Happy Howlidays: Shifters in Love Romance Collection (Shifter in Love Book 1)

by V. Vaughn

  Zander asks, “Do you remember the promise we made to each other when we were in high school?”

  The first time Zander and I dated, we wanted to believe we were mates, but when it was apparent we weren’t, the two of us made a pact. We promised to be together if neither of us found a mate.

  “Zander—”

  “Look. I know you don’t want to be my mate, but I think you might need to be to stay safe. People are talking, and...” He glances over at the men he was sitting with when I came in. He says, “I’m willing to do that for you even though I know I’m not your first choice.”

  “Wait. What are people saying?”

  Zander leans in close. “Your window was only the first message. There’s more that will come if you continue to see the bear.”

  I sit up as I say, “Luke replaced the glass this morning, but we broke things off. Should I be worried?”

  “I think you’re okay. Arriving here upset was a good move. I’ll make sure everyone knows you’re no longer with the bear.”

  I lean back in my seat in relief. “Thanks.”

  But I think this is far from over. I sip on the bitter taste of black coffee in an attempt to warm up as a shiver runs down my spine. I gaze over at the men who keep stealing glances at us. I reach out and place my hand over Zander’s. “I should go.”

  He says, “Let me give you a ride.” His eyes twinkle as he says, “If you kissed me, it would be even better.”

  I chuckle at his suggestion. “Same old Zander.” I lean forward and kiss his cheek before I whisper, “You’re the best ex-boyfriend a girl could have.”

  He grabs my face with his hands and kisses me on the lips. His gaze is warm when he says, “Right back at you, Holly.”

  But an icy sensation races through me when he does.

  10

  Zander’s truck has the odors of fresh-cut pine and his musk. Both are soothing to me as I slide over the leather seat of his cab. The engine roars to life, and hot air blasts at me as he cranks the heat.

  I place my hands in front of the vent. “Thanks for the ride.”

  “Any time.” He cuts me a sideways glance. “He’s more than a boyfriend, isn’t he?”

  I don’t want to lie to Zander. “He’s my mate.”

  Zander remains quiet, and I notice his knuckles are white as he grips the wheel. He breaks the silence to ask, “So is the mate thing as amazing as everyone says it is?”

  My heart surges with my love for Luke, and I can’t help the gushing way my words come out. “It really is, Zander. Take your most intense feelings of love, and imagine them tenfold. And you know how you long to be with someone? My need to be with Luke is a constant ache that is only satisfied when we’re together.” I notice a muscle jump along Zander’s jaw, and I stop talking.

  He pulls up in front of my apartment, and the truck clunks into park.

  I say, “I’m sorry.” Zander turns to me as I add, “It will happen for you some day, and you’ll wonder what you ever saw in me. I swear it.”

  A police car siren cries out in the distance as he says, “I’m not so sure. I think I would have met her by now.” The blare of a fire engine horn makes me jump, and I watch a truck fly by.

  Tiny hairs stand up along my body as I whisper, “Luke.” Zander’s keys rattle when he turns on the truck, and the tires spin out on snow making us fishtail as he pulls out to follow the fire engine.

  He says, “It might not be him.”

  We live in a sleepy town where not much happens, and every fiber in my body knows otherwise. “Of course it is.”

  Luke’s apartment is only a few blocks away, and as we turn the corner, I see flames and black smoke billowing out the second-story windows over the pharmacy. I jump out of the truck before Zander pulls to a full stop. People are milling around on the sidewalk, and I search frantically for Luke. The acrid odor of the fire is thick in my nostrils, and I sneeze as panic sends adrenaline through my veins. The urge to shift is strong, because my cat wants to go inside and save her mate. I do too, but there are too many humans present.

  I begin to run to the door. Maybe once I’m inside, I could— “Holly!”

  I turn to Mitch’s voice and discover him covered in soot. His clothing is torn, and I suspect he shifted in it as I race over to him. “Where’s Luke?”

