by Brenda Trim
Table of Contents
EXCERPT FROM FIRE WARRIOR BOOK #14
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Afterword
Also by Brenda Trim
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Snowbound Seduction
Brenda Trim
Tami Julka
Copyright © December 2017 by Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
Editor: Amanda Fitzpatrick
Cover Art by Damon Trim
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writers’ imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction of this work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the authors.
Created with Vellum
Winter waves its magic wand over the earth, and behold, everything is more beautiful.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
EXCERPT FROM FIRE WARRIOR BOOK #14
Afterword
Also by Brenda Trim
Also by Brenda Trim
Newsletter Signup
1
Grant stepped from his cottage into the cold air, and his bear bristled. Hayden, the Shifter Omega, had called a meeting at Jesaray House and Grant couldn’t help but wonder what his leader wanted. It wasn’t often they held formal meetings at the house. Being called in meant something big was brewing, and he was anxious to see what it was.
His heavy boots crunched on the frozen ground, leaving imprints in the freshly fallen snow. Seattle was cold this time of year, and the Grove was located on the eastside of Lake Washington in the forested area around Snoqualmie. It always seemed bitterly cold to Grant, and his bear wanted to find a cozy cave and sleep for a few months. Unfortunately, hibernating that long would kill his human counterpart.
The scent of the pack’s various shifters permeated the air, and he inhaled deeply, feeding his vigor. That was how it worked with his kind. They were connected by their bond to the pack and gained strength and exuberance through the loop of shared energy.
He scented nothing amiss, but stayed alert, given the recent attacks by the archdemons. Grant prided himself on his awareness, and the guilt still ate at him over missing clues which caused them to lose clan members. Vigilance was a requirement for all C.L.A.W. (Core Lieutenants Against the Wrathful) members, yet none of them had seen the danger until it was too late.
Innocents paid the price for their blindness. Not one of his fellow C.L.A.W. would ever forget that message or slack in their duty.
The area surrounding Grant’s home was buzzing with energy, and he preferred it that way. There were other areas on pack land where it was peaceful and quiet, but he enjoyed living close to Jesaray House, which was the hub of pack vitality. The laughter of children playing chase through the trees fed his soul. And, it didn’t hurt that he was close to the dining hall, which fed his bear’s enormous appetite.
Grant reached Jesaray House (otherwise known as J-Ho), and took the steps leading to the wrap-around porch and massive front door. Wiping his snow boots on the mat, he knocked and glanced at his watch, wondering if his fellow C.L.A.W. members were waiting on him. Of their group, he lived closest to J-Ho but was repeatedly the last to arrive at meetings. It was a nasty habit he couldn’t seem to break.
His sensitive ears picked up several voices coming from inside the home. J-Ho had an open-door policy and Grant knew he was welcome anytime, day or night, if he needed his Omega. Grant appreciated Hayden’s availability and wondered if the other sector leaders were as accommodating. One thing was certain. The Vampire King could learn a few things from his leader.
Grant had visited the Dark Warrior compound, Zeum, a couple of times, but found it impersonal and imposing, unlike the warm and inviting feel to Jesaray. Zander, the leader of the vampires, was a stuffy sonovabitch and his home matched his aristocratic air with marble, antiques and expensive rugs. The log walls and open space of J-Ho was more Grant’s speed.
Grant winced at his judgmental attitude. Maybe he felt out of place at Zeum because there he was an outsider. Still, he didn’t understand why Orlando or Santiago chose to live amongst the snobby crowd. The way Grant saw it, they were shifters before they became Dark Warriors, and should live on pack land.
Zeke Jackson, Hayden’s second in command, opened the front door and smiled. The expression had been plastered across the male’s face from the moment he mated the beautiful Tia. Grant couldn’t blame the guy. He’d be smiling too if he had a sexy female to keep him warm at night. Plus, she could cook up a storm, which shifters appreciated.
Since Tia moved into Jesaray, the home was filled with intense, rich spices wafting from the kitchen. Her delicious meals were another perk for Grant, as one of Hayden’s lieutenants, and he never refused one of the Mambo’s home-cooked specialties. Her spicy food was an adjustment for his sensitive stomach, but his bear loved what she could do with seafood.
His stomach rumbled, making Zeke chuckle. “Good to see you, Grant. And, my mate will thank you for bringing your bottomless pit of a stomach. She’s gone all out tonight and made a dozen different dishes,” Zeke said as he clapped Grant on the shoulder.
Grant laughed at the salty comment and entered the home. The open floor plan made Grant feel right at home. The soft, brown leather sofas and rustic wood accents supported the welcoming atmosphere.
“I’m always hungry. You know that, Z. How is your mate? Pregnant yet?” Grant teased.
The C.L.A.W. had placed bets on how soon Tia and Zeke would get pregnant, and if Grant was going to cash in, these two needed to do more fucking and spend less time cooking.
