20 Shades of Shifters: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Demelza Carlton

  The charcoal-colored wolf stalked around her body. A cold nose brushed against her foot and she jerked it away. The wolf’s lip curled and bared sharp incisors as another growl left its throat. It reminded her of when Lawson curled his lip, except she was terrified instead of melting inside.

  The wolf continued sniffing around her legs. She couldn’t help but notice the beautiful fur covering its body. The deepest shade of gray with silver tips. He was the most magnificent creature she had ever seen.

  The animal pushed his nose along her flesh and she trembled. Lawson had said his wolf was dangerous and wanted to taste her blood. If this animal decided to pounce, she was a goner. The wolf moved up her hip and along the side of her stomach.

  Slowly, Liv reached a hand to touch the fur underneath its neck between his front legs. He was so soft and silky, and she let her fingers go deeper, feeling the muscles beneath.

  Another low growl escaped but the wolf didn’t seem as aggressive. She continued to rub its chest, enjoying the power that rippled beneath her palm.

  “Lawson, is that you?” She searched the beautiful gray eyes, but there was no recognition.

  The wolf nuzzled her hair and then its long snout poked her head, all the while sniffing. When its cold nose traveled along the base of her neck, it tickled. And then the wolf trekked further down, smelling between her breasts. Surely, this wasn’t a sexual thing for the animal, she thought. He had to be curious and nothing more.

  But then a rough tongue swiped across Liv’s breast, sending a shiver through her body. Liv tried to move away but the wolf placed a large paw on her shoulder, holding her in place.

  “Lawson, I hope to hell that’s you in there,” she whispered as the wolf continued licking her flesh.

  Its tongue was long and rough like sandpaper. When it ran across her nipple, Liv’s core spasmed. Was this happening? Was Liv’s body aroused by the beast above her?

  When the wolf moved to the other breast and licked the sensitive area, a moan escaped her throat. Yes, she was turned on. Her hands dug deeper into its fur as the wolf continued further down, brushing against her stomach.

  “Please, Lawson, if you’re in there, shift back. I need you,” Liv pleaded. Another growl was her answer as the wolf’s head dipped lower, smelling her sex.

  She could feel the animal’s hot breath against her needy flesh, and when its tongue slid across her folds, she cried out. In one fluid movement, the wolf shifted, and Liv looked down to see Lawson’s face buried between her legs. He looked up to her, but his eyes were wild, and she could still see the wolf behind the silver orbs.

  “Take me, I’m yours,” she croaked, and then he devoured her clit, running his tongue all over the swollen area.

  She grabbed a handful of his black hair and held him to her, writhing against his movements in unabashed pleasure. She felt a finger slide inside and then another, sending her over the edge.

  Wrapping her legs around his shoulders, she squeezed as an orgasm barreled through her body. His mouth continued its assault on her fleshy folds, and she bucked against him as her core trembled with pleasure. When her body relaxed, he released his hold and traveled up her body, claiming her lips.

  She could taste her juices on his tongue as he ravished her mouth. He was all over her. His hand grabbed her breast while the other spread her wide. The heavy bulge of his erection thrust deep, impaling her to the hilt. There were no words spoken between them, only raw desire fueled by their needs.

  He sank deeper and growled, plunging hard and full. Liv lifted her hips and bucked with an urgency that made her light-headed. She had never known such passion before. Lawson was wild and out of control and she felt the force of his wolf as much as she felt the man between her legs. She wanted all of him, man and animal, in every way.

  “Fuck, Liv, I can’t be gentle. I can’t stop,” Lawson finally said, panting as sweat broke across his back.

  “I don’t want gentle. Not right now. Give me all you have,” Liv urged.

  And he did.

  He gave her the sun and the moon and the water and the sand. He gave her all that and more. Her desire was taken to a level she didn’t even know existed as he pounded her body, bringing her to the crest of an earth-shattering climax.

  All she could do was cling to his hard body as they came together and shouted their release on a brilliant wave of ecstasy. Panting and quivering from residual aftershocks, she couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Wow, what was that all about?” she murmured.

