Highland Shifters: A Paranormal Romance Boxed Set

by Unknown

  He lingered underwater for a bit longer, tickling my throbbing core with flicks of his tongue and wringing every last bit of pleasure from my body. The climax pulsed through me, driven by Alec’s fingers and mouth. Finally, when the orgasm had faded to the faintest echo, he came up for air.

  Damn. He wasn’t even breathing hard.

  This gave me all sorts of interesting ideas about Loch Ness, which wasn’t all that far from his castle. I was almost grateful to the voice for bringing us together. Alec was the first good thing to come of its power. My only worry was whether he would be left to die like my parents. How much would Alec suffer because of me? Was I safe for good, or was this just a pit-stop before the next kidnapping attempt? I wished I could see that much of the future, so I would know for sure, but that was not how the voice worked.

  “You’re frowning,” Alec said, running a gentle finger over my brow. “That wasna what I was going for.”

  “Sorry,” I said, flushing. “I was just thinking this is too good to be true.”

  He nodded. “I know that feeling. We will just have to prove to each other that we are real and not going anywhere.” His hands went to my hips and pulled me forward. “Starting now.”

  His hard shaft poked my stomach and I reached down to wrap my hand around him. “This is real.”

  “So is this.” He leaned down and captured one of my nipples in his mouth, sucking hard. I had to grip his shoulder with my free hand, afraid I would fall otherwise. My body went slack with sensation. The scrub of his five o’ clock shadow, the thin edges of his teeth and the insistent thrashing of his tongue all conspired to rob me of control. Not that I minded.

  He peeled my hand off his shaft and lifted me up. Moving on instinct, I wrapped my legs around his waist, allowing him to slide home. I convulsed as he filled me, every muscle straining to take more of him. He had yet to touch my other nipple, but it stiffened as if he had.

  “Alec,” I gasped as he began to move in and out.

  “Aye, lass.”

  I couldn’t speak so I ground my hips into him instead, letting my body take over.

  “You like this or should I stop?” He went still and my fingers reflexively dug into his back, urging him on.

  “Take me, dragon.”

  “Aye, that I will, maiden. Many times.” He resumed moving and took the other nipple in his mouth, the tip so hard I was sure I couldn’t take much more. Alec flattened his tongue over my breast, pressing into my flesh and easing the tension. Why I don’t know, because the second my body relaxed, he wasted no time winding it tight again. He lashed his tongue over the sensitive tip and nipped at it, using more force than he had before.

  I moaned, grinding into him, needing all of him. I couldn’t stand it. Every nerve was alight with searing pleasure. There was too much energy crowding my nervous system, and needing an outlet, I planted my teeth in his shoulder to release it.

  Alec grunted as I bit him and he thrust into me with matching intensity. Our love making became rough and wild, as if we wanted to consume each other. I sank my teeth into him again. He repaid me in kind, marking the flesh around my nipple. I raked my nails along his back as he shoved me against the rocks, holding me in place as he took me with increasing force.

  I loved it. All of it. The sting of his love bite throbbing in my breast. The rocks scraping my flesh. Alec’s strength holding me down, keeping me in place so he could bury himself in me.

  The bond between us flared to life, strong and sure. We’d been born for each other. Across space and time, against all odds, we’d found one another. I was supposed to be here with Alec, letting him take me in an Icelandic hot spring. The voice didn’t have to speak, I could feel the moment was ordained by whatever magic governed true love. The stones had sung the day we first joined, and in the spring, I heard the ringing of bells.

  “I love you Alec,” I said, throwing my head back and howling the words.

  He held me even tighter. “And I love you, maiden mine.”

  We both came with harsh yells, his a low growl, mine high and keening. And then we were silent, the spring bubbling and frothing around us, all stirred up. Alec leaned his weight into me as I rested against him. We were one.

  Chapter Nine

  We flew back to Scotland, leaving at midnight to hide Alec’s dragon form from human eyes. It had been hard to leave the springs, but I knew it was time. I could feel the energy calling me and the voice stirring in my gut. The voice wasn’t talking, not yet, but it was more aware than it had been. We’d had a respite, nothing more. It was time to re-enter the real world and face whatever waited for us there.

  I hoped it was good news.

  Also, I missed my cupcake shop. My fingers itched to bake again. All this adventure had left me craving the orderly flow of a recipe. I especially wanted to make Alec some cupcakes.

  All the brothers were there to greet us when Alec landed on the turret. When he set me on the ground, the three men rushed to hug me. Niall with his shock of orange hair and crooked smile hugged me without abandon.

  “Nice to see you’re in one piece, lass” he said. “I’ve been minding your shop for you.”

  “You have?” I looked at him, surprised.

  “Aye. I needed something to keep me from losing my mind with worry.” His mouth turned down in a frown. “I’m afraid I havena the touch to make cupcakes though.”

  “Well, maybe you can make cookies for the shop,” I said, giving him a squeeze. “Because you certainly have the touch for those.”

