked, meeting his gaze openly.

  He did not speak, but he nodded slightly. The truth was he admired how brave and resilient she had been through this entire endeavor. She obviously thought of her sister before herself and was willing to make sacrifices to protect her. That was the kind of mentality that was expected in a pack. He turned away from her, the hint of vulnerability that he had revealed disappearing swiftly as he began to speak in a cool tone once more.

  “You’re right – the best way to save your sister is to extend Strongheart’s protection to her as my sister in law. You’re also correct that I need to take a mate. I guess that was in the back of my mind when I asked you that earlier today. I half expected you not to accept my offer.”

  “Clay and the others have been bothering me about it for months now. I’m not sure a cougaress is what they had in mind… but as I said, a woman of Yukonia is hard to turn down. If this is what you want,” he paused a moment to meet her eyes, then continued. “Then I swear I will do as you ask. We will complete the agreement and I will take you as my mate, and then make certain your sister is returned safely to join us also if she so wishes.”

  Lynda had lowered her eyes as he spoke, partially in relief, somewhat in reverence to his power and partially in fear. Of course, ultimately his acceptance was what she wanted, but actually reaching this moment, when she would have to follow through with her part of the offer, it was still something she did not yet prepare for. She had no idea what the experience would be like, but knew that it had to occur for all events to follow through to co
mpletion.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” Ben asked in a whisper, as her auburn tresses tumbled forward slightly. Lynda set her jaw and brushed her hair back from her eyes, she met his gaze with a mirrored indifference.

  “It is,” she said firmly.

  His gaze searched hers as if he was looking for something in particular, but in the end he gave no hint as to whether he had found it or not. Instead he spoke calmly. “Come with me.”

  He held out his hand to her, and Lynda took it. His firm grasp was warm, and steady as he pulled her to her feet. Silently, Ben led her out of the living room and down the short hallway to his expansive bedroom at the end of his home. Each step drew them closer, not only to the culmination of their agreement, but also to Sonya’s freedom.

  Lynda’s heart was pounding wildly in her chest as he swung the bedroom door open, and led her through it. He didn’t stop until they were standing in front of his massive bed, a four poster, that perfectly fit his manly style. “You are certain this is what you want?” He asked her once more, his tone full of warning that there would not be another opportunity to decline.

  Lynda nodded her head summoning every ounce of bravery within her, and to make certain he understood, she quickly brushed her lips lightly against his. She heard Ben rumble deep in his throat as her innate magic suddenly brushed over him. His arms wound around her body with the strength of his nature, and the sensation of them surrounding her was intoxicating. Pressing her tightly against him, Ben deepened the kiss.

  Lynda relaxed, letting her power flow through her, knowing that he could sense every subtle throb of it. Rather than trying to forcibly pick out information from his thoughts and memories, she let the Yukonia magic tell her what to do to please him. This was what the power was intended for, what made a woman of her lineage so valued as a mate. She would become his perfect lover, molding her actions and reactions to fit his each and every need.

  And in turn she received his every passion back through her magical link to him. They tumbled back across the bed, but the sensation of cloth against skin was nothing compared to the stroke of their escalating touches. The ecstasy they shared was in perfect congruency. Every time he ached, feeling as if the pleasure would be too much, she ached with him. Every time she gave him the sensation of pleasure, she received it in return through his reaction, making it ripple in an endless flow between the two of them.

  Her magic turned their lovemaking into a cycle of intense feedback. Time ceased to exist for them, flesh and bone was a vague memory, as the pure and basic sense of euphoria united them into one sentient being. There was no separation between their climax. The moment he crested, she cascaded along with him and their shared experience inspired mutual expressions of ultimate carnal pleasure. His wild growls were mingled with her voice calling out in a roar that echoed through the night. In the distance, she could hear the pack answer her cry with long, throaty howls.

  Once it was over Lynda trembled with the after affects of their passion, her body truly exhausted from the exertion of their lovemaking plus the previous run for her life. Ben’s body curled around hers, as if claiming her, his breaths heavy against her skin. His silken fingertips soothed her as they glided with long, tender strokes down the delicate curve of her back.

  “Is it always going to be like that?” he asked wonderingly, trying to steady his breath. He was more than amazed by her, by the experience, by tasting a part of life he had never known could be so beautiful before.

  “I think so.” Lynda answered him, her voice trembling still and slightly ragged from her roars. “We avoid sleeping with other Were’s until we are ready to choose a mate and bear young,” she explained in a whisper. “Humans aren’t sensitive to the magic we possess. I have to admit, I’m not very keen to go back to a human lover after that experience.”

  Ben growled deep in his throat in agreement, and pressed her close, his muscular body tightening around her lithe frame. He said nothing, but his message was clear. She was his mate now, he had fully and completely claimed her. There would be no going back. She laid her head against his chest and relaxed finally, listening to the pounding of his heart beat. The sound calmed her and after a full day of worry and fear, and though she thought it would be impossible, Lynda finally fell asleep. As she slept her mind stirred with the memory of their past connection.

