Summer Shifter Nights

by Harmony Raines

  “Brady? I think I can talk to you now without clawing your eyes out.”

  “Hey, how do you feel?” He takes my hand and gently holds it between his. The moment he does, my love for him surges. How can I be mad at him for something he didn’t try to do?

  “Like I was roughed up. Can we try vanilla sex next time? Because I didn’t bargain for this.” I tear up again.

  His eyes crinkle in a quick smile. “I’m so sorry, love.” He leans down and kisses away my tears. His touch soothes me.

  “I know. I wasn’t really mad at you. It’s just kind of hard to go from a regular girl tattooing dicks in California to a werebear in less than a week, you know?”

  “You were never regular.” He places a hand on my cheek, and I lean into it. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

  His words tug at my heart. He really loves me, and I know I love him too. “How do I look in fur and claws?”

  He leans over me and whispers in my ear. “Sexy as hell.”

  A jolt of desire races through me, and I whisper back. “You’ll have to shift for me sometime. I might have a new fantasy.” Whoa, did I just admit I want to have animal sex for real? I let out small growl that makes him grin.

  I ask, “So what happens now? I assume I have to learn to control shifting, right?”

  “Yes. And Annie is probably the best one to teach you. Women have different triggers.”

  I nod. Sierra and Keith come over to talk to us. Sierra says, “We’re going to go now that you’re okay. You should probably sleep. But I’ll be back to see you in the morning.”

  She leans down and kisses me on the cheek. I say, “Thanks.”

  When they’ve left I swing my legs around to get off the bed. Annie asks, “Want any help?”

  “No, I think I’ve got it.” I stand, and while sore, I feel strong enough to walk. The thick carpet in Brady’s room wraps around my toes as I make my way to the bathroom.

  When I get to the tile, it seems unusually cold under my feet, and I wonder if maybe I have a higher internal temperature now. Sitting down to pee, I’m struck by how high the toilet is, and it makes me think I’m going to like living in a giant-sized house. The enormousness of that hits me. I live here.

  Water splashes in the sink as I wash my hands. Dried blood is under my nails, but my hands look perfectly normal, and nobody would ever know by looking at them that claws can slip out at a moment’s notice.

  I look down at my bare legs and see red welts and bits of caked blood. I could use a bath. I wander back into the bedroom to Annie chastising Brady. I overhear something about making sure the others know before more women show up.

  She stops talking when they see me. I should mind, but I’m too tired to care. “I’d like to take a bath. Should I do it here?”

  Brady answers, “Yes. Let me run it for you.” He gets up and walks by me, touching my arm as he does.

  Annie says, “I’ve got lovely bath salts you can use. I’ll go get them. Can I get you some tea, too?”

  I shake my head, “No, I’ll come down to the kitchen for something later.”

  Before she turns to leave I ask, “Annie?”

  “Yes?”

  “Is being a werebear hard?”

  “Oh, Carly, no. For us it’s just something that happens, and we’re prepared.” She bites her lip in thought. “Do you remember going through puberty and your emotions were all over the place? And when you got your period you were sure women were cursed and it wasn’t fair?”

  I smile, “Yeah. I was pretty pissed off that I had to get cramps and bleed.”

  “This is kind of the same thing. You’ll get better at it and then forget what it was like to not be one.” She smiles as if she’s remembered something. “Tomorrow we’ll go into the woods together. I think you’re going to like being a bear.”

  I frown at the thought, and she says, “I’ll be right back with those bath salts.”

  I wander to the bathroom and ponder her words. Right now being a werebear doesn’t seem like anything I’ll ever like. Tears come again, and I don’t bother to stop them.

  24

  Chapter 11

  Carly

  Tiny balls whoosh into the water as Annie pours bath salts into the tub. Like everything in this house, it’s enormous, and I bet ten people could bathe in it comfortably. A tile ledge is around the perimeter, and it extends all the way to a big window that takes up almost the entire wall. While it’s dark now, I imagine the view of the forest is spectacular. The scent of lavender fills the room.

