Bad, Very Bad Shifters- The Complete Mega Bundle

by Daniella Wright

  ~*~

  The house was cream-colored, with butter-yellow shutters and a red door. There was a wraparound porch with chairs. All around the house was a vast garden, filled with sunflowers, forget-me-nots, violets, roses, and daisies. In the back, there were rows of vegetables, which they sold to the day hikers.

  There were large fields, where they kept their animals, their tiny farm backing up to a large national forest. It was quiet except for the calls of the birds and cicadas, and the wind in the trees.

  Laney was on her knees among the tomatoes, her gloved hands covered in dirt. She loved the smell of the rich soil and the ripening vegetables. She leaned back, straightening her back to get out the crick in it from working. She wiped her forearm across her face, wiping off the sweat that was beading there.

  Arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Kyle kissed the back of her neck as she cried out in surprise.

  “I didn’t hear you!”

  “Surprise, darlin.’”

  “Oh, you.” She turned, kissing him deeply and passionately. They both fought to contain their smiles. She pulled away, looking at him happily. Kyle was shirtless, wearing only a pair of rugged blue jeans. Laney ran her hand over his sun-warmed skin. She looked up at him lustily.

  He scooped her up in his arms, carrying her inside of the house and into their sun-filled bedroom. Laney giggled as he threw her down on the bed, trailing kisses along her neck and sternum. She returned the attention happily. He unbuttoned the chambray shirt that she wore whenever she was gardening, kissing her skin as he revealed more of it. Laney closed her eyes, letting herself enjoy being slowly undressed by her lover.

  He paused, and she opened her eyes. He was waiting for her. She grinned widely.

  “Don’t stop,” she plead joyfully.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Kyle entered her, making her inhale with pleasure. The friction between them was electric. They made love frantically and passionately, hitting crisis at the same moment. They lay side-by-side afterward, Laney’s hand clutched in Kyle’s over his heart. Laney looked over at him.

  “That was lovely.”

  “Quite.”

  “Do you want to go for a walk before lunch?”

  “As you wish, milady.”

  “You’re horrible.” Laney smiled. She was still as much in love with Kyle as she had been at the beginning of their relationship. She couldn’t believe how lucky she had been, for a former foster kid. They got dressed and left their house, making their way while holding hands through their sun-drenched fields.

  The forest loomed over them as they paused to inspect one of their fences. The post was beginning to look a little worse for the wear.

  “I’ll have to replace it,” Kyle said, pushing on it to see if it would break.

  “Hello?” The couple turned to find a girl, just barely beginning her teens walking out of the woods beside them. She had a ragged and battered backpack on, and she looked tired and hungry. “Um. Does Kyle Danner live here?” Kyle frowned, but nodded.

  “That’s me.” The girl looked relieved.

  “You’re a dragon,” she said. “I can tell.” Kyle cocked his head to the side, waiting for her to explain. Laney gripped his arm.

  “Who are you?” Kyle asked the girl.

  “I’m a dragon shifter—I lost my family a few months back to the hunters. I heard that you had escaped from the city.”

  “Who did you hear it from?”

  “Another dragon shifter. There are others of us,” she explained. “We’ve all been looking for you. You stood up to the hunters and won…we all kind of thought that maybe when we found you, we’d find refuge.” Her eyes were wide, and Kyle looked at Laney. She nodded, and he smiled. They had officially become two former strays providing a home for other strays.

  “You can stay here,” Laney said. “We’d be happy to take any dragon shifters.”

  ~*~

  THE END

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  Caged By The Beast

  ~ Bonus Story ~

  An Erotic Dragon Shifter Romance

  Ecology had always fascinated me. The study of biomes was my passion. Plus, it was a pretty good excuse to go outside and experience nature. Luckily, after receiving my bachelor’s degree I was able to take a gap year in order to study the various forests in Europe, starting with German’s beautiful Black Forest. It was going to be a good year. But, things didn’t exactly go according to plan.

  On my first night, I was abducted. No, I wasn’t stuffed in the back of a car and brought to some guy’s creepy basement. Instead, and you’re not going to believe me here, I was brought to a castle.

  Sometimes, I don’t believe it myself. But, I swear, it’s true. All of it. I was abducted in the night and brought into a tower. Supplied with beautiful gowns, gorgeous jewelry, and fabulous shoes, I was expected to prepare myself for Lord Titus, the dragon that protected the castle. Little did I know, he would be the Lord of my dreams and my life everlasting.

  * * *

  Chapter 1

  I tightened the straps on my backpack, making sure it was snug against my body. I took a deep breath and stepped onto the path, dried leaves left over from winter crunching underfoot.

  I was completely alone, the parking lot empty, the trailhead deserted. Even for hiker standards, it was much too early. The sun was just starting to rise, peeking out from the distant horizon, painting the world in muted yellows and reds.