  He rolled to the side, hooking her leg around his hip, so he remained inside her.

  Pulling her close, he responded, “Sorry about that. I didn’t realize you would be coming here today. My wolf needed to run for a bit. He was thirsty and that’s when he spotted you by the lake. You have no idea how terrified I was when he recognized your scent. He has wanted to taste you for too long,” Lawson said, a wicked smile appearing.

  “Oh, he tasted me alright. I was worried I was about to have an orgasm from a wolf,” Liv responded, jokingly.

  “I’m pretty sure that was his plan. I’ve never had the power to force a shift like that, but I think my wolf and I came to terms today on where we stand concerning you. He seems at peace now. Maybe his curiosity was so intense because you’re human. Either way, I think he’ll keep his distance from now on,” he stated, kissing her on the cheek.

  “I hope not. I like your wolf. He’s magnanimous and has a real talent with that long tongue,” she teased.

  Lawson laughed and her heart leaped with joy to see him smile again. She had missed that so much.

  “Talk to me about work. What’s the update on job possibilities?” Lawson questioned as he cradled Liv against his chest. Liv loved how she molded into him and he nuzzled her neck, igniting her desire all over again.

  “Well, Bart is looking into several locations in the area. He is all for investing in a research facility, so that we can begin testing the blood we have,” she informed him, enjoying the way his fingers trailed across her back.

  “That’s good. I’m glad you’re staying here. I was worried he would want you to be closer to Chattanooga,” he whispered as he nibbled on her ear. “Has he made any headway on Jim’s arrest?”

  Liv sighed. That was a sore subject for her. Apparently, there wasn’t enough concrete evidence to warrant an investigation. That was bullshit, as far as she was concerned.

  “No, Jim Jensen is still walking the streets, and PRL is still in business because of that asshole’s deep pockets. I’m not giving up though,” Liv declared.

  “We’ll nail him eventually. Arrogant pricks like him always manage to hang themselves,” Lawson admitted and squeezed her tight.

  Liv turned her head so that she could kiss those delicious lips of his. She parted her mouth and his tongue delved inside. Instantly, she forgot about Jim, work, and everything else but Lawson. As his tongue slid against hers, she answered by sucking on it. He groaned and she moved to his upper lip, sucking that, as well.

  “Mmm, I’ve got something else you can suck on,” he suggested, grabbing her ass and pulling it against his rock-hard erection. God, she loved how he was ready to go again.

  “Here?” she murmured, wiggling on top of him to create friction against her aching core.

  “No, let’s go back to our room. We’re lucky no one walked up on us. We have quite the household now,” Lawson stated as he sat up, bringing her with him.

  Lawson was right about that. With his sisters and his brother along with Knox and the other shifters, their pack was growing. Everyone had agreed to stay on while renovations were being made to the hotel. She hoped it would take longer than expected because she was enjoying her time with Lawson.

  “You’re right about that. Maybe we should say the lake is off limits to everyone but us. I’ve grown kind of fond of our meeting spot,” she winked. “Where are your clothes?”

  “They’re in the barn,” he said, reaching over to grab her nearby garments th
en handed them to her.

  She quickly dressed and watched as he took off running towards the barn. She couldn’t help but admire his firm ass in the process.

  Walking to the barn, she remembered his project and was curious. As she entered, he was pulling a fitted blue t-shirt over his head and her mouth watered at the sight of his low-slung jeans and bare feet. He was the sexiest man alive, and he was all hers.

  “Lawson, this is impressive, by the way,” she stated, pointing towards the iron gate. “I had no idea you could do something like this,” she added, running her hand over the crest and initials. “So, what does this stand for?”

  “You should know. It came from you,” Lawson stated, standing behind Liv as he looked over her shoulder. His hands came up to cup her breasts, and she arched against his grip.

  “Lawson, I can’t think straight when you’re touching me,” she confessed. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, captivated by liquid silver eyes.