  Brady begins to take off his clothes, and I look over at Annie in shock that he’s undressing in front of her.

  She smiles. “Get used to men stripping in front of everyone. They have no shame.”

  Brady snorts, “Oh, please, women do it too. You have to if you want to keep your favorite clothes.”

  “True, brother dear, but we’re more civilized about it.”

  She winks at me. “Roar if you need me.”

  I smile at her little joke even though I’m on the verge of a major crying jag. Brady climbs into the tub and moans in pleasure.

  He says, “C’mon, I’ll wash you.”

  The buttons of the shirt I’m wearing are slippery in my fingers, and I fumble a moment before I begin to feel the ache in my hands. Crap on a cracker, I’m shifting. Before panic can set in, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I listen to the air fill my lungs and then blow it out steadily. My body seems to get the message, and the ache subsides.

  Brady’s voice makes me open my eyes. “Well done. You’re quick to catch on.”

  Pride surges in me, and I wonder why the hell I care what he thinks. Yeah, I’m a little bitter about the changing thing. I manage to get the shirt off by pulling it over my head, and I step into the water. It’s almost too hot, but I sink in and let it flow over my shoulders.

  Brady moves behind me and pulls me against his body. His cock throbs and thickens behind me. “Sorry, natural reaction to you. But I don’t think sex is a good idea right now.”

  I nod and lean back into his embrace. Desire overpowers my lingering anger. “How does sex affect shifting?”

  “I’m not sure how it works with women, but for men we shift when we want to dominate.” I stiffen as a vision of Keith coming toward us replays in my mind, and Brady says, “It can be controlled. Nobody does the bestiality thing.”

  I hadn’t even considered that, and the idea makes me want to cringe. He wiggles a bit behind me. “That’s why I bit you when I lost control. It’s a way to stop shifting and common for two shifters to do to each other. I’m sorry; I never planned on hurting you.”

  He drops his head to my shoulder and speaks into my neck. “I’ll never lose control with you like that ever again. Watching you change was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. I thought I’d killed you, Carly, and I wanted to die too.”

  His voice is shaky, and I turn to look into his eyes. They’re glassy with moisture. “Oh, Brady.” I kiss the tear that escapes as they fall down my face too.

  He finds my mouth and kisses me with desperation, as if I’m the very breath he needs to survive. And I suppose I am, because he feels like mine. I’m struck by the intensity of our connection and fall into it. The need to cry dissipates as his love flows through me.

  When we break apart I ask, “Did we form some bond? Did that happen when you changed me?”

  “It’s from sexual mating. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we discover a strong connection of some sort because of what happened. Keith put our mothers on the research, and tomorrow we’ll have a meeting to talk it through.”

  Brady soaps up a washcloth and lifts my arm to wash it. I ask, “Wait, I’m meeting your mother tomorrow?”

  Brady smiles at me. “You are, and she’s going to love you, don’t fret.”

  “Okay, but I hope I don’t embarrass myself and shift in front of her. I’m guessing that’s kind of a faux pas.” I giggle. “Oh dear, now I’
m speaking French.”

  Brady chuckles. “You’re adorable.” He twists my shoulders back and washes my back. The water is like silk on my skin.

  I inspect the bite on my wrist and see that it’s only a faint red outline. “Wow, I do heal fast now. You bit me, and this is all I have to show for the earth-shattering experience it caused? I feel like it should look much worse.”

  Brady places a hand over my heart. “I think I left the scar here. I hope I can win back your trust some day.”

  I place my hand over his. “Don’t. I’m not thrilled with my new furry features but—” I lift his palm and kiss it. “I trust you with my life.”

  I turn around and straddle his lap, even though I’m dangerously close to sliding onto his cock. “I love you, Brady Le Roux.”

  He grabs my face and kisses me with a passion that rolls through me. I pull away panting. “I want you inside me, but what happens if I shift on you during sex?”

  “If you feel it happening and can’t control it, bite me. It will tamp down the urge.”

  I smile at him and lift myself over his cock. “Say it, Brady. Say you’re mine.”

  “I’m yours. I love you, Carly Le Roux.”

