by Maia Starr
“You don’t say,” Ethan said, tugging at his shirt collar. “Let me guess; there’s a new girl in town.”
The shifter smiled wider. “Well, I’m glad our new alpha is clever.”
“As if there was anything clever about it. We get a steady stream of new arrivals, and not all of them are beautiful women, so when one comes in…”
“Word gets around, yeah.”
Ethan thought for a moment, squinting into the distance. Perfect timing, I’d say. What do I have to lose? Licking his lips at the thought of some beautiful, young woman becoming his mate spurred the heat in his veins, and Ethan smiled. “Alright, where is she?”
“Well, it’s not like I know where she lives or anything. Us Cave Dragons don’t stalk people like other shifters do. But, apparently, she’s attending Salem University.”
Raising a brow, Ethan turned back to her, silently thanking mother nature as an autumn breeze came by to cool him off. “I guess I can start there, then. Gabriel teaches there. I wonder…”
“Well, that’s it,” the shifter said, clasping her hands behind her back. “You better get used to these constant messages, Ethan. Comes with being alpha.”
He grunted and nodded. “Alright, then, thanks. Head on back from wherever you came from. I’ll check out this new girl with my own eyes.”
The shifter nodded herself and turned to stride away but stopped abruptly and spun back around. “Oh, and just so you know, apparently other shifters already have their eyes on her. There’s a good amount stalking her. She’s being tracked already, or at least that’s what someone else said. I haven’t seen it myself...but a friend spotted a Gray Rock Wolf following her earlier today.”
Frowning, Ethan made no comment but simply nodded.
Sighing, the dragon shifter turned once again and waved goodbye. “Good luck, glorious leader of the Cave Dragons.”
Once she was gone, Ethan sighed. Other shifters, huh? Isn’t that a bit too quick? But if a wolf shifter from Dax’s old crew is hunting her...I better hurry up.
Walking towards the backdoor, Ethan hurried back inside, hoping to finish up his work quickly in order to rush out into Salem.
Chapter Six
Eliza
“And that’s it for today’s class,” Professor Allard announced, turning from the chalkboard he’d been vigorously writing away at. “I know it might be a bit much for the first day, but this stuff is important for your learning. Medicine and treatment of every kind have been evolving like crazy lately, so study up for the next class. That one will be paced better. I get antsy on the first day.”
Blue and green and white chalk covered the bottoms of his suit sleeves, a fact that didn’t appear to faze the professor all too much. But why would it? He was a genius, after all. He could practically do whatever he wanted and make it look cool, or, if not cool, then at least intelligent. Most geniuses had their quirks too, right? So who was to blame the professor for a little chalk on the sleeves?
Certainly not Eliza.
All through the class she’d noticed the professor’s way of focusing: the narrowing of his eyes, the tightening of his lips, the quick yet controlled jerks of his hand as it flew across the chalkboard. If Eliza could do that, nail down that kind of single-mindedness, she’d be better off for it as a doctor. The man didn’t even appear to breathe at points during the lecture, putting her to shame. That kind of unwavering control had probably been useful in surgeries and the like.
“Next week, we’ll continue to dive into the basics,” Professor Allard continued. His gaze swung to Eliza, causing her to lift her head higher. His gaze hung on her for a minute and then switched to Jesse. “Be sure to arrive on time, folks. There’s no point in trying to become a doctor if you simply too tired to get up in the morning.”
And so the rest of the class began packing up, talking amongst themselves, the noise nearly startling Eliza as she caught another glance from Professor Allard. As if he were late to a meeting, he briskly waddled out of the room, not giving her a third glance. She sighed, even as Jesse leaned over with a smile on his face.
“Isn’t he the best? I’ve been a student of Gabriel’s for a couple of years now, and I absolutely love his teaching style.”
Despite watching the man dart out of the classroom, Eliza found a smile on her face too. Swinging to Jesse, she beamed brighter than she had since arriving in Salem. “Yes! Everything clicked for me. Even the parts where I thought I’d get tripped up on...he made it seem...oh, I don’t know, easier to take apart? It’s no wonder I’ve only heard good things about him.”
