Lion's Betrayal (Shifter Suspense Book 2)

by Zoe Chant

  “That’s up to her,” Lance said in an undertone. He straightened his shoulders and checked his notes again.

  “Speaking of the Diazes…” Lance nodded to the couple. “Grant and Irina are funding a research and development team to find out more about the effects of Mr. Rouse’s scales. We don’t know how many are out there, with outfits like the group that radicalized Francine. They’ll also be looking into other shifter abilities, such as the ones displayed by Harper and by Chloe, here.”

  That got Chloe’s attention. “I had a theory about that. Ever since I started shifting, I haven’t used my… um, other ability. And Harper seemed to lose it as soon as he shifted that time on the beach, too. There might be a connection—is that what you’re thinking?”

  She stared down the table at Grant and Irina, who stared back. Irina grimaced. “Um, we’ll… let you know? We’re more on the ‘providing money’ end of things than the ‘figuring stuff out’ end…”

  She blushed and Grant wound one arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him for a kiss. “Smooth, Lance.” He winked at Chloe. “I’ll put you in touch with our lead researcher. She’ll be thrilled to hear from you.”

  “Sounds great,” Chloe said.

  “One final thing…” He paused, and an expression of something close to panic flashed across his face. “Apart from an unkillable rumor about a new Hollywood franchise that just. Won’t. Die.”

  Mathis laughed out loud, and Chloe sketched out a mock bow. “You’re welcome.”

  “Which brings me to our final action point this afternoon—Ms. Kent, can I interest you in a job?”

  Chloe blinked. “What? I mean, excuse me?” She turned to Mathis. “Did you know about this?”

  Mathis shrugged, one hundred per cent genuine artificial innocence.

  “What sort of a job?” Chloe asked, looking back at Lance.

  Lance settled back in his chair. “If there’s one thing this matter with Harper has shown us, it’s that shifters across the country are vulnerable to exploitation not by humans, but by our own kind. The Manor is opening a new division dealing with issues of communication between shifters—ways for us to communicate known dangers, and for civilians to alert us to problems—using modern comms channels.”

  Chloe couldn’t believe what she was hearing, and Lance’s serious frown wasn’t helping.

  “You… you want me to be your social media manager?” she choked out.

  “Given your work experience, and quick thinking under pressure—yes, something along those lines. We’ll work out the details once you’re on board.”

  Chloe’s cheeks went red. “Thanks,” she blurted out. “I… really didn’t expect that. It’s very kind of you.”

  Lance snorted. “Kind? We’re just snapping you up before anyone else does.” He paused and rubbed his forehead. “And that includes shifter organizations and human ones.”

  “Everyone wants you on their team.” Mathis’ pride was clear in his voice as he slung one arm around her shoulders. “It’s up to you. If you want to push me into a career as a Hollywood superstar…”

  “I want to help people.” A smile spread across Chloe’s face. “Shifters like me, who don’t have our own support networks. That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?” She turned to Lance. “We’re going to stop anyone like Harper from being able to target vulnerable shifters again.”

  “That’s the plan, yes.”

  “Then I’m in.”

  She barely heard what else was said as Lance closed the meeting. Her mind was flying over the possibilities of her new job. This was everything she’d ever wanted: her chance to make a real difference.

  And with her mate at her side, she was ready to take on the world.

  A note from Zoe Chant

  Thank you for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. You can also visit my webpage, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

  Please consider reviewing Lion’s Betrayal, even if you only write a line or two. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.

  Page down to read a special sneak preview of Panther’s Promise, Book 1 in the Shifter Suspense series.

  The cover of Lion’s Betrayal was designed by Olivia Grey.

  More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant

  Panther’s Promise. (Shifter Suspense # 1). A curvy artist struggling with self-doubt + a panther shifter who's out of touch with his panther + a kidnapper with deadly plans = one dangerous romantic adventure!

  The Griffin’s Mate. A curvy businesswoman who’s new in town + a lonely griffin shifter searching for someone to share his nest + a small town with a big secret = a hot and heartwarming story of love and family.

