by Bec Adams
Shy River Pack 2
Suzanne's Sexy Shifters
Suzanne doesn’t know where her life went off track. She’s stuck in the middle of “boring,” but that’s all about to change.
Gideon knows Brigden is his mate, but living in a pack that won’t tolerate alternate lifestyles means curbing his instincts just to keep the man safe. When an assignment puts them under the same roof, how will he hide his need for a man he loves but barely knows?
For three decades Brigden dreamed of loving his mate openly. He knows it won’t happen, but the search for a lost child brings another mate—for both him and Gideon—into their lives.
Is Suzanne the answer? Can she adjust to life as a purple-hued werewolf, learn to love both Gideon and Brigden, and give them a chance to love each other?
But as a mystery unfolds around them, keeping their secret could be harder than they ever dreamed.
Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 41,127 words
SUZANNE’S SEXY SHIFTERS
Shy River Pack 2
Rachel Clark
writing as
Bec Adams
MENAGE AMOUR
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Amour
SUZANNE’S SEXY SHIFTERS
Copyright © 2013 by Bec Adams
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-983-7
First E-book Publication: May 2013
Cover design by Harris Channing
All cover art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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SUZANNE’S SEXY SHIFTERS
Shy River Pack 2
BEC ADAMS
Copyright © 2013
Prologue
Thirty-two years ago…
Brigden Hawkes watched from afar.
The men chosen to join the security forces were working out, practicing hand-to-hand combat in both their humanoid and wolf forms. But there was only one man Brigden wanted to see. Gideon Barclay, the beta’s son.
Brigden didn’t even understand why he felt the need to follow the guy around, but it just seemed like something he had to do. It was seriously weird, of course, because they’d never even spoken, yet it wasn’t a compulsion Brigden could control.
If only the man would look his way, just once, then maybe Brigden could figure out why he held such a fascination for the older wolf. It wasn’t hero worship. True, Gideon was basically everything Brigden wasn’t—strong, brave, capable, even able to pass as human, but it wasn’t as if Brigden aspired to be those things himself. He preferred technology. In a closed society where electricity was still quite new, having an obsession with the technology humans were inventing seemed kind of stupid, but he was who he was.
Brigden could see a whole world of possibilities, a future where conflict no longer required hand-to-hand training. Hell, in his mind he could already see some of the incredible possibilities—computer-guided missiles, warships that fired torpedoes at the click of a button, and high-tech communication devices that could spy and report in real time. Humans already had a thing called cell phones, yet Brigden could see far more amazing possibilities. Perhaps one day there would even be computers connected to each other all over the world and small enough that they could be carried in a person’s pocket. When he looked at the future, he saw a world filled with technology.
But none of that boded well for an isolated pack of werewolves, most of whom were unable to hide in plain sight thanks to the nonhuman purple hue of their skin in humanoid form.
As crazy as it seemed for a pack that mostly shunned him, to Brigden it seemed very important for at least one of them to stay aware of the advancements humans kept making. They might be deep in the wilderness and far away from human cities, but Brigden was certain that wouldn’t always be the case.
He was so lost in his concerns for the future he didn’t even notice when Gideon left the training field. Disappointed, he turned to leave only to almost bump into the man himself.
“S–Sorry,” he said nervously, “I didn’t see you there.”
Gideon shook his head in disgust. “You’re a wolf. You should have smelled me long before I was close enough to kill you.” Brigden was almost used to the derogatory response he got from other members of the pack, but receiving it from Gideon was like a knife to the gut. “Why are you following me?” the man asked in a low, growly voice.
Brigden considered lying, but it was getting harder and harder to think. Gideon was even more handsome close up than he was from afar. How could one man be so perfect?
And why the hell did Brigden notice?
“I d–don’t know,” Brigden finally managed to stutter in response to Gideon’s growled question. “I just…I just…” Brigden dragged in a deep breath, horrified to realize he was on the verge of tears. Hell, he wasn’t a pup anymore. He was a grown man. Why would this wolf’s disdain for him hurt more than anyone else’s?
