Shifters in the Shadows: Seventeen Paranormal Romances of Sexy Shifters, Dangerous Vamps, & Things That Go Bump in the Night

by J. K Harper

  Isabel ran over to them. Her tiger roared inside her, itching for a fight.

  "What the fuck do you think you're doing, Milo?"

  "Stay back, Isabel," Louis warned.

  Milo roared and bared his teeth at Louis.

  "Oh please, Milo." Isabel glared at him witheringly. "Nobody's impressed by your theatrics. Why are you even here? What are you doing with my fiancé?"

  Louis shot her a look, but she didn't respond.

  Let the wolves think the engagement was real. Let them talk as though it was. After all, they were on army territory. And the army needed to believe she and Louis were the real thing.

  One of Milo's henchwolves snapped at her. She batted it away with the back of her hand.

  "Do I have to kick your asses again? Really?" She kicked another wolf away from her. "I just got off work. Give me a break, and disappear."

  But evidently they weren't about to follow her advice.

  Milo snapped at Louis, and Louis snarled back at him. It was a blood-curdling sound that made the hair on the back of Isabel's head prickle.

  "Don't rise to it," she muttered, but it was too late.

  With a growl, Milo sprang at Louis. Louis fought back hard, punching Milo square in the face.

  Milo was thrown back for a moment. In that time, one of the other wolves attacked Louis.

  "Guys, cool it." Isabel was shocked how quickly it had escalated. "We're on army property, for crying out loud."

  Louis looked terrifying in full fight mode. His teeth were lethally sharp and his gray eyes glowed with a sinister light.

  There was no way he'd let Milo push him around, she knew.

  But four wolves? Could he handle four?

  In a flash, she switched to her tiger form. Her borrowed army uniform lay in rags around her feet as she let out a roar.

  She had to be fast. They were making one hell of a noise. When the army came running, they'd have guns. They wouldn't let four wolves, a white tiger and some tall dude with big pointy teeth fight it out on their watch.

  If she didn't break this up, somebody was going to get shot.

  It wouldn't kill any of them, but it'd hurt like hell.

  She sprang at Milo, but one of the other wolves blocked her with a blow to the face. She shoved him angrily out of the way with her head.

  Louis was fast, but Milo and the two other wolves had him up against a wall.

  Isabel jumped forward, but Milo was already laying into Louis. He sank his teeth and claws into Louis's shoulder.

  Louis grabbed Milo by a handful of fur and shoved him hard. Milo hurtled through the air toward his friends, knocking all three of them across the ground like skittles.

  Isabel jumped on Milo, and stamped on his chest. He hit the ground.

  It would be so easy to bite his head clean off. God knows she was angry enough.

  Instead, she just swiped him hard across the muzzle with her claws out. Four neat lines of blood welled upon his fur.

  She could hear a group of soldiers coming out of the big old building a few minutes away. The wolves heard it too, because within seconds they'd all shifted back.

  Isabel stood up, freeing Milo. They were all nude, but she didn't care.

  Milo wiped the blood off his face, eyeing her curves with a sickening leer.

  "You okay?" Louis put his hand on her shoulder. "Here. Take my shirt again." He slipped it off and threw it over her.

  Isabel was grateful she no longer had to show Milo what was never going to be his.

  "Thanks. I'm good. Are you?" She took her eyes off Milo and his crew for a second, to check his shoulder injury. It was pretty deep. But vampires had accelerated healing skills, like all supernatural beings. She knew he'd be okay. The wound was already starting to close up at the edges.

  "Why are you protecting vampire scum, Prowse?" Milo's friend's voice dripped with disgust. "You're a shifter. Shifters don't hang out with the undead. You're better than that."

  "You know what? It's none of your damn business." She turned back to Milo. "And you? You need to get the message, loud and clear. I do not want to be with you. I never will want to be with you. Can I be any more obvious? Do I need to write it on this wall in blood? Would it help if it was yours?"

