Shifters in the Shadows: Seventeen Paranormal Romances of Sexy Shifters, Dangerous Vamps, & Things That Go Bump in the Night

by J. K Harper

I perked up. “Surprise? Tell me.”

  “Sure, but we need Lexi and your mother.”

  I scowled at him. I hated it when he kept things from me. “Alexis! Mom! Bring your butts down here. Hurry!” He chuckled at my impatience “I could have gone to get them, but your way is so much better.”

  He then sneakily produced a packet of cookies from behind his back. I lunged for them and dug in. “Don’t think you can buy me off with food…”

  “Liar,” he replied and winked at me.

  I smiled and plopped down on the couch with my cookies, waiting for them to come running and expecting to find me having gone into early labor.

  Lee sat next to me and rubbed my belly. As soon as he touched me, the little ones kicked and I groaned.

  “Sorry baby. I just need to feel them every day. I have to know they’re okay.”

  I yanked his hand off and gave him a loving glare. “But no more today, they get all active when you’re around. It’s not so fun for me.”

  Alexis and Mom came in the room. “What?”

  “Lee has a surprise but he won’t tell me until we’re together.”

  “Daddy, are we going somewhere?”

  “Yes, honey. We need to get your coat and I’ll get the car keys.”

  Mom nodded. “I’ll take Lexi to the car while you two get ready. Megs, make sure you go to the bathroom before we leave, that way we don’t have to drive a block before stopping at a gas station.”

  “What do you know that I don’t?” I asked my mom. But she just gave me a playful shrug in return and then smiled.

  With my irritation rising—I couldn’t believe those two were keeping secrets from me—I shifted my way around to pull myself off of the couch. Lee knew better than to help. When I’d first gotten pregnant he wanted to do everything for me, and it was sweet at first, but then it became a little too much. Now he knew if I didn’t ask, I didn’t need it, and finally we found our groove again. Luckily for me it was easy to teach him to listen. I padded to the bathroom as I ignored the aches in my body.

  * * *

  We drove out of the city limits to the best part of the county, with rolling acres of bright grass. It was beautiful and serene. I enjoyed the peace and quiet, and I dreamed of moving to a bigger place, one with a better yard for Lexi. But there was little chance of that right now. I already had to stop working so money was tighter. And now that we knew we were having twins, it was even more stressful.

  Lee tightened his grip on my hand and smiled. He turned down a gravel driveway and slowed the car so the bumps wouldn’t hurt. I looked out the window and my eyes widened. The house was huge and there was so much open land. It was stunning. The house was yellow with white shutters, three stories, but the best part was the wrap-around porch. What was going on? “Lee? Where are we?”

  Lee didn’t make me wait long. As soon as he parked, he ran around the side of the car and helped me slide out to my feet. My mom held Lexi’s hand and pulled her to the side. I refocused my gaze upon my mate. His eyes brightened and he dropped to his knee.

  “Lee, what the hell do you think you’re doing? Oh my God!”

  “Megan, you are everything I ever dreamed. I don’t deserve you or your forgiveness for all I’ve put you through. But if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife, I will make it my life’s mission to make it up to you. Will you marry me Megan Ann Ross?”

  I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He had gone above and beyond to prove he was worthy of a second chance, and I was so happy he didn’t give up when I hadn’t been the most forgiving, or the nicest. I shook my head; he didn’t think he deserved me? It was more like the other way around … how on earth had I lucked out? He was amazing, even with his flaws.

  “Yes,” I said and burst into tears. I wasn’t sure if we would get married. We were already mated and the bond was complete, so it seemed a bit redundant but the moment he said the words, I knew I wanted it to be official too.

  He rose from his knees and framed my face with his hands before kissing me deeply. Alexis ran to us and wrapped her arms as best she could around us both.

  “Come here, baby girl,” Lee said and lifted her up between us, then with my hand linked with his, he turned towards the house. “Welcome to our new home.”