  Curling his upper lip, he replied, “It stands for Safe Haven. Do you remember?” He bent his head to suck the sensitive flesh at the base of her neck, and her mind splintered as arousal rushed through her system.

  Panting, she said, “Yes, I remember. At the lab. I said this place would be your safe haven. I love it. It’s perfect. Now, can we go get naked in our room?”

  He placed a finger under her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “Liv, I promise I’m going to spend all night pleasuring you every way possible, but I need you to know what this means. This place is not my safe haven,” Lawson said, and Liv tilted her head, confused.

  “You are,” Lawson vowed and claimed her mouth.

  Sample Chapter of Dream Warrior by Trim and Julka

  Elsie woke, drenched in sweat with a scream trapped on her lips and her sheets tangled around her legs. Her sister stirred next to her on the queen-sized mattress. She didn’t want to wake Cailyn and shoved a fist into her mouth, stifling the scream from clawing its way out as images from her nightmare continued to consume her. No matter how long and hard she fought it, the visions and memories refused to leave her.

  It always started the same. She was standing on the cracked linoleum in the long hallway of the group home where Dalton was murdered. She relived that entire night countless times over the past eighteen months. She squeezed her eyes shut as the images flooded her aching brain for what seemed like the millionth time.

  An abattoir surrounded her. Blood splattered the walls, and there were pools of crimson congealing on the black-and-white checkerboard floor. She gagged when she saw a lump of bright, red meat on the floor. Flesh. Yellow flags and cones lined the walls and floor amidst the carnage. Her stomach revolted while her body went numb.

  In between heaves, Elsie whispered a plea for help. No one responded, and she fell into a heap on the floor. Mindless of the blood she sat in, she gazed at the sight of her husband lying in a pool of blood, his sightless eyes trained on her. His neck was torn open and shredded. How long she sat there screaming, she didn’t know. Finally, a police officer escorted her away from his body and out of the house.

  Her nightmare worsened when she was barraged by a mass of news media. They shouted questions about her husband being the latest TwiKill victim. Her world came to a crashing halt that night, and giant black hole imploded into an endless ache in her chest.

  Now, eighteen months later, that black hole had grown thorns and pierced her heart. The pain forced her to curl into a ball on her bed. She hated how the memories dominated her thoughts.

  Joining SOVA (Survivors Of Vampire Attacks) had been a way to gain some of that power back. Still, she longed to be a ‘normal’ college student again. You haven’t been normal since you were three years old, she thought wryly.

  Not even thoughts of her happy childhood suppressed the pain. No matter how much time passed, Dalton’s murder still seemed unbelievable. The police didn’t know who was responsible, and the detectives in charge had been spouting the same bullshit excuses to the press for eighteen months. They were incompetent and hadn’t learned a fraction of what she knew within forty-eight hours after Dalton’s death.

  Not that she could share that information with the cops. If she did, she’d put herself and others at risk, which Elsie wasn’t willing to do. The instant the police learned the facts of the case they’d all be charged with a crime.

  She jumped from her bed and made it to the bathroom where she promptly lost the measly contents of her stomach. It had been the same, day in and day out, for what seemed like forever. She was wracked with unending grief, barely able to function.

  Sleep was a thing of the past due to her nightmares. The dark circles under her eyes she could live with but the muddled memory and irritability were another story. She got by on energy drinks and candy. Elsie couldn’t remember the last time she consumed a full meal because the grief created a barrier in her throat. Between her pallor and weight loss, she looked like a zombie. Hell, she felt like one, too.

  As the stomach spasms stopped, Elsie wiped her mouth, flushed the toilet, and prayed again for a magic pill that would take the pain away. Sadly, science wasn’t on her side with that one.

  After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she checked on her sister. Throughout Elsie’s life, Cailyn had always made sure she was safe and had what she needed. Despite living two states away, that was no different now with her daily calls and bi-monthly visits. Cailyn was her only remaining family and her saving grace. Elsie loved her more than anything.