Jesse chuckled. “Not all people at the top of their field can teach others. That’s why Gabriel is the best of the best.”
“So you must know him personally, then, if you call him ‘Gabriel’ all the time.”
“Maybe I do.” Rolling his shoulders, Jesse shut one eye and peered at her with the other. “We’ve both lived in Salem all of our lives, except for when that geezer went abroad to study medicine. But I’ve only personally known him these past two years. Before that, I had only heard he’d come stitch up some of our…”
He stopped suddenly, his expression frozen, until he decided to laugh robotically once again and look away.
“Our?” Eliza said with a raised brow.
“Um, my family, I meant. And friends. I live in a tight-knit group, so to speak.”
“Oh, makes sense.” And it did. To live in Salem meant being surrounded by the same people all the time, seeing the same waitresses at diners, seeing the same coworkers, the same neighbors, for years, if not decades. Eliza was sure Jesse was probably the same. Though the awkward smile on his face was rigid and sour, like he was trying to keep himself from blurting out a dire secret. Not that any of it mattered to Eliza. His family’s secrets weren’t hers to find out. “So, how about that introduction?”
Jesse brightened at the thought. “Oh! That’s right! Sorry, he’ll be in his office just down the corridor. Come on; I’ll lead you there.”
And so they collected their notebooks and pencil cases, Eliza slipping on her backpack and following Jesse out the door. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her along as they jogged down the empty corridor, Eliza’s smile growing. She could get used to having Jesse around.
They arrived at a bend came around to stand directly in front of a closed door. The door read PROFESSOR GABRIEL ALLARD in silver letters, big enough for just about anyone to read without any trouble. Winking at Eliza, Jesse stepped close and rasped on the door with his knuckles. The door swung open almost immediately, and out popped Professor Allard’s head of combed-over gray locks. His observant gaze rested on Jesse first, narrowing.
“I thought I smelled bear…” he said, his voice low and pointed.
Jesse laughed and clapped the professor on the shoulder, causing the older man to frown slightly. “Ah, come on, Gabriel! No need to bring that up. I’m here with one of your new students. She wanted to meet you. Her name’s—”
“Eliza.” Stepping closer, she held out her hand for the professor to shake. “Hello, Professor, but I’ve been extremely excited to meet you! My name’s Eliza...but I already said that. Oh, I’m sorry; I’ve just been kind of nervous to get my grad career off to a good start.”
His eyes squinted on her, making her face heat slightly, but eventually, he took her hand and shook. Eliza was surprised at the sheer strength in his grip, the way her skin was squeezed, but she could also feel the restraint on his end. It was as if he could have crushed her hand to a pulp if wasn’t able to control himself. He smiled at her reaction and let go promptly. “Eliza, you say...your parents wouldn’t happen to be working in the field, would they?”
Blinking, she nodded. “Well, yeah, they are. It’s why I wanted to become a doctor in the first place.”
“I thought I recognized you from somewhere. I think I worked with your parents once, and I remember seeing their little girl. The resemblance was so striking, I couldn’t think for a moment in class at the b
eginning.”
“Seriously?” Eliza nearly blurted out.
“Hot damn, what a coincidence,” Jesse said.
“Yes, yes, it’s a good one at that,” the professor said. “Though I only worked with them the one time.”
“But your memory must be off the charts then!”
The professor chuckled then, his laugh rebounding off the walls. “It very well might be, Jesse.” He turned back to Eliza. “So, how are you liking Salem so far?”
“Good! It’s very peaceful. I don’t mind living in a quieter part of the world.”
“And how do you feel about the rumors surrounding our little town?”
Eliza stole a look at Jesse, who whistled and looked away. “Jesse asked me the same question. Is it normal for locals to ask everyone new about those shapeshifters?”