  I looked around at all the land in shock. Then I stared back at my soul mate. The house was nothing in comparison to our love and our growing family; we could live in a shack and I’d still be happy. It was the cherry on top of everything and not for the first time that month was I grateful that second chances existed, and that I’d been brave enough to let him back into my heart.

  Lee nestled into my side. “I’ll never leave you again. You are my everything.”

  About the Author

  Edith Hawkes is a new paranormal romance author who loves to write about curvy feisty women, their equally strong sexy Alphas, and not to mention all the fun action and hot sensual sex!

  Edith currently resides with her husband in Ireland and graduated with a degree in History and Latin. Writing is her full-time gig, but when she's not doing that she's indulging in her many hobbies which include collecting and reading comics, cross-stitching, and playing with her numerous cats!

  Don’t miss out! Sign up for Edith’s newsletter. You'll be the first to find out about new releases, sales and other cool stuff!

  Mailing List / Website / Facebook / Amazon

  Also By Edith Hawkes

  Bearllionaire Stepbrother (the Complete Collection)

  Bear Naked for Christmas

  Bear Naked for Valentine's

  Daddy Bear

  Sweet Vidalia

  by Gen Géricault

  Chapter 1

  Halloween, 2014

  Statesboro, Georgia

  Flames stretched toward the night sky, illuminating the Cumberland pack. With a beer in her hand and a smile on her face, Albany Cumberland stole a peek of the tall man on the other side of the bonfire.

  Logan Calloway wore his usual uniform of a black t-shirt over jeans. He’d recently buzzed off most of the dark, tousled locks that usually hid his green eyes. Albany was still in mourning.

  Deep in discussion with Sam Cumberland, the beta of their small but mighty pack, Logan appeared fascinated. His thick eyebrows pulled together while Albany’s uncle relayed his very best tall tale about the time he’d tracked a skinwalker to the neighboring town of Portal.

  They’d all heard the story plenty of times before, but Sam’s embellishments grew as wild as his graying hair each time he recounted the creature’s shambling gait.

  Not that Sam whipped out the story often. But it was Halloween. And Sam was creepy as hell when he re-enacted the skinwalker’s ability to mimic voices.

  “All right, all right.” Monroe Cumberland scrubbed a hand over his bearded chin as he approached the bonfire. The orange light flickered across his sharp, angular features. “Gather ‘round.”

  Perking up with interest, Albany drew closer to her father’s side. The pack went quiet, leaving only the crackle of the fire and the whisper of the wind to fill the silence.

  “We may not don costumes like the rest of Georgia, but Halloween has always offered a very personal cause for celebration.” Monroe spoke with the effortless gravitas he’d gleaned from his long tenure as alpha. He pulled Alana Cumberland close, draping a strong arm around her shoulders. “As you all know, twenty-five years ago, our Albany was born on this very night.”

  The other members of the pack let out lupine howls from their human vocal cords.

  Laughing, Albany clinked her beer to her cousin Shelby’s bottle. When her gaze crept back to Logan, he winked and gave her his very best I-had-my-face-buried-between-your-thighs-thirty-minutes-ago smirk.

  And he had. Albany’s leg muscles were still wobbly.

  “But we have an additional cause to howl this year.” Monroe also turned his focus to Logan. “Isn’t that right, beta?”

  Straightening, Albany shot her beau a questioning e
xpression.

  “Thought we were gonna wait until tomorrow?” Logan’s easy smile sent Albany’s heart racing. “It ain’t my night.”

  “Alpha or not, he’s always been a sucker for good news. And this is damn fine news, indeed.” Sam clapped a hand to Logan’s right shoulder. “It’s no secret I’m getting long in the fang. But that’s okay. Happens to us all. Take note, birthday girl.”

  “Whatever you say, old timer,” Albany drawled.

  Sam chuckled, but he grew serious. “I’m proud to step aside and let new blood help guide us. Of course, Calloway over here ain’t ever gonna be able to top my skinwalker, but I’ll be mighty pleased to hear his stories around our fire.”

