Lion's Betrayal (Shifter Suspense Book 2)

by Zoe Chant

  *Best not to get involved anyway, mate. Keep your head down and your mind on the game. And…* Sven’s mouth twisted. *I’ll tell you more about that later. Harper gets… funny about some things.*

  By the time Gerald waved the two fighters away, Mathis’ good mood had completely evaporated.

  Sven slapped him on the back as they headed back toward the north wing. “Buck up, Matty. It’s not all bad. Sure, the bastards’ll look right through you once you’re out of the ring, but the pay isn’t bad. You’ve just got to hold out through your contract.”

  Mathis bit back a bitter response. He might not have any need of the generous salary Gerald was offering, but Matt Dell did. And so must the other fighters here.

  Unease struck him. The base salary was one thing, but Gerald was also offering a bonus for matches won. He hadn’t considered before that his drive to win might go up against some other shifter’s very real need for the prize money.

  “Hey.” Sven nudged him in the ribs. “That was a good fight tonight. Your first against another shifter?”

  Mathis grunted. “Yeah.”

  “Bit different, eh?” Sven chortled. “How much do you weigh, four or five hundred pounds? Bloody oath. I’ve only been here the one season, but the other guys say there hasn’t been anyone with that sort of mass since—well, for a fair while, anyway.” He paused. “You want to come grab a drink with me’n some of the guys? It being your first night here, there’s a few house rules we should get clear.”

  “Nah.” Mathis rubbed his face. “Sorry. I’m feeling—I don’t know. I need to clear my head.”

  “No worries. We’ll be in Cap’s rooms if you change your mind. Third door to the left, ground floor.”

  Mathis watched Sven until he disappeared around a corner. Any other day, he would have taken Sven up on his offer. But not tonight. Not with the dark-haired woman’s scent still teasing his mind, and the memory of her eyes still taunting his heart.

  Instead, he made his way outside. The night air was cool, a steady breeze coming off the water and making the palms shiver. Mathis inhaled deeply, taking in the smell of salt water… and something else.

  The same smell he remembered from his room.

  Her.

  This woman, whoever she was, was out here somewhere.

  Mathis closed his eyes, inhaling slowly, following the breezes. His feet began to move almost of their own accord. The gravel path at the front of the house gave way to close-cropped grass, then became wilder, deeper grass hiding clumps and divots in the earth. Mathis opened his eyes.

  He was standing on top of a rocky outcrop. A few feet in front of him, the ground dropped away, fallen stones and hardy shrubs leading down to a sandy beach.

  And a few feet to his left, a single, wind-warped pine tree clung to the edge of the bluff, spreading its twisted branches to the sky and holding the strangest bird Mathis had ever seen.

  The woman from the viewing room was perched halfway up the tree. She’d exchanged her black dress for a sensible pair of sweatpants, and had her legs wrapped around the pine’s trunk. One of her arms was gripping a branch, and the other was waving up above her head, holding something that glowed in the darkness.

  He grinned. “Having a little trouble up there?”

  The woman froze, and a moment later, Mathis heard the first words out of her mouth: “Oh, shit.”

  She twisted and glared down him; then, as she saw who he was, her face cleared. Mathis’ heart leapt.

  “Oh—it’s you!” she said, her voice excited. “Wait there for me, all right?”

  Mathis had no intention of moving. He planted his feet on the stony ground, enjoying the view as she wriggled back down the tree. She was curvier than the other women he’d seen on the island so far, guests and staff included, and her descending the tree was a beautiful sight.

  She jumped the last few feet to the ground and turned around, dusting off her pants. Her face was alight with excitement as she looked at Mathis. Mathis’ lion preened at the attention as she blatantly stared him up and down, her eyes pausing almost imperceptibly between his legs and on his muscular chest.

  “So,” he said, casually changing his stance to better show off his pecs, “Enjoying some stargazing?”

  “Uhh…” The woman’s fingers tightened around her phone, and she hastily shoved it in her pocket. “Stargazing? Yeah… something like that.”

