Werebear's Nanny_A Paranormal Romance

by T. S. Ryder

  I moved toward the door. He was right, my father would always find me. I would never be safe. I was only putting Anton in danger. I touched his arm, trying to get him to move, but he refused.

  “They call you the Butcher?” Anton said. “Why is that?”

  “Because I kill people and dispose of the bodies. I’m a ghost. No one knows me. The law can’t touch me.”

  “So no one knows you’re here. No one will come looking for you once you’re gone?”

  “Don’t get any ideas, rich boy,” The Butcher said. “You aren’t going to take me. I have a gun on you. I’ll shoot you dead before you can take a step.”

  “Anton, please,” I said. I was crying now. I wiped away the tears and tried to move him, but he was like a solid brick wall.

  “How would I send a message to your boss, if I wanted to?” Anton said.

  The Butcher scoffed, the gun still trained on Anton. “This isn’t a problem that can be solved with money. Kristen ran and when she ran she offended a very powerful man. Nothing will correct that except for Kristin going home, apologizing and doing her duty.”

  “She’s not going anywhere and if you don’t leave, you’re going to die here.”

  “That’s enough talk. Let me in the house,” The Butcher said. He trained the gun on Anton’s face.

  Anton thought for a moment and then moved aside. He moved me with him, so I was always shielded by his body. I looked around him at The Butcher, who held the gun steady in his hands.

  “Let’s go, Kristen. I don’t have time for this-” his jaw fell open, but he was a professional and the gun remained in place.

  Anton was changing, morphing into the lion. The Butcher yelled out and then took a stumbling step back. He fired once, the sound of the gun echoing around the house. But Anton was ready, he dodged the bullet and then began stalking the man.

  The Butcher fired again, but the shot missed and Anton lunged. He hit him with his full lion’s weight and The Butcher slammed back against the wall. He dropped the gun and then he fell. I raced forward and grabbed the gun, training it on The Butcher, but he was frozen, staring at the lion in front of him.

  “What...” he said. “What’s happening?”

  In a moment, the lion was a man again. His clothes were in tatters hanging off of him, but he didn’t seem to care.

  Anton grabbed the Butcher by his collar and pulled him to his feet. The Butcher had an obvious concussion, but he stumbled up and barely managed to stay here.

  “You go back to your boss and you tell them that Kristen is dead. She froze to death in the abandoned office building where she was staying. She’s dead. There’s no use in hunting for her.”

  “Proof, they want proof,” The Butcher said. He looked less terrifying now. He was drooling a little, his eyes were crossed and he was swaying on his feet. There was a large goose egg forming on the back of his head.

  “I can get proof. It’ll be in the paper. You’re right, I do have money, but I also have connections and a power you could not imagine. You will return to your masters and tell them that Kristen is dead. There will be a death certificate for proof. I’ll see to that. And trust me when I tell you that if you ever tell anyone Kristen is alive or anything about what you saw here today, I will find you and I will kill you. No one will ever find your body. This is not only possible but easy. You know this as well as I do.”

  Still holding onto The Butcher’s shirt, Anton pushed him to the door and then out into the snow. I still had the gun trained on him. He stood dazed in the blinding white of the day. This had obviously not gone as he planned.

  “I’m going to call the police and tell them I was attacked. I’m going to give them your description and any fingerprints that might be on the gun. I suggest you start running.”

  The Butcher stared at us, his mouth hanging open. He looked from me to Anton and then back again. Finally, he nodded and turned, stumbling down the snow-lined lane.

  Anton slammed the door, locked it and then set the security alarm.

  “Death certificate?” I asked him.

  “Your father isn’t the only one with connections. Now you get to a pick a new name. You can be whomever you want. I can get everything together. You can start a whole new life.”

  He walked over to me and gently took the gun. “It’s okay,” he said. “I told you. I’ll always keep you safe. You, and our baby.”

  “Anton...” I breathed, stunned at his words.

  He smiled. “Did you think I could think of this child any other way?” he asked, but for all the seriousness in his tone, the look in his eyes told me he was teasing.

  “There aren’t a lot of men who would,” I noted, and he scoffed.

  “There aren’t a lot of men who can shapeshift into a lion, either,” he said, a crooked grin dancing on his lips.

  Well. He did have a point there.

  “I love you, Kristen, and that means I could feel nothing less for the child you carry... or any child you bring into this world. To me, they would all be our children, and the one you’re having now would be my firstborn. Family’s about more than DNA... and your baby deserves to be loved just as much as any other child in this world... so how could I not?”

  The things this man said... no wonder he made my heart do cartwheels for him.

  Epilogue

  “See, Michael?” Anton said to the baby boy swaddled in a fluffy blue blanket, whom he rocked in his arms, as they entered the bridal suite. “The most beautiful bride in the world.” I smiled at the sight the two of them made – Anton in his fitted silk tuxedo, and Michael in his pristine white baby clothes and favorite blankie.

  It was enough to make a woman’s heart swell with love and joy.

