Emerald City Shifters (Bundle)

by Kit Tunstall

  “I think I hurt you, and I didn’t mean to. You’re far more than Lila’s sister. You’re the best parts of what she could have been, but she’ll never let herself be so genuine. If you had any idea how difficult it is for me to resist what my bear wants, you’d know how much I want you.”

  His words cheered her considerably. “It’s a terrible idea, isn’t it?”

  He nodded, even as he lifted a finger to smooth strand of auburn hair off her cheek. “The absolute worst, and that’s comparing all the other bad things I’ve done in my life, including bringing Lila to the island and accidentally getting her pregnant before she ran away.”

  “Remind me again why it’s such a bad idea?” She wetted her lips with her tongue after asking the question, holding her breath as she awaited the answer.

  He groaned low in his throat, his eyes following her tongue with evident need. “If I had some perspective and time, I’m sure I could come up with a long list of reasons.”

  “Yes, me too.” She held her breath as his head lowered, his mouth getting ever nearer. She knew she should roll away, or just ask him to leave. She was certain he would do so, and without complaint. He was never going to force her to do anything she didn’t want to. The problem was, she wanted to do it, and very much so.

  “You should go to sleep now.”

  She smiled at him. “I can’t with you in my room.” She tilted her head slightly on the pillow, making it easier for his mouth to align with hers. “Maybe you should kiss me good night?”

  He groaned again, but he didn’t seem to be fighting any longer. His lips touched hers, first in a gentle kiss that soon grew more frantic. His tongue slipped into her mouth, and she caressed it with her own. Only their mouths were touching, aside from the hand he had buried in her hair, but it felt intimate, as though they were already joined. It was the most intense kiss of her life, and she could only imagine how much more intense making love with Kade could be. Excitement filled her at the thought, and she knew she was ready to embrace Kade, though she wasn’t entirely certain about the bear-shifter side.

  That was what gave her the strength to pull away. She wasn’t sure about the bear in the man, and it wouldn’t be fair to him to imply that she was or had already decided she was fine with everything. Until she knew for sure how she felt, she couldn’t lead him on. Her body burned for him, and she knew she was perilously close to losing her heart to Kade, but the bear-shifter inside him still frightened her. She licked her lips when she looked into his eyes. “May I see your bear?”

  For a moment, Kade seemed unsettled by the request, but then his expression cleared. “If that’s what you want. I have to get undressed though. I’ve ruined too many clothes during shifting.”

  She managed a shaky smile. “That’s the best excuse to take off your clothes that I’ve ever heard.”

  Kade grinned at her as he stood up, stripping off the T-shirt and pajama pants he’d worn. He wore no underwear underneath, and her cheeks flushed when she got her first look at his generous manhood. It was a daunting sight, and she quickly ripped her gaze away. She was intrigued, but also slightly alarmed, by the sheer size of him. Waving a hand in the vague direction of his cock, she asked, “Is that a common gift among shifters?”

  He gave her a cocky grin. “Yes, but I’m more blessed than many.”

  She gave him a doubtful look. “How would you know that?”

  Clearly unabashed, Kade said, “I’ve been naked around all of the clan as we shifted. It’s just like a bunch of boys in the locker room comparing…notes.”

  She rolled her eyes, refusing to reveal her amusement at his claims. A moment later, her laughter fled in the face of wonder as Kade crouched on all fours, and a bear appeared where the man had been. It wasn’t an instant process, but it happened so rapidly that she had difficulty following the transformation. She caught a glimpse of his nose stretching, and his face reforming into a muzzle, but then it was a bear’s face before she could truly focus on how it had become so.

  She stared at the impressive bear before her, his fur the same rich brown as Kade’s hair. She lifted a hand to touch it, but then hesitated. She was torn between fear and curiosity. A moment later, Kade bumped her hand with his head, forcing her to touch his silky fur. It was much softer than she had anticipated, and she couldn’t resist the urge to stroke it lightly. She watched his face as she did so, and his eyes seemed to gleam with pleasure as his lids dropped half-mast, and a rumbling sound issued from him. It sounded eerily like the purr of a cat, and as she moved her hand to rub behind his ear, the rumbling grew louder, and he pressed his furry body more firmly against her. He was clearly enjoying the attention, and for a moment, he was so much like a big puppy that she couldn’t help giggling.

