Claimed by the Beasts: A Shifter Reverse Harem Romance Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Piper Stone Links

  Claimed by the Beasts

  By

  Piper Stone

  Copyright © 2018 by Stormy Night Publications and Piper Stone

  Copyright © 2018 by Stormy Night Publications and Piper Stone

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Published by Stormy Night Publications and Design, LLC.

  www.StormyNightPublications.com

  Stone, Piper

  Claimed by the Beasts

  Cover Design by Korey Mae Johnson

  Images by iStock/Kiuikson, iStock/Art Wager, Dreamstime/Isselee, and Dreamstime/Forestpath

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults.

  Chapter One

  In the shadow of darkness there remains a curse, one aimed at destroying those considered immortal. The Red Moon was a time of death or a new beginning for creatures deemed as dangerous, loathsome to humans. For those embroiled in the mystery, there could be nothing left.

  Unless…

  “Come out, come out, wherever you are.” The snarl was intense, the words said in a husky tone, full of dangerous desire.

  Scarlet Dumane suppressed a moan as she heard his voice booming in the living room, searching for her, assuming the role of hunter. And she was his prey. She crouched in the back of the closet, hiding behind various boxes and bags of old clothing. This was their game, hide and seek, a master dominating his submissive, but only after securing her fate.

  She adored the premise of the sport as well as the way he challenged her every time they were together.

  “If you don’t succumb and accept your fate, your punishment will be worse.”

  Daniel Gunner was a powerful man, sexy as hell in a dark and demonic kind of way. She’d been attracted to him the first moment she met him in the local BDSM club. Her dominating personality by day was all an act, her submissive desires innate, longing to succumb to the right man as if by instinct. The single drink and almost brutally honest conversation had led to one incredible night of impact play. Then they hadn’t spoken for almost three months. Another chance meeting had led to some very kinky experiences, even though she wasn’t considered his girlfriend.

  She simply wasn’t what his family would consider the right fit for his status. His influential family had no idea about his nefarious activities, cravings that were sadistic in nature. She was his play toy, his muse, and nothing else. Neither of them cared. They weren’t in this for the long term. Her ideal man was fueled by vivid and very dark fantasies, ones she’d had since entering puberty. At least Daniel fulfilled the kind of cravings she could never explain to friends or family. They’d call her a monster.

  Her nerves were on edge, beads of perspiration covering portions of her naked body. Even her heart muscle was skipping, current fueling what she called the animal within. He could draw this out for a full hour before pouncing, dragging her into position and providing his method of punishment.

  And she’d love every second.

  Her breath skipped as she tried to listen for any sounds. There was absolute quiet in the loft space. Had he left? No, he would never concede the game. He was always the victor. She rocked back and forth, her pussy clenching as she waited, on pins and needles as to what he would do next.

  “The beast is hungry, famished for a taste of your sweet body.”

  She shuddered as he drew near, desire skipping through every cell in her quivering body. He’d been the only man to understand her needs, kinky desires that would turn any other man away. They’d gone to dinner outside the city in a location where no one knew their identities, a dungeon-like atmosphere where she’d been required to strip after entering. She’d remained titillated the entire evening.

  “Are you ready for your punishment, little girl? Are you ready to pay your penance?” Daniel issued a low-slung growl, the sound reverberating into the small space.

  The animalistic resonance kept her nipples erect, aching with need. She panted, licking her parched lips, longing to lunge out of her hiding spot.

  Silence enveloped again, creating an eerie atmosphere.

  In her mind, she heard a ticking sound, as if the clock was chiming, counting down seconds until she would be discovered. When the door was finally thrown open, his angular face peering into the darkness, she let out a strangled purr.

  “And what have we here? An innocent girl waiting for her master.” Daniel issued a slight grin as he held out his hand, beckoning for her, his eyes narrowing.

  In the slender light of the full moon streaming in through the blinds, she was able to see the thick vein in his neck throbbing. Her vision was keen, even in limited lighting. Reaching out, she placed her hand on his groin, moving closer as she meowed. He was hard and throbbing, his massive cock pushing hard against his expensive linen pants. She rubbed her face back and forth across his leg, the rumble of her purr creating vibrations.

  “Yes, my sweet kitty. I’ve found you.” He rubbed his hand through her long strands of hair, taking his time to caress.

  She gazed up at his shadowed features as she pressed her face into his crotch, her own hunger cresting, electrified from the experience.

  “Come. We have discipline to attend to.” He gathered her into his arms, smacking her ass as he carried her into the living room.

  The cathedral space had floor-to-ceiling windows, all without blinds. Even though she knew the closest of buildings had no direct line of sight, the concept of being seen was a wonderful aphrodisiac. After placing her onto the couch and pressing his hand on the small of her back, she leaned over, the anticipation even more extreme tonight. She could see her reflection in the window, the same girl who had been searching for answers her entire life.