  Mitch bends over in an uncontrollable cough before he rises, and I notice his bloodshot eyes as he speaks. “I got him out, and a friend of mine is taking him to Jim’s. I’ve stayed to talk to the police.”

  The law enforcement in town is composed of humans, and they would have wanted to take Luke to a hospital.

  “Oh my god.”

  “He’ll be okay once he shifts.” Mitch begins to cough again.

  “Where is he?”

  Mitch shakes his head. “This is serious. You can’t go to him.”

  He glances around, and I turn to see where his gaze stops. A group of men who belong to my clan are watching us. Zander’s friends. Their sneers send a chill down my spine.

  Zander is next to me, and he puts his arm around my shoulders as he whispers, “He’s right. This guy wouldn’t want you to risk your life to see him.”

  Mitch stares at me. “This was an explosion that was meant to kill him, Holly. I was just leaving when it happened, and if I hadn’t been so close, Luke would be dead.” He glares at Zander.

  Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow it back down as my body begins to tremble. When Zander pulls me against his chest, I hold on tight, but it’s not because I want to be close to him. I’m controlling myself from shifting so I can attack his friends. Did Zander know this was going to happen?

  Zander says, “Let me take you home.”

  I gaze up at Zander with a million unspoken questions. I wonder if I should be afraid of him, and now I’m sure he must know more than he’s telling me. I nod, and he kisses my forehead before releasing me. I’m numb from shock, and Zander’s grip is firm as I let him lead me away by my hand.

  When we get to my apartment, I begin to pace. Even though Luke and I haven’t completed the mate bond, the desire to be with him makes me feel like an addict in need of a fix. Couple that with the idea that Zander isn’t really on my side, and I’m ready to jump out of my skin. “I’m not sure I can do this, Zander. My cat wants to run and find Luke.”

  “You have to find a way,” he says as he plops down on the couch. He lifts the remote and snaps on the TV.

  I stop in front of him. “What the hell are you doing?”

  He leans out with the remote to look around me as he says, “I’m keeping you safe. My truck out front will tell people that I’m here, and if I spend the night, we’ll both be able to sleep. C’mon. Rudolf is on. You love that movie.”

  Burl Ives’ voice singing comes from the television, but the last thing I want to do is watch a Christmas show. “I don’t think I’m sleeping tonight. For all I know, you’re a killer.”

  Zander’s cat flashes in his eyes. “I had nothing to do with that.”

  Right. I recall how he drove to the explosion quickly and appeared to be as afraid as I was. Maybe he didn’t know how far his friends would go. But I bet he was all in for running Luke out of town.

  I take a deep breath to calm myself as he says, “I’m here to make sure you don’t do anything stupid like shift and run off in search of your mate.”

  I sigh and move toward the kitchen. “I have appointments this afternoon.” Cups clash as I lift them from the drying rack to put them away. These are the coffee mugs Luke brought us this morning. My heart feels like it’s being gripped by a vise, and my throat is thick as I swallow down the urge to cry. “I should go back to work. Do you plan to come with me?”

  Zander grins as he flips off the TV. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

  I glance at the man I used to love. I wonder what happened to him, and why he wants me so badly. Is it because he thinks I’m the best he can do? Or is it male pride? “Why do I feel as if you were assigned to me as
a guard?”

  He stands up to come to me. “Look. You can deal with this in one of two ways. You can make the best of the situation or the worst, but either way, I’m stuck to you like glue until things settle down.”

  My phone buzzes with a call, and the cell is slick in my fingers when I retrieve it from my purse to see it’s from Gigi. I say, “We’re not done with this conversation,” before I answer.

  “Holly! Mitch just told me what happened. Where are you?”

  “Home.”

  “You shouldn’t be alone. I’ll close the shop and be right over.”

  “Actually, I was just coming in. I’ll go crazy here with nothing to keep my mind off things.”

  “You must be dying to go to him, honey. But promise me you won’t.”

  I glare at Zander. “That’s not going to be a problem. I have a guard who won’t let me.”

  “Guard?”

  “Zander’s here.”

  “Good.”