Professor Allard cocked his head, adjusting his glasses in the process. “Well, a lot of people come here specifically for those rumors. Some trying to get news stories, others just wanting to mock the residents...I’m not suggesting you’re like that. You came for schooling, obviously, but it’s nice to know what you think on the matter.”
“I think they’re all bogus.”
A smile appeared on the professor’s face and he promptly shuffled out of the doorway, forcing Eliza and Jesse to step back quickly. “Good! Then how about you two join me for lunch? I’m meeting a friend soon, and I’m sure you’re bound to like him.”
Jesse grimaced as the professor walked past. “You don’t mean who I think you mean, do you?”
A glittering came into Professor Allard’s eyes, and the hint of a smile to his lips, and he beckoned them to follow. “Oh, yes, he’s exactly who I mean.”
Chapter Seven
Ethan
“You want me to what now?” Ethan growled as he crouched behind his work building. The sun once again was trying its best to blind him, but Ethan had managed to avoid stinging his eyes with the sheer brightness the sun exuded. At least for the time being.
“I want you to come get lunch with me, Ethan,” Gabriel said on the other end of the phone. “It’s not that big a deal. I just want to talk to you about something.”
“Aren’t you the one who told me to go looking for a mate? I’m losing it over here, and I need to find her now…” As if to prove his point, Ethan snarled suddenly, groaning and buckling to keep his voice down. “I can’t do that if I waste my time eating lunch with you, old man.”
“Firstly, young man, I am not that old. Yet. Second, you haven’t succumbed to your insanity yet, right? You wouldn’t have picked up your phone otherwise, and I’m sure I’d be listening to a number of locals in this town screech in terror at seeing the sight of your dragon flying over town. Third, just come to the restaurant, dammit. Even alphas nearing their expiration date need to find time to rest. It’ll help with the insanity. I swear it.”
Ethan considered for a moment longer, licking his lips and taking a swig of his water bottle to quench the thirst lingering at the back of his throat.
There was only one word to describe the past few days, and that word was uncomfortable. Everywhere he went in Salem, Ethan needed to find quiet spots to let himself growl and hiss to his heart’s content since he couldn’t hold it all in all the time. It didn’t matter too much when he was in the forest since the only creatures he saw out there were his fellow shifters, who looked at him with understanding. And the worst part of all? Every day the spasms were getting more intense. He could feel his mind slipping further away each time. Trying to find that new woman in town, or any single woman, was difficult enough already.
I should have listened to Gabriel a month ago, started looking for a new mate then. Maybe taking a break wouldn’t be so bad right now.
“Well?” Gabriel said, his voice expectant and prodding.
“Alright, alright! I’ll come. Where?”
“The usual. Middle of town. Think you can hold out till then?”
“Of course I can. I’m the alpha now, right?”
Gabriel cut off the call without saying another word, leaving Ethan to take a few deep breaths before setting out. It was his lunch break, after all. The other metalsmiths wouldn’t mind him stepping away for a bit.
Working his way through town, Ethan quickly came upon the restaurant Gabriel and he usually went to when both needed a change of pace. It was a local sandwich place, with a sign out front boasting about having the best sandwiches in Salem; the entire building appeared like a regular old house out front. Grunting at the sign, Ethan walked up the steps to the front door. Yeah, best sandwiches because it’s the only sandwich shop around here.
Entering, a bell rung as the door slipped back behind him. He took a moment to gaze around, looking for the familiar gray head he’d come to know and somewhat love.
He spied Gabriel’s steely eyes look up from a booth at the end of the restaurant, and a quick hand wave beckoned him forward.
Ethan noticed two other heads blocking his view. One was blond and wavy-haired, and when the tawny eyes glanced back at him, he noticed myriad freckles covering the man’s skin. The guy frowned, and just as he did, a waft of some musty scent filled Ethan’s nostrils. Bear shifter...fantastic.
The other head was blond as well, and judging by the length of the hair, she was a woman. Then she turned, and the world stopped moving.
Eyes the color of a clear blue lake appraised him as he approached, pale lips sucking on a bendy straw that immediately set his mind on fire. Fair skin matched amazingly well with her delicate fingers, and as he came up to stand before all three, he saw she was thin...but curvy around the hips and her chest. He gulped as she blinked at him, almost ignoring Gabriel’s childlike pats on the seat next to him. Maia has nothing on this woman. Outclassed by far.
“Come on, come on. Sit down, Ethan, and stop gawking at my student like that. You’re going to scare her off. She’s already had enough men looking her over.” At that comment, the woman blushed and glanced down, and Ethan swore silently. He’d already heard about all the shifters probably stalking her. She didn’t need more of that crap from him...though it was a strain not to stare. “And you, Jesse, enough with the glaring. Yes, yes, I understand why don’t like him. But by that logic, you shouldn’t like me either.”
Ethan snorted at Gabriel’s means of calming the group down, if only to give Ethan a voice again. Ever since he saw those eyes of hers, his voice had vanished...and so did the uncomfortableness that had been reverberating in his chest.
She’s the one. Holy shit, she’s going to be my mate.
Ethan, as cool and collected as he could manage, reached forward with a hand. “I’m Ethan.”
The woman seemed to gulp, placing her cup down gently and reaching forward daintily. Squeezing her hand as softly as he could, his heart nearly leaped into his throat when his hard skin felt her plusher, more radiant skin.
“I’m Eliza...I, uh, just moved into town a few days ago.”
Her voice was unbearably sweet, a sound his inner dragon immediately wanted to hear moaning beneath him. It was difficult to stop the flow of dirty images pouring into his head like the breaking of a dam.
Letting go, Eliza looked down, and her smile faded. Her palm was dark, and bits of ash and charcoal had smeared across her skin. “Um, is this dirt or something?”
“Grime, probably,” Gabriel said. “Ethan here works as a metalsmithing company in town.”
“Then how about you clean yourself off before walking into a restaurant?” the bear shifter said, his voice edged with something that sounded like annoyance. “Go wash your hands or something. Didn’t your mother teach you basic manners?”
Ethan scowled so fiercely the bear shifter almost flinched. Almost. “Watch what you say, kid.” But the bear shifter ignored him, instead pulling Eliza’s hand over to clean it off with a napkin. Eliza blushed slightly and laughed nervously as Jesse wiped her hand sparkling clean. “What are you, her butler?”
“My name’s Jesse; do we
ll to remember it, yeah?”
Ethan nearly shot to his feet. Who the hell did this guy think he was? And who did he think he was talking to? Clearly, the guy was ignorant, yet Gabriel should have told him exactly who Ethan was...but when he looked to the old dragon shifter, he only saw a smirk, as if the whole thing was a comedy show.
“What are you smirking about, old man?”
“Oh, this and that, but mostly about the fact you’re making a poor impression on the beautiful girl sitting in front of you.”
That hit home and Ethan turned to gaze at Eliza, who was still smiling despite the open hostility between himself and Jesse. He sighed. “Sorry...I’ve had a quick temper as of late.”
“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “But I was surprised by Jesse, at least.” Causing the bear shifter to rub his neck and look down, as if he were being scolded by his mother. The scene almost made Ethan laugh.
“So,” he said. “Who exactly are you?”
Chapter Eight
Eliza
Despite the immediate tension that for some reason gripped Jesse and Ethan as soon as the latter had arrived, lunch with the professor had been amazing. At first, she had just wanted to ask Professor Allard a bunch of questions about the doctorly profession. Well, a bunch was a light term for the grilling she was going to put the man through, and honestly, she didn’t expect her desires to change so drastically over the course of a few minutes.
When Professor Allard had said he’d be meeting a friend for lunch, she had expected another doctor or older friend from around Salem. There was no way she could have prepared herself for Ethan.
He was unbelievably hot, tall and V-shaped, every inch of his rippling muscles visible through his grime-covered shirt, leaving barely anything up to her imagination, save for what part of him was beneath the table…nothing like the men who’d been stalking her since she had arrived in Salem.