* * * *
Gideon watched the young wolf struggling to rein in his emotions and want
ed nothing more than to drag him into his arms. How fucked up was the universe? Gideon had realized nearly three years ago that Brigden Hawkes was his mate, yet he’d truly hoped his instincts were faulty.
But having the younger wolf follow him around day and night for the past few months, proved everything he hadn’t wanted to acknowledge. If Brigden was also sensing the link between them, their connection could no longer be denied.
Yet deny it they must.
The alpha’s son had shown subtle hints of being involved with a man and he’d pretty much been banished from the pack. It wasn’t quite official, but it may as well have been. Sogarn Stormmaker and his rumored-to-be lover, Donovan Taylor, hadn’t been home in many, many years.
Officially they were on a protection assignment, but Gideon had no doubt it was a case of “out of sight, out of mind” for the alpha. As long as he wasn’t confronted with Sogarn’s sexuality, he wouldn’t find it necessary to banish his only son from the pack.
Gideon was certain that neither he nor Brigden would be given such leniency.
“I’m really s–sorry,” Brigden said again, his voice thick with emotion as he obviously struggled to understand his own behavior. Gideon ached to hold him, to gather his mate close and reassure him that things would be all right, but he’d be lying. Nothing was going to be all right.
He probably shouldn’t have chosen to confront the younger wolf, but his behavior was starting to draw the pack’s attention. Gideon didn’t really care what the rest of the pack thought of him, but he knew without a doubt that Brigden wouldn’t survive being banished.
If it happened, Gideon would go, too, of course, but it would be a very difficult life. He wanted more for his mate than scrounging for a living in the human world. Gideon could blend into human society, but without the necessary paperwork, he’d need help from other shifters. None of them would be willing to help if they got banished. The alpha of the Shy River pack was a powerful man and formidable enemy. Nobody wanted to find themselves on his bad side. If Gideon and Brigden got banished, they were very literally on their own.
They were far safer here, within the security of a large pack, but to remain safe they needed to stay away from each other. The alpha and pack hierarchy didn’t tolerate alternate lifestyles.
“Don’t follow me anymore,” Gideon said, trying to inject a note of authority into his voice but not really managing to do so. “It’s not safe for you.”
He regretted his words instantly as Brigden’s gaze flew to his face. “B–But you wouldn’t hurt me. I know you wouldn’t hurt me. I–I know you wouldn’t.”
“Not me, baby,” he said, reaching out to touch his mate’s face gently. How could he not comfort the man who belonged with him? Nature had decreed them mates, but even that wouldn’t convince the alpha to accept their union. “It’s dangerous to be different.” He pulled his hand back, already missing his mate’s soft skin. “You need to stop following me and go find yourself a nice girl.”
Brigden’s eyes widened as he interpreted the words Gideon hadn’t said.
“We’re mates? That’s why I follow you around?”
“No, bab—ah, Brigden, we can’t be mates.”
“But we are,” the younger man said with a smile of relief on his face. “I can feel it. I know it. Thank the goddess. I thought I was going crazy. The dreams—” He cut his words off abruptly, blushing a very intriguing shade of pink as the scent of his arousal filled Gideon’s senses.
Gideon’s cock hardened instantly, just the thought of his mate dreaming sexy dreams of him making the risk almost seem worth it. Fortunately, the scent of another wolf approaching brought reality crashing down around them before he could contemplate doing something really stupid.
“Go,” he said urgently, pushing Brigden in the direction he needed to run. “Stay away from me, for both our sakes.”
Brigden looked terrified, his head bobbing anxiously as he finally seemed to understand the danger they faced. He ran deeper into the woods, his noisy escape making Gideon cringe. If there was one wolf who needed the protection of the pack, Brigden was it.
“Who was that?” Hensen Bright asked with a disdainful laugh. “Fuck, I can still smell his arousal.”
Gideon forced a laugh from his throat. “I’m not sure. All I saw was some kid running away.” He searched his brain frantically, trying to explain away the lingering scent of both his and Brigden’s arousal. “I think maybe he was beating off over some girlie mags.”
Hensen laughed. “I remember that age,” he said, lifting his nose as if to track Brigden’s escape path. “Maybe I should go see if he’ll lend me a mag or two. It’s been a while.”