  Her eyes were still locked on to Mathis. She was looking at him as though… as though he was something wonderful.

  She smiled, and his heart sang. “Did you want to join me? There might not be room in the tree, but…” She gestured vaguely at the sky. The cloudy, starless sky.

  “Nothing would make me happier,” Mathis said bluntly. “Maybe… down on the beach?”

  He watched her eyes flicker down the bluff to the sheltered, sandy beach. Private, secluded… out of sight of the house… He saw her make the decision even before she spoke.

  “All right, then.” She narrowed her eyes at him, a smile dancing at the corners of her mouth. She held out one hand. “I’m Chloe.”

  “Matt—Mathis,” Mathis replied. He took her hand and a shock ran up his arm. Did she feel it, too?

  Her grin grew wider. “Shall we?”

  CHAPTER 6

  CHLOE

  Chloe couldn’t believe her luck. She’d snuck out into the grounds after her shift was over to see if she could coax an internet signal from the far reaches of the island. Even climbing up the tree and wishing very hard for a satellite to cross overhead hadn’t achieved anything, and she’d been almost ready to throw the whole thing in—until he arrived.

  She couldn’t describe the thrill that had run through her when she saw him looking up at her. At her.

  Well, that was a lie. She absolutely, definitely could describe the thrill. She was a journalist, after all. Writing was her job.

  It was just that it wouldn’t be appropriate to accurately describe this particular thrill. Not if she was planning to use him as a source for her exposé. Journalists weren’t supposed to have those sorts of thoughts about their sources.

  She couldn’t stop staring at him. And not just because her mind was still cartwheeling over the idea that she had seen him turn into a giant goddamn lion.

  He was so… big. All over. Including—

  Eyes up, Chloe, she reminded herself. Including his… general physique. Yes.

  “Can I help you down?” Mathis offered her his hand, nodding at the rocky slope down the bluff to the beach.

  “Yes, please.” Chloe bit her tongue. She didn’t need his help getting down the slope. Not really. She’d practically made a career out of climbing in and out of windows during various work-related and extracurricular escapades; a shingly hill wouldn’t be any trouble.

  But her white lie didn’t need to sound so eager, either.

  Chloe’s cheeks blazed as she took Mathis’ hand.

  His skin was warmer than she’d expected, and his grip on her hand was firm, but surprisingly gentle. Working as a reporter, Chloe was used to men who thought the best way to impress their importance onto her was leaving a literal impression on her hand. She couldn’t count the number of times she’d had to grin her way through some asshole trying to crush her fingers into paste.

  Mathis didn’t crush her hand or yank on her arm as they picked their way down to the sheltered beach. He let her take the lead. His touch was firm, and considerate; wherever she stepped, he was right behind her, moving with her as easily as if they on a dancefloor, not navigating a rough slope.

  The level of attention Mathis must have been paying to her every movement made Chloe’s blush deepen. She knew that if she did fall, he would be at her side in an instant.

  It was almost enough to make her deliberately lose her footing.

  Almost.

  Mathis let her hand go as the slope leveled out. The loose stones and gravel made way for sand, and there was no point even pretending she needed his help on the flat. She
tried not to feel disappointed.

  The beach stretched out in front of them. The strip of sand was broader than it had looked from above, and the waves nibbling at the shore were ten or twenty feet away, glimmering in the thin moonlight.

  Chloe took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the salty sea air. Down here, Harper’s sprawling estate might as well not even exist. No sound from the buildings reached them, and the only noise was the soft shush of waves on the sand.

  She tipped her head on one side. “Do you hear that?”

  Mathis walked into her line of sight. His forehead creased. “Hear what?”

  “No wildlife.” Chloe filed the thought away for later, and let her mouth run on. “I wondered about it when I first got here. No seabirds, no manatees even though there’s a colony just a short way up the coast, and hardly any creepy-crawlies even. I thought at first there might have been some sort of environmental disaster that wiped out local populations and was being hushed up, but now I’m thinking maybe Harper’s guests got the munchies.”

  Mathis raised one eyebrow. “That lot? I doubt they’ve chased anything more lively than the bubbles at the bottom of their champagne.”

