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

  Yet she was the very reason for the chase and drawing them away from her people was the only thing she could do. No, this was the honorable thing to do. The sound of a snapping twig a half-mile behind her made her growl. The monsters were closing in. She had little recourse but to run for if they followed her, then her people might be safe. Might be. There was no way of telling. Unable to trust her instincts, she drank until she was full then turned and sniffed. They were far too close for her comfort.

  Taking off at a slow pace, she made enough noise they would turn away from the village and toward her, their need for a kill remaining in the forefront of their minds. She was the lone soldier tonight, the only one who had the strength left. Tonight was a new beginning for her, perhaps for all of them.

  Hearing the sounds of the men, their banter of the hunt pushed her forward. She stopped and turned. There was an interesting smell in the air, something she wasn’t used to. A new man had joined them, one who seemed to be their leader. Was he kind? Was he honorable? There was no way of telling. She smiled and licked her chops before taking off at a full run. As the cool night air rushed past her, tingles rushed down her spine. She was taken by the intensity of her emotions, dazzling sensations. She’d never felt as alive as she did tonight.

  Pushing deeper into the forest, she could hear their anger growing. They were out for more than just blood. With every step, every turn, they seemed to be getting closer. How could this be? How could they manage to trail her so well? A crack of a single gunshot stopped her short. Then she heard several voices. All male, they seemed to be closing in. It wasn’t possible they’d surrounded her, keeping her from the safe zone, the one they knew nothing about. She crouched down and listened, able to hear everything they were saying.

  They were here. They’d found her, and they had… A crackling of the forest foliage meant one was coming toward her. She eased further into the darkness and waited. When the man appeared, highlighted by the scarlet darkness, she gasped. “No!”

  “No!” Choking, Scarlet fought with the entity holding her down. Unable to breathe, she moaned and slapped her hand out, a series of deep growls erupting from her mouth. “No. No!” For a few seconds, she was terrified someone was right there, ready to kill her. Sweat brimmed across every inch of her body and she tried to make sense of the sounds, the screaming, and the gunshots. “Shit.” Sucking in her breath, she turned her head toward the window, realizing she’d been dreaming again, only more brutal in nature. As usual, the ugly images were vivid.

  The morning dawned with hazy blue skies and a high humidity level. She blinked several times and held out her hand. The ugly nightmare had been the worst she’d experienced. This place was dragging her into her own place of hell. You’re okay. You’re doing just fine.

  Her body felt as if she’d gone six rounds with a prizefighter. Every muscle ached. She rolled over and stared at the ceiling. Since she was a little girl dreams had haunted her, forcing her into bouts of raw emotion and times of utter depression. Now the nightmares were horrific enough she was terrified. The single warning issued by her mother so many years ago remained in the back of her mind.

  You know not who you really are. Heed the warnings before it’s too late. Know that he will be coming. Even leaving will not erase the past or change the future. Be wary and fight to stay alive.

  Thanks, Mom. What warnings? And who the hell was she talking about? Her mother had always lived in her own world, as if living in the present day was too much for her. The woman had issued the words on the day they arrived in Chicago then nothing, no mention of their respective pasts. “This is ridiculous.” As Scarlet climbed out of bed she groaned, unsure if it was the lumpy mattress that kept her awake or the thought of her mysterious caller. Either way, she was still exhausted, her nerves frazzled.

  The lukewarm shower did her aching muscles little good. Digging through her suitcase, she found the lightest weight cotton dress she owned and headed downstairs to find coffee.

  Minutes later she walked out to the back porch and stood gazing across the grounds. The lovely garden somehow surprised her. Leaning against the doorframe, she sipped her coffee and thought about how to pack up the house. The first order of business was to finish going through the file given to her by the attorney then begin packing boxes. The will had indeed left everything to her, including the house if she wanted to keep the aging yet very large place, but she had come to the borough with no other thoughts than selling. It was a shame as the Victorian-style home was lovely, but her work was very important. Her job was all she had. Who was she kidding? After the reception she’d received, getting the hell out of town couldn’t come fast enough.

  The sharp knock on the front door dragged her out of her peaceful moment. Answer? Don’t answer? Scarlet doubted the jerkoff was anything but a phone stalker. Maybe. She sauntered back into the kitchen and set her cup down, hesitating for another few seconds before groaning. “Right. Like the boogeyman is gonna come and blow down the house.” Chuckling, she moved to the front and swung open the door, pushing the screen door out.

  The man standing on her porch couldn’t have surprised her any more. Standing well over six feet, his deep turquoise eyes and shaggy long dark hair matched his rugged appearance and carved body perfectly. He was dark and dangerous molded into faded blue jeans. His smile seemed genuine and for a minute she envisioned the two of them lying naked on a down feather comforter. Inhaling the musky scent of him, her pussy quivered. Holy shit. This kind of reaction hadn’t happened perhaps ever.

  “Um… hello.” Her voice was laced with a husky sensuality and by the flicker of his eyes he’d caught her overheated condition.

  He nodded and blazed a trail down the length of her, settling on her breasts before gazing into her eyes. “I’m sorry to intrude. I’m Larken Myers. A long time ago, I used to take care of some household things for Viola and I heard that you were coming. I wanted to stop by and pay my condolences. You’re her granddaughter. Right?”

  “How did you know I was coming?”

  “It’s a small town. We hear everything,” he breathed.

  Dear God, if the sound of his sensual voice didn’t turn her on. What was wrong with her? “Of course you would. Yes, I’m her granddaughter. If you give me any crap, so help me God.”

  “Crap?” His eyes not only held confusion but concern as well.

  She studied him for a solid minute and gathered a sense he wasn’t an ax murderer. “I’m sorry but trusting anyone in this town is going to be difficult if not impossible.”

  “Dare I ask why?”

  “Let’s just say that after the greetings I’ve received, I wouldn’t put anything past the people here.”

  “I’m sorry? What greetings?”

  Scarlet shook her head and held her hand out. She decided to trust her instinct. “Where are my manners? I’m Scarlet Dumane. Just some assholes playing pranks.” Or so she hoped.

  “I can tell you’re unnerved. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on? Maybe I can offer some assistance or kick some serious tail.” Larken’s eyes twinkled.

  The second they touched, she felt as if the air had been yanked from her. The electricity was off the charts, dampening her panties, hardening her nipples. He had the same reaction, his expression turning feral.

  Struggling to regain control, she pulled her hand away, fisting her fingers given her entire arm was shaking. “I received a couple of prank calls last night so you’re right, the townsfolk know I’m here.” There was something about the look on his face that troubled her.

  “Did they threaten you?” His tone of voice had dropped to a dangerously husky level.

  “They?” Why had he made the comment plural?

  Larken raised his eyebrows. “As in he, she, or it? They?”

  “Oh,” Scarlet said. “Just kid stuff, I’m certain. Maybe whoever ‘they’ are they think I have money or something. Who knows?”

  “Kids can be a pain in the ass. If not, just call the sheri
ff.”

  Yeah, another reason to take a trip and see the man. Scarlet had to admit she was more at ease than she would have expected. “Would you like to come in for some coffee? I’d love to have someone who knew my grandmother tell me a bit more about her. I didn’t get a chance to spend much time with her over the last few years.”

  “I could do that. Your grandmother was a special lady.” He trailed behind her into the kitchen.

  “How’d you meet her?” Scarlet grabbed a second mug and filled it with coffee. “Cream or sugar? Not sure I know where the sugar is.”

  “If I remember correctly, last cabinet on the right,” Larken stated as he glanced around the room.

  “You knew her well, then.” He seemed familiar, as if they’d met before.

  “She was a woman of habit. Black coffee and I loved to hear tales from Viola. ‘Course, that was before I moved out of town.”

  “And you came back?”

  “Family is important. You know?” Larken’s tone was haunted. “She was like a second mother to me in a lot of ways. Caring. Kind.”

  “She was. Did she also share her voodoo and magic stories?” Scarlet pushed the cup in his direction. The same flicker in his eyes was visible for a microsecond. “I don’t have any idea when she started believing in creatures of the night or monsters. I think she had all her life. I remember hearing them from the time I could sit on her knee.”

  “She might have mentioned a few stories. I take it you don’t believe?”

  “Not at all.”

  Larken narrowed his eyes and studied her. “You know, many people living here buy into the old ways, black magic and that sort of thing. I’ve lived in and around the borough long enough to know how they think. They’re God-fearing people and accepting a stranger in their midst is difficult for them. Your grandmother reminded them that along with God there is a devil, one to fear. They are all terrified of death. However, there are many things that occur around us that can’t be explained.”

  “Said like a true believer.”

  Larken shrugged. “Said as one who comes from a family of believers.”

  “Okay, I’ll bite. What did she believe in mostly? What did she think was going on? I heard bits and pieces over the years. She sent me a book once, telling me that it was part of my destiny.”

  “Destiny. Interesting. But you never read it?”

  Scarlet exhaled, giving him a half smile. “No. Maybe I was afraid to. She tried to talk to me about her beliefs, but I just shied away. I’m a terrible granddaughter.”

  “I might not know you, but I doubt you were a terrible granddaughter. Besides, believing in something we have no handle on is tough.” Larkin leaned further over the table.

  Even the raw scent of him turned her on. She was so unused to this, she pressed her hand across her mouth, worried he’d realize how wet her pussy was. “Anything you can tell me about Viola I’d love to know. I just… We weren’t as close these last few years. My fault. I was busy with work.”

  “I’m not sure what you really want to hear.” Taking a sip of his coffee, he kept his eyes locked onto hers.

  She sucked in her breath. For a few seconds she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. The current rushing through her was similar to what she’d experienced with Trevor and Bristol. Three mates, my child. Her grandmother’s words were evocative. His eyes were so beautiful, mesmerizing. She was having difficulty focusing.

  You’re mine. You belong to me. Submit as required.

  “I’m sorry. What did you say?” she asked, a vision of the two of them together making her squirm. Submit. He would take her over his knee, spanking her as needed, as her oath to him would require. Her mouth was dry, her pulse ticking in her neck.

  “I didn’t say anything. Are you all right?”

  “Just tired from the entire experience. Nightmares I’ve been having.” The voice seemed so real, the command so… Stop being an idiot. Scarlet bit her lower lip, counting to five, resisting the imagery.

  “Nightmares? You want to talk about them?”

  “Not really. Then I’ll feel like I’m allowing the assholes to win.”

  Larken lifted his hand and very gingerly brushed a strand of hair from her mouth. “You’re a beautiful woman, even for a nonbeliever. I hope you don’t mind me saying so.”

  “I can see why she kept you around. You’re a very sexy man.” Clenching her eyes shut, she groaned. “I’m sorry. I think my job has made me far too forward.”

  “A lovely lady such as yourself to call me sexy is somethin’ in my book.” He gave her an unabashed grin.

  “And you’re an incorrigible flirt too. And you know, I bet my grandmother adored you.” He was far too easy to talk to.

  “Let’s just say we shared many a glass of sweet tea when I was younger, sangria the day I turned eighteen,” he said, laughing.

  “I bet you did. I know she had very little company, so I know she enjoyed your visits.” She tried to remember the last actual conversation they’d had. Viola had attempted to tell her about a curse that was closing in. Dear God, she’d pushed her grandmother off. As usual.

  He nodded before giving her a look, a twinkle in his eyes. “You are a lot like her, spunky and hard-headed. Strong-willed, refusing to yield.”

  “You figured me out in such a short period of time,” she chortled, her cheeks flushing. They laughed together for a minute. “Let me ask you something.”

  “Anything. You can ask anything.”

  Scarlet thought about how to phrase the question. “Did Grandmother say anything about being threatened? I just can’t believe she simply died. I know that sounds crazy.”

  Leaning over the table, Larken sighed. “Keep in mind, I just got back into town, so I might not be the best person to ask. I do remember that there are many people in this town who didn’t like that Viola sought the truth in all things, no matter what that entailed. They also didn’t like the fact she asked questions constantly. She never let go of her beliefs. She refused to play into politics, or so she liked to tell me.”

  “Yeah. That was my grandmother, balls to the walls and that is very much my personality. So, everyone in town thought she was crazy?”

  “No, the majority of the older generation are afraid of the truth and shy away at all costs. They are terrified of the unknown. They’ve always been that way. The younger folks don’t seem to care.”

  Narrowing her eyes, she inhaled. “Like me. I’m not into mumbo jumbo. I’m also not into being pushed in any manner.”

  “Yeah, I get it, but remember that people here hold credence to the old tales, stories brought down from our ancestors, so be careful.” Brushing his hand over hers, he nodded. “Certain residents can be formidable in this town.”

  The connection was more than just electric. A fire burned in her belly. For a few seconds she couldn’t see anything in front of her. Swallowing hard, she eased back and sipped her coffee, realizing her hands were shaking. “Um… So Larken, what else do you do beside rescue women?”

  He laughed. “Well, I was a firefighter, but at this point, I’m getting back to my roots. I’m going to work for my friend’s contracting firm.”

  “A firefighter?”

  “In LA. Loved the work, including the danger. Not certain I want to get into that here. Too many crazies starting fires.” His grin was broad, illuminating his face.

  “So, he-man work then.”

  “Touché. And what do you do?”

  “I’m a reporter in Chicago.” Scarlet couldn’t take her eyes off the dimple in his chin or his long neck. Then there were his full lips and amazing deep blue eyes. His shirt was unbuttoned just enough that she could see his golden tan and the wisp of hairs that covered his chest. He was stunning. You want him. You need him.

  You belong to me.

  Scarlet was having trouble breathing. This was… She rubbed her forehead and couldn’t help thinking she didn’t need anyone. But you do. A strong will, a firm hand.

  “Ah.
You’re the one Viola talked about all the time. In fact, she really didn’t mention any other family.”

  “That’s interesting, although she and my mother weren’t on speaking terms after we left town. Such a shame.” She had to look out the window to regain some control. Wet and hot, she was also having difficulty focusing. “My grandmother believed in me. I loved her very much and enjoyed talking to her, even if the stories were overwhelming.”

  “I know she adored you.”

  Smiling, she could hear his rattled breathing. A full minute passed by, her nerves remaining on edge.

  Setting his coffee cup down, he nodded. “Your grandmother knew things about life and death that few others will ever be able to comprehend. She had a true gift. My guess is you have that gift as well.”

  “Meaning?” Scarlet snapped her head in his direction. She could tell he was wrangling with the answer. “Larken, I’d really like to know. I feel like I’ve walked into a mystery and I’m the missing game piece. I don’t like surprises and I can’t stand nasty attitudes.”

  He dropped his gaze before speaking. “Meaning, she had a sense about the past as well as the future, a knowing of what would happen.”

  He allowed the words to settle in.

  “What aren’t you saying?” she whispered. The kinetic energy between them was off the charts, surreal.

  “This may sound crazy. She was also very clear in telling me you are the one,” he continued.

  Exhaling slowly, she bit her bottom lip. All the dreams, all the odd thoughts she’d had over the years couldn’t possibly be true. “The one?” This was absolutely insane. Think like a reporter. These are just ghost stories, made up for tourism. “You’re right. I’m not certain I want to venture further down that road.”

  “You must believe what you read in order to accept any kind of magic, whether created by the devil or mankind.”

  “Now you’re sounding like one of the crazy townspeople. Don’t do that. I don’t need riddles or innuendoes. If there is some black magic or other evil in this town, I deserve to know what I’m getting in the middle of but I’m not going to buy anything without proof.” His words weren’t the ramblings of a terrified townsperson or a black magic zealot. The way he spoke was different, worldly, and as if he knew more than he was telling. Beads of perspiration trickled down her neck. For a few minutes she was fearful, terrified of who she was. Get a grip. Control.