  Kade’s eyes opened with surprise, and a moment later, the man had returned. “What’s so funny?”

  She shook her head, waiting until her urge to giggle had passed before she spoke. “You’re just so sweet and adorable. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting.”

  He quirked a brow. “What were you expecting?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess sharp teeth, long claws, and perhaps some slobbering.”

  Kade’s chest puffed out. “I’ll have you know I never slobber, woman.”

  She giggled again, unable to fight back the giddiness sweeping through her. There was still fear and uncertainty, but it was more closely related now to the other bears in his clan, and how she could fit into their life here. She was no longer afraid of Kade in any form, man or bear. She started to tell him that, but with perfect timing, Aislinn began to cry. She grinned at him. “I guess you’re being summoned.”

  With what looked like irritation, though his gleaming eyes revealed he didn’t really mind, he shrugged on his T-shirt and slipped on the pajama pants again. “I guess I’ll go take care the baby while you laze around in bed.”

  She stretched, letting the sheet fall enough to reveal her cleavage in the sleep tank. “I guess so. I’m going to go to sleep now. I bet you’ll have a long night.”

  He glared at her. “I have a feeling you’re going to have a long night too, because I can smell just how aroused you are. There’s going to be intense suffering for both of us tonight.”

  She was startled by his words, and her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t try to deny them. What was the point? If his smelling was that acute, he could definitely tell how much she wanted him, and she was sick of lies and deception anyway. “Maybe we’ll get another chance soon.”

  His eyes darkened, and his desire was obvious. “Very soon.” He almost growled the words, but they were like a promise he was making, and she gladly embraced it.

  Chapter Five

  Surprisingly, after Kade’s departure, Shayla had slept like a baby. She woke refreshed and had just slipped on her robe when there was a pounding at the front door. She slipped out of the room and ran into Kade and Aislinn in the hallway. A spark of sympathy shot through her when she saw the bags under Kade’s eyes and his hair standing on end. It looked like he’d had a rough night, and she wasn’t certain if that was because Aislinn had woken more than usual, or because he’d been left in a state of frustration that had him tossing and turning.

  The person at the front door pounded again, and Kade scowled in clear annoyance. “Someone had better be dying, or they will be,” he said gruffly as he strode ahead of Shayla to open the door.

  She walked with him, but stood back, certain it would be something to do with the clan’s business, which meant it wasn’t hers. She stiffened when she heard her name and stepped into view, frowning at the tall, almost gawky, man standing at the door. He wore an ill-fitting suit, and his hair was windblown, indicating he had probably arrived by boat.

  “Who brought you here?” asked Kade, his voice thick with suspicion.

  “I hired a fisherman at the pier in Seattle. That hardly matters, does it? Now show me to Shayla Dalton.”

  Shayla cleared her throat. “I’m Shayla.”<
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  The dark-haired man examined her for a quick moment before nodding, apparently either recognizing her or accepting her word. “I’m Jeffrey Brogan with Child Protective Services.” He pulled out a bifold leather wallet and opened it to show his identification before rapidly flicking it closed and sliding it back into his pocket. “I’m here regarding Aislinn Dalton.”

  There was a definite growl in Kade’s tone as his arm tightened around Aislinn. “What about her?”

  “The infant is seriously ill and should be in a hospital. I’ve come to take custody of her and see that it’s done.”

  Shayla swayed under the shock of the news, already shaking her head. “Her pediatrician never said that. He told me he had to make the official recommendation that she stay in the hospital, but if it were his daughter, he would take her home and love her until she passed away.”

  The CPS agent scoffed, as though he knew more than the physician. “We don’t agree with that recommendation at all. If the child is still alive, she needs to be in a hospital.”

