SpringFever Shifters in Love
Page 1
Spring Fever: Shifters in Love
A Paranormal Anthology
By
Milly Taiden
Vella Day
Kerry Adrienne
Andie Devaux
Lia Davis
Spring Fever: Shifters in Love
By Milly Taiden, Vella Day, Kerry Adrienne, Andie Devaux, and Lia Davis
Published by After Glows
Ebook ISBN: 978-0-9908867-3-0
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9908867-4-7
An Unexpected Diversion © 2015 Vella Day
Waking the Bear © 2015 Kerry Adrienne
Prime Desire © 2015 Andie Devaux
Bear Essentials © 2015 Lia Davis
Match Made in Hell © 2015 Milly Taiden
Cover Art by Charity Hendry
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person or use proper retail channels to lend a copy. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.
Spring Fever: Shifters in Love
Thaw winter's chill with FIVE brand new stories about SEXY, alpha male shifters with spring fever from FIVE of today's hottest paranormal authors.
Match Made in Hell (A BBW paranormal romance) by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Milly Taiden
When quiet Laura Nieves is tossed together with hot as hell warrior Damien Wrath, eternity heats up really fast. Add in the fact they’re living in hell with a crazy mistress, things go from hot to explosive. Their basic urges will take over, or they’ll kill each other.
An Unexpected Diversion by Vella Day
Cheyenne Snow has been given an ultimatum by her father—the pack’s Alpha—find a shifter husband soon, or she’ll be forced to marry. Understanding that the odds of her meeting the deadline are slim, Chey decides to go out with a bang and find a human diversion.
Waking the Bear by Kerry Adrienne
Overprotective bear shifter, Griff Martin, reluctantly rents his mountain cabin to an artist, Amy Francis. He quickly realizes the plucky artist is his mate. But danger is brewing in the forest, and Griff has to be ready to safeguard both his female and his den, at the risk of losing both.
Prime Desire by Andie Devaux
Nicolas can’t stop thinking about the woman whose life he saved, and Evie has never forgotten the weretiger who rescued her from certain death. When apparent serendipity brings them together again, Nicolas is faced with controlling his inner tiger around the woman he desires above all others. But will Evie be able to overcome her fear of his nature to give them a second chance at love?
Bear Essentials (A BBW paranormal romance) by Lia Davis
When bear-shifter Trey meets the curvy, raven-haired goddess, Nichole, he realizes exactly what he wants and knows she’s worth any amount of trouble. All he has to do is seduce all of her insecurities away and claim her as his bonded mate.
An Unexpected Diversion
By
Vella Day
An Unexpected Diversion
Sometimes the best things in life are unexpected.
Cheyenne Snow has been given an ultimatum by her pack’s Alpha—who unfortunately is her father. Find a shifter husband in the next four months when he retires, or she’ll be forced to marry the unsavory Chuck Lord. Understanding that the odds of her meeting the deadline are slim, Chey decides to go out with a bang and find a human diversion.
When Dr. Storm Durant comes to Hidden Hills, North Carolina, to take over the practice of a retiring physician, he never expects to be immediately drawn to the incredibly smart, sensual, and sassy Cheyenne Snow. He can’t even explain the intense attraction, but he willingly participates when she seduces him.
The euphoria is cut dramatically short when Storm finds out that the woman he’s falling for is not only a shifter but is just using him to bide her time until she marries.
Chey knows what she wants, and Storm can give her what she needs, but will it be forever or just a spring fling?
Chapter One
“Another round?” Lilly asked as she wiped a hand towel across the bar.
“Sure.” Cheyenne Snow propped her elbows up on the scarred wood and sighed. “Though, what I really need is a freaking miracle.”
Lilly tossed her a wan smile. “I know, sweetie, but those are in short supply in Hidden Hills. You’ll have to settle for your usual mojito.” A minute later, the bouncy redhead placed the drink in front of Chey. “Your dad’s ultimatum sucks, but you’ll get through it. You’re strong.”
“I hope so.” Chey checked her cell again to see if her best friend had messaged her, but there wasn’t a text. Tasha Wilder had promised to meet her at the Cove Bar twenty minutes ago, and Chey was worried something bad might have happened. A few chatty people entered the bar through the door to her right, but Tasha wasn’t among them.
Pushing back her stool, she picked up her drink. “I’m going to grab a table. I’m meeting Tasha. If you see her first, could you send her my way?” Chey nodded to an empty table against the far, left hand side the bar.
“Sure, sweetie. Good luck.”
“I need it.” Chey slid what she owed onto the bar, plus a generous tip to Lilly for being a good sounding board.
Easing her way around the twenty or so round tables that took up over half of the rustic bar, Chey carried her drink to the table in the corner where the light was dimmer. She also wanted the seclusion so that the whole town didn’t overhear what was going on in her Clan, though in truth, the canned country music from the DJ booth in the back would probably prevent anyone from overhearing.