  “Of course,” Chloe replied glibly. When they’re not scaring off poor kids like Thandie.

  She still hadn’t decided what tactic to take while she was interviewing Mathis. Pretend to know all about people turning into crazy animals, or admit her mind was blown?

  Admit nothing! she told herself firmly. What if he tells Harper you came here under false pretenses? You’ll be screwed.

  “Well, it’s a relief to know you’re all, uhh, were-animals, anyway,” she continued. “There were some strange stories coming out of this place, I tell you. I almost didn’t take the job. Back on the mainland people behave like this place is haunted, or cursed or something. Honestly, finding out it’s just a bunch of rich… were-animals… is kind of a relief.”

  Mathis gave her a strange look. “Cursed? It’s a better cover story than some I’ve heard. And better than risking people find out about the… were-animals.”

  Chloe winced. Right. “Were-animals” is definitely not the right word. Shit.

  Mathis stepped closer to her, hands in his pockets and an amused smile on his face. “So… how much do you know about us ‘were-animals’, exactly?”

  “Oh, loads,” Chloe lied. “Like, uh, it’s not just werewolves—some of you can turn into other animals. And, um…” Her gaze trailed over Mathis’ face and arms. She was sure the wolf had bitten him on one arm—fore-leg?—but there was no sign of the wound there now. “And you heal quickly.”

  “Uh-huh.” Laughter lines creased the corners of Mathis’ eyes. “And how much do you know that you didn’t figure out just now by looking at me?”

  Chloe’s blush crept down her neck. “Let’s see,” she said, playing for time. Damn it. She took a deep breath—and hesitated.

  She could try the mind trick, bamboozle him long enough to get the impromptu interview back on track. But something stopped her.

  Time to come clean. “Let’s say that I knew… nothing at all?”

  To her relief, Mathis laughed.

  “Oh, hell,” he croaked, wiping his eyes. “Don’t let Harper hear you admit that! How did you manage to get the job, if you don’t even know about shifters?”

  Chloe thought back to all the social media profiles she’d pored over prior to making her own fake profile and applying to the job. Those weird phrases she’d included in the profile that had got her the job—they must have been some sort of code for them. For shifters.

  “I… just slipped through the cracks, I guess. And honestly, I’ve been working here for a month now, and it’s never come up.”

  Mathis stared at her, his eyes shining. “You’re incredible.”

  This time, Chloe was the one who burst out laughing. “I’m incredible? You can turn into a lion! A—” She waved her hands around, searching for words. You’re a journalist! Words are your bread and butter! And the best you can come up with is… “An actual lion!” she finished lamely.

  Mathis’ eyes softened. “And you’re a human woman who’s managed to crack open the secret my kind has been hiding for hundreds of years, without even trying. Right under the noses of what must be some of the most paranoid shifters in the country. You’re incredible.”

  Chloe’s skin felt hot. It wasn’t a blush, this time. It was excitement sending heat prickling across her body as she met Mathis’ eyes.

  Mathis’ eyes were a pale gold, the same startling hue as they had been when he was in his lion shape. As Chloe held his gaze, she thought they were going dark—then realized it was his pupils expanding.

  “Chloe,” he whispered, his voice husky. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”

  Chloe wanted to scoff. He was clearly talking shit. Mathis didn’t know anything about her. They’d only exchanged a handful of words, for God’s sake!

  But that didn’t stop her breath catching in her throat as she stared into his eyes. It didn’t stop her skin from thrilling at the memory of his touch, and the way his eyes had roamed over her body as she climbed out of the tree.

  Or the way he was looking at her now, gold eyes black with desire.

  Chloe’s heart thudded in her throat. Wow, she thought. Just… wow.

  She licked her lips. “So… what else is there to know about shifters?”

  Mathis raised one eyebrow. He stepped closer again, so close Chloe could swear she felt heat pouring off his body. She swayed towards him, like a moth to a flame.

  “For a start,” Mathis murmured. “We’re incredible in bed.”