  “My daughter is perfectly healthy,” said Kade.

  Brogan frowned at him. “Just who are you?”

  “I’m Sheriff Kade Lassiter, and Aislinn is my daughter.”

  The other man paled slightly and looked down at his phone, as though reading an electronic file. “I see no mention of a father here.”

  “That was because my sister was being dishonest so she could push through the adoption. Kade is definitely Aislinn’s father.”

  “Well, of course we will have to prove that through DNA, but it hardly matters at the moment. He’s clearly busy with his own child, and I need the infant.”

  Shayla shared a puzzled look with Kade. “What are you talking about? Aislinn’s right there.” She pointed to her niece on Kade’s shoulder.

  The CPS agent shook his head, his expression full of disbelief. “That’s impossible. She was diagnosed with failure to thrive and on the brink of death. That couldn’t possibly be the same child. She’s far larger than I expected.”

  “She got better,” said Kade. “As you can see, there’s no need for your concern, so you can start swimming back to Seattle.”

  Brogan glared at him. “I’m not going anywhere without the infant in question. That can’t be Aislinn Dalton.”

  “It is. Why don’t you compare her DNA to the samples you have on file? I know the state ordered genetic testing at the pediatrician’s behest when Aislinn wasn’t growing.” Since Aislinn hadn’t officially been adopted as hers, she was still on the state health insurance plan, so they had been the ones to pay for her genetic testing.

  The CPS agent looked surprised for a moment, and his mouth gaped open and closed before dropping open again. He seemed to be on the verge of arguing, but clearly couldn’t find a reason to do so. “Very well. I’ll collect a sample of DNA. When we get back to the city, I’ll compare it, and if it’s a match, I’ll let you know. At that time, you can visit the child.”

  Kade shoulders stiffened, and his stance widened. “What you’ll do is conduct your DNA tests here by bringing in whatever expert you need, and Aislinn will stay here until you verify it’s her, and she’s in fine health. At that point, CPS will bow out.”

  The CPS agent glared at him. “I’d like to know what you think you’re going to do about anything, especially telling us what we’re going to do. A rural sheriff is no match for the California DCFS.”

  “For one thing, I’m going to call my good friend Kingston Meade, and he’ll send the best attorney available for custody disputes. I’ll also have that attorney file an immediate injunction preventing you from removing Aislinn before you verify her identity, and further, we’ll get a protection order against you personally.”

  The agent sputtered, though his posture shrank inward. “I hardly feel all that’s necessary.”

  “To be blunt, I don’t care what you feel. I’m protecting my daughter.”

  Brogan sighed. “Let’s compromise. I’ll take the sample and send it off, and then I’ll stay here on the island until it’s cleared. Once we prove or disprove the child’s identity, or find the real Aislinn, then events can move forward.”

  Shayla didn’t like his vague wording, and she was inclined to send him packing, but she wasn’t entirely certain Kade could do all the things he had listed, at least not in a short timeframe. “Wait, you’re going to do the DNA test?”

  He gave her a look full of exasperation. “Isn’t that what we’ve been discussing?”

  She glared at his tone. “I meant you personally. Are you qualified to do that?”

  He sniffed at her. “I carry a kit with me, though of course I can’t do the diagnostic testing here…I mean myself. There’s no reason I can’t collect the sample from a swab of her cheek and send it off though.”

  “We’ll have the attorney drop it off in Seattle on his way back.” Kade made the offer, though his gaze was cold.

  Brogan shook his head. “I already said an attorney isn’t necessary.”

  Arching a brow, Kade asked in a dangerously soft voice, “Are you trying to advise me that I don’t require an attorney? Doesn’t that seem contrary to your training?”

  Brogan stiffened. “You must do as you wish. If it’s someone I can trust, I’ll entrust the sample to him.”

  Kade inclined his head, though he was still visibly angry. He turned to Shayla, holding out Aislinn. “Watch her while I get this person settled somewhere.”