  I lower myself slowly and let him fill me up, savoring the sensation of his silky skin inside my channel. I moan in delight. We move slowly at first, but I can’t maintain it and find myself pumping faster as he takes me higher.

  When I’m on the edge I notice the ache in my hands. I take a deep breath, and it dissipates. Even though every primal cell in me is in ecstasy and I’m lost in the urges written in my DNA, staying human wasn’t hard to do. When I come it’s a scream, but in my mind I hear a roar.

  I continue to ride Brady until his release, and we pant together. Combing my fingers through his damp hair, I say, “I felt like I was going to shift, but it wasn’t hard to stop it.”

  “That’s good, but don’t ever be afraid to bite me, okay?”

  I nod. “Does the biting thing work if you’re not turned on?”

  Brady chuckles, “Yeah, as teens we give hickeys a whole new meaning.”

  I playfully suck on his neck, and he groans as his cock twitches inside me. I wonder what it’s like to do this as a bear but tuck that thought away. I’m not ready to go there yet. I pull away to look at Brady’s face.

  Even though I just managed to live through a hell this man created, I love him and can’t imagine being without him.

  Pushing my wet hair away from my face, he stares into my eyes. “I’m at your command, for now and for always.”

  I smile. “That’s a pretty big promise from an alpha male.”

  He smiles back. “Don’t you realize you’ve become the alpha’s mate in this clan? You’re the only one that can keep me in check. Use your power wisely.”

  I meet him for a kiss and think. I plan to.

  25

  Chapter 12

  Carly

  Cuddling in Brady’s arms, I sleep soundly through the night. I wake recalling a dream of running through the forest at an amazing speed and then diving into a roaring stream to catch fish. The dream was so full of joy it gives me hope for actually liking my altered state at some point.

  The scent of lavender is faint on the pillow, and I remember our bath. I push my bottom into Brady’s lap, and his morning erection presses against me. His voice rumbles, “You’re going to be the death of me, woman. My mother will be here in a half hour.”

  “What?” I bolt up out of the bed and look around the room for my things. “Why didn’t you wake me sooner?” I realize my bags are still in my car. “I don’t have anything to wear, and my stuff—” My hands begin to ache. This is not the time to shift! I close my eyes to take a deep breath. When I’m calm, I open them up again.

  Brady is siting up with his arms up and his hands behind his head, looking every bit the alpha he is with a smirk on his face. “Impressive control there. Look in the closet. Sierra needed something to do when you were changing, so Keith brought in your things and she organized them.”

  “Oh.” I pad quickly over to the closet and breathe a sigh of relief when I see my clothes. I grab a pair of jeans and a feminine blouse. Finding the right underwear, I marvel at the smoothness on my skin. I’ve become more sensitive now that I’m a werebear. Interesting. I quickly finish changing and head to the bathroom.

  Brady is brushing his teeth at the sink and opens a cabinet door when he sees me. He reveals my toiletries on the shelves inside. Brushing my hair, I notice my forearms seem to ripple. The brush clatters as I drop it to the counter, and I strip off my shirt. I flex my arms, and sure enough, I’ve got bigger muscles. I’m not skinny by any stretch, but even my soft stomach seems to have some definition. Good God, I’m a warrior.

  “Brady, look.”

  He’s smiling, and foamy toothpaste splatters into the sink when he spits. “Nice. I forgot to mention how much stronger you’ll be. Have you noticed your senses are more intense too? We werebear can hear more, see more, taste more—” He wraps his arm around my waist and yanks me against his body, causing me to yelp. Licking my neck he continues, “And feel more.”

  “Sierra’s going to be so jealous.” I grin in the mirror at him as I re-button my shirt.

  Brady places his hands on my hips and plants a kiss on the top of my head. “So you’re accepting this a little better today?”

  I smile back at his reflection. “Yeah, I think I’ll be okay.”

  The distinct hum of a car engine that should be too far away to hear sounds in the distance, and Brady says, “Mom’s here. I’ll go greet her, and you can finish up.”

