Beast's Claim: An Alpha Shifter Romance Read online

  Beast’s Claim

  By

  Piper Stone

  Copyright © 2020 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

  Beast’s Claim

  Cover Design by Korey Mae Johnson

  Images by iStock/feedough, iStock/MATJAZ SLANIC, Shutterstock/subin pumsom, and iStock/Freder

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

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  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

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Additional Books in the Alpha Beasts Series

  More Stormy Night Books by Piper Stone

  Piper Stone Links

  Dedication

  I wanted to take the opportunity to dedicate this book to one of my fabulous readers who came up with the name of the hero in this story, Jabari—which means courageous in Africa—Angela Bezek Vonnegut.

  Thank you so much!

  Chapter One

  Jabari

  Hunger.

  A deep hunger swelled within me, the need more powerful than any I’d experienced before. This was much more intense, awakening my dark and sadistic cravings.

  To feast.

  To consume.

  To ravage.

  A deep growl resonated from my loins as I stood on a knoll overlooking the city, taking a deep whiff of the same intoxicating scent that had awakened the beast from his slumber.

  Her scent.

  A female.

  A human female.

  The one I’d dreamt about for over two weeks, the lurid thoughts of ravishing her over and over again, thrusting my cock deep inside until she screamed in pleasure vivid in detail. I released another growl, this one more pronounced.

  My shaft became fully extended, engorged with blood as my balls filled with seed. The rumble in my chest was electrifying, priming my savage needs. A portion of my beast rose to the surface, hungry to feast on his prey.

  I dragged my tongue across my canines, visions pulsing rapidly into my mind. Every muscle in my body tense, the images of her were more powerful than the few I’d had before. The longing had turned carnal, my entire system remaining on fire from the near desperate need to taste her.

  Take her.

  Fuck her.

  Own her.

  But she was human and considered our enemy, making my desire filthy and even more tempting.

  Our kind had been imprisoned for decades, forced to live as humans more than our true nature, beasts bred for hunting, feeding, and mating. The curse brought on by chemical warfare, many of us had succumbed to the toxic illness, our females unable to birth our cubs. Our numbers had dwindled, our fate likely sealed. We would face extinction soon enough.

  Unless the humans found the cure that they’d promised.

  Freeing all the beasts of the forests and jungles.

  However, there were some humans worse than those living in the large cities, men and women requiring superiority. Many of us had been captured and caged, horrific experiments performed for the sake of obtaining power, our ability to shift removed.

  Although as legends would have it, a revolution was on the horizon, the beasts refusing to succumb. My dreams had increased, a sign that things were about to change, a telling that our worlds would collide again.

  Only this time, the beasts would rise and conquer.

  I pawed the ground, visions of her swirling in my mind. My hunger exploding, I was forced to face the fact she and I were connected.

  I longed to feed on her beautiful pussy, to drive my cock deep inside, claiming what was rightfully mine.

  Mine.

  Mine...

  The thought nearly fractured my restraint, driving me to break through the steel armor keeping me locked away from her. As I took deep breaths, her scent stirred a moment of utter intoxication. Suddenly, a whirlwind of visions pounded into my brain, the pictures so intense I clawed the ground, fighting my natural urges.

  I raced through the forest, the brisk wind howling through the trees. The darkness was welcoming, my keen vision allowing me to see everything around me. I scanned the perimeter, searching for any signs of predators, hunger furrowing in my loins. The glisten of water tumbling over several rocks drew my attention, the need to quench my thirst overwhelming.

  I sprinted toward the river, lowering my head and lapping up the cool water. Within seconds, an incredible scent forced me to lift my head. Inhaling, the rich aroma filled my nostrils, spilling into every cell and muscle. A growl formed in my throat as I recognized the sweet fragrance of her pussy.

  Human.

  She was human.

  And she would become mine.

  She stood basking in the glory of the full moon, her long raven hair shimmering in the moonlight. Her naked body was perfect, voluptuous and more desirable than any creature I’d laid eyes on. Crouching lower, I watched as she eased into the water, securing her long hair on top of her head.

  The scent of her pussy drove me wild, increasing my longing to feast on her sweet juices, lapping up every drop.

  Then I would fuck her.

  I am coming for you, Raven. If you run, you will be punished. If you fight, you’ll be punished again. You will be fucked. You will be mated. You will belong to me.

  I pawed the ground, digging my claws into the surface, my hunger continuing to increase. My heart thudded against my chest, the need for her increasing. Nothing would keep me from taking her. As I backed into the shadows, pain tore through every muscle and tendon, forcing me to throw my head back and growl.

  The transformation had already begun. As my spine elongated, creating a wave of anguish, I dug my claws into the mud, struggling as the pain became blinding. As the bones began to break, lengthening and reshaping, all I could think about was the human who would become mine.