  Milo pulled himself up as tall as he could. He was still inches shorter than Louis, to his obvious annoyance. And his naked body was in good shape, but it gave her absolutely no lustful thoughts at all.

  "You'll regret this, when he slaughters someone you care about." Milo sneered openly at her. "You're fucking him, aren't you? You went there. You stooped that low."

  "Get the hell out of here before I make you scream for your omega." Louis lunged at Milo, but Isabel held him back.

  "I've got this, Louis. Seriously."

  Louis stepped back, looking murderous. Isabel kissed him lightly on the lips, then turned back to Milo.

  His face was white with rage. "You actually prefer a dead guy to me. Me." He flexed his biceps at her. "I can give you everything you want, Izzy. Kids. A proper shifter lifestyle." He turned to Louis and smiled nastily. "A romantic walk on a sunny day. I can give you it all. Unlike some people."

  "I don't want any of those things from you." Isabel gave him a shove, so hard that he stumbled and almost fell. "And if you don't get out of here, I will personally rip you a new asshole. Now disappear."

  Milo glared at them both sulkily, then marched away. His henchmen followed him.

  "Pretty hard to storm off with gravitas when your balls are bobbing in the breeze," Louis observed coolly.

  Isabel snickered. She eyed Louis's bare chest.

  Hot. So hot, for a cold guy.

  "Let's get back to my room. And what did you think you were doing, taking on four wolves? You know they could've probably staked you, if they'd wanted to?"

  He shook his head. "They had no wooden weapons with them, and none were available within easy reach. You worry too much."

  "Why didn't you just do your disappearing thing when they arrived? Why stand and take them on?"

  They reached the building and hurried to her room. She shut the door behind them.

  He picked her up and kissed her, but she pushed him away.

  "Seriously, Louis. Don't try to defend me. I'm big and tough enough to take care of myself. Especially where jerks like Milo are concerned."

  Louis put her down, an amused smile on his face. "I'm well aware you don't need my help. You're a fighting machine." He looked sort of proud. "That's not what this was about."

  "So why go out before sunset in the first place? And then why face them? Why not make a fast vampire getaway?"

  He sighed, shaking his head. "They're wolves, ma belle. Wolves."

  She stared at him, baffled. "Yeah. And?"

  "I thought that might be useful. You know. They're wolves."

  "Huh?"

  He raised his dark eyebrows at her. "You don't get it?"

  Isabel narrowed her eyes at him. "Spell it out. I've had a long day."

  "Wolves can turn people. Right? I was hoping they'd bite me and turn me into one of them."

  She gasped. "You wanted to be a wolf?"

  "Not specifically. I just don't want to be this any more." He waved his hands over himself.

  "Wow."

  "Wolves have always been able to turn people. Yes? We don't need any magic if they can fix me." He looked forlornly at his wound. It had almost vanished. "But obviously not. Because I haven't changed at all."

  She sniffed him. The wound still smelled of Milo. Ugh. But the rest of Louis smelled like himself. Luscious and fresh, just the same as ever.

  "Yeah, it didn't work. When wolves and bears turn someone, they turn into the animal form immediately. It takes a while to shift back to human, if anything." His crestfallen look tugged at her heart. "Sorry, dude. You're still you. I guess the bite technique doesn't work on vamps."

  "Guess not."

  They hugged tightly. Isabel buried her face in his unmarked shoulder.
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  A knock at the door made them spring apart.

  "Miss Prowse? Telephone for you."

  "Thank you. On my way." She kissed Louis and made her way to the door. "Ooh, exciting. This could be it!"

  "This could be what?" He looked confused.

  "Rufus. It could be Rufus, calling back with the spell." She smiled, feeling giddy with anticipation. "He's never let me down yet. This could be the magic we need to do the job properly."

  She rushed down the corridor to find out.

  * * *

  Yeah, Rufus was amazing. Isabel was going to have to take him out for a seriously expensive dinner when she next visited London.

  He read out every word of the old spell, and given her full instructions on how to use it. She wrote it all down in tiny pencil script on army notepaper.

  "How'd you get this?" She marveled at his ability to find stuff out.

