by Crissy Smith
“You’ve done a lot to help the shifter community,” he said.
Melissa nodded. “I’m trying. I—”
“It’s not going to get any easier,” Trent interrupted. “The fight we’re in isn’t going anywhere any time soon. We still have so much more to accomplish. Until shifters have the same rights as humans, there’s going to be a potential of danger.”
“That’s why I’m here. I accepted the position as deputy in Brookside because I’ve chosen my side. I want to stand with you.”
He smiled. “I’m glad you said that.”
“Is that really what’s bothering you? The fact we’re always going to be fighting against something?”
“No,” he admitted. She was brilliant. “I’m part of a family here. Mac and the others accept me. We’re a group of predators.”
“Okay.”
“My shifted animal isn’t cool like a bear or a lion,” Trent told her.
“You’re a hyena,” she responded. “I know.”
“Hyenas are low on the power scale. Both in nature and in the shifter community,” Trent stated. It was a fact of life and she needed to know. “By being with me, people, other shifter species especially, might look down on you.”
Melissa smiled. “You think I care? I know who you are. I know what you can do,” she said. “Yes, it’s cool you can shift to any animal.”
He laughed. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Plus, I’ve done my research on hyenas. I have to agree with the main personality traits like being reliable, assertive and curious. I like when you get excitable, as well.”
Okay, maybe she has done her research.
“I just want you to be aware of everything getting involved with me entails. This time I want to be completely honest at all times,” he said.
She grabbed the front of his shirt before tugging him forward. “I’m very much aware of what being with you means. It means I’ll always have a partner who will try to protect me while still allowing me to do my job. Someone who is going to love me no matter what we’re up against.”
“I will always love you,” he declared. “And I can’t promise I won’t try to protect you, but I won’t stand in your way. I know you need to do your job.”
“And you need to do yours,” she said. “So, kiss me and then let me finally see you in your shifter form. No more hiding.”
No more hiding. That’s what I’ve been doing. He’d pulled back from his old life before finding his home here. Melissa was drawing him out of the shadows and back into the sun.
Trent did kiss her as she’d demanded. How could he not? He pressed her into the bark of the tree while devouring her mouth. Melissa moaned, clinging to him. Even without meaning to, he found himself rubbing his hard cock against her as he tongue-fucked her mouth. He wanted to lay her down on the moist soil and claim her again, but they didn’t have time. He drew back slowly.
Melissa slumped against the tree, panting. “Wow.” She cleared her throat. “I’ll stay here and think about how I’m going to ravish you later as you do your thing.” She waved her hand around.
“You don’t have to watch,” he told her. Trent pulled off his T-shirt and dropped it onto the ground.
“I’m watching. I’m going to memorize every gorgeous line of your body. Even in your shifted form.”
Trent wanted to demand she turn away as he transformed, but she had the right to see. Luckily, when he shifted, Trent didn’t feel any pain. His body knew what to do once he was naked and kneeling. He pictured his hyena form in his mind.
The transformation was quick. His body stretching, fur replaced his skin. In just a few moments, he was sitting on his rump, looking up at Melissa.
She had her hand covering her mouth while she laughed.
Trent tilted his head, trying to figure out her reaction. He kept all human thinking and reasoning in his animal form, but sometimes instincts were hard to fight.
“That is so amazing,” she said in awe. Melissa dropped to her knees in front of him. “I’ve never actually seen anyone shift before. I’ve only seen videos on the internet, but it’s not the same as knowing the person.”
He shuffled forward until he could put his head under her chin. He never thought he’d have been able to let her witness his transformation. The bond between them was growing. Trent was being accepted even after showing her what he’d always hidden.
She gasped then lifted her hands and petted him. Trent didn’t like being touched as his hyena, but Melissa’s hands on him just strengthened their connection.
This was the woman he wanted to mate with.
“Amazing!” she whispered.
He was glad she thought so.
“Coming up behind you!”
Trent growled and moved in front of Melissa. She rose before placing her palm against his shoulder.
“It’s Jamie and Luca,” Jamie called. The big guy strode into view with a smaller animal at his side.
“Is that Luca?” Melissa asked.
They’d discussed their shifter forms and it had been decided Jamie and Luca would team up with him and Melissa. Jamie would remain in human form unless the threat was too much for Trent and Luca to handle. It took a lot of energy for Jamie to change into his bear form. Plus Trent’s hyena wouldn’t see Luca’s coyote as being as big a threat as some of the other shifted animals.
Logan’s lion form would work well with Zak’s tiger.
The many species involved in this operation were not new to either the Brookside people or the Coalition. Before coming to Brookside, Trent wouldn’t have ever believed this was possible—working alongside so many shifters.
Luca trotted over to his side before lying down on his belly.
Trent wanted to move to place himself in front of Melissa again, but she was already reaching out to touch the coyote.
“Is it okay?” she asked Jamie.
Trent growled.
“I think it’d be fine with Luca, but I’m pretty sure Trent doesn’t want you touching another man right now,” Jamie responded.
“Oh.” She pulled her hand back before laying it on the top of Trent’s head. “Sorry.”