  His eyes widened as he considered the idea, but he didn’t have a chance to say anything as Malcolm elbowed him out of the way. His dark eyes took me in, scanning me from head to toe. “You’re all right then, lass? I know Alec said you were, but I’d like to hear it with my own ears and see it for myself.”

  “Yes,” I said, touched by his concern. “It was a near thing, but we’re both okay. How are you?”

  He lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. “Better than I would be if you two hadn’t rescued me. Thank you for that.”

  “It was all my fault,” I said. “The least I could do was try to keep you from suffering a fate meant for me.”

  “I’ve been researching your sight,” he said. “I don’t think you can get rid of it, it’s part of you now, but I can help you control it. Box it into a corner, so to speak, and learn to use it instead of it using you.”

  “That sounds great,” I said feeling a bit giddy at the news. Even half free would be a huge improvement.

  “I’m working on a charm that will cloak you, too. Something to keep people from finding you.”

  “No one will bother ye again” said Niall.

  Malcolm started to say something else, but Gavin shoved him to the side and swept me up into a big bear hug, which, frankly, terrified me. I shrieked. Alec roared while Malcolm and Niall rushed to try and catch their brother, the one who always went too far. He spun away from them, an impish gleam in his eyes.

  “Shall I throw you over the edge?” he asked. “See how fast my brother can fly?”

  I shoved a knee into his stomach, driving the air from his lungs with a loud ‘oof.’ Fighting to breathe, he very gently set me down and stepped away, choking out, “I’ll take that as a no.”

  I glared at the big blond. “Someday your maiden is going to come, Gavin and you’re going to have to be a man, not an asshole.”

  He stumbled back, my words seeming to hit him like blows. I saw a raw vulnerability in his face and almost felt bad for what I’d said, but then my resolve stiffened. He needed to hear it. They all did.

  I looked at each of the brothers in turn. “Your spell worked, Malcolm. I’ve seen glimpses of its future. I am the first maiden but not the last. The others are coming, in their own time, on their own path. You will be free one day, all of you. The curse will be broken, but,” I raised a warning finger, “be sure you’re worthy of the maiden who comes for you.” That last bit was more for Gavin than anyone else, but I figured i
t wouldn’t hurt for the other two to hear it.

  Niall’s eyes went wide as an owl’s at my words while Malcolm just blinked at me. Gavin retreated, hovering on the threshold of the stairs leading back down to the castle. He wanted to run.

  Alec came to stand next to me, naked and formidable, anger emanating from him in waves of heat. “Are you all right, Sara? Did he hurt you?” He shot his brother a baleful glare.

  “Yes, but I’m not so sure he’s okay.” I crossed my arms and watched as Gavin finally turned tail and ran, disappearing down the turret steps. I’d been too much for him, which maybe explained why he was so aggressive with me. I’d seen it before. Some men couldn’t handle a strong woman, couldn’t stop trying to top her.

  Oh man, Gavin was in for a world of hurt when his maiden showed up. If he thought I was difficult… I let the thought trail off and just shook my head. Then I stood on my tip toes and kissed Alec on the cheek, so very glad that, out of all the dragons, he was mine.

  “We’re home.” A little trill went through me at the word home. I had Alec and my cupcake shop waited. Life was just about perfect.

  He wrapped an arm around me. “Aye, that we are.”

  “And you’re free.”

  “Soon you will be, too, maiden mine.” Alec turned his head and captured my lips in a searing kiss that I felt all the way down to my toes.

  One of the two brothers still on the turret cleared their throats. “We’ll leave you two to recover from your journey.” It was Niall and he sounded a little gobsmacked.

  “Aye,” chimed in Malcolm, sounding unsure of himself. “Mayhap tomorrow we can discuss the ideas I have about controlling your sight.”

  I smiled at both men, infusing the gesture with kindness. “I didn’t mean to spook you guys.”

  Malcolm raised his hands. “No offense taken, lass. You spoke the truth and we needed to hear it.”

  “We just need to think on it. We’ve been brothers alone for nigh two hundred years. Change is going to be…interesting,” Niall added.

  “Well, let me tell you, my brothers, your maiden is worth any sacrifice.” Alec squeezed me tight. “When she comes, you will let nothing stand in your way.”

  Gazing up into Alec’s eyes, I watched the copper flame that burned there dance. “And she will love you with all her heart.”

  -Fin-

  Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed Kiss the Dragon, in which case, please consider leaving a review. And YES I do plan to write about the other brothers. Be sure to join my mailing list (link below) if you want to know when the next book is out.

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  About the Author

  NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Michelle Fox lives in the Midwest with her husband, kids, the occasional exchange student and two, sweetly disobedient dogs. She loves fantasy and romance, which makes writing paranormal romance a natural fit. Occasionally, she goes through a maverick phase and writes contemporary romance. In her spare time, she's been known to shake her bon-bon at Zumba, make spectacular cheesecakes, hoard vintage costume jewelry and eat way too much ice cream (Ben and Jerry’s Karamel Sutra for the win!).