  “Really, Gigi? Now you’re on his side?” I walk over to the window to gaze out at the street below and notice the snow has stopped. The town is at is most beautiful draped in a blanket of white, but a truck drives by splashing brown slush on the sidewalk ruining everything in an instant.

  “How about I’m on the side of keeping you alive? That explosion was no accident. I’m not so sure you’re not next on their list.”

  “But that doesn’t make any sense. They want Luke gone so I won’t mate with him.” I turn away to find Zander watching me. I stare at him as I ask Gigi, “Why would they bother if they planned to kill me?”

  “You’re making the assumption that this is rational. At least I’m sure Zander would never let them kill you. So please don’t leave his sight,” says Gigi.

  I suppose she’s right, and I say, “Fine. Hold my three o’clock for me. I’m on my way.” After I hang up, I say to Zander, “I’m going in to the salon.”

  “I’m ready.”

  I scan his body with my gaze. I’m not thrilled I’m being watched under the guise of my ex-boyfriend caring about me. I say, “My customers are in for a treat. You’re going to be a mighty fine shampoo boy.”

  “What?”

  I chuckle as I grab my coat, but it’s a dry laugh, because I’m not the least bit amused.

  Zander is true to his word and spends the afternoon in the salon. I was true to mine and made him wash hair, and I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s so charming the ladies tip him heavily.

  I’m at the front desk with Opal, and she whispers, “It’s nice to see you with Zander again. You two are a good match.”

  I don’t have the energy to get into anything with her, so I lie, “He’s a good friend,” and I walk away. After a haircut appointment that’s due to arrive in a few minutes, I’m free. I can’t get the need to be with Luke to go away, and I’ve been fabricating escape plans that can’t possibly work. I walk into the back to clean up a bit while I wait.

  The familiar odor of chemicals carries to me as Gigi mixes color for her client. She glances at me and then flips on the water for the sink full force. “Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it.”

  I lift my hands in frustration. “I haven’t got any idea how I’m going to escape Zander. I think he’s in on this whole scheme to run Luke out of town.”

  “Mitch and I do too.” She grabs my arm. “I have an idea, but it’s going to sound kind of insane.”

  “I don’t care. I need to be with Luke.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m willing to deal with the consequences if Zander finds out.”

  I pull my best friend in the world into a tight hug. “I love you, Gigi.”

  “I know, honey. I love you too.”

  11

  Gigi’s plan didn’t sound too crazy to me, but that might be mate attraction clouding my judgment. My bedroom window latch clicks as unlock it and I push it open to make sure it isn’t noisy. The idea is that later tonight, she’ll sneak in to take my place sleeping in my bed while I’ll go to the cabin where Luke is.

  Zander has stepped into my room and tilts his head at me in an unspoken question.

  I say, “It smells too much like Luke in here, so I aired it out a bit.”

  Now that I’m sure Zander is somehow involved with the group that is trying to run my mate out of town, my sympathy for his feelings is gone.

  I say, “I was thinking takeout would be good for dinner. Any preference?”

  “Burgers from the diner?”

  “Sure. I’ll buy if you go get them.” I squint at him. “Or do we have to go together?”

  Zander sighs. “I think it’s best if we just go eat at the diner.”

  “Fine.” I didn’t expect him to leave me alone, and going out where people can see me flirt with Zander is a good idea. I’ll do anything to keep my mate safe. I want to appear as if I’m trying to accept the idea that Luke is not for me. I fake a sigh as I walk to the door. “I’m sorry to be so cranky. I do like spending time with you, but feeling like I have no choice makes me want to rebel.”

  “I can imagine.” Zander’s arms are crossed as he waits for me to lock my door.

  “You don’t seem thrilled with this duty either.”

  “Why would you say that? Every guy wants to hang out with the girl he loves knowing she’d rather be with someone else.” His footsteps are heavy and stomp as he starts down the stairs. “It’s good for the ego.”

  I attempt a joke. “Well, after your day at the salon with women falling all over you, I think your ego can take it.”