“No problem,” Jamie told her. “Your bond with Trent is still new. Anyone or anything that could possibly come between you is a threat. Especially as he is shifted. Just be careful and make sure Trent can always see you.”
Melissa nodded. “You better behave. No fighting with the good guys.”
He sneezed, which was the best he could do as his hyena.
“Okay.” Jamie clapped his hands together. “Let’s get this party started.”
Trent nudged the back of Melissa’s leg then took off in a slow jog further into the trees. Their job was to search the state park for any scents of humans close by, or that had been in the area recently. It could mean hours of roaming the trails and off trail. But they would be able to track humans’ scents to where they entered the town.
Magnus, Cody and Cole were circling the town to ensure the safety of the residents close to Main Street. The townsfolk who lived farther out were in a more dangerous situation, but the rest of the team was trying to cover as much ground as possible. That left only a few people to guard the bar, but most everyone agreed Grant and anyone else with him would go after easier targets. Trent wasn’t so sure. The humans had already targeted two deputies. Trent would take out the biggest threats first. If the humans eliminated the sheriff and his department, plus the shifters at the bar, the residents wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.
Melissa had appeared to agree with him, but both of them were going with the main plan. If he had a chance to circle back to the bar, though, he’d take it. He could feel it in his bones the bar would be hit sometime soon.
He led the way, with Melissa only a few steps behind. Luca trotted behind her with Jamie bringing up the rear. Trent returned his attention to the operation. At the moment, he was only picking up on nature and the hint of an upcoming rainfall. They needed the
rain, but Trent hoped any bad weather would hold off until they’d rounded up Grant and his helpers, especially whoever was responsible for shooting at Melissa. Trent hadn’t forgotten that one of the humans had taken a long-range shot at her. Like a coward.
There was a rustle in the bushes before a small rabbit hopped out. The little bunny blinked at Trent before scurrying away. Trent wanted to pounce, but made himself turn away instead. He didn’t hunt natural prey.
“He didn’t eat the rabbit,” Melissa spoke behind him.
Jamie chuckled. “Raw animal is not very appetizing. We’re still human, even with the change of form.”
“So, no buying rabbits for him to chase,” Melissa said. “Got it.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’d enjoy chasing them, but he probably wouldn’t eat them. But living this close to the state park is probably good enough for his hyena.”
“You live in a city, though, right?”
“We all live in Lake Worth, Arizona. The Coalition office was the first to open,” Jamie informed her. “We each run our own team. I specialize in missing persons. Cody was a homicide detective when he worked with the regular police force, so he specializes in shifter murders. Zak is a master at undercover work.”
Melissa caught up to Trent and ran her fingers through his fur. “And Luca? Cole?”
“Luca was with the ATF and he helps out on all the teams. Cole just took over as an Alpha of his own Pack and heads up the threat rings for the agency. We’re not as isolated as the shifters here, but we’ve made our own family.”
“So.” Melissa tightened her fingers. “Your mate is human.”
Jamie chuckled again. “I was wondering if you’d ask. Brandy is wonderful. She’s a librarian and an author. She’s sweet while feisty at the same time.”
“Did she know you were a shifter when you met?”
“No,” Jamie said. “I used to go into the library every week but didn’t think someone like her would even give me the time of day. I’d been on my own for so long that my only friends were Cody and Zak. I didn’t trust people, especially humans. It was in the early days of forming the Coalition and we weren’t well accepted.”
She patted Trent’s back. “Seems like there’s still a lot of that.”
Trent nuzzled her hand before he jogged away after picking up the faint trace of someone. Melissa and Jamie continued to talk behind him. Luca was sniffing around east of him through some bushes.
“It is getting better,” Jamie said. “It might not feel like it, but most people don’t care if we can transform into animals or not. They have their own concerns and lives.”
“I hope you’re right,” Melissa said.
Luca made a quiet yip.
“He’s got something,” Jamie whispered.
Trent jogged over to Luca’s side. As he got closer, he could still pick up the weak scent he’d been trying to follow. Hidden under a straggly shrub was a black backpack, half buried.
“Well, what do we have here?” Jamie murmured. Trent moved over so Jamie could pick up the bag. It appeared the backpack had been abandoned for some time. Trent was having a hard time even catching an old hint of smell.
“Is it one of the shifters? Maybe clothes for when they shift?” Melissa asked. “Magnus told me that was normal.”
Jamie pulled out a pair of latex gloves from his back pocket and pulled them on. As he unzipped the backpack, Luca walked behind him and looked out as a guard. Trent lifted his head to peer in the other direction.
“This isn’t a shifter’s,” Jamie said.
Trent looked over.
“Flashlight, map of the area, a knife, and, oh…. What’s this?” He pulled out a photo.
“Jesus!” Melissa exclaimed. “That’s Annabelle.”
Trent snarled. He’d always known whoever was responsible for everything had happened in Brookside had been fixated on Annabelle. The attacks on her, the bar being targeted time and again…
“Why do they have a picture of Annabelle?” Melissa asked. “What’s this about?”