  "Ah, well I know all the right people. Well, all the right shifters. You know how it is." He chuckled. Listening to his voice, Isabel felt a pang of homesickness for the first time in ages.

  "I'll call you from Colorado," she said. "Maybe I'll even have a friend with me."

  "Intriguing." She imagined his eyes crinkling with amusement, all the way over there in England. "Look forward to it, Isabel. Bring him over when you can."

  She hadn't specified that it was a “him”, but Rufus was a smart guy.

  Tomorrow, it was Saturday. The day of the Halloween full moon. And on Sunday, she was booked on a flight out of here. She'd fly on a small jet to the nearest big city, then take an international flight to JFK. From there, she'd fly into Denver.

  She had one hell of a journey to make, that was for sure. It was going to be a long time before she could sleep in her own bed.

  The traveling time would pass a lot faster if she had company.

  He had no passport, but the Chase family were practically royals themselves. They'd fix that for her. She had faith.

  For a moment, she dared to imagine that the magic would work. What would Louis be like as a tiger?

  Proud. Fierce. Sexy as hell.

  Able to travel. Able to come home with her, and live with her, and get her naked any time they wanted.

  Yeah, she could get used to that idea.

  If they practiced the spell, and got the magic word perfect in time for the full moon? Holy shit, they might just swing it.

  She hurried back to her room. The night suddenly felt full of promise.

  Shock

  Saturday came too soon. Isabel had nothing much to pack up, so she made her way over to the medical tent. The weekend staff threw their arms around her and wished her well.

  "Jerry's going home today too," the nurse told her. "He's flying on a military airplane, so you won't be traveling together. But he sends his regards. Isn't it great that he'll be home with his family soon?"

  "Yeah. Fantastic."

  "I'm sure you must be thrilled to go home too!" The nurse smiled warmly at her. "You must have missed everybody terribly."

  Isabel ignored the gnawing feeling inside. The person she would miss most was right here, and he couldn't leave. Not unless the spell worked.

  She knew she had to leave this place, whether or not the magic kicked in for Louis.

  And if it didn't work, she'd be leaving him behind for ever.

  The one guy she'd ever actually wanted to keep.

  "Yeah, uh, of course. Home sweet home, and all that." She looked around the medical tent. It was pretty busy. "Listen, do you need some help today? My flight doesn't leave until early tomorrow morning, and I'm free until sunset."

  "You're sure?" The nurse handed Isabel a pair of latex gloves before she could change her mind. "An extra pair of hands is always welcome. But only if you're sure you have time?"

  Isabel nodded. She needed to keep busy while it was daylight. Otherwise she'd get to thinking, and that'd be counterproductive. She couldn't risk losing her nerve.

  Tonight was full moon. The Halloween full moon.

  When night fell, it would be urgent for Louis to feed. Full moon meant he would be driven wild with bloodlust, if he didn't feed. She hated to think of the details, but that was the simple fact of it.

  And he should get lucky pretty soon. Tragically, the combat zone was widening across the desert communities, and before long he was bound to find someone recently deceased to feed from.

  He'd need to move fast, because he'd have to get back to her while the moon was out. Then they'd try the magic.

  Not “try”, Dr. Prowse. DO the magic.

  She ordered herself to stay positive.

  But she had hours to worry about all this, and she needed something else to occupy her hands and thoughts. Work would help.

  The doctor on duty directed Isabel to the next patient, and she started her examination.

  * * *

  As the sun began to set, Isabel cleared away the equipment she had been using.

  "Mind if I get going now?"

  "My goodness, of course not. You've been a treasure today. An absolute treasure." The nurse threw her arms around her.

  Isabel smiled and hugged her back. "It's been a pleasure. I'm going to miss this place."

  The doctor washing her hands looked alarmed. "Miss it? My God, I can't wait to be posted back home again. Hot showers! Good food! You won't miss this place, believe me."

  Isabel pretended to agree. But she knew she would be heartbroken to leave, if--

  Stay positive. You're going to do this. You're going to make this magic work, and Louis is going to come home with you.