  Ranger Griffin. A lonely reporter in deadly danger + a protective griffin shifter who thinks he’s a monster + a cozy cabin in the snowy woods = on exciting and heartwarming romance!

  Tropical Tiger Spy. (Shifting Sands Resort # 1). A unique shifter in search of her past + a tiger shifter spy on an undercover mission + a shifters-only resort with secrets to hide = a dangerous and thrilling romantic adventure!

  Tropical Wounded Wolf. (Shifting Sands Resort # 2). A curvy math teacher on vacation + a wolf shifter who spent years in captivity + an accident that leaves them stranded together in a jungle paradise = one thrilling romance!

  Bodyguard Bear. (Protection, Inc. # 1). A BBW witness to a murder + the sexy bear shifter bodyguard sworn to protect her with his life + firefights and fiery passion = one hot thrill ride!

  Defender Dragon. (Protection, Inc. # 2). A curvy backpacker who loses a shoe at a ball + a lonely dragon prince facing an arranged marriage to a princess he doesn’t love + magnificent castles and deadly assassins = one thrilling romance!

  Protector Panther. (Protection, Inc. # 3). A curvy paramedic who doesn’t know the meaning of fear + a mysterious panther shifter bodyguard with the power to inflict terror + sinister experiments and desperate passion = one heart-pounding romance!

  Warrior Wolf. (Protection, Inc. # 4). A runaway dragon princess who wants to experience life outside of castle walls + an ex-gangster werewolf bodyguard with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas + uptown parties, downtown nightclubs, and deadly assassins = one explosive good girl/bad boy romance!

  The Snow Leopard’s Mate. (Glacier Leopards #1) A curvy waitress longing for a better life + a lonely lumberjack snow leopard shifter + a wild night that will change their lives = one sweet and steamy romance!

  The Snow Leopard’s Baby. (Glacier Leopards #2) A curvy single mom + a snow leopard shifter in need of a family + the blizzard that brings them together = a sweet and steamy romance!

  Lion’s Hunt. (Rowland Lions #1) A curvy woman who longs for adventure + a daring lion shifter on a dangerous mission + evil experiments in a secret lab = one action-packed romance!

  Lion’s Mate. (Rowland Lions #2) A curvy cheetah shifter with a traumatic past + a billionaire lion shifter on a mission + a corporation with a dangerous agenda = one thrilling romance!

  Trusting the Tiger. A lonely BBW who can't shift, on vacation with her shifter family + a billionaire tiger shifter looking for a family + a kidnapping plot that threatens to rip them apart = one sexy and dangerous weekend getaway!

  Bear With Me. A lonely bear shifter + a workaholic conservationist + a sudden storm = one wet and wild mountain adventure!

  And many more!

  Zoe on Audio

  Kodiak Moment – Audiobook - A workaholic wildlife photographer + a loner bear shifter + Alaskan wilderness = one warming and sensual story.

  Hero Bear - Audiobook - A wounded Marine who lost his bear + a BBW physical therapist with a secret + a small town full of gossips = a hot and healing romance!

  If you love Zoe Chant, you’ll also love these books!

  Laura’s Wolf (Werewolf Marines # 1), by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine Roy Farrell, scarred in body and mind, thinks he has no future. Curvy con arti
st Laura Kaplan, running from danger and her own guilt, is desperate to escape her past. Together, they have all that they need to heal. A full-length novel.

  Prisoner (Werewolf Marines # 2), by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine DJ Torres is a born rebel. Genetically engineered assassin Echo was created to be a weapon. When DJ is captured by the agency that made Echo, the two misfits find that they fit together perfectly. A full-length novel.

  Partner (Werewolf Marines # 3), by Lia Silver. DJ and Echo’s relationship grows stronger under fire… until they are confronted by a terrible choice. A full-length novel.

  Mated to the Meerkat, by Lia Silver. Jasmine Jones, a curvy tabloid reporter, meets her match in notorious paparazzi and secret meerkat Chance Marcotte. A romantic comedy novelette.

  Handcuffed to the Bear (Shifter Agents # 1), by Lauren Esker. A bear-shifter ex-mercenary and a curvy lynx shifter searching for her best friend's killer are handcuffed together and hunted in the wilderness. Can they learn to rely on each other before their pasts, and their pursuers, catch up with them? A full-length novel.