“I think while Bustillos is out for the money, Grant has a more personal agenda,” Jamie said.
“We know,” Melissa said. “He hated shifters.”
“But there’s something about Annabelle that’s making him target her.”
“We need to warn the others.”
Oh, Trent agreed with that.
“She’s with Zak and Logan. She should be safe,” Jamie said. He pulled out his cell phone and started to type a message.
“I remember Annabelle saying Grant gave her the creeps,” Melissa said. She stepped over to Trent. He leaned against Melissa, letting his body heat comfort her. “I should have followed my instincts and pressed her about it.”
“All right. I’ve given everyone a heads-up. Zak will keep a close eye on Annabelle,” Jamie said. “Can either of you get a direction?”
Trent shook his head.
Jamie grunted.
“It does look like the bag’s been here a while,” Melissa stated. “Which bothers me. How long have they been watching?”
“Too long,” Jamie replied. Trent agreed.
“I guess we’ll have to continue searching.,” Melissa slapped Trent’s rump.
He whirled around and made a whoop sound at her.
“Oops.” She laughed. “You probably don’t like that, do you?”
He was going to torture her when he was human again. Slow, sweet, sensual torture.
“Let’s get going,” Jamie ordered. He lifted the pack before swinging it over his shoulder.
Trent took off again, this time not only concentrating on strong odors, but looking for any trace of humans. Ever.
It wasn’t easy to distinguish the wide variety of smells or determine how old they were. In movies or books, a shifter could always find that shadow or whiff of whoever they were tracking. But this was real life and Trent didn’t think the humans were in the forest hiding. After what had taken place the previous evening, they had to be all in or else the entire plan would come apart. Bustillos and Grant had to know the shifters knew what they were up against.
He kept going west, which would take them farther into the state park. They were dangerously close to Grant’s turf. Except while Grant might know the territory, he didn’t have a connection to the grass or trees or the animals who roamed. It was the shifters who belonged naturally in the area. Trent could use that to his advantage.
Trent paused. That’s it. He needed to use his connection to the land to figure out where the humans had come from, which might lead him to where they were going.
Luca bumped his side. He had no way to tell the others what he was thinking. He could shift, tell them, and transform back, but that took too much energy. Multiple shifts would require Trent to eat and refuel. He couldn’t chance stumbling across the humans and being too weak to fight.
He hoped the others would just trust him.
Trent used his vision instead of his nose. There was a reason experienced hikers and shifters stayed on marked trails—in order to not disturb the foliage growing, it was important not to trample the ground. Now that he wasn’t spending so much power on trying to pick up scents that weren’t there, he used his eyes.
There were broken leaves, branches and trampled grass. He raced forward when he spotted the print of a boot. He knew, fuck yes, he was certain that it matched what park rangers wore. He’d seen them many times in the years he’d lived in Brookside. Part of his job was mopping up dirt and mud from the bar floor. He paid attention to details like that. Before Grant had started, there’d been an older ranger who used to visit the bar. He’d been human and this had been before shifters had gone public, so Trent didn’t know how the ranger would have felt about them. Still, Trent had always gotten a good vibe from the man, even if he did have a bad habit of tracking mud into the bar.
He nosed the spot for Luca.
“I think Trent found something,” Melissa called to Jamie.
“Let him follow
it,” Jamie advised.
Trent took off again. He glanced over his shoulder. Luca was staying with him. Jamie waved him on.
“Go! I’ll watch over Melissa and text our location and what directions we’re going to Cody. I won’t let you get too far ahead.”
Now that Trent had decided to follow this lead, excitement coursed through him. The pattern was easy to spot. Someone had spent a lot of time going back and forth on this unmarked course. Up ahead, there were two directions that were possible. And one was right back to the bar.
He stopped, panting, as he waited for Jamie and Melissa to catch up. Moving his head in the direction of the bar, he tried to signal to Luca what he thought. Luca followed his movement before bobbing his head.
“There you are!” Melissa sprinted toward him.
Trent rested his chin against her arm when she dropped down.
“I told you they’d be fine,” Jamie said. He wasn’t even out of breath.
Trent considered shifting again. Instead Luca jumped up, placing his paws on Jamie’s shoulder.
“What’s he doing?” Melissa asked.
“Trying to tell me something,” Jamie answered. He never took his attention from Luca, though. “We’ve been working on non-verbal communication while in our shifter forms. It takes too much out of us to transform, so the teams are working on signaling. He’s telling me he needs to run off somewhere, in a hurry.”
“Where to?” Melissa questioned.
Luca dropped down and swung his head in the direction Trent wanted to race to.
“That way.” Jamie pointed.
“The bar? That’s how we’d get back to the bar,” Melissa said. There was panic in her voice.
“Go!” Jamie ordered. “I’m calling them at the bar so they know to watch out. We’ll meet you there.”
Trent didn’t need to hear any more. He took off to save his friends.
Melissa had to give it to the shifters. They could move. Trent and Luca were long gone and even though Jamie had slowed down for her, Melissa was barely able to keep running. Jamie wasn’t showing any strain. He was even talking to Carter on the phone.