“What’s the matter?” Gideon asked, forcing a casual laugh, grateful for the chance to divert Hensen’s attention. “Catherine cut you off again?”
“Don’t go there,” Hensen said with a mock-growl.
“I told you the woman was high maintenance. Sooner or later you’re going to see that.”
“Whatever,” Hensen said, turning back toward the creek where the rest of their training mates were cooling off after another hard session of combat drills. “At least I’m getting some. Unlike you. I heard Cassandra gave you the cold shoulder again.” Gideon fell in beside him, happy to be walking farther away from where Brigden had disappeared into the forest.
“You heard that, huh?” Gideon asked, pretending to be embarrassed by the woman’s apparent rejection. In truth it had been the other way around, but Gideon was happy to accept her version of events if it served his purpose. Protecting Brigden was far more important than trying to avoid having the rest of his friends tease him for chasing the tail of a bitch who didn’t want him.
“Don’t worry, Gideon,” Hensen said in mock sympathy. “Maybe when that kid’s finished, you can borrow his girly magazines, too. It’s probably the only way you’re going to get off for a long time to come.” He laughed at his own stupid joke. “Hell, maybe you should just get yourself a subscription.”
“Maybe I should,” Gideon said with a soft laugh. Because, goddess knew, doomed impossible relationship and all, Gideon didn’t want to be unfaithful to his mate.
Which meant the future held a lot of long, lonely nights.
Chapter One
Suzanne Bailey tried not to cringe when the raucous male laughter cut off as she entered the room. As if working in a male-dominated field wasn’t hard enough, the workplace harassment laws made it a minefield to negotiate.
“Good morning,” she said, trying to inject some confidence into her voice. She nodded in acknowledgement of their mumbled replies, but didn’t stop to talk. She headed directly to the duty roster, checked her assignment, grabbed a two-way radio, and headed back out the door.
She’d been embarrassed when she’d first started the job that the men felt the need to curb their natural behavior around her, and had even tried to encourage the swapping of dirty jokes and other man-orientated pastimes. Unfortunately, all it had done was make them suspicious of her motives. She was ambitious, yes, but not ambitious enough to try and use a sexual harassment claim to get herself a promotion.
Apparently, despite lip service otherwise, they had no intention of believing her.
The raucous laughter began again even before she reached the vehicle assigned to her for the day. Trying to convince herself it wasn’t personal did little to relieve the lonely feeling she often felt these days. It wasn’t just work. It was a whole lot of time spent without actual company. Living close to work and close to nature had seemed like a great idea a couple of years ago, but the reality fell kind of short.
Twenty minutes later she drove carefully along the dirt track checking for both erosion and fallen debris as she went. Her job wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was important. Without proper attention and maintenance the roads to the camping areas would quickly become impassable, trapping current campers in the forest and keeping new ones out.
Suzanne sighed even as she tried to convince hers
elf. Yes, someone had to do it, but it was far from the career move she’d envisioned. She was basically isolated from her workmates thanks to her gender and laws that were supposed to protect her from discrimination, so chances were she’d never do anything more than she was doing now.
Considering her grandiose and perhaps poorly planned career choices, it was a major letdown. Maybe her dream job wasn’t really her dream after all.
* * * *
“Gideon, I need you to report to the alpha at Dry Creek immediately. Your team is already on their way there.”
“Yes, sir,” Gideon replied in a respectful tone and then listened as his alpha hung up the phone. These days Gideon was used to getting security assignments from the alpha, but he usually got a little more notice and a few more details.
Intrigued by the order, Gideon packed quickly, choosing to drive his truck the long way around rather than run in furry form. As much as he loved running as a wolf, it made it very difficult to carry all of his equipment.
He laughed softly to himself when he realized how much technology they relied upon these days—cell phones, computers, GPS. Even most of their surveillance work was electronic. Brigden had warned the pack many years ago that technology would play a big part in their futures. At the time, even Gideon had been skeptical, but Brigden had been proven right.
Just the thought of his mate sent a pang of longing through Gideon’s heart. Over the past three decades he’d watched the awkward young man grow into a significant member of the pack. He was still shunned by many for not being a strong wolf, but he had the alpha’s respect and that was far more important.