  Thankfully, her sister hadn’t heard her in the bathroom and was still asleep. She didn’t need another lecture about her lack of eating and weight loss.

  Quietly, Elsie grabbed her robe off the back of her bedroom door and made her way into the living room. She stopped by the kitchen for an energy drink before she plopped down onto the futon with her laptop. She needed to put the finishing touches on her class assignment before she turned it in on Monday.

  As she waited for her laptop to power up, Elsie grabbed her day planner and looked at her work schedule. She had picked up extra shifts to make up for the loss of income. The reality was she used her job and school as a diversion from the crushing grief. The busier she stayed, the better.

  Her head flopped back on the futon and she stared at the colorful Mexican blankets that served as a reminder of her life with Dalton. Tears gathered in her eyes. Would she ever be free from the pain?

  Elsie hunched into her black coat and wrapped her scarf tighter when a breeze found its way down her back. Shivering, she flipped up her collar and pulled her pink beanie down over her ears. It was cold and beginning to drizzle. Springtime shouldn’t be this cold, Elsie thought to herself, but that was Seattle. Damp and dreary most days of the year.

  “Let’s grab a burrito for dinner since I know your fridge is empty. You need to eat at least one meal today,” Cailyn said as she linked her arm through Elsie’s and headed down the street.

  “I do try and eat, Cai. I just can’t keep anything down. And, before you go all maternal on me again, know that I’ll continue to try,” Elsie replied, contemplating an umbrella to shield them against the wind and rain.

  They hurried down the street and talked about what assignments Elsie had remaining before she graduated college next month. Time crawled since Dalton’s death, and Elsie still couldn’t believe her Bachelor’s degree was within reach.

  She didn’t want to go down memory lane today and focused on the fast food restaurant. Cailyn held the door for her and they walked inside. Warm, greasy, cumin-scented air hit her as they entered the establishment. Her stomach growled. She was hungrier than she realized. She removed her jacket and shook off the moisture then turned to contemplate the menu.

  Cailyn leaned into her side and whispered, “El, your high beams are on, and it appears two gorgeous guys have noticed.”

  Heat suffused Elsie’s cheeks. She had on an unpadded bra, and it provided no protection under her skin-tight Henley.

 
“Oh, God. And, I’m mostly nipple too,” Elsie whispered back, wondering why any man would notice her small breasts.

  “Doesn’t mean they aren’t enjoying the show.”

  A deep, masculine groan had Elsie’s blush intensifying. She glanced out of the corner of her eye and spotted a trim waist encased in tight, black, leather pants. An unknown force drew her and she turned to appreciate the man more fully.

  Her eyes followed the ropes of muscle up his abdomen and broad chest, locking with the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. Electric currents ran underneath her skin as he devoured her with his gaze as if she were a gourmet meal he intended to savor, slowly and thoroughly. Her stomach clenched with need. His full lips pulled in an erotic grimace. He was the sexiest thing she’d ever laid eyes on.

  An unbearable ache bloomed in her core, followed by a strange pull. She wanted to perform sexual acts with this man that were illegal in some states. A wanton sex-fiend awoke, wanting this sensual stranger, and it was decidedly unsettling. Hell, who was she kidding. It was terrifying. Not once had she found another man attractive since marrying Dalton.

  An odd fluttering in her chest took her breath as guilt assailed. She shouldn’t have these thoughts. In her mind and heart, Dalton was still her husband, and she was betraying him with these urges. She made vows to be loyal and love her husband until the day she died, and that was what she was going to do. There would never be anyone else for her.

  She lowered her head and rubbed her temples, hoping to erase the image burned into her retinas. It was not right to ogle this hot guy. Flustered, she pulled her jacket back on and rushed to the counter, sputtering out an order for the first thing that she saw on the overhead menu. She glanced over at her sister. Thankfully, Cailyn was oblivious to Elsie’s desire for Mr. Blue Eyes. The last thing she wanted was for her sister to question her about the man.

  “Someone has an admirer,” Cailyn half-sang, bumping her shoulder against Elsie’s.