  Zander is at the bottom of the stairway and turns to me before he opens the door. “That’s the thing, Holly, everyone tells me what a great catch I am. Hell, even Opal wants me, so why is it the one I want doesn’t see how sexy I am?”

  I reach past him to open the door to the street. “I do see it.” When we get outside, I slip my arm in his and squelch the urge to recoil from the contact. “You are a catch, and I’m lucky to have you in my life. What you’re doing for me right now is amazing.” I gaze up at him with what I hope is a loving look. “Thank you.”

  Zander tucks me in a little closer. “You’re welcome. Being with me used to make you happy, and I think it still can.”

  Why he thinks I can forget about a mate his friends just tried to kill is beyond me, but I decide it’s in my best interest to humor Zander anyway. “Hey, remember senior prom when Jo Ellen tried to seduce you while I was in the bathroom?”

  He chuckles. “What I remember about that is how you tried to scratch her eyes out.”

  “And ruined my dress with my shift.”

  We stop walking as Zander opens the door to the diner and gazes at me. “Remember how hot your cat fight made me? And you because that was the first night for both of us.”

  Of course he would go there. But I let out a gasp as I hit his chest playfully. “That’s so not appropriate dinner conversation.”

  A few of Zander’s friends are at the counter, and they watch our exchange. I smile as I think about how well my plan is working so far.

  I ask, “Want to sit with the guys?”

  Zander frowns at me. “Do you?”

  I shrug. “It’s fine. Unless you don’t think it’s a good idea because of me.”

  He shakes his head. “No. My friends still like you.” His words don’t ring true.

  My evil side wants to see him squirm a bit, and I walk ahead toward the guys. I sit down next to a burly man. “Brayden, good to see you again.”

  Zander punches him on the arm as he walks by and sits on my other side. “Hey, man.”

  Brayden isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, and his brow knits in confusion, so I ask, “What’s the matter? Do I make you uncomfortable?”

  Craig is one stool past Brayden, and he says, “Naw, we’re surprised to see you with Zander. I thought you had a thing for some other guy.”

  “Nope. Seems he wasn’t welcome in this town.” I lean against Zander. “So get used to me hanging around Zander agai
n. You guys don’t mind, do you?”

  Something must have clicked in Brayden’s head, because he says, “No. That’s cool.” He hits my shoulder hard enough to make me jerk. “Nice to have you around.”

  I wince as I rub where he hit. “Thanks.”

  Jenny has arrived to take our order, and Zander and I tell her what we want to eat. I listen as Craig flirts with her and tries to convince her his order of fries is too small. She teases right back with ease even though I suspect she finds his cheap ways annoying, but if she wants a decent tip, she has to. I’m not the only one playing a game to get what I want.

  I’m careful not to be over the top, though. Zander knows me well, and he’d never believe I could switch off my feelings for Luke so quickly.

  His friends have left by the time we finish dinner, and my hand slaps on the counter as I grab the check when it arrives. “It’s on me. I figure it’s the least I can do for my bodyguard.”

  Change rattles as I set it down, and we stand to leave. When we get outside, I take Zander’s arm again.

  He says, “You don’t have to do that. I think you’ve already convinced my friends that Luke wasn’t a big deal.”

  “Maybe I want to.”

  He sighs as he pulls away. “Don’t, Holly. I’m not Brayden. I know what you’re doing. You told me Luke was your mate, remember?”

  “Yeah. Well, that doesn’t matter, does it? Because I can’t be with him, so all it does is make me miserable. Someone once told me I can choose to make the best of this or the worst.”

  Zander gazes down at me. “If that’s really true, I’ll spend my life trying to make you happy if you let me.”

  I sigh as if I’m trying. I look up at the man who loves me so much he’s been a willing participant in running my mate out of town. My feelings are torn between acceptance of his actions because I know it’s out of love and the desire to keep me safe, and anger that he’d betray me to get what he wants. I know which one will win, but a piece of me would like to believe I used to love a good man.

  “I’m not going to lie and say I’m ready for that. You have to know my heart is breaking over this.”