  Her delicious pussy.

  Her tight little asshole.

  Her total surrender.

  The vision intense, I struggled to return to the ugliness of what I’d become, but her face remained at the forefront of my mind.

  That’s when I knew.

  The human belonged to me.

  She’d been foretold, a female who would be my salvation, as well as that of our entire species.

  The human who would be my mate.

  There would be no turning back, no chance at altering the course of nature. I would take her, train her, and she would bear my cubs. There would be no escape, for if she tried, she would be marked from my harsh punishment.

  Soon... little female. I will devour you.

  For I was the alpha.

  Of our kind.

  Of the panthers.

  Breeds...

  Chapter T
wo

  Raven

  Monsters.

  Why do they always seem to come late in the night? I finally found the answer after searching for years. The darkness allows their beasts to come out and play...

  Spirits.

  As my grandfather had always told me, animals had the purest spirits on Earth. They were incapable of hiding their feelings, or their predatory nature. Yet they were also capable of great love and loyalty, even compassion after all the years of torment.

  While I’d been taught that beasts of the forest were our friends, creatures to be revered and honored, there were few who felt the same. So many continued to believe the majestic animals were actual monsters, holding onto belief that they should be enslaved or worse.

  Exterminated.

  Because of what we’d done with our wars and greed, our desire for power and influence. We’d destroyed their ecosystems, forcing them to turn into another kind of beast altogether.

  The worst kind.

  Human.

  My entire world and all that I knew was shattered on the day I met him.

  Jabari...

  A strong and virile creature hunting for his salvation, for a way of reaching freedom, his hunger knew no bounds.

  I was no longer the renowned scientist, a woman to be reckoned with.

  I was his mate and he was coming to claim his prey.

  * * *

  You are mine. There is nowhere you can run, no location on this planet you can hide where I won’t find you. I’m coming for you, Raven. I am the alpha and you belong to me.

  The words rushed into my mind for the third time that day alone, the deep baritone of the man’s inflection always leaving me wet and aching. Sadly, they were only a product of my imagination, a deep-seated longing that remained furrowed in the darkest recesses of my mind. Maybe because of loneliness. Maybe because of long hours. I brushed them off as I always did, attempting to focus on my work.

  Monsters...

  They were all I’d thought about for years, although in my mind, the beasts intent on dragging the human race into extinction had every right to inflict whatever form of retaliation they had in mind. I shifted away from the steel table, arching my back in an effort to soothe the ache. All the work I’d performed during the last few months seemed futile, especially since the company I worked for had one purpose.

  Saving the human race.

  The same chemicals that had altered the DNA of the beasts had also done so to mankind. Eventually, humans would fall prey to a horrible demise.

  My frustration wasn’t based on any ulterior motive for humans to succumb to the recently discovered effects of the decades past chemical war. I simply had no desire for the Breeds to be exterminated in the process.

  And I knew they would be.

  All the posturing I’d heard from the government, all the promises made were based on officials who knew little about the Breeds or cared to find out. Sadly, I had the distinct feeling that even the almighty White House couldn’t prevent various militia-style factions from hunting them down. The dissidents were already doing so, terrified that the Breeds would take control. Maybe beasts who’d once ruled the forests, jungles, and deserts should be the ones leading every country. After all, they were far superior creatures.

  At least in my mind.

  I’d studied the various Breeds for years, engaging with dozens of them, learning about their newly manifested cultures since the horror of their awakening. At least that’s what several of them had called the tragic turn of events, the DNA of massive beasts altering given the horrific chemicals used, animals suddenly able to shift into human form. So many had been rounded up decades earlier, allowed to live as humans in our world, many even holding jobs. Then everything had changed a little over a year before. They’d been given their ‘freedom,’ all because a single Breed had ensured the survival of the human race.

  That is if human scientists could figure out a formula utilizing the blood of the lion’s new cub. Thousands had been working around the clock in order to do so.

  Sadly, we were no closer to finding the right combination than we were a year ago.

  However, things weren’t always as they seemed to be, the Breeds’ freedom not as transparent as the glossy telescan reports wanted Americans to buy. It was all bullshit. I’d seen that firsthand, my work as a scientist allowing me certain insights that there was no doubt the government wouldn’t want me to know.

  That’s one of the reasons I continued to secretly work on a drug I believed would give the Breeds a certain level of peace. If there was such a thing. I rubbed my eyes, once again taking a look into the microscope.