  Daniel’s image appeared behind her, wavering almost like a manifestation. The smile on his face was dancing with evil as he held out his favorite implement. The impressive wooden paddle had been in his collection for years, a thudding impact tool that she absolutely craved as well as feared. As he twirled the piece with one hand, he ran two fingers down the length of her spine.

  A series of shivers skidded down the back of her neck, sliding all the way down to the crack of her ass. She gripped the back of the couch, her eyes never leaving him.

  He tapped on her buttocks then each upper thigh. “You’ve been a very bad girl tonight.”

  “Yes, sir. I know.” As she prepared for the first strike, eager to hear the whooshing sound as the wood was swung through the air, a slight fog appeared in front of her eyes. Blinking several times, she could swear there was a haze surrounding a portion of the room. No, surrounding her alone, the vapor bluish in color, the form undulating as if alive. She almost reached out when Daniel made the first swing.

  The pain was blinding, sending her mind reeling, her body lurching forward. “Oh!”

  Daniel grunted his satisfaction as he smacked her again, hitting her s
quarely across both ass cheeks.

  Scarlet was locked in the moment, captivated by the wiggling mist, the hue becoming more vibrant. Then she heard a whisper, the sound something only she could hear and the very one she’d heard more than once in her dreams.

  You are the one. You are the salvation.

  Her grip tightened as he struck her again, moving back and forth from cheek to cheek, taking his time, so practiced and methodical. The one. She had no understanding of what the words meant, but tonight, they were said in urgency, as if something had changed, as if an event was about to occur.

  “This is exactly what you need,” he whispered and rubbed her skin, dragging his fingers down her ass, back up the crack, his fingers pressing to find her dark hole.

  She closed her eyes, eradicating the vision, allowing herself to fall into the joy of what Daniel was giving her.

  He pressed two fingers inside her ass, flexing them open and pumping in a steady fashion then pulling out, smacking her again.

  With every hard strike thudding against her, creating a wave of anguish, she fell deeper into a peaceful realm. She could no longer feel her legs and the pain was exquisite. She was floating, spinning, her breath skipping.

  You are the only one now who can save them. Heed your destiny…

  The words were startling, pulling her out of her moment of ecstasy. “What…” When she opened her eyes, she half expected to see a monster standing in front of her, a true beast that had scoured the earth for food and sex. Hunting. What is wrong with me?

  Daniel wrapped his hand around her hair, tugging. “You’re not enjoying tonight.”

  “I just…” The mist was gone, vanished. This time, a cold chill swept through her body and her thoughts drifted to her grandmother, startling her. “I am… fine.”

  “Just breathe, sweet kitty. Relax.”

  She swallowed and tried to smile yet her instinct was screaming.

  He swung the paddle again.

  This time she yelped, and her reaction had nothing to do with the pain. She watched as a book tumbled off her bookshelf, what she’d been told was an ancient first edition that had been tightly sandwiched between dozens of other books. The thudding sound was like dynamite.

  “Shit,” Daniel muttered as he walked around the couch, crouching down, glaring at the intrusion.

  Scarlet knew the book and even though she’d never read a page, she was aware of the contents, the ancient myth believed and honored by her grandmother. Her heart skipping, she eased off the couch, her feet heavy as she walked in the direction of the bookshelf.

  He reached out, ready to retrieve it. “Something else must have rattled the building. You know how the damn city is. Could be a gas explosion.”

  “Don’t touch it.” She held out her hand then hunkered down beside him.

  “The Curse of the Red Moon?” He laughed. “Are you into werewolves, my sweet kitten?”

  “Not about werewolves,” she muttered and pulled the book into her hands, rubbing her palm across the front. The feel of the gilded letters was almost peaceful, and she was reluctant to place the book back in position. A note slipped from the interior, floating toward the floor.

  “What is that?”

  Swallowing, she stared at the square of paper, terrified to learn what was written. “I don’t know. I never looked at this before.” She held her breath as she fingered the linen paper, finally taking it into her fingers. Written in a deep red, the handwriting definitely belonged to her grandmother.

  My sweet Scarlet,

  The time is here. Your destiny, a fate I’ve tried to prepare you for. There is little time, or many will lose the battle. You are required to find your true mates, three members of the Pride. They will own you, protect you, and secure your future. Together, you can break the curse. Apart, you will die.

  What the hell? Her heart racing, she read the words again then shoved the paper back into the book, terrified of the meaning. What destiny? A violent jolt of current tore through her system, stealing the air from her body.

  “What did it say?” he asked, leaning in closer. “Scarlet. You don’t look well. Jesus Christ, you’re white.”

  “I’m fine and nothing. Just ramblings of my grandmother.” Nothing. This was more of the same crap she’d heard. Even though she’d loved the stories, the closeness shared with the vibrant woman, Scarlet refused to buy into the legend. No. This wasn’t real. This was a wild and insane story.