  “They’ll all be about Albany beating him into the perfect beta.” Shelby tossed her golden hair, drawing a hearty chorus of laughter from Monroe, Sam, and her mother, Dixie.

  “To Sam,” Albany said, pointedly ignoring Shelby’s comment.

  “To Sam!” echoed the other voices around the fire.

  “Hell, he’s not dyin’,” Monroe let out another laugh. “Finish your beers. We’ve got a moon to chase.”

  As he passed Albany, Monroe ruffled her hair. “Happy birthday, pup.”

  Returning the gesture, she reached up and rustled a hand through his salt-and-pepper locks. “Thanks, dad.”

  Dixie was already congratulating Logan with a firm handshake. If Sawyer, her eldest, hadn’t been working overtime, he and Logan would have already initiated their usual fist-bumping, chest-thumping displays of maleness.

  Not moving from her spot near the fire, Albany draped a hand over her right hip and blasted her mate with a look to rival the flames.

  Not that they’d made the whole mate-thing official. Not yet, anyway.

  As they’d grown up together, they hadn’t felt the urgency usually experienced by wolves who’d encountered their fated partners by chance or unusual circumstances.

  Logan wanted to wait until he’d molded himself into “the mate she deserved.” Whatever that meant.

  He’d always clung to the idea that he needed to better himself for her. Albany would roll her eyes on the rare occasion he’d mention such nonsense, but she understood the origin of his feelings. Knowing your mother had abandoned you was enough to make anyone feel insufficient.

  But Albany loved him to pieces. And she made damn sure he knew it, too.

  Slinking around the blaze, Logan took on an expression that was somehow both sheepish and cocky.

  Wordless, Albany raised her right hand and held her palm toward him. Without missing a beat, Logan high-fived her with zeal.

  “Dickhead,” she said, laughing. “How long have you known??”

  “A little while.”

  “How could you keep this a secret? From me?”

  “Didn’t want to steal your thunder today, princess.”

  “To hell with my thunder, beta.” She high-fived him again just because. “I’m totally gushing over you later when no one else can hear.”

  “Guess I’ll have to figure out a way to distract you.” The drawl of his baritone made her wolf croon, but Albany prickled slightly.

  She didn’t show it, of course. But she still prickled.

  Lately, Logan seemed preoccupied. It wasn’t that he’d ever been cold with her, but there was a distance between them that had not existed before.

  If he’d been in talks about moving up the ranks, Albany supposed that explained his state of distraction.

  Hooking an arm around her shoulders, Logan pulled her to his side. His rich scent of oak and moss tickled her nostrils, urging her closer.

  The first howl resonated. Monroe had already shifted, ready as always to lead.

  “I’ve got a surprise for you later,” Logan said, tugging his shirt over his head. “Just so you know.”

  “You’re spoiling me.”

  Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, Logan smacked her ass with measured strength. Albany hid a yelp. “I’ll get you back for that. Just so you know.”

  “Uh huh.” He kicked off his boots and unbuckled his belt. “Lose the threads, princess. We’ve still got to sing ‘Happy Birthday.’”

  * * *

  It was unbecoming of a dominant wolf to betray any hint of weakness, but even the long run under the first quarter moon hadn’t eased Logan’s rattled nerves.

  An hour after the rest of the pack had parted ways, returning to their respective homes for the night, Logan found himself occupying a familiar spot of grass outside the Alpha House.

  Albany’s bedroom window slid open.

  Stealthy and graceful, Albany snaked her long legs out the window. Standing at full attention, he watched as his mate climbed out onto the roof with practiced ease. Her auburn locks bounced as she leapt onto the sturdy bough of the oak that stretched near the roof.

  They didn’t need to sneak around, of course. But Albany had said pretending to sneak around was almost as fun as actually sneaking around, and Logan was forever happy to oblige his mate.

  She descended, navigating the tree until she gripped a branch, lowered her legs, and hung directly over Logan.

  Extending his arms, he prepared himself for her weight. She let go, certain he would catch her.

  And he did.

  He always had, and he always would.