  Guard Wolf (Shifter Agents # 2), by Lauren Esker. Avery is a lone werewolf with no pack; Nicole is a social worker trying to put her life back together. When he comes to her door with a box of orphan werewolf puppies and danger in pursuit, can two lonely people find the family they've been missing? A full-length novel.

  Dragon’s Luck (Shifter Agents # 3) by Lauren Esker. Gecko shifter and infiltration expert Jen Cho teams up with sexy dragon-shifter gambler "Lucky" Lucado to win a high-stakes poker game. Now they're trapped on a cruise ship full of mobsters, mysterious enemy agents, and evil dragons! A full-length novel.

  Tiger in the Hot Zone (Shifter Agents # 4) by Lauren Esker. In her search for the truth about shifters, tell-all blogger Peri Moreland has been clashing with tiger shifter and SCB agent Noah Easton for years. Now she and Noah are on the run with an unstoppable assassin after them and a custom-made plague threatening the entire shifter world! A full-length novel.

  Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, by Lauren Esker. Curvy farm girl Julie Capshaw was warned away from the wolf shifters next door, but Damon Wolfe is the motorcycle-riding, smoking hot alpha of her dreams. Can the big bad wolf and his sheep shifter find their own happy ending? A full-length novel.

  The Christmas Tree Bear, by Rosie Lynne. Bear shifter Willis Barnett meets his fated match in Charlotte Caldwell when she hopes to earn extra money as Santa Helper’s on Willis’ family farm turned Christmas Tree Town for the holidays. A romantic comedy novella.

  The Strength of the Pack, by Jorrie Spencer. Seth Kolski, a werewolf, hides his heritage and passes for normal. Until he meets Jamie. A full-length novel.

  Taming the Beast, by Honey Dover. Beauty is a paranormal investigator hired to deal with a man cursed to become a monstrous beast. Helping him recover his humanity will change her life. A novelette.

  Claimed by the Wolf, by Candi Jackson. Zenobia Jones ends up pregnant after a night with a billionaire—and lands herself in a war between werewolf packs. A full-length novel.

  The Right Bear's Arms, by Nora Eli. After a sizzling one night stand with bear shifter Jake, curvy Katie realizes her perfect man is everything she's tried to avoid. If they can both stop running from their pasts, they may find a destined future together. A novelette.

  Discovering the Dragon, by Sofia Stone. When reporter Chloe Martin investigates Lancaster Gold, she finds herself tangled up with the oldest son—Isaac Lancaster, billionaire dragon shifter. A novelette.

  PANTHER’S PROMISE

  by Zoe Chant

  Special Sneak Preview

  GRANT

  “Is this the place?”

  Grant stared up at the brightly-lit fifth floor of the building they had just parked in front of. The contrast between the staid brickwork of the lower floors and the floor-to-ceiling, crystal clear fifth floor window was startling. It looked as though someone had sliced away the front wall to peer in at the inhabitants.

  And as if that wasn’t bad enough, it was starting to snow.

  Grant felt his panther’s discomfort with the weather. The emotion was separate from his own feelings, but still distinctly there, a constant, irritating itch. Grant was displeased that he could feel it at all. He’d spent most of the last six months as a panther, trying to get it out of his system, but its instincts were still so close to the surface. If he had been in his panther form, he would have flattened his ears at the cold stuff and maybe even snarled at what his human brain knew were harmless white flakes.

  Since he was in human form, he was spared the embarrassment of growling at snow in front of his PA, Lance MacInnis.

  “This is it,” Lance confirmed without glancing up. “You think she’ll be here?”

  Grant shrugged. “It’s art, it’s new, it’s on a street I didn’t know existed in a neighborhood that would make her mother scream—it’s pure Frankie.”

  “And you’re sure this is a good idea?”

  Grant glared at the other man. “You clearly think not. Is that your official opinion as my PA?”

  Lance snorted, his dark-brown eyes fixed on the window above them. The young black man was clearly solidly built beneath his well-tailored and fashionably styled suit, but the glasses he pulled from one pocket to perch on his nose gave a hint of incongruity to his appearance.