  As she left the medical tent, the sound of gunfire stopped her. That sounded pretty close.

  She looked around to see where it was coming from.

  "Hey, miss? Are you the doctor?" A young army private who looked about twenty-one ran over and grabbed her arm. "There's been an incident just west of here, on the other side of the next village. Lots injured. One woman in particular has taken a direct hit, and she won't make it here on a stretcher. Can you come?"

  Isabel didn't hesitate. She darted back into the tent and picked up one of the field medical bags. "Stand by for a busy night," she called over her shoulder to the nurse.

  The soldier and Isabel hurried toward the river. The noise of gunfire grew louder, joined by the occasional scream.

  Isabel hoped the nightly bombing raids would hold off long enough to bring in the first round of wounded people. The last thing the Shifter Medics International staff needed was a second major incident before the first had been fully dealt with.

  As they ran through the village, Isabel saw frightened kids cowering behind their older siblings. Some of them must have seen horrors that would scar an adult. Her heart hurt for them.

  A teenage boy grabbed the soldier accompanying her, and started talking frantically to him. He was clearly in distress.

  The soldier nodded to him, and turned back to Isabel. "You keep going, doctor. I'll just help this kid, and then I'll join you. Keep following this path. The shot woman I mentioned is just a couple of minutes from here. She's behind that row of homes. Someone's helping her, but she's bleeding badly."

  Isabel nodded and broke into a run.

  As she turned the corner, she saw something that stopped her in her tracks.

  In the light of the full moon, she saw the unmistakable silhouette of Louis. Her Louis.

  He was cradling a woman in his arms, with his back to Isabel.

  Was this her patient? Had Louis got here first? Was he helping the woman, while they waited for medical backup?

  She smiled as she ran the last few steps toward them. Was he a great assistant, or what?

  Her smile dropped as she saw him tip the woman's head back and bend to her neck.

  He was feeding? This was a dead woman?

  It couldn't be her patient. He only fed from dead people.

  She jumped right in front of them, embarrassed at catching him in the act, but unable to look away.

&nbs
p; The woman looked up and waved weakly at Isabel.

  Isabel gasped sharply. "Wait. This woman's alive?"

  Louis looked up at her. His fangs had vanished.

  Isabel's world felt like it was collapsing on top of her.

  "Help me," the woman rasped, patting Louis's face.

  "You were going to feed from a live woman? You were going to turn her? You were going to make her into a monster, like you?"

  Thoughts flitted around Isabel's head like fireflies.

  He opened his mouth to speak but she shook her head.

  "You told me you only fed from dead people. You lied."

  "No, no. It's not like that, Isabel. This isn't what you—"

  "Don't you dare say that to me. 'It's not like that. You don't understand. That's what you said when you stole my blood supplies. You told me it was all for the greater good. You were a lying monster then and you're a lying monster now."

  "Ma belle, no. No!"

  "And I've been so nuts about you, I let myself be fooled." She looked up at the full moon, laughing down at her for being so stupid. "I was even dumb enough to think I could turn you into a shifter and take you home with me. What a joke."

  She took the folded spell paper from her pocket and ripped it in half. Then she threw the pieces at him in disgust.

  "You make me sick. I never want to see you again, Louis. Now get the fuck out of my way."

  Lose

  Louis picked up the torn fragments of paper and stuffed them into his jacket pocket.

  "No, Isabel. Okay, forget me. Forget us. Forget everything we ever did and said, if that's how you want it. This woman is dying. Help her. Please."

  Isabel knelt down and began to staunch the woman's gunshot wound. The wound gaped right through her chest, with a messy exit wound. She knew the woman had very little chance of survival, but she'd do her utmost to help her.

  Pulling out a syringe from her medical bag, she gave the woman a shot of morphine. It would help with the pain, at least.

  "Move away from my patient," she growled at Louis. "You're a predator. You were going to ruin this woman's life, like yours was ruined two centuries ago? Why would you do that?"