  “You two are not supposed to be here,” I chided them, but they knew too well I was happy they came by. “Especially you,” I looked to Anton, “Don’t you know it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?”

  “I make my own luck,” he stated matter-of-factly, but couldn’t keep his mock-hauteur for long and was quick to smile again. “Besides, Michael was getting a little cranky without you.”

  “Oh, sweetie,” I cooed, standing up from the vanity table and walking over to take Michael in my arms. “Did you miss Mommy?”

  Michael let out a few happy blurbs, flapping his little arms up and down, and cuddled up against my chest, his simple joy making me giggle.

  “Look at him,” I sighed happily, and lifted my eyes to Anton, “Look at us! Who knew we could ever end up like this?”

  “I did,” my husband-to-be stated proudly, almost as leonine now as he was in his animal form, “I’d always known we were meant to be together. All of us.”

  The smile on my face grew into a full-blown grin.

  And he was right. It felt impossible sometimes, how easily things fell into place with them, the fantastic hand in hand with the mundane. It was almost like a dream... one I would never want to wake up from.

  “You know what, Anton Lev?” I said, all the love I had for him clear in my eyes, “You really do say the loveliest things.”

  Without words, Anton lowered his head, and planted one of those heady kisses of his on my lips.

  Mm... my favorite.

  “What on earth do you think you’re doing here?!” Sarah exclaimed as she came in from the hallway. “Shoo! Shoo! There’ll be plenty of time for this lovey-dovey stuff after the wedding!” Like a force of nature, she swooped in, took Michael into her caring arms, and then all but kicked out Anton, who couldn’t stop laughing.

  And I laughed too.

  How could I not?

  This was the happiest day of my life so far, and a promise for even happier days to come... and, for once, I did not fear it would all come crumbling down.

  There were no more monsters under my bed.

  The lion ate them all up.

  *****

  THE END

  Claimed by the Gorilla Shifter

  Description

&nbs
p; A curvy girl in search of a fresh start PLUS her hot high school crush who is now a billionaire PLUS a dangerous stalker preparing to attack!

  Hayden is a single billionaire. He’s a shark in the office, but outside of his company’s walls, he’s a gorilla. But only when he chooses to shift into one...

  Keeping his secret is difficult, and he’s found it just as difficult to find someone to love him for who he is and not what he has. When he gets a call from his younger sister, asking to let her best friend and his high school crush stay with him, he’s almost too eager to help out.

  Kaelyn is ready to start her new life. She’s just graduated college, has a great new job lined up and now she’ll be staying with the hot older brother of her best friend. Who also happens to be a billionaire.

  But when things at her new job start to go wrong, she worries Hayden will ask her to leave rather than deal with the trouble her stalker might cause.

  Will Kaelyn be able to handle the stalker on her own, and what will happen if she can’t? Will Hayden finally find real love and be able to protect not only his secrets but his heart as well?

  Chapter One

  Hayden Lynch sat at his large desk, staring out of the window at the city below him. The view from his office was incredible. That was why he choose this building for his company’s headquarters. Who wouldn’t want an office like this, with one wall full of windows to see the world from? It made him feel like he was on top of everything, even on days when he wasn’t.

  He’d just come from a particularly stressful meeting. Meetings discussing new takeovers were always stressful, full of strategy and techniques. He needed these few minutes to let his mind unwind before he went on with his next task, reviewing sales numbers from the previous month.

  The intercom on his desk buzzed. His assistant’s voice came through. “Hayden? Can you take a call from your sister?”

  “Absolutely, Sandy. Thank you.”

  The phone rang a second later and he picked it up.

  “Little sister. What can I do for you?”

  “Well,” Gabrielle said, “Buy out my company so I can travel the world and not have to work another day in my life?”

  He sighed. “Your company is already a division of my company. And you barely work as it is. And you travel plenty.”

  “Oh.” She laughed. “Right. Well, in that case, then maybe you can just do me a teensy weensy little favor.”

  Hayden braced himself. Gabby’s teensy weensy favors were usually anything but. Though she may not be asking him for a new acquisition, she was definitely up to something big.

  “I’m not buying you a new house,” he said.

  “Oh, please. Three is enough. No, it’s really not that big of a deal at all.”

  “Right. Let’s hear it then.”

  “Do you remember my best friend from high school, Kaelyn?”

  “Of course.” How could he forget her? She was around the house constantly. During their freshman year of high school, the only year they were all in the same school together before Hayden went off to college, Kaelyn and Gabby were inseparable. She had practically been a second sister to him. He’d even had a little crush on her.

  “Oh, good. Well, she’s just graduated from some huge tech school with a computer science degree. Stanford, have you heard of it?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Hmm. Don’t think so. Is it a popular school?” His company sought a lot of talent from Stanford. It was only the top school in the state. She was being ridiculous on purpose. This must be big.

  “Didn’t think so. You really should get out once in a while. How is your dating life anyway?”

  “Is this your big favor?”

  “No. And it’s a little favor, I swear,” she said. “I just need you to let my dear friend Kaelyn use one of the many, many rooms in your huge mansion to sleep and keep her things in when she moves out of her dorm. Only until she can get her own place and get on her feet. She just got a new a job and everything.”