  Even though they were no longer engaged in the union, it felt as if it had not ended. It lingered deep within her, and the images that filled her mind now were ones of Ben’s memories from childhood, into adulthood. As she slept she got to know the man she had just committed the rest of her life to. She saw the deep grief he had experienced, and the great joys as well.

  She could see that he had earned his right to be proud, and his position as alpha was well deserved. She felt his deep love and protectiveness of his pack, and how that now extended to Lynda and to her little sister Sonya as well. She knew as she rested that what she had just done was not a mistake. He was not a man she would regret connecting her life with.

  Animal Heat: A Paranormal Romance (Chapter 8)

  The next morning, Lynda awoke to find Ben gently shaking her shoulder. “I have already spoken to Jonas,” he said as she looked up at him with a mixture of confusion and anticipation.

  “Jon managed to finally bring Sonya to the fang’s headquarters late last night. Seems she gave him quite a run for his money. He has agreed to return her to me, IF we meet him in person, and can prove her status without a doubt. We will meet him and Jon in neutral territory in three hours.”

  “I had Angel bring you something to wear. You should get dressed now as fast as you can. I will find you something to eat on our way out there to meet them.” He paused, as if drawn in by the sight of her. Ben gave her a short tender kiss, stared into her eyes, and after a long moment had to force himself away, lest their journey be delayed by a repeat of last night’s lovemaking.

  Lynda smiled at the look of longing on his face as he walked out the door. She lay back in bed for a moment, her hand resting lightly on her womb. There was where she felt the lingering connection, as if it did not matter how far Ben wandered from her, he was always with her.

  Then Lynda sat up and turned to find the proffered clothes sitting on the edge of the bed, a hair brush sitting neatly on top of them. Lynda chuckled at the thoughtful gesture, as she dressed. She pulled the brush through her hair until it was perfectly smooth. Then she walked out into the living room of the cabin.

  His surroundings were still unfamiliar enough to her to set her on edge. Filled with unfamiliar smells, objects and things she was now unaware of, she knew it would take her time to completely accept this new home and surroundings but she was, at the same time, relieved, that perhaps this would be the last move she would ever make.

  When she saw Ben was waiting for her by the door, she felt a little more reassured and comforted at the same time. It was strange how her eyes locking to his made him feel so known, as if she could see into every shadow within him, and perhaps she had. He now knew the true talents that Yukonia’s possessed.

  Ben held the door of the cabin open for her, and Lynda stepped outside to find the entire Strongheart pack waiting for them. Clay approached her, and ritualistically stepping into her space put his hand around her waist. Ben’s answering growl was instant and terrifying drawing the attention of everyone who heard it. Clay quickly backed up obviously a bit shocked by the vehemence of what was typically a ritual response.

  One of the two women Lynda had seen the night before, a petite blond named Jennifer, tried to move past Lynda to approach Ben, again in a ritualistic gesture. Lynda blocked her path and screamed an outraged snarl at the interloper. The petite blond literally jumped in the air as she gasped and quickly moved away, back towards the comfort of the pack.

  Lynda was as surprised by her actions as the blond had been. She had not anticipated that she would want to protect her new mate so fiercely. He was after all, practically a complete
stranger to her. Suddenly she found she was experiencing the overwhelming desire not to have another female within twenty feet of her mate.

  The alpha pair bond had been tested and obviously accepted by the pack, they all knelt before the couple to demonstrate this. During the ceremony Ben noticed her confusion and discomfort at it all. He gave her a comforting squeeze around the waist. “You will get used to it,” he assured her. “Come on, we need to go.”

  The journey to meet the Dark Fang clan was arduous and the pack was intent on their steady progression. Lynda was still weary from the exertion of her connection with Ben, and he could see this in her movements. He watched her from the corner of his eye, but he did not slow his movements. He knew that she would have to become familiar with the rhythm of the pack in order to be part of it even though he also knew that this was not the best way to begin their budding alliance.

  Even though he could tell that she was struggling, she did not allow herself to fall behind. She did not complain either. She only pushed harder to keep up. Ben found her to be remarkable, and her stamina to be unparalleled. He was certain that as their relationship progressed he would discover even more to admire about her.

  Of course, during the course of the journey his mind often wandered to the union they had just experienced, and it was not something he would ever be able to resist. She had power over him, intense and passionate power, though he would have to make certain that she did not realize this.

  The closer they came to the pre-arranged meeting place, the more anxious Lynda grew. “Would Sonya be injured? Did Jonathan mate with her against her will? Was it possible that she had already been claimed by him and the rival clan? Were they already too late?” Lynda wondered about all this and more to herself and worried about all the possibilities.

  Three hours later she and Ben were standing next to each other in a forested clearing lightly covered with snow and filled with scents she had never come in contact with before, the pack arrayed behind them. “Are you okay?” he asked her quietly when he saw the strain in her features. She glanced over at him, wondering if her weakness had caused him to have misgivings.