  B

  y the Light of the Scottish Moon

  By

  Red Phoenix

  B

  y the Light of the Scottish Moon

  Copyright © 2014 by Red Phoenix

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

  RedPhoenix69@live.com

  Edited by Jennifer Roberts-Hall

  Proofed by Becki Wyer

  Cover Design by Kim Killion

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dear Paranormal Lovers

  Epigraph

  Coming Home

  The Chosen

  Little Lamb

  Bryn

  The Wolf

  Old Wounds

  Rebirth

  About the Author Red Phoenix

  D

  ear Paranormal Lovers,

  I hope you enjoy By the Light of the Scottish Moon, the touching romance of Freya and Bryn. Two lost souls who find each other in the magic and enchantment of Scotland.

  If you love this romantic tale, please check out my other work

  While By the Light of the Scottish Moon is pure romance, my other paranormals are a combo of romance & EROTICA (18+)

  The Keeper of the Wolf Clan & The Keeper Finds Her Mate

  Join Layla as she navigates the alluring—but difficult—role of Keeper to four Alpha males.

  (contains shifter/human coupling)

  His Scottish Pet: Dom of the Ages

  Join Ryce Leon, an immortal, as he pleases and teases the women of Scotland with his unique skills.

  (contains BDSM scenes)

  Varick: The Reckoning

  This dark erotic romance proves that love can save the darkest of souls

  (contains some blood & violence – these aren’t sweet vamps)

  And now, the story of Bryn and Freya… ~ Enjoy, my friends!

  H

  e looked up at the moon and let out a long and terrible howl. It felt as if the pain would never end…

  Coming Home

  Freya McKenna gazed out of the airplane window at the blue ocean below. Even from way up here, she could see the white crest of the waves. She loved that about the ocean—the fact that it was its own force but still influenced by the moon above.

  The sky was a dark blue except for a few billowing clouds. It had the look of heaven to her so she turned away, sliding down the window shade in anger.

  Why did life have to be so cruel?

  A month ago, things were normal before she got the news: “We found something on your scan…”

  That something turned out to be stage-four pancreatic cancer which was growing rapidly. She was told to start an aggressive combination of chemo and radiation, but opted out. What was the point? If she was going to die anyway, she might as well pass this life on her own terms, surrounded by the hills of her homeland—the country of her ancestors—the place that called to her soul.

  Freya regretted she had no one to share her last weeks with. She was pretty much alone in the world. Her parents had died two years ago in an automobile accident, but both had lived good, long lives and had been spared this terrible end to their dochter. Unfortunately, she only had one brother and he worked for one of the larger law firms in Texas. He was always busy with work or his wife and large brood.

  Cameron couldn’t spare the time. However, the sad truth was, they’d grown apart over the years and she wasn’t even sure she liked the person he’d become. She felt no sadness that he couldn’t be there for her now.

  Freya looked at a young family across the aisle and sighed, regretting that she’d never had kids of her own. She’d been married once. The man morphed into a total ass after their wedding vows. Being the sole focus of his anger and violence, she quickly determined never to have kids with the loser.

  However, it didn’t take long for Freya to realize that if young children didn’t deserve the dunderhead then neither did she. She left her abusive husband and never looked back.

  Instead of raising a family, she worked hard
at getting her nursing degree and poured herself into caring for patients. They became her friends, and the staff she worked with became her family—her life was complete.

  How morbidly funny, Freya thought to herself. She’d spent her life helping dying cancer patients, and now she was one. Life sure had a perverted sense of humor—but at least she could appreciate the irony of it, now that she was finally headed home.

  Scotland…that green jewel of the world. Her parents had moved from her homeland when she was just a tiny bairn, so she didn’t remember anything about the place. However, it was a part of her, always had been. If she was going to die, then she wanted to be on Scottish soil. From the dust I was made, I will return to again…

  Freya walked off the plane in no particular hurry. She lingered at baggage claim, listening to the Scottish lilt of the other passengers. It was pleasant to see families reconnecting, and to watch lovers unite. Life moved on—even if she would not—and that brought her comfort.

  She’d rented a small house in the village of Kilchoan, a charming stone cottage that had been converted from a barn. One of the locals had transformed it into an enchanting getaway, complete with a mature garden to welcome guests and a spiral staircase beckoning them upstairs to the romantic bedroom.

  As soon as Freya saw pictures of the place online, she’d known it was where she was meant to die. The cottage called to her as if it had always been her destiny. As soon as she’d secured reservations, she felt a deep sense of peace.

  She was no longer afraid of what was to come…

  The drive to Kilchoan was long, bumpy and slow, but the countryside was breathtakingly beautiful. Green, low rolling hills, pockets of water, and crumbling remnants of castles seduced her. It was as if time had stopped here while the rest of the world marched on.