  A thought occurs to me. If I sense more, food is going to taste so good. My stomach grumbles in reply. I sure hope Annie cooked a lot because either it’s my imagination or there’s bacon in this house.

  By the time I get to the kitchen, I can identify every item we’re going to have by the smell. It’s freaky but cool at the same time. I’m smiling when I greet the table of people eating.

  Annie says, “Good morning, Carly. As you can see, it’s help yourself.”

  Brady stands and says, “Carly, this is my mother.”

  A woman with dark blond hair similar to Brady’s and Annie’s smiles at me. She has a mouth full of food and swallows a lump down as she squints at me. Her mouth softens when she says, “Hello, Carly, nice to meet you.”

  I smile back. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Le Roux.”

  “Oh please, you can call me Donna. Grab your breakfast and come sit. We have so much to talk about.”

  Her face has fine lines from time, but she’s impeccably dressed, and I have no doubt she’s a driving force in this family.

  I load my plate up with bacon, eggs, and berries. While the pancakes look good and I have a new-found love for maple syrup, they don’t appeal to me this morning. Brady makes me a cup of coffee and carries it to the table while I walk over and sit across from Donna.

  She reaches over and grabs my wrist the moment I sit down. Her grip is stronger than I would expect, and she flips my hand over to look at my tattoo. “Hmm, barely a mark left. Nice healing.” She releases my hand and leans forward, looking at me with eager eyes. “While I know plenty of halves, I’ve never met one that was changed. Tell me what it’s like.”

  Annie gasps, “Mother!”

  Donna waves her hand at her. “Oh, shoot, we’re all family now. Surely she won’t mind sharing.”

  I smile at her forwardness because I like her already. “Well, the changing part was hell. But it might have been better if we had planned for it. If I had known it was going to happen.”

  “Good, good. I was hoping to hear that. Go on.”

  “Ah well, my senses are heightened. I actually heard you drive up and could even smell blueberries at the top of the stairs.”

  She raises her eyebrows and wiggles her fingers in excitement. “Eat a piece of bacon. You’re going to love it.”

  I chuckle and put some in my mouth. The moment
it hits my tongue, it’s a flavor explosion. My jaw drops in amazement. I close my eyes and chew. “Oh my God, that’s almost better than—” I stop myself before I say the next word.

  Donna smirks. “Sex, right?”

  A flush rushes to my cheeks, and I nod.

  Brady is grinning too. “You’ll get used to her. No conversation is too personal for my mother.”

  She leans forward with purpose. Her intense stare makes me straighten. “So tell me about how you feel about Brady.”

  I give him a quick glance. He wasn’t joking. “Um… well, I was drawn to him even before I got here. He was in my dreams.” Brady reaches over and places a hand on mine, and I let inner strength take over. “The moment I first met him, I knew I’d never want to leave. And after last night, I—” I swallow down my embarrassment. “After we mated, I felt a connection so strong I’m not sure I could live without him.”

  Donna relaxes a little, and her voice is warmer now. “Nice. And your body, is it changing?”

  “I think so. I know I can see muscles where they weren’t before.”

  “Excellent. Now what about here?” She taps her forehead, and I frown.

  “I’m not sure what you’re asking.”

  Donna answers, “Hmm, that’s okay, dear. It will probably come with time.”

  Before I have a chance to ask what that means, she turns to Annie. “You’re training her to control the shifting, right?”

  Brady jumps in. “She’s already learning. Last night she was frustrated and about to shift. But I watched her tamp it down.” He smiles at me. “She’s pretty amazing.”

  Annie says, “We’ll work on it. I’m going to take her out in the woods today.”

  “Oh, good.” Donna asks me, “Have you had shifter sex yet?”

  My face has to be the shade of a tomato, and I shove a mouthful of eggs in so I don’t have to answer. A tiny voice in my head says, “I’m on it.” I look over at Brady. Did he just whisper that?

  He says, “Yes, Mother.”

  She asks, “Unprotected?”

  I’m dying here.

  Brady’s small voice in my head answers. “I know. She’s almost done.” He replies to Donna. “Yes.”