It wasn’t yet five p.m., but the place was already half full. Most customers were shifters, but there were a fair number of humans who’d congregated on the east side of the bar closer to the door, away from the undesirables—i.e. the shifter community.
Once she got settled, Chey texted Tasha to check on her. No sooner had she pressed send than the bar door swung open and Tasha loped in. Chey relaxed now that her friend had arrived. Lilly smiled at Tasha and pointed toward Cheyenne.
When Tasha looked in her direction and waved, she bumped into one of the wooden chairs that hadn’t been stowed properly, and winced. She made it across the rest of the large room without mishap and dropped onto the chair with a thud. She was wearing the cutest T-shirt. On the front was printed, I love to read.
“Sorry, I’m late.” She rubbed her thigh and sighed.
“You didn’t have to rush on my account.”
Tasha’s eyes widened. “You said it was an emergency.”
Now Chey felt bad. “It is, but I hope you didn’t stop in the middle of reading a story or anything.” Tasha was the local librarian who had reading hour for the little kids three times a week.
“That’s why I was late. They asked more than their usual share of questions.” She waved to Lilly and formed a letter “T” with her fingers, her signal for her usual iced tea. “So, tell me what’s going on.”
Chey’s stomach twisted into another knot. “Dad’s giving me until August to find a husband.”
“What? Why?”
“He said it’s time for him to step down as Alpha. It surprised the hell out of me, too. He’s still young.”
Tasha nodded and
moved her purse from her lap to the empty seat next to her. “I’m lucky. At least I have a brother who’ll take over when my dad decides it’s time to retire.” She leaned forward on her elbows. “What happens if you don’t find someone in the next four months?”
“He’ll make me marry Chuck Lord. Blah.” She didn’t think she could even say those terrible words—wed Chuck Lord.
Tasha stilled. “Ew. Wasn’t he the one who recently got into a fight with a wolf shifter?”
His list of offenses ran a lot deeper than that. “Yup, that’s him. Worse, Chuck is mean and doesn’t respect women. He also has yellow teeth, bad breath, and a big belly that he claims is all muscle. Trust me, it’s not.”
Tasha scrunched up her face. “I’m so sorry.”
Chey downed her drink and then groaned, the depression weighing heavily on her. “I’m still in shock.”
“Why did your dad pick Chuck of all people? Surely there are more acceptable mates.”
Chey propped her elbow on the table, planted her cheek on her palm, and sighed. “Seems I’ve turned down all the good ones at one time or another. Dad said since I haven’t found a Clan member for myself, as my father and Alpha, he’s doing it for me.” She sat back up. “Dad’s rather pleased with his choice. He thinks Chuck will make the perfect Alpha. I know my father wants me to be happy, but he said he has to think of the Clan’s future.”
If only her mother were still alive, she could convince her father this was all a mistake. The thought of having sex with scummy Chuck made her teeth hurt.
“What are you going to do? August will be here before you know it.”
“Tell me about it.”
Lilly brought over Tasha’s iced tea. “Have you been able to cheer up Chey?”
Tasha smiled. “I’m working on it.”
“I’d like another one, please.” Chey handed her the empty glass. Lilly’s brows rose, but she didn’t say a word.
As soon as the bartender ducked behind the bar, Tasha leaned forward again as if to tell a secret. “The solution is obvious. You have to find a husband.”
Chey glanced at the beamed ceiling. “Just like that? What do you think I’ve been doing for fifteen years? It’s not like Mr. Perfect is going to just waltz into this Podunk, North Carolina town in the next few days. I’ve even read over our archaic bylaws more times than I can count, looking for a loophole, but I can’t find anything.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m thinking of just leaving town.”
That drew a chuckle from her friend. “You know you could never leave your animals at the clinic. They need you.”
Chey was the town’s only small animal veterinarian and took care of all the town folks’ pets. “True.”
Tasha lifted the straw to her lips. “Describe your perfect man. Maybe there’s someone like that in my Clan.”
It was Chey’s turn to object. “Can you see me with a bear shifter? He’d squish me. I’m all of five-feet tall and weigh only a hundred pounds.”
She shook her head. “At least he’d make a formidable Alpha. I bet not many of the cheetahs would challenge him.”
“Probably not.”
“As for being too big, our men are careful. But if you’re set against someone large, what about a wolf?”
“Wolves hate cheetahs, though I don’t recall if an Alpha can be from another Clan.” This was getting worse by the minute.
Tasha shrugged. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“This is where I need your help. Tell me if I’m crazy, but I was thinking about expanding my search to include humans.” She waited for the litany of objections.
This time Tasha laughed. “A human?” she whispered. “Didn’t you just say you didn’t know if someone other than a cheetah could be an Alpha?”
“Humans aren’t really part of any clan. Given they’re considered superior to us shifters, it might work.”
“The issue of his species aside, what makes you think you can snare one of them? Not that you aren’t a catch, hon, but there have been a ton of our women who’ve tried, and almost all have failed.”
She loved Tasha and her blunt ways, but sometimes, it hurt to hear the truth. “You’re right. Who am I kidding?”