  Then why are your nightmares driving you to the brink of madness?

  There was no decent answer to the question.

  “Well, that was a fucking mood breaker. Do you want a drink?” Daniel exhaled and rose to his feet, immediately storming toward her kitchen, dropping the paddle onto the couch.

  “Sure.” Cradling the book against her chest, she struggled to stand, feeling weak and disoriented. Why was she being sent a message? Had something happened to Viola? The woman lived alone, mostly by choice. Scarlet had been close to her grandmother as a child, but her own mother had pulled her away, refusing to allow her to visit after dragging them from their home in the middle of the night. The move to Chicago had been without planning and they’d left the majority of their things behind.

  She’d asked dozens, hundreds of times, but had never been given an answer as to why they’d moved and why she wasn’t able to talk about their previous life. Her mother had simply pretended that they were from Chicago, never mentioning their former life to any of their friends, what few they’d had. After the death of her mother, she’d eventually gravitated toward finding family, including the woman her mother seemed to hate.

  They’d rekindled some form of a relationship, spending time on the phone talking. Scarlet had longed to find out the truth of why her mother had moved so far away. Viola had never admonished her mother’s decision, nor had she explained why there’d been a rift. Sadly, Scarlet had grown weary of her grandmother’s tall tales, of monsters living in the forest and of a blood cursed moon and beasts ready to take over the world. She didn’t believe in ghosts or vampires, werewolves or nasty demons.

  She was a crime reporter. She believed in fact, not fiction. Yes, she’d written about the worst of humanity, deaths and violence, abductions and gangs, but they were real people just doing wretched deeds. They were the true monsters. Even though she’d listened to the stories, taking in as much as she could tolerate, she’d never bought into the legends.

  But the book had been sent to her on her twenty-first birthday, a note attached with beautiful scripted writing.

  My dear granddaughter,

  You have no idea how important you are. This book will explain certain aspects of why, but the remainder you must learn yourself. You are the chosen one. You are the salvation.

  I will be here to guide you.

  The book had been put away unopened, never thought of again. By that point, she’d been concerned her grandmother was losing her grip on reality, seeing ghosts and demons. Maybe she’d wanted to believe the wretched story instead of finding out the truth. Her dreams had turned into nightmares of ghoulish acts and forbidden fantasies, complete submission to powerful, dominating men. Every day she woke to the kind of hunger food would never satisfy.

  Now, almost three years later, she was very much afraid.

  She padded toward the couch, the book still nestled in her arms. Her mind was muddled, reeling from the possibility that this particular note was a recent message from her grandmother.

  A crack of thunder could be heard in the distance, a single lightning bolt catching her eye. She stared at the window, unable to move, her breath caught in her throat.

  “I brought you bourbon. Looks like you could use it,” Daniel said as he walked into the living room, two glasses in his hand. “Are you okay? You really look… sick. You’re white as a ghost.”

  Scarlet turned toward him as a knowing settled in. “My grandmother is dead.”

  “What?” He scanned the room. “How do you know?”

&
nbsp; The sound of her cell phone ringing came from the kitchen. As she walked in the direction, the book felt hot to the touch. Every move methodical, she pressed her finger against the screen on her phone. “Scarlet Dumane?”

  “Miss Dumane, this is Sheriff Jefferson of the Lafayette Parrish down here in Louisiana. I’m sorry to catch you like this and even sorrier to call and give you the news.”

  “My grandmother is dead.” Her whisper was met with silence.

  * * *

  Fire ripped through the building, blue flames licking up the walls. Larken Myers adjusted the angle of the hose, allowing a massive stream of water to blanket the entire area. Acrid smoke rolled up from the floor, his attempts to focus on the surrounding area not possible. He took practiced steps, avoiding the falling timbers from the upper floors. The entire building was gone, engulfed in a wild fire caused by a horrific explosion that had rocked the entire block.

  He swung the hose from right to left, making headway, steam rising as the flames were extinguished. He could hear screams from the other firefighters, three engine companies working to control the destruction.

  “Myers!”

  Larken heard the voice of his captain through the communication system, the man’s tone of voice laced with urgency. “Here!”

  “Get out of there. The roof is caving in.”

  He took a quick glance over his head, hearing the intense crackling sounds as the fire whistled through another area. A jolt of current rushed into his system, paralyzing his actions. Blinking, he watched as the fire formed a figure, dancing in the darkness, a creature served up straight from hell. Mesmerized for several seconds, he could almost feel the entity, extend his arm and touch the figure as it moved closer, undulating in eerie formations.

  There was no terror in his mind, only respect. Reaching out, he connected, if only briefly. Vivid images rushed into his mind, swirling images of death and destruction. He was shaking, a distinct chill racing down his spine.