  “So you’re asking me to let Kaelyn move in.”

  “Only for a few months, I swear. You’re just so close to her new job, and I’m nowhere near her. And I know that you’re the kindest, most generous big brother a girl could ever hope for.”

  “You’ve got me confused with someone else. But that’s fine. When is she coming?”

  “Oh, thank you, thank you! She’ll be thrilled. She was going to stay in some cheap hotel until she could find a place. She’s moving out of the dorm next week.”

  “Email the details to my assistant so I can have everything ready for her arrival.”

  “I will,” she said. “Thank you so much. Really.”

  “Does this mean you’ll come to visit sometime soon? Maybe bring that nephew of mine?”

  “That’s a good idea. Yes, let’s plan for something soon. We all miss you.”

  “Miss you, too. You really need to move back to California.”

  She laughed. “You couldn’t drag me from Hawaii if my life depended on it.”

  “Guess you have a point. I should be the one coming to visit you. It’s been too long.”

  “Absolutely. Thanks a million, Hay. Really.”

  “Anytime. Be good.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  ***

  The rest of his week was busy. Anytime a new acquisition was happening, the hours grew long and stress levels rose. He’d lost all track of the days. The city below him was lit up against the dark sky. Evening was creeping to nighttime.

  He yawned and glanced at his schedule for tomorrow. He really needed to find some time to workout. He hadn’t all week and was starting to feel antsy from too many hours in the office. He’d even taken to pacing when he could, just to be up and moving.

  At the bottom of tomorrow, it said ‘Kaelyn arrives’. He’d completely forgotten. He tried hard not to bother his assistant after office hours. She deserved to have a life and certainly Lynch Corporation wasn’t her entire world like it was his. But this was important and it shouldn’t take too long. He decided to text rather than call so he didn’t interrupt anything.

  “Sorry to bother you after hours, but I’ve just realized Kaelyn is arriving tomorrow. Is everything in place for her?”

  He received an answer back within minutes. “Absolutely. A small moving van is arriving at 3 p.m. to bring her things from her dorm. There is a new key waiting for her and a list of the codes and passwords for the security systems and wifi, and your home staff has been alerted. Her room is ready and a basket will be awaiting her. I’ve left room in your evening schedule for you to spend time with her if you should desire to.”

  “You are the best. Thank you.”

  “Anytime.”

  This was exactly why he had no problem making sure Sandy was one of the highest paid employees he had. He demanded a lot of her and she was always ahead of him and on top of things. She never had a bad attitude and she never missed a thing. He wondered if she was just as efficient when it came to her husband, kids, and home life, or if he stressed her out so much that she needed time at home to do nothing. Although she always assured him the work was not too much, and she never complained.

  He looked over his schedule again. Kaelyn was coming at 3 p.m. He had meetings until 4 p.m., then he’d hit the gym and be home by 6 p.m. That should be enough time for her to settle in. Maybe he’d take her out for dinner to welcome her.

  He sent a text to his housekeeper, who oversaw all his personal staff. “Tomorrow evening, after Kaelyn arrives, I would like to take her out for dinner, if she’s up for it. Please be ready to have something made if she’s not.”

  He got a fast response. “I will make sure we have something available, Mr. Lynch.”

  Hayden stood and stretched. Though it had been a long, stressful week, it had been a good week. At times like this, he always felt grateful for his staff and all the hard work they did, both in his company and in his home. They made his life so much easier. They kept his privacy and his secrets.


  Chapter Two

  When he got home that night, it was dark already. This was a perfect time. He got into his car and drove until he reached the forest. When he got to his favorite spot, he parked and slung his backpack over his shoulder. He walked to the twisted tree that had his scent all over it.

  Hayden kicked off his shoes first and stuck them in the bag. Then his t-shirt and shorts. He tucked the bag into the crevice in the tree and stood naked in the moonlight. He took a deep breath and fell forward onto all fours. The transition happened quickly, as it always did. He felt his bones thickening and stretching beneath his skin, hair growing on every part of his body in thick black and silver sections. His head grew narrow and his mouth became a snout. He stood tall for a moment and beat on his gorilla chest before roaring and taking off at a run.

  He followed the scents through the forest, letting them lead him. He ran for several miles until he caught the scent he was looking for. He turned and ran after her.

  It didn’t take long to find her and her sister. When they heard him approach, they called back in shrieks and bounded to him. There was some grunting as they greeted each other, then they took off running together. After a while, they caught up with the last member of their gorilla shifter family and ran together a few miles before coming to a stop in a cave they’d discovered years ago.

  One by one, they shifted back to human form, standing naked in the dim light of the cave.

  “Hey,” Hayden said to them. “How’s everything?”

  “Haven’t seen you in a while,” Katherine said.

  “I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been online, though.” They had an online group where they stayed connected and discussed things in the human world. He’d posted earlier that he was coming out for a run. None of them had responded, but clearly, since they were all here, they’d gotten the message.