Tasha gave her usual look of sympathy, and then grabbed Chey’s hand. “Don’t listen to me. What do I know? Any man would be lucky to have you. At least you’re not fat, like me, with tits so big they droop.”
“Oh, please! You look fabulous. I’m the one with no boobs. What man wants that?” She waved a finger at her friend. “As for you, Missy, I’ve seen the way the men at the bar look at you.”
Chey had always been a bit envious of Tasha’s long brown hair, beautiful big brown eyes, and curves that guys couldn’t keep their eyes off of. Chey liked herself just fine, but having a bit more up top wouldn’t have been a hardship for her.
Tasha shook her head. “Ogle, is closer to the truth. I’m content with who I am and am very happy in my world of books, but if I end up single, then so be it.”
Chey wasn’t fooled by Tasha’s bravado. “I just wish you could find someone. I know your time will come.”
“Let’s find a solution to your situation first.” Tasha always did enjoy being the problem solver.
Wondering where her drink was, Chey looked over at Lilly to remind her about her order, but she was talking with someone. The bartender made eye contact, and then held up a finger to indicate she’d be a minute.
“You sure you should have another one?” Tasha asked. “You know you can’t hold your liquor.”
“I’m good.” Chey’s lids closed a little, so she sat up straighter and inhaled. “I need to get drunk since I think better that way.”
“No, you don’t. Remember the time you tied one on and propositioned Trip Holbrook?”
“Good old Trip, I remember him. Boy, was he a cutie. He was celebrating his twenty-first birthday. Too bad when I finally got him into bed, he didn’t know which hole was which.” They both laughed, recognizing her choice of men had never been the best. “So tell me, Oh Wise One, if you were in my shoes, what would you do?”
Tasha pointed a finger at her. “I told you. Assuming someone other than a cheetah can be an Alpha, try another Clan. I can’t imagine your people accepting a non-shifter as their leader.”
“You’re right. Dad would never allow a human to take over, that’s for sure, and I doubt any other cheetah would either.”
Lilly placed another mojito on the table. “Sorry it took me so long. Want me to run a tab for you, sweetie?”
Picturing Trip again, Chey shook her head. She didn’t need to get any drunker. “This one will do.”
Lilly glanced back at the bar. “There’s a newcomer in town at the counter. He appears lonely.” She winked.
Chey lifted a brow but didn’t turn around. “Oh, yeah?”
“He seems perfect for you. He’s quite sexy, if I do say so myself. Hell, if I weren’t married, I’d go after him.”
“Thanks, I’ll check him out.” She waited until Lilly left before glancing over at her friend whose eyes were wide. “What are you looking at?”
“Only the hottest creature on earth. That is if you like the big brawny type who wears a leather jacket and carries a motorcycle helmet.”
Chey’s heart jumped. “He sounds like my kind of bad boy.”
“You can check him out now. He’s speaking with Lilly.”
Chey chanced a look, and her pulse shot up. Hot was right. His profile was stunning. She liked his cheek stubble and dark, military short hair. “Wow! Even if he’s not husband material, I sure could use a diversion.”
“Hell, yeah. Go meet him.”
Chey looked down at her outfit. “I’m not walking up to him looking like this.” She should have thought about her attire before she came to the bar, but she’d hurried straight from work. At the vet clinic, comfort was key, so she never worried about what she wore under her lab coat. Now,
she wished she had. Slumping against her seat, she huffed out a breath. “Never mind. I’m not in the mood for another rejection tonight.”
“Nonsense. You won’t know until you try, and you look just fine. Okay, the tank top is a little revealing and the holes in the jeans are a bit slutty, but hey, why not have fun for the next four months?”
Make that four months until all chance of happiness evaporated. “You’re right again. If I have to spend the rest of my life as Mrs. Chuck Lord, I might as well go out with a bang.” The idea appealed to her. “It’s spring, after all.” Maybe that was why she was experiencing this strong hormonal surge—it was mating season.
“Absolutely. Have a fling. Our hot biker might not be the answer to your problems, but he certainly will take your mind off your impending nuptials.”
“I can do this. Can you watch my stuff?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll casually saunter up to the empty seat next to him and ask for another drink.” Chey inhaled deeply. “On second thought, let me grab my purse. It’ll look like I just came in. That way, he won’t think I have a hidden agenda.”
“Go!”
“Will you be here for a bit?”
“I’ll stay for fifteen minutes. If he seems interested, you won’t need me hanging around.”
Chey hugged her. “Love you.”
“Just be careful.”
“I will.”
Let the fun begin!
Chapter Two
Storm Durant had no idea if he’d be a good fit in this town, but when his ideal job had opened up in Hidden Hills, he’d decided to take a chance. The fast pace of city life had taken a toll on his peace of mind, and he’d figured coming to this small town might allow him to enjoy things more. Being in the North Carolina mountains would also afford him the chance to hike, fish, and ride his motorcycle up the winding roads—activities he rarely found the time for or the ability to pursue in Maryland.