  The wind picked up speed, whipping a few wisps of hair into my face. I had braided it that morning, but no matter what I did, there were always a few strands that managed to get away. I pinned them behind my ear as I took in the breathtaking view before me.

  I couldn’t believe I was here.

  After four years of working day and night to get an undergraduate degree, I succeeded in obtaining straight A’s, the privileged spot as valedictorian, and a free ride to a Ph.D. program at Oxford University. Life was finally falling into place, becoming just what I hoped it would be.

  To reward myself, I decided to take a gap year between my studies so I could backpack across Europe. As an ecologist, I hoped to study the various biomes such as forests, marshes, and fens.

  With this thought in mind, I hooked my thumbs under the straps of my bag and headed out, following the path into Germany’s Black Forest. About a hundred feet in, I stopped at a birch tree. Its white bark stood out in great contrast against the fir trees that surrounded it.

  I rested my hand against its crooked trunk, running my palm over the rough surface. I dropped my bag, rummaging around for my pocket knife. Carefully, I cut away a piece of bark, exposing the inner layer. Just as I suspected, the tree was dying.

  With a frown, I placed the specimen in a clear plastic bag. I would examine it later and hopefully, find the cause of its illness.

  At one point in time, the Black Forest had been a very diverse ecosystem with hundreds of different of trees and shrubbery. Now, due to the logging industry, the forest consisted mostly of tall, branchless fir trees.

  Knowing there was nothing I could do to save the tree, I continued my hike.

  As the sun rose higher and higher, birds started to emerge from their nests. They scavenged in the foliage, looking for a worm to snatch up and bring back to their young. Quietly, I snuck up behind a bright yellow Warbler with a beetle in its mouth. Picking up my camera, I zoomed in, capturing the moment perfectly. The second the bird heard the shutter, however, it flew away, alerting the other birds in the area that there was danger afoot.

  A cacophony of bird sounds filled the forest, reverberating against the trees, amplifying their chirps and squawks.

  When the forest once again fell into a state of relative silence, I could hear the bubbling of a nearby brook. Deviating from the path, I followed the sound, eager to see what kind of aquatic life I might find.

  After a short walk, I found the stream.
To my amazement, it looked completely untouched, despite its proximity to the well-used trail. Smiling, I took a minute to appreciate the crystal-clear water.

  On the other side, a chipmunk scurried forward, filling its oversized cheeks with water. It did this a few times before it heard my approach and dashed into its nearby burrow.

  I sat down by the water’s edge, mesmerized by its beauty. A few feet down, a fish jumped out of the water, before diving in again. I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures, hoping I could submit them to a nature magazine once I got back home.

  Eventually, I grabbed my journal and wrote the first entry for my trip.

  May 17th,

  I have arrived at the Black Forest. I plan to spend approximately three weeks traveling along its paths. Some of that time will be spent in the wilderness, underneath the stars. Of course, I will also have to visit of the tourist cabins, especially when I need provisions.

  The weather is perfect. Clear skies. Warm, ambient temperature. A slight breeze. I checked the forecast this morning and they predicted a full week of sunshine. Hopefully, it stays that way. Backpacking in the rain is never a fun experience.

  So far, I’ve seen a dying birch tree. I suspect that the loggers are managing to slowly kill off entire species through deforestation. For a biome that was so diverse a hundred years ago, now there’s nothing but fir trees. Hopefully, a protection act will be passed soon to preserve this beautiful place.

  Currently, I have stopped beside a brook. It seems free of pollution and other contaminants that one might expect in such a heavily-populated area. Perhaps tourists don’t like to deviate from the path. The monoculture of fir trees definitely makes the forest confusing to navigate. Everything looks the same to the untrained eye.

  Took some pictures. Will include them as soon as they are printed. Will write more later tonight. For now, this is all.

  -Pearl Haynes

  I finished my entry, placing my journal back in my backpack before I continued my hike. The hours passed by quickly as I immersed myself in the forest, wandering deeper and deeper.

  I was surprised when the sun started to set. Where had the day gone?

  Knowing I would have to set up camp before nighttime, I started looking for a clearing. I found one rather quickly.

  To my benefit, someone had been there before me as there was already a makeshift fire pit composed of large rocks organized in a circle. Depositing my bag near it, I headed out, looking for firewood.

  Since the spring season had yet to fully penetrate the depths of the forest, most of the area was damp, making it difficult to find dry pieces of timber. After quite some time, I came back with a bundle, dropping them into the pit.

  Carefully, I stacked them into a pyramid, placing some tinder underneath. Using my lighter, it ignited almost immediately. The fire roared shortly after.

  I held out my hands, warming them against the flames before I started to unpack. Seeing that it would be a rainless night, I set out my sleeping bag next to the fire.

  Tonight, I wouldn’t need a tent.

  Chapter 2

  As darkness took over, I grabbed a can of beans and pried it open, placing it over the fire. As I waited for them to cook, I got the weird feeling that someone was watching me. I looked out at the tree line, but I couldn’t spot anything overly suspicious.