  The silence inside the scientific facility was oppressive, a reminder that I was all alone in the building. While I usually enjoyed the quiet time, tonight an odd sense of foreboding remained in my mind. I walked toward the window overlooking the parking lot, catching a glimpse of the battered vehicle I drove on the days I knew I’d be working late. There were two overhead LED lights, one I always attempted to park within close proximity of. A girl couldn’t be too careful, not with dissident criminals attempting to take over the city.

  Sighing, I leaned my head against the tempered glass, staring at the forest surrounding the facility. Sometimes I felt the need to remind myself that I finally had a decent life as well as a job I could be proud of. Tonight wasn’t one of those nights. Waiting for results from the various tests was exhausting, but I was certain I was closer to a breakthrough, although I wouldn’t dare present the results to anyone for an extended period of time. This was my baby, my claim to fame. I laughed bitterly at the thought. I was simply a cog in a wheel.

  A sudden surge of electricity coursing through my body jolted me from my pity party. I’d felt the rush of current before, the occurrence leaving my skin tingling and my heart racing.

  As well as my body fully aroused.

  What the fuck?

  Pressing my hand against the glass, I searched the perimeter of the building, unable to see a damn thing in the darkness. But I knew he was there. Him. The massive creature who’d been watching me for weeks. I could feel him, every inch of my skin becoming sensitive. I was shocked at my body’s reactions, a longing that had surfaced, desires that had been hidden for a very long time. “This is ridiculous.” As if saying the words out loud would make them true.

  Swallowing hard, I backed away from the window, moving quickly to turn off the light over my table before inching back toward the oversized pane of glass. As I peered into the darkness, I could swear there was someone watching, but the being wasn’t human.

  A Breed.

  A beast who was very hungry.

  Blinking, I could swear I was able to make out a shadowed form as it padded into the light.

  Eyes penetrating the darkness.

  Powerful muscles.

  I could almost read his thoughts, his filthy and disgusting desires.

  I will take you.

  I will fuck you.

  I will mate you.

  “Oh, my God.”

  After a few minutes, I turned away, disgusted with succumbing to the recent anxiety I’d felt. I was freaking seeing things now. Fucking fantastic. There were very few Breeds who remained in the city, none of which would defy the laws or the curfew. Why would they risk their freedom? The local government leader wasn’t eager to follow the president’s recent guidelines. In fact, the Breeds were still treated like criminals within certain circles, dissidents and citizens alike who were determined to take back the power they believed stolen from them. I was overworked. Nothing more.

  When I went back to the microscope, I was shocked at the sudden change in the cells I’d been studying. They’d reproduced in an unusual way, nothing that I’d seen before. I glanced at the timestamp on the telescan system, eager to continue my work. Damn it. Curfew was barely twenty minutes out. If I was caught out after nine p.m., especially driving on the open roads, I’d be slapped with a significant fine if not worse, depending on
the mood of the law enforcement officer. I couldn’t risk it. Not with my past. Further testing would have to wait until tomorrow.

  I closed everything down, carefully moving my private work into one of the locked compartments. I had to hurry or the parking lot lights would go off automatically. Excitement and a moment of giddiness surged through me as I walked out of the building. I had my notes. I planned on cracking open a bottle of wine and going over everything for the fiftieth time. Maybe I’d even allow myself to open the very expensive piece of cheese I’d purchased, the commodity usually only affordable to the upper echelon of society. I adored having a friend in the black market.

  The light breeze was refreshing, the way the wind wafted through the trees providing a glorious scent of some unknown nighttime blooming flower. I adored being outside, the only real freedom I felt in a world with strict regulations, the penalties for infractions harsh.

  I preferred the nighttime, the stars and the moon the perfect backdrop for various fantasies. I’d always been a dreamer, a girl created from the very spirits watching over the earth. At least that’s what my grandfather had told me on more than one occasion. A smile crossed my face as I thought about the truly spiritual man, his uncanny ability to communicate with nature and all of God’s creatures something I aspired to. I missed him more than I wanted to admit.

  Gggrrr...

  The single sound cut through the slight whistle of the wind, forcing me to a halt, butterflies forming in my stomach. Lifting my head, I stared in the direction I thought the noise had been created. While the sound could be coming from almost any source, what unnerved me was the fact the closest building was almost a mile away and very few people risked walking in an unsecure location alone at night. I turned in a full circle, unable to detect any movement. My mind was merely playing tricks. Another product of weariness.

  I managed to unlock the door, tossing my belongings into the passenger seat even though my hands were shaking.

  Gggrrr...

  The hairs stood up on the back of my neck. There was no doubt I’d actually heard a sound and whoever or whatever was making it was definitely closer. Very slowly, I turned in the direction of where I thought it was coming from, sucking in my breath. Hearing nothing, I closed the door softly before walking to the other side, retrieving a light stick as well as the knife that had been a gift from my grandfather. His words of advice would always remain in my mind.