  “Is that a fact?” Chloe replied, whip-fast, before her brain caught up with her ears. Oh. Uh. Wow?

  “It is.” Mathis leaned down, whispering into her ear. “Though since you’ve never met any shifters before, you should probably do some research.”

  Chloe’s pulse started racing. Unfortunately, so did her mouth. “Well, that’s not entirely true,” she babbled. “If what you’re saying is correct, then I’ve met loads of shifters already, actually. I’m even sharing a room with one.”

  “True.” Mathis’ breath tickled her ear. “Are any of them as interesting as I am, though?”

  “N-no…” Chloe’s voice caught in her throat, and she swallowed hard. Mathis was standing right up against her—but he wasn’t touching her. Not yet. Just standing there, being really, really… touchable.

  The hell with it, she thought, and before her brain could convince her it was a bad idea, she kissed him.

  Mathis’ lips were soft, and warm, and responded to hers with a tenderness that made Chloe’s insides melt. His blond stubble scraped deliciously against her chin and she raised her hands, trailing her fingers across the sharp line of his jaw. The pulse in his neck thundered under her touch.

  She gasped as he broke the kiss, but recovered quickly.

  “Interesting, you said?” Chloe said slowly, getting her breath back. “Well, that’s a good start, but real research will require—”

  She didn’t have a chance to finish the sentence. Mathis pulled her close, crushing her to his chest and covering her lips with his own. This kiss was deeper than the first, more passionate. Mathis’ tongue flicked against her lips.

  Chloe let herself fall against him, molding her body against his. Her breasts pressed against the hard lines of his chest. She didn’t have to imagine what he looked like under his shirt… or his pants.

  She’d seen everything back in the ring. He’d been sweaty and panting straight after his transformation, and Chloe had been thunderstruck by the sight of two men changing into giant animals, but…

  She was a reporter. She might have been thunderstruck, but she’d still noticed certain details.

  One of which was currently pressing into her stomach.

  “Um,” she mumbled into Mathis’ lips. “So… how deep is this research going to go?”

  Mathis hesitated. With an awkwar
dness that made Chloe bite her lip to stop herself giggling, he carefully re-adjusted his hips.

  “Ah,” he said. “Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be.” The words were out before Chloe realized what she was saying—and the moment she spoke them, she knew they were true. She’d just been kissing him like he was the sexiest man on Earth. It was no surprise he’d had a physical reaction to it.

  To her.

  Just like she was having a physical reaction to him.

  Warmth blossomed in her lower belly, growing into a heavy need. Chloe groaned.

  She shouldn’t do this. She really shouldn’t do this. Sleeping with a source? It went against all her journalistic ethics.

  Even just being this attracted to him was pushing up against the hell-no-bad-wrong line.

  Of course… that only mattered if she was actually going to write the piece.

  Mathis looked uncertain. “No, I am. Sorry. I shouldn’t just jump on you—”

  “Seriously?” Chloe grinned. Screw it. “Jump away.”

  She didn’t expect him to take it literally.

  Chloe squealed as Mathis leapt at her. For a moment, she was airborne, his arms closing around her. She braced herself to hit the ground but the impact, when it came, was surprisingly gentle, cocooned in Mathis’ strong embrace. He lowered her to the sand, kissing her until her mind swam.

  Chloe ran her hands up his chest, reveling in the hard curves of muscle under her palms. She slid her hands up to his jaw, feeling the scratch of stubble, and then around his head. His hair was too short for her to get a grip on and she grumbled wordlessly against his lips.

  Mathis laughed. “I’ll grow it long,” he murmured, and bit teasingly at her lower lip.

  “You—” Chloe broke off as Mathis slipped his hands down her sides, his fingertips sneaking under the hem of her shirt. He drew tantalizing circles on her skin, his touch just the safe side of ticklish. Chloe squirmed, and he hesitated.

  “No, keep doing that,” Chloe gasped. Her fingers grasped at his too-short hair as he resumed his teasing strokes, and she bit back a growl of frustration. She’d always been ticklish. And she’d always hated being tickled. But this was different.