  Still, I grabbed my pocket knife just in case. I knew it wouldn’t do much, but it gave me a sense of security nonetheless.

  However, I was forced to put it down as I started eating. The feeling of being watched never quite went away. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on edge and there were goosebumps all over my arms. “Hello?” I called out, hoping it was just another traveler who had lost their way. “Is anyone there?”

  There was no answer.

  The beans lost their flavor as I started to worry. My heart was beating fast, making it hard to focus.

  Suddenly, I heard a tree branch snapping nearby. I got to my feet, knife held so tightly in my hand that my knuckles turned white. A pair of bright yellow eyes shone in the darkness as a squirrel scurried up a tree.

  I sighed in relief. It was just a tiny forest creature. There was nothing to worry about. With this thought, I relaxed a little, eventually settling into my sleeping bag. With my hands over my chest, I watched the stars twinkle in the nighttime sky.

  I found my binoculars and used them to pinpoint some of the constellations. I marked them all down in my journal, using the light of the fire to see what I was writing.

  Finally, I put all my stuff away and shimmied all the way inside my sleeping bag. It was nice and cozy inside the warm cocoon. Curling slightly, I placed my hands under my head as a pillow, falling asleep almost instantly.

  ***

  In my dreams, I found myself running as fast as I could. There was a shadow chasing me, jumping from tree to tree. My legs were working as hard and as fast as they could, but that wasn’t good enough. No matter what I did, the shadow crept closer and closer.

  My heart was beating so fast that I thought it would burst out of my chest. Fearing the worst, I looked over my shoulder, but my pursuer was gone. I stopped, catching my breath, thinking I had finally lost him.

  As I tried to recuperate, it started to rain. The droplets of water were large and heavy, crashing into the Earth in torrents. Soon enough, the forest floor was covered in thick mud.

  My clothes were soaked, clinging to my body, outlining my figure.

  I wiped the water from my eyes, struggling to see in the sudden downpour. But I didn’t have to see well to once again notice the same shadow in front of me, looming in my direction.

  Without thinking, I broke into a sprint in the opposite direction. My boots crashed against the muddy ground, splatting it everywhere. A few times, I nearly tripped, sliding on the slick terrain.

  I weaved through the trees, trying to put as much distance between me and that ominous presence. I didn’t even want to think what would happen if it caught up to me, engulfing me in its dark tendrils.

  The rain came down even harder. Thunder sounded in the distance, like a rumbling giant crashing through the forest. A tree collapsed nearby, the sound of splintering timber distinct and deafening.

  I sped up, my lungs burning at this point, but I knew I had to find shelter. It was dangerous to be in the forest during a lightning storm. Desperately, I kept wiping my eyes, blinking through the rain.

  To my surprise, when I broke through a clearing, I came across an abandoned-looking castle. It soared into the heavens, its gothic style making it look dark and threatening in the rain. Snaking pieces of ivy wrapped around its tall towers, covering it in bright greenery.

  The front door was made from a thick wood. Heavy chains were rigged up to let it down across a manmade moat that was quickly filling up with rainwater. Knowing I had no other choice, I waded through the muddy water, scrambling to climb up the side.

  The wet ground gave way under my fingers and for a moment, I thought I would be trapped in the moat, but somehow, I found a firmer spot, hoisting myself up.

  Panting, I struggled to get up, my body aching. With my legs feeling like jelly, I walked up to the front door to find that it was left ajar, giving me just enough room to wiggle inside.

  Once I made it through, I leaned against the door, breathing a sigh of relief. At least I would be kept dry from the rain.

  With my eyes closed, I focused on the pitter-patter of the rain on the roof, letting the sound calm me down. But, to my surprise, that wasn’t the only thing I could hear. In the distance, someone was playing music.

  And it sounded like it was coming from inside the castle!

  Did someone actually live here?

  I thought it was impossible, but the more I listened, the more confident I became that the sound was indeed coming from within the castle. It even sounded familiar, like something my grandmother would play on her phonograph.

  Curious, I followed the melody, traveling through winding
corridors until I arrived at an intricately-crafted door.

  The bust of a dragon stared at me. It had a giant maw, each deadly tooth crafted to perfection. Bright, ruby eyes shone in the gloom as if the dragon would come to life at any moment. Each of its shiny scales locked into the next, like those of a fish.

  Besides the bust, the door was adorned with embellishments, some of them looking like Celtic knots, others like tails curled together in a spiral.

  I reached out, about to trace these markings with my finger when the door swung open.

  The sound of music floated out of the room. A natural impulse caused me to step over the threshold and into what looked like a den. By the roaring fire, there was a fur rug made from various pelts. Expensive-looking furniture surrounded it, creating a cozy atmosphere.

  The phonograph was off to the side.

  I looked around, hoping to find someone, but the room seemed empty. “Hello?”

  Someone had to live here. Who else would maintain the fire and turn on the record player?