  “My opinion as your ‘PA’ is that for a man of your demographic, gallery openings are a high-boredom, low-return investment of your time. And as your friend…” He twisted around in the driver’s seat, peering at Grant over the top of his glasses. “There are easier ways for you to go about this, you know.”

  “I don’t want to hear it.” Grant’s shoulders tensed.

  “I’m just saying—if Mathis Delacourt isn’t picking up the phone or checking in on Facebook, well, those are human ways to connect.”

  “This isn’t up for discussion, Lance.”

  “Understood.” The other man’s face was professionally blank.

  Are you in there, Frankie? And will you be able to give me some answers?

  He was careful to keep the question to himself. The last thing he wanted was to reach out telepathically to another shifter. Even if it wasn’t considered rude to broadcast telepathic messages before you actually saw a person, he was back in the city, now.

  And in the city, he played human. No. He was human.

  Grant’s spine prickled, the same uneasy feeling that had been plaguing him for the last few weeks. He clenched his fist on the car door handle, trying to shake the sensation of wrongness.

  His plan was so simple, it was hardly a plan. He would go in, find Frankie, and talk to her. And it was only natural that the talk would turn to her twin brother.

  Yeah, and why I haven’t heard a peep out of him since I got back from the jungle.

  A year ago, Mathis Delacourt had been Grant’s closest friend. They had grown up together, two shifters causing endless trouble for themselves, each other, and their families. It had been a competitive friendship, but a close one. Grant had never been completely comfortable with his shifter nature, but without Mathis and his family, he never would have known the first thing about what being a shifter meant. Grant’s mother was human and had been abandoned by his shifter father before Grant was even born.

  Grant had always envied the family structure of the Delacourt pride. For lions, family was everything. For panthers—well, he only had his father’s example to go by, but family clearly wasn’t as much of a priority for panther shifters as it was for lions.

  Something had changed in the months before Grant left to exercise his panther. Mathis had seemed distracted. Grant himself had found it difficult to concentrate, his panther so restless it felt as though it was always about to burst through his skin, and now he could maybe admit to himself that he hadn’t paid close enough attention to his friend. He’d stepped back and focused on his own needs, and Mathis had done the same.

  By the time Grant came back into the country, Mathis had st
epped back so far he’d vanished. All of Grant’s calls and messages had gone unanswered.

  Grant was a panther. They weren’t pack animals—not like Mathis and his lion’s pride. Not family-oriented. He didn’t need to be around others to feel secure with his place in the world.

  But, dammit, he did need his oldest friend to at least pick up the phone once in a while.

  Tonight’s mission might not unearth Mathis, but Grant was hoping that his friend’s twin sister, Francine—Frankie—would find the lure of the art event too tempting to resist. Frankie and he might not have always gotten along, but he was hoping she’d at least give him some answers about why Mathis had ghosted on him.

  Time to find out, he told himself as he stepped out onto the street. Snowflakes settled on his shoulders as he hurried to the front door, his panther inwardly seething at the cold weather.

  Lance fell into step beside him. He seemed completely at ease in the freezing weather—a side-effect of being a snow leopard shifter, Grant assumed, or maybe something to do with his military background. Whereas Grant’s panther longed for the sticky heat of the jungle, Lance’s feline form relished the ice and snow. Even in human form, Lance didn’t seem to feel the cold.

  Grant felt better the moment he stepped through the front door and into the warm embrace of central heating. By the time the elevator spat them out on the fifth floor, he was almost purring.

  He took a moment to make sure that he wasn’t. Satisfied, he glanced around the room.

  The gallery was full of people. Grant took a slow breath as he looked around. He couldn’t help it; even in his human form, he instinctively tried to identify the guests by scent as much as by sight.

  Most of them were strangers, but one familiar scent made him turn his head to the end of the room.

  Francine Delacourt was a statuesque platinum blonde, with skin as white as snow and iceberg-blue eyes. She looked a little like Marilyn Monroe, if Marilyn had been six feet tall and possessed all the warmth and kindness of a glacier.