  “There’s an empty jail cell,” she said under her breath, eliciting a small smile from him. As soon as Aislinn was in her arms, she hugged her niece tightly as fear of being parted from her swept through her. This was the second time in recent memory she’d faced losing the infant, and this time, she knew Aislinn wouldn’t be going to someone who loved and protected her.

  She didn’t trust the CPS agent. Perhaps it was simply because he wanted to remove the child from them, but she already disliked him heartily. He might just be doing his job, but she hated him and everything about him.

  Kade didn’t bother to change out of his pajama pants and T-shirt, though he did push his feet into boots as he directed Brogan away from their cabin, and she closed the door behind them. After the wooden barrier was between them, she relaxed slightly, feeling safer, even if it was an illusion. Aislinn cooed at her, and she turned her head to nuzzle her cheek against the baby’s. “Don’t worry, sweetie. You aren’t going anywhere.” The words were as much for Shayla’s benefit as Aislinn’s.

  ***

  Shayla discovered that afternoon that Kade hadn’t been bluffing. When he came by the cabin and asked her to bring the baby to the sheriff’s office, she immediately complied, following behind him. When she entered the small building a couple of minutes later, her eyes immediately registered Brogan, but there was also another person standing there. In her crisp corporate suit, no-nonsense black heels, and clutching a briefcase that probably cost more than Shayla’s last car, the Asian woman was as out of place on the island as the CPS agent. She wore a warm smile, and she was standing far enough apart from Brogan to indicate she wasn’t aligned with him. Shayla wasn’t certain if it was a conscious decision or an unconscious response to Brogan himself. Either way, she guessed and correctly that this was Kade’s attorney. He confirmed it a moment later with introductions.

  “Shayla, this is Tru Song, and she’ll be protecting Aislinn’s best interests.”

  As she held out her hand to give Shayla’s a firm shake, the attorney added with a sparkle in her eyes, “Which means I’ll be insuring she stays with you folks.”

  Brogan let out a sound that indicated he was annoyed, but he didn’t offer any words to the contrary.

  “It’s nice to meet you. It’s also nice to know someone’s looking out for Aislinn besides us.”

  Ms. Song turned to Brogan, her friendliness fading away as her tone became brusque. “You may collect your sample now, and then I need to conference with my clients, so you’ll need to leave.”


  “You all suffer from a deplorable lack of manners.” When no one replied to refute or own his words, he sniffed before reaching into a bag he set on the corner of Kade’s desk, quickly removing a long swab and a vial in which to store it. “This is highly unusual.”

  “It’s highly unusual for a CPS agent to be collecting a DNA sample in the field too,” said Ms. Song, her expression faintly suspicious.

  “I already explained to the sheriff that it’s a new policy we’re instituting in San Francisco. It helps clear up identification issues much faster, so CPS agents in California are starting to carry DNA collection kits.”

  The attorney still looked skeptical. “It sounds like bad science to me to entrust it in the hands of people who have had very little training.”

  He glared at her as he opened the swab and approached Aislinn. “I’m certain I have far more scientific training than you do, Ms. Soong.”

  “Song,” she corrected, looking unconcerned. “And do you really? Is science a big component of a social work degree?”

  The CPS agent ignored her question as he focused on Aislinn. The baby tensed and squealed as he got nearer, and Shayla couldn’t help wondering if the baby’s bear instincts were kicking in to warn her that the man meant to do her harm, even benignly. Or perhaps she just didn’t like strangers. She’d been so listless for so long that it was difficult to judge how she responded to people when she was feeling well. Now that she was feeling much better, and had made up for her growth deficiency plus some, perhaps she was just revealing more of her personality.

  Either way, it was a struggle to get Aislinn to hold still long enough for Brogan to slip the cotton swab inside her mouth and take a sample from her cheek. As soon as he pulled away to cap the sample, she lifted Aislinn higher in her arms and jostled her gently, trying to avert a full-scale cry when the baby started whimpering. Fortunately, Aislinn seemed to be conducive to being soothed, and she was soon smiling again.