  Her blue eyes flared with her wolf. “Hey, you.”

  “You really could have just used the door.”

  She nuzzled her nose to the side of his neck as he carried her out to the driveway. “Are you turning into a grumpy, unbending beta already?”

  “With you? Never.” The bonfire had added an extra layer of complexity to her natural scent of rose and dogwood. Logan’s wolf rumbled its appreciation. “How did my mate enjoy her birthday?”

  “Wholly,” she said without hesitation. “I am very happy and extremely lucky to belong to such a devoted pack.”

  Logan carefully placed her on the passenger side of his black Chevy truck. “You deserve the finest pack.”

  “Guess it’s a good thing we have the finest pack. I hear our new beta’s a real piece of ass.”

  Taking his place behind the wheel, Logan stole a glance of her profile. The moon bathed her tanned skin in ethereal light. His eyes traveled lower, following the considerable swell of her breasts. Navy blue straps peeked out from beneath her black tank top.

  The wolf growled.

  Logan didn’t blame the beast. He also recalled the last time she’d worn that bra.

  She hadn’t removed it, not even after she’d straddled his lap. She’d risen up and down with calculated intent, her chest heaving.

  Heat curled in the pit of his stomach. His hardening cock twitched. Just the thought of her cleavage while she’d panted her way through orgasm was enough to turn him rock-solid.

  Albany sniffed. “Logan Calloway! What are you thinking about to make you smell so sinful?”

  “I’m thinking I have the sexiest mate that ever set toes to ground.”

  “Does that mean we’re not going to the diner, then? I won’t complain, you know. I kinda want you to just park down the road where no one can hear when I make you moan.”

  Logan groaned. That was tempting. But he had no intention of spending the remainder of her birthday under fluorescent lights with slices of stale apple pie.

  “I told you. It’s a surprise.”

  Albany slid closer—as close as her seatbelt would allow—and maneuvered a hand between his thighs.

  “Down, girl.”

  “C’mon. These windows could use a good foggin’ up.”

  “You don’t want the surprise?” Logan cranked the engine and reversed out of the driveway. With his own hands set at ten-and-two, he navigated the dark, winding back roads that hid their territory from unwanted passersby.

  “I know for a fact that there’s a big surprise just to the left of my hand. It is my birthday. I can’t help but feel this overwhelming urge to unwrap every handsome package that crosses my eyeline toni
ght.”

  “Give us an hour, and you can unwrap anything you want, baby.”

  “An hour?” She sobered, regarding him with caution. “We’re not going to Savannah again, are we?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  The supernatural had always thrived in Georgia’s most haunted—and, arguably, its most beautiful—city. Behind the curtain of genteel civility and old-timey southern charm, Savannah was run by the Antebellum coven.

  Two decades ago, Antebellum had instituted a shifter ban. They blamed animal tempers, claiming shifters were just too unpredictable and would tarnish the city’s fine reputation.

  Bullshit, of course. The witches were elitist snobs. If Logan were a callous man, he’d say they deserved the mess they’d made.

  Shifters were a natural deterrent to many dark creatures, from the skinwalker of Sam’s favorite war story to the vampires that skittered in the night. Savannah just happened to be inundated with the latter. Without the scent of wolf or bear as evidence of protection, the bloodsuckers had no reason to recoil from a city that boasted a tempting supply of magical blood.

  Once upon a time, Logan had been too reckless to understand the severity of the situation. He and Albany had believed the inherent bigotry behind the shifter ban deserved a good middle finger and a flagrant flaunting.

  At sixteen, they’d managed to sneak into the city. History nerd to her core, Albany had wanted to explore Bonaventure Cemetery. They’d wandered almost every aisle by the time she located a very particular bench near the embankment of the Wilmington River. Its engraving had captured her imagination.

  COSMOS MARINER

  DESTINATION UNKNOWN.

  These forbidden adventures had continued for years. They’d thought themselves so clever. So rebellious. So unstoppable.

  Until last Halloween, anyway.

  A swarm of vampires had changed Logan’s perspective.