“Not yet, but soon, Goddess willing,” Zeke replied.
Grant took a seat on one of the stools at the counter and checked out the group gathered in his Omega’s home. Each C.L.A.W. member was present, along with three individuals he didn’t recognize. The newcomers were females, which was odd, given it was a meeting for lieutenants. They seemed ordinary enough, but one, in particular, caught Grant’s eye.
His nostrils flared as her sweet honeydew scent washed over him. She was standing beside his partner, Ember, and the two were chatting nonstop. Her long, blonde hair shone in the low lighting, and her green eyes held a hint of verve he rarely saw.
She was a feline shifter, and positively stunning. Her skin-tight jeans paid tribute to her round bottom, and her ample bosom was trying to break free from her low-cut white sweater. Grant’s body immediately responded with interest.
Ember locked gazes with Grant and gave him a peculiar look, then excused herself and walked towards him. He forced his mind away from the alluring female as he thought about how much Ember had matured since mating with Orlando.
His partner had been through a rough patch, starting with a bad breakup with Zeke after he found Tia. When a supernatural discovered their Fated Mate, attraction was undeniable. The couple was pulled together, driven to complete the mating. Grant watched Ember surviv
e the heartache of losing Zeke, only to become stronger and better from the experience. Then, she was blessed with her Fated Mate, Orlando, and that relationship had a rocky beginning, but seemed to be getting better with each passing month. She’d even taken on the role as mother to the orphaned cambion Orlando was raising.
“Hey, Em. How’s life at Zeum?” Grant asked the green-eyed beauty as she approached his side.
“Can’t complain. I assumed it would be suffocating with so many couples living under one roof, but it’s not. And, I thought the other females would be up in my business, but they’re growing on me. I’m even getting along with Elsie these days, believe it, or not,” Ember admitted, referring to the Vampire Queen.
“Wow, that is progress,” Grant confessed.
He was more than aware of the tension between the two females. It started the day Ember met Elsie. Their animosity centered around Orlando and what the females thought was best for him. Hell, it was all Ember talked about for weeks, and Grant was relieved when the drama settled.
Hayden entered the room before Zeke could ask Ember about the newcomers, and the room fell silent.
“Thank you all for coming,” Hayden began as he twirled an unlit cigar through his fingers.
The Omega seemed relaxed, alleviating some of Grant’s concerns. Maybe this was an informal meeting, after all. He hoped the females were new additions to the pack because he’d love a shot at the blonde temptress. His gaze darted her way for the dozenth time. He couldn’t take his eyes off the female.
Her mesmerizing green orbs met his, and his knees went weak. He watched as pink stained her cheeks then she looked away. Damn, he had to talk to her before another shifter made a move. If she was new to the pack, Grant knew the males would be on her like a bear to honey.
“I brought you here to introduce you to our latest recruits. Cristia, Paige, and Stacy have all passed an initial exam to become C.L.A.W. Ember’s insistence and excellent performance showed me I’ve been remiss. I need to consider all of our resources to defend shifters, and these females have potential.”
Grant’s eyes widened upon hearing the news. What the fuck was Hayden thinking? Female recruits? Every protective fiber in his body reared its ugly head and stood at attention. This was bullshit.
Hayden continued speaking and introduced each female. He talked about where they were from, and why he felt they were C.L.A.W. material. Grant agreed their group at the Grove was the best equipped to handle the training process, but disagreed with Hayden that these females were good candidates. They didn’t belong as lieutenants, especially not the blonde beauty.
Ember was the exception. He had trained her to patrol pack land and saw firsthand her capabilities. She was an excellent fighter and tracker, but females, in general, didn’t have the guts to do what it took. When faced with a crisis, they tended to panic and freeze. And, the thought of Cristia going anywhere near a demon had Grant sweating and swearing. His job was to protect her from harm and ensure her well-being and safety.
“You got that, Grant?” Hayden growled, interrupting his ruminations.
Grant shook his head. He was so preoccupied with thoughts of Cristia that he missed what Hayden said.
“Sorry, Sire. I was distracted and didn’t catch that last part. What did you need from me?”
“I said,” Hayden barked, and scowled at Grant, “Cristia is assigned to you, Paige is with Ember, and Stacy is with Beau. You three are responsible for the bulk of their training, and the other C.L.A.W. will supplement your efforts.”
Hayden’s dominance washed over Grant, and he responded by bowing his head. When his Omega took charge, he was at his mercy. To fight it was pointless, and painful, if Hayden saw fit.
“All due respect, Sire, but I don’t agree with this. These females are not Ember. They can’t handle the job,” Grant insisted. He couldn’t explain why, but the idea of training Cristia to be a soldier didn’t sit well with him.
Cristia Hartwell glared daggers at the bear shifter. Ember had been telling her how Grant was responsible for her training, and that she owed becoming the first female C.L.A.W., in part, to him. As the female went on and on about her mentor, Cristia found herself praying to get Grant as her trainer. And, that had been before she’d seen the sexy male.
His presence took her breath away the second he walked into the room. His broad shoulders took up as much space as Hayden. In fact, he was the largest male there, aside from the Omega.
His brown hair was a disheveled mess, like he just crawled out of bed, but it worked on him. His penetrating blue eyes drew her in, and Cristia felt as if he was undressing her, mentally and physically. It was unnerving and thrilling at the same time.
But then the male opened his mouth and pissed her off. She was so fucking tired of males telling her she couldn’t fight because she had a vagina. With Ember’s recent issuance, she’d hoped the males at the Grove were beyond the sexist attitudes. Apparently not, given the crass comment from the grizzly bear.
“I didn’t ask your opinion,” Hayden boomed, his voice shaking the walls of the house. The power of his inner animals layered his tone and sent prickles across Cristia’s skin. “You will do as I fucking say, and you will do it with a smile. Understand?”
Grant stared at Hayden, and Cristia watched him bare the back of his neck to his superior. It was difficult for alpha males to stifle their beasts and work together. She wondered how they did it so successfully. They all needed to submit to Hayden but didn’t want to be deemed weak.
“Look. Maybe he’s not the best candidate to train me. I’m happy to pair with another lieutenant,” Cristia began. “The last thing I want is half-assed guidance. Not when we’re talking life and death.”
“I don’t do anything subpar,” Grant blurted, obviously offended by her characterization. “I give everything I have, and you’ll be the best when I’m finished with you.”
Cristia didn’t miss the insinuation behind his words. Were they still talking about training? She swallowed hard against the salacious images racing through her head.
“Oh, forgive me. I don’t know what my weak mind was thinking. Of course you’ll give me your best when you have zero faith in my capability,” she sneered, her tone laced with sarcasm.
“She’s got you there, bro,” Scott murmured. “Hey, I’d be more than happy to train her.”
She smiled at the wolf shifter and was glad not everyone thought like this Neanderthal. It would be better for Scott to take over, but part of her was disappointed Grant wouldn’t be in charge. She wanted Grant because he was the best. Not because she was attracted to him physically. After repeating the mantra several times, she almost believed her own lies.
“I expect you to assist the others, Scott, but Grant will be training Cristia,” Hayden ordered as he narrowed dark brown eyes at Grant then pointed a finger with a stabbing motion. “And, I don’t know what crawled up your ass, but that bullshit won’t fly with me. You were Ember’s biggest supporter and I expect more from you. Get your head on straight and get over yourself.”
“Yes, sire,” Grant replied then turned to approach her.
Cristia shifted from foot to foot as a silent room watched her and Grant. The woodsy scent of his bear surrounded her as he stopped scant feet from her and held out his hand.
“Welcome to C.L.A.W., Cristia. I vow to do my best by you.”
She was furious with the male for his misogynist attitude, but she saw the genuine intent behind his promise. Her defenses diminished and she reached out to shake his hand. Upon contact, electricity zapped between them, and she pulled her hand away, rubbing her palm on her jeans.
She looked up into his equally stunned eyes as the tension in the room broke, and conversation filled the silence, but Cristia’s gaze remained focused on her new mentor.
She was going to enjoy proving this male wrong. He would rue the day he misjudged her.
“I get your best, huh?” Cristia said defiantly. “Question is, Big Shot,
can you handle my best?” she asked with a smile.
2
Cristia watched Grant laughing with Ember across the room. She’d been trying to figure the male out for the past hour. The house was filled with eating, drinking and celebrating while the members welcomed her and the other two females to the Grove, but she remained fixated on the sexy shifter.
Grant congratulated her on acquiring recruit status, and seemed genuine in his compliment, but she couldn’t forget that at first, he objected to training her. He was confusing as hell. Especially now, smiling her way, acting as if nothing had happened. She didn’t miss the furtive glances he snuck her way.
Every time her eyes sought his, he was gazing at her. That was something she understood. Grant was gorgeous. Was he as interested in her, or was it something else? Maybe he was keeping a close eye on his new trainee or perhaps he was still disgusted by his new task.
Cristia knew she was an unlikely candidate for C.L.A.W. She transferred to the Grove from a smaller pack in Alabama, where she created metal sculptures and sold them to small boutiques along the coast. Becoming a lieutenant was a far cry from her art career, but it was something she’d wanted from the time she transitioned from stripling to adult. Creating sculptures was a pastime she enjoyed, and she was damn good at what she did, but it wasn’t her driving force in life.
Unfortunately, becoming a soldier wasn’t an option for females until recently. For centuries, females were to be protected, not placed in harm’s way. Even though some packs weren’t up to speed with the notion, she was beyond grateful that females were considered equals. The excitement of fulfilling her passion sang in her veins. Above all else, Cristia